Stack Max Features

• all stack combinations on push buttons
• support for 2, 3 or 4 antennas, configurable from computer

special configurable stack functions:

T/R - separate stack combination for transmit and receive.

In practice, it happens quite often that you need to have a different combination of the stack for receiving and transmitting, e.g. when opening and closing bands, when transmitting to various directions etc. All this happens fully automatically (based on PTT signal) and the switching is protected against hot switch.

BOP - both out of phase option for your stack

Sometimes it is good to degrade the properties of the stack and worsen the decreased vertical angle of antennas obtained by stacking. This can be achieved by connecting the antennas out of phase, and enables to make a QSO to short distance with low take-off angle by stacked antennas.

AUX - one antenna out from stack

This option enables to exclude any antenna from the stack and connect it into a separate feed. This function is very useful when stacking multi banders, when one of the antennas of the stack can be used for an another radio for SO2R operation. When stacking mono banders, using this function you can drive an antenna to a different direction from an independent PA.

• 3 modes of buttons behavior
• remote controllable and configurable from computer
• programmable, relays separated 8 source or sink outputs
• configurable with " microHAM Device Configurator™ " computer software
• steel and aluminum case for best EMI suppression
• all I/O lines are filtered with an inductor choke filter
• outputs protected against overload and short
• PTT input protected against overvoltage

micro STACK MAX™ is fully software configurable and provides a choice of functions and modes of operation. We believe that some of them will suit your needs the best. All configured parameters of the micro STACK MAX (number of antennas, BOP, buttons behavior etc.) are stored into a non-volatile memory, so they remain stored in the micro STACK MAX until you change them.

Take a look on screen shots of microHAM Device Configurator, or download it for free and try all the features of micro STACK MAX

Main window

Antennas and BOP configuration

Hot Switch Protection

Buttons mode configurations

Offline memory configurations

LCD INFO Panel configurations

Specifications

Power voltage: 13.8 V (12 to 16V )
Current consumption: max. 1 A
Dimensions: W 175mm (6,89") x H 44 mm (1,73") x D 130 mm (5,12")
Weight: 700 g (1,54 lbs)
Operating temperature range: 0 .. 55 °C (32 .. 131 F)

Inputs:

• 13.8 V DC input (up to 300mA without micro STACK SWITCH)
• RS 232 input from PC
• PTT input for hot switch protection

Outputs:

• 8 x source or sink outputs with capability of 700 mA both
• output for LCD display - Info Panel
• INH output, open collector max. 12V, 100mA sink - direct connectible to Yaesu's QSK signals
• RS 232 for PC controling and configuring

micro STACK MAX buttons layout

Function Buttons:

Three buttons control special functions of stack.

T/R button - Pressing this button, divide combinations of the stack to separate combinations for receiving and for transmitting. A LED indicates when this function is active. Change the combination of stack using the antenna buttons - change the "receiving" combination during receiving and change the "transmitting" combination during transmitting. As the transmitting combination can not be changed immediately while transmitting (hot switch protection), the new configuration will become active after releasing PTT, and after reengaging PTT you are transmitting to the newly chosen combination. Press the T/R button once more to switch this function off. The combination of stack both for receiving and transmitting will be now the same as the last one chosen for receiving.

BOP button - switch the stack out of phase pressing this button. You can freely combine functions BOP, T/R and AUX. Press the button again to change or switch off the BOP function. The stack will switch to the last combination before switching BOP on.

AUX button - Pressing this button one antenna will be excluded from the stack and switched to a separate feed. If no antenna is free, a previously configured antenna will be chosen as the default. Pressing AUX button repeatedly change the antenna to be excluded from the stack and connected to a separate feed. Press and hold the AUX button for a while to switch the AUX function off. The configuration of the antennas will be restored to the combination just before the function has been switched on.

Memory write:

Any combination of the stack (including the special functions) can be stored to one of four memory positions. Store the combination by pressing and holding T/R button ; then choose the memory position pressing one of the buttons 1 to 4. Restore the stored combination simply by pressing one of the buttons 1 to 4, when in memory mode.

Antenna Button Modes:

Use the antenna switches to choose the active antenna in the stack. Antenna switches can be configured to three modes. Choose the required mode by pressing and holding T/R button, then press BOP button for mode 1&2 or AUX button for mode 3.

MODE 1 - EXCLUSIVE mode Switch between antennas simply pressing the appropriate antenna button. All other antennas will be disconnected. When there are two or three antennas (the number of antennas is configurable), pressing button 4 all antennas can be switched into the stack. Two or three antennas can be chosen together by simultaneous pressing the appropriate antenna buttons. This mode is recommended when using two or three antennas in the stack.

MODE 2 - TOGGLE mode In this mode, pressing an antenna button switches the antenna on and repeated pressing switches is off. There is always at least one antenna switched on. When using two or three antennas, pressing button 4 switches all antennas in the stack on. This mode is recommended for three or four antennas in the stack.

MODE 3 - MEMORY mode In this mode, pressing buttons 1 to 4 chooses previously stored combinations of the stack (stored together with the special functions). Functions of the stack can be changed by the function buttons. Pressing any antenna button restores the previously stored combination appropriate to the pressed button. This mode is used for fast switching between four optimized configurations of the stack.

Maybe this all sounds complicated, but in fact it is very simple and easy to use and you will learn all the features within a couple of minutes.

Remote Controller

• microHAM Remote Controller (free of charge) allows to control one or more micro STACK MAX devices from the computer via RS232 connection
• Control panel on the screen fully substitutes the front panel on the micro STACK MAX
• User can put commands form the keyboard or mouse
• Device status is on-line displayed in the status box and on the simulated LEDs
• Remote panel is resizeable to allow the user to adjust it when it is used with other software simultaneously
• microHAM Remote Controller makes it possible to use the micro STACK MAX also in remotely controlled hamshack

Resizeable Remote Controller panel

Assigning COM port for controller

Stackable panels for two or more micro STACK MAX controllers