[TowerTalk] Computer control antenna switch

[Richard Thorne]

Hi Wayne:

I'm currently using a microham band decoder from http://www.microham.com 
for antenna control.  It has the ablity to control several switches 
including the Ameritron (I use a dx engineering 8 port switch).  I use 
one for my remote controlled station.  It connects between the rig and 
pc and decodes the bands from either the rig by itself or from your 
computer logging software.

For rotor control check out N8LP's software.  You'll still need a 
computer controllable rotor like a Yaesu or maybe a Hygain rotor.  I use 
a Hygain Tailtwister with an idiom press serial device.  Check out 
http://www.telepostinc.com/n8lp.html and http://www.idiompress.com/. 
Since your using TRX-Manager it has a built driver for rotor control, 
thats what I use.

I use the remote control capabilities of TRX-Manager to control 
everything from home via TCP/IP and http://www.skype.com for audio.

I'm curious why you want to use an LPT port for control?  Is it due to a 
lack of com ports?  I use two com ports for my remote station, do you 
have an extra one for rotor control?  Since your rig is already 
connected to a com port, you won't need another one for the microham 
device since its in series between the rig and pc.

I'm going to be out of town for the next two days and will be able to 
reply to any other questions upon my return.

73,

Rich - N5ZC
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wayne - WD4LYV" <wd4lyv at surfsouth.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 4:12 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Computer control antenna switch


> Hello,
>
> I am Wayne WD4LYV , and after medical problems for 5 years am getting 
> back on the radio. I cannot reach with my arms to control my rotor and 
> need a source for an antenna switch that can be controlled by my 
> computer logging software through the parallel port.
>
> I understand the ameritron switch can be but I would need the 
> interface.
>
> I await replys from my fellow amateur operators. You may read about me 
> at qrz.com under wd4lyv and see how I use my trackball to control my 
> radio.
>
> Wayne WD4LYV
> _______________________________________________
>
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