[TowerTalk] stack controller

[Richard Thorne]

Steve,

I recently took a lighting hit that took out quite a bit of my 
equipment.  I have a WISP antenna on my tower and I feel it came through 
the ethernet to the computer then to all devices connected to the 
computer via the usb ports.  It took out my I/O card in my K3S, all 
three of my Green Heron RT-21's and a USB port on the computer.  It also 
took out the 4O3A antenna switch was connected to the network via an 
ethernet cable.

After a bit of research I am going with Green Heron's GH Everywhere 
products.  The only thing connected to my operating desk from the towers 
will be a single coax cable (which passes through a Polyphaser at the 
entrance bulkhead)

I'll be able to control my two stack matches with one of the GH remotes 
with the 8 relay card installed.  That sounds like what you need.   If 
you need more than 8 relays, purchase a 2nd remote with another 8 relays.

I was a little hesitant at first, but after setting up one of the 
remotes, it wasn't difficult at all. I like the graphic interface on the 
computer which can be controlled with a mouse click or hot keys.  I will 
no longer need the stack match control boxes or RT-21 rotor controls on 
my operating desk.  My operating desk is now clutter free.

The three RT-21's are being repaired and will be upgraded with Jeff's 
wireless cards so I won't need to connect them to the computer with a 
USB cable.  I'm also installing a couple Select 8 switches at the towers 
which will not require control cables, just 12v down the coax.

Wish I had done this a long time ago.

Rich - N5ZC


On 10/28/2019 1:31 PM, Steve Maki wrote:
> Hey guys,
>
> After a recent lightning event I find that my 20M 3-high stack 
> controller got zapped. This is an IC based homebrew design that a 
> friend made for me in the 90's.
>
> I'll be able to swap in the 10M controller as a temporary fix, but 
> going forward am wondering if there is an easy commercial replacement 
> available, maybe with a bit more flexibility (more relay outputs).
>
> I currently need to be able to control 7 relays in 7 programmable 
> different combinations (all involving either 1, 5, or 6 of the relays 
> to be energized at a time, per the K3LR article from the 90's).
>
> My current control boxes have 7 buttons each of which can direct 
> access the 7 relay combos. I much prefer this over any rotary control 
> switch.
>
> Anyway, I know this is a simple task for a little Arduino box and 
> relay controller - is there anything out there that is (almost) ready 
> to go?
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Steve K8LX
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