[CQ-Contest] anyone using combo ICE419 filter box w/DBS-1

[john at kk9a.com]

The Array Solutions SixPak requires every bit of 12 volts for the relays
to engage reliably. My Top Ten band decoders reduce the voltage (although
not as significantly as yours) and so did the diodes that I used on the
output to separate my Dunestar bandpass filter and SixPak. Using this
setup many times there was just not enough voltage left for the SixPak,
especially when I had a long cable run.  So a long time ago I built a
small box with 12 double pole relays. The band decoder engages these small
relays and these  relays control both the bandpass and antenna relays. Now
I have 13.8 volts going to the SixPak. I used this system at both my home
station and at P40A with great results.

John KK9A


To:	 "cq-contest at contesting.com" <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject:	 [CQ-Contest] anyone using combo ICE419 filter box w/DBS-1
decoders by ArraySolutions
From:	 AB2E Darrell <ab2e at hotmail.com>
Date:	 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 20:09:37 -0500

Hello,
         Would like to hear from anyone also using this combination (DBS-1
band
decoder w/ICE419 filter box).
I am setting them up for SO2R with a Sixpak.
Using with IC756Pro III and FT-1000D.

All seems to work fine on the FT-1000D setup w/ DBS-1 and ICE419 box.

The 2nd setup for IC756ProIII has the following problem.
Significant
 voltage drop when adding the ICE419 to the DBS-1, from 12V to 8V, which
 is too low to drive the Sixpak. I may have a decoder problem since the other
DBS-1 does not seem to have a voltage drop and remains at 12V when I add the
ICE419 to the circuit.
At first I was trying an Alinco PS
which is working fine on the other combo, but 13.8 in was only reading
10V at the relay terminals on the DBS-1 which was still enough to drive the
Sixpak. Found a laptop supply at 12V
which actually puts out 16V. Hooked that up. Now reads 12V at the relay
terminals on the DBS-1, but drops to 8V when I connect the ICE419.
Sixpak is using the sourcing wiring. Ice419 the sinking.
If I just use the DBS-1 and Sixpak (no ICE419), the Icom setup is working
fine
also.

Specifically, I am wondering if anyone using this or similar set of band
decoders has wired the ICE419 to work with them using the external power jack
on the back of the 419 instead of deriving the power from the band decoder
via
the 8-pin DIN for automatic control on the back of the ICE419 (while still
using the rest of the DIN connections and able to use Auto mode)?

I'm thinking of trying an 18V power supply, to see if I can still get at
least
10V at the relay terminals driving the Sixpak.
Any ideas appreciated,


Thanks and 73 Darrell AB2E
ab2e at hotmail.com