The W4IY contest group used Flex radios on 222, 432 and 6M this weekend
in FM08. Just wanted to let the group know they worked well. On 432/222,
we used a Flex 1500 driving Elecraft transverters. The sequencers, amps
and preamps were installed in a van, which was parked at the base of the
tower. The 1500, computer and remote bird watt meter were located in our
operation's tent. I built a sequencer to switch bands and sequence the
transverter, amp, preamp chain. The sequencer worked great, but I
discovered a glitch with N1MM and the computer's LPT port.
The band switch uses the BCD output of N1MM, which is based on reading
the Flex frequency via the CAT commands. The value on the parallel port
data pin doesn't stay constant. When high, it drops momentarily when the
N1MM voice keyer is invoked. So this had the effect of changing the BCD
value on the parallel port and thus changed my remote coax switch to a
different band and different transverter, amp, preamp chain. I found a
work around. The length of the glitch corresponded to the PTT delay in
N1MM, so I programmed the PIC to ignore short BCD changes. (e.g. less
than 150mS) Not sure if this is a hardware, driver or application problem.
On 6 meters, we used a Flex 5000A and Heathkit amp. I used an external
relay in the key line to protect the Flex. Watching the band come alive
was a lot of fun! Just like a HF contest, we were able to pick open
frequencies and see when new activity started.
The panadpater helped a lot. In fact, several times we were able to tail
gate a QSO for a new one. One time, I was able to tail gate a Q and then
move the other station to the other three bands for a clean sweep. We
would have missed this without the Flex.
We ran into the old 'focus' problem. For example, the 222/432 Op would
change bands (e.g. move from 432 to 222), type in the frequency (e.g.
222.120) and then start typing the contact's call sign. This, of course,
changed the Flex's frequency - which frustrated the Op. We adjusted our
procedures by typing the frequency into N1MM call sign window, which
left the focus in N1MM, ready to take the call sign. We disabled all the
Flex keyboard commands. (Sure would be nice to have a single button to
turn them all off at once.)
Our new knob worked fine. Looks like we'll order a few more. ;) We think
using it as the RIT has the most value because it's hard to control the
RIT slider. In the heat of the battle, it's easy to forget the RIT is
even there. Often times, when changing bands, stations don't end up on
the exact frequency. BTW, I'm glad there is an auto RIT clear - good
thinking! That way, when the VFO is changed with the knob, the RIT goes
to zero.
2 meter activity was really down for us this year. We suspect all the
single Ops were having fun on 6 and sort of ignored 2M. Then again,
perhaps it was because we weren't using a Flex on 2M. hi hi
73's
Stu2
W7IY
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