[TenTec] "Semi-CAT" for analog* TT rigs (was Re: Corsair II PCInterface)

[Steve Ellington]

For sure this would be a great product.
It would also need inputs for the T-R voltage and a couple of offset
voltages as are used to correct the readout in the Corsair.

I've had Corairs readout failure and one was so unfixable that I ended up
installing a new frequency counter with a beautiful LED readout I found on
on Ebay from China. However it lacked these offsets and a cheat sheet had
to be created for mentally calculating the offsets. I suppose this could be
easily handled with the outboard processor we're talking about.

Steve N4LQ

On Thu, Nov 24, 2016 at 10:27 PM, Ron Notarius W3WN <wn3vaw at verizon.net>
wrote:

> As prevalent as 5 MHz and 9 MHz based VFO/PTO circuits have been over the
> years in so many different analog transmitters and transceivers, I'm
> surprised that no one has done just this -- marketed a DDS VFO in an
> external enclosure.  You'd think it'd be relatively simple enough to do.
>
> Just think -- a simple, relatively inexpensive device that would greatly
> improve any of these old rigs, without requiring any significant (or even
> any) modifications or adjustments.
>
> 73, ron w3wn
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Al
> Gulseth
> Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2016 9:06 PM
> To: gerd Groos; Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Subject: [TenTec] "Semi-CAT" for analog* TT rigs (was Re: Corsair II
> PCInterface)
>
> Since we're doing some "what-if" here:
>
> Instead of a frequency counter, how about using a DDS VFO in an _external_
> enclosure - set up along the lines of the 301/302 remote tuning knob ? The
> VFO jumper on the back panel provides a very convenient input point for the
> DDS signal. If implemented properly, in conjunction with the band data
> outputs the DDS VFO could output rig frequency to the control program as
> well as possibly allowing computer controlled tuning within the selected
> band. If the mode switch was also tied into the system as Gerd suggested,
> "semi-CAT"
> operation would seem to be possible with minimum modifications to the rig.
> Returning the rig to its normal operational state would simply require
> unplugging a couple of data connectors (along with an RCA cable to the
> accessory 12V output on the back of the rig if powering the DDS VFO that
> way) and switching back to the VFO jumper on the back panel.
>
> As stated previously, this one's "above my pay grade" so I'll let someone
> else run with this if it's deemed to be a viable possibility.
>
> * "analog" here refers to early Omnis, Corsairs, etc. with remote VFO
> input.
>
> 73, Al
>
> On Thu November 24 2016 3:09:51 pm gerd Groos wrote:
> > *> For a "black box", as cheap as RasPI's are that might be an option
> > to
> > consider*
> >
> > Raspberry will be fine.
> >
> > Hardware:
> > - Use Raspberry
> > - Add dd frequency counter interface, along idea here
> > http://www.swharden.com/wp/2016-10-10-raspberry-pi-rf-frequency-counte
> > r/
> > - Add bad data lines, plus SSB/CW mode line interface
> > - Add shielding / EMI measures as required
> >
> > Software:
> > CAT command implementation can be based based on hamlib or Juma TRX-2
> > firmware (source code available for the Jumma TRX, see firmware on
> > their
> > website)
> >
> > Link from Corsair to PC could be by WLAN
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Gerd.
> >
> > 2016-11-24 20:19 GMT+01:00 Al Gulseth <wb5jnc at centurytel.net>:
> > > I didn't look at the C II but the Omni B/C and Corsair 560 all
> > > appear to have a dedicated (isolated) bandswitch wafer tied to the
> > > "linear" socket on the back panel. If' I'm reading the schematics
> > > right the individual bandswitch positions and the common terminal
> > > all come out to the connector, so the voltage/logic level used could
> > > be anything reasonable within the switch rating. The only reason I
> > > could see needing diodes would be to encode it down to a binary
> > > sequence instead of dealing with 9 individual lines.
> > >
> > > That being said, the C II may be different.
> > >
> > > For a "black box", as cheap as RasPI's are that might be an option
> > > to consider (speaking out of school here as I'm not up to speed on
> > > them.)
> > >
> > > 73, Al
> > >
> > > On Thu November 24 2016 9:01:45 am Steve Ellington wrote:
> > > > Corsair II and older TTs.
> > > >
> > > > The band information (+13.8v) is easily available from the
> > > > bandswitch
> > >
> > > with
> > >
> > > > just the addition of a few diodes on SW4 or SW5.
> > > >
> > > > The frequency information is available via the VFO jack.
> > > >
> > > > A black box is needed to convert this info to interface via a USB
> > > > port to the pc and emulate some rig. That's beyond my pay scale.
> > > >
> > > > Is there anyone out there willing to tackle such a project?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Steve N4LQ
> > > > _______________________________________________
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> > > > TenTec at contesting.com
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> > >
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