At the recent trade fair in Montichiari (BS), during the Contest University, I presented an exhibition of amateur radio station designed for a contest situation. FLEX-5000 set on the transceiver and receiver PERSEUS, the setting he wanted to be an example of how SDR can be powerful and practical even in very challenging situations. The exhibition is also an example of integration between hardware and software components that make up the station, through the use of VSPE the link between the various parties is achieved with ease and safety of operation.
hardware components:
- FLEX-5000A full expansion RX2
- HF receiver PERSEUS
- EXPERT 1K-FA linear amplifier
- Tmate USB DIAL
software components:
- PowerSDR (FLEX-5000A)
- CwSkimmer (FLEX-5000A/RX2 and PERSEUS)
- QARTest (program management and digital modes contest)
- QARTest (CW Keyer and Voice Keyer)
- VSPE management (serial port)
- Virtual VAC Audio Cable
This diagram of the station
practically control all the hardware and software is built up by CAT shared between virtual and real serial ports, through VSPE that "splits" the CAT port of PowerSDR at multiple ports available to software and hardware connected. The diagram can also see the dynamic controller for an antenna, such as STEP or Ultrabeam, which can be inserted into chain sharing of CAT, a complete automation of the antenna and also, in the same way, the controller of a rotor. For the latter two devices (antenna and rotor) are required two additional real serial ports.
FLEX-5000A is the transceiver for the contest, the operator may operate in one of the two bands made available simultaneously, while in operation on RX1, RX2, the band played from VAC is sent through a session for CwSkimmer CW signal analysis and present information on how SPOT CALL heard are sent to QARTest CLUSTER displays them on the dedicated window.
PERSEUS is also used as a "hunter" of CALL by another session of CwSkimmer tuned to a band of your choice, even in this case sends CwSkimmer QARTest information CALL heard in the band choice.
QARTest handles the contest by CAT interfaced with PowerSDR and, through two specific virtual serial ports, also operates from CW keyer and voice keyer.
EXPERT 1K-FA linear amplifier is interfaced via CAT PowerSDR, follows the frequency shifts in automatic mode and controls the output power of the FLEX-5000A for the right steering input. If you have a real serial ports free, you can also control the remote amplifier via the supplied software.
Tmate is the tuning knob, used for small changes in frequency or fast moving within the operating band, is interfaced with PowerSDR Tmate also using virtual serial port on the CAT.
in the arrangement which could be seen in Montichiari was also a small USB monitor, as an extension of the primary monitor, which was displayed on one of the two sessions CwSkimmer. The USB monitor, with touch functionality, also allows you to adjust the tuning of the system.
PCs used in this production were two: a QuadCore desktop on which "ran" the whole station and a laptop with DualCore dedicated to PERSEUS CwSkimmer. The two PCs were networked through a local network hub.
The antenna in this exhibition was a simple dipole, shared by all receivers (3) with an antenna splitter production ELAD which entrance was turned off during transmission from one production SwitchBox always ELAD.
This is the train (the laptop is not visible with PERSEUS)
Detail of the screen during a simulated contest
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