By the way, all my software supports the topten devices Yaesu interface
through the parallel printer support. And I have a parallel printer driver
in my software so that the parallel printer port even works on windows XP
(but not Vista). This allows full automatic antenna switching by band.
Carl Moreschi N4PY
121 Little Bell Drive
Bell Mountain
Hays, NC 28635
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim McDonald" <jim@n7us.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] FS - Top Ten Devices Band Decoder for Orion
The Top Ten Devices unit plugs into the band data jack of the radio and,
in my application, replaces the DX Engineering remote antenna switch
controller. When I change bands on the radio the remote switch on the
top of my tower switches to the appropriate antenna for that bands, so I
don't have to do it manually.
The Top Ten box has its own power supply for the remote switch and can
be easily configured for monoband antennas or monoband antennas and a
tribander.
Jim N7US
-------- Original Message --------
Hello,
I'm trying to follow this discussion and have a question. What is a Top
Ten
Devices Band Decoder? Sorry, for my ignorance. Thank you for the
information.
Best,
DW Holtman
WB7SSN
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dick Williams" <k8ztt@mho.com>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 9:58 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] FS - Top Ten Devices Band Decoder for Orion
Jim,
I wouldn't think you should have too much trouble finding someone to buy
it.
Not only is the convenience factor an issue, but it saves a bunch of
money
on coax and you only need one coax coming in the house.
I also switch my Ham M and Tailtwister rotors with the same system. Have
just one rotor cable coming in and one rotor control box (actually I have
two cables and two boxes - have one M2 R2800 and it needs its own control
box and cable).
Good luck,
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim N7US" <jim@n7us.net>
To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 9:32 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] FS - Top Ten Devices Band Decoder for Orion
Dick,
You're more clever and more ambitious than I am! Yes, I just unplugged
the
DX Engineering control box, which is the power supply, switch, and LEDs
and
replaced it with the Top Ten Decoder box.
I am using the same remote switch now with my Icom band decoder. I
standardized the plug/socket set so they are all the same, so I can go
back
to the DX Engineering box easily.
I'm thinking of buying a Yaesu and can reverse the Orion mod in the band
decoder to make it a Yaesu unit if I can't sell it, but it seems a shame
to
waste the Orion mod and matching cable. I'd rather sell it so someone
else
can use it since they're no longer made.
As you know, not having to turn or flip a switch to select the antenna
when
changing bands is convenient and good when one gets tired.
Jim N7US
-----Original Message-----
Jim,
OK, I think I understand what you were doing, you were using the Top Ten
decoder to furnish the voltage for the relays in the DX Engineering box.
When I designed my switching network, I built a box with a 12V power
supply
and 11 relays. The power supply furnished the voltage for both the RF
switching relays out in the field and the 11 relays to route the proper
polarity outside ( +, -, 0, and AC). The relays only needed to be
grounded
to close, so I used the Top Ten decoder outputs for that purpose.
If you are wondering how I switch 11 antennas with only four polarities,
the
answer is I run a wire outside to the first relay box (Ameritron RCS-4)
and
use the 4 polarities to route the RF out 4 different coax's to
additional
relay boxes (the other RCS-4's and 4712's). All those relays are
switched
by injecting the control voltage on the coax.
When I bought the Orion, the data jack does the same thing as the output
of
the Top Ten decoder, so I didn't need it any more.
Dick K8ZTT
Yes, when I was using the Yaseu radios, I had built a box with 11 eleven
relays and a 12 V (actually it is closer to 18 V no load) power supply.
----- Original Message -----
The remote switch needs 12-18V DC to energize the relays. Doesn't the
band
data jack close a contact to ground for the selected band?
Jim N7US
-----Original Message-----
Jim,
I am kind of curious as to why you needed the Top Ten band decoder with
the
Orion?
When I had a Yausu FT-1000D and then a Mark V, I also had one of the
Top
Ten decoders to do the same thing you were doing. Only difference is I
am
using three Ameritron RCS-4's and two MFJ 4712's spread out rather than
one
(like the DX Engineering unit).
In any case, when I purchased the Orion, I sold the Top Ten unit
because
the Orion has the bands already decoded on the Band Data connector, and
I
no
longer needed the top ten decoder.
----- Original Message -----
I sold my Orion a couple of years ago but still have the Top Ten
Devices
Band Decoder. It was originally a Yaesu band decoder with the source
driver
option, and I added the $35 Orion mod kit and bought a $30 Orion cable
for
it. It works fine (was checked out by N2RD of Top Ten Devices since I
don't
have the Orion). I still have the couple of parts removed in the
conversion, in case you want to convert it back to a Yaesu,
I used it with a DX Engineering remote antenna switch on the tower.
Changing
bands on the radio changes the antenna switch automatically.
Top Ten Devices no longer sells the Orion or the Yaesu-to-Orion mod
kit.
My
cost was $155 for the unit, $35 for the mod kit, and $30 for the
cable,
for
a total of $220. I'd like to sell the package for $175 plus shipping
from
near Chicago.
The Top Ten Devices web site is
http://www.qth.com/topten/bdecoder.htm.
Jim N7US
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