Automatic band decoder and antenna switches

On this page you will find:

• Remote Antenna Switches by microHAM, automated with band decoder

Further we offer:

• Remote Antenna Switches by SSB-Elektronik
• Remote Antenna Switches by Ameritron
• Manual coax switches (Diamond, Alpha Delta etc.)

microHAM supplies high quality accessories for your hamshack, such as Band Decoders, various types of Antenna Switches, Antenna Stacking devices, special devices designed dedicated for the SO2R operating technique, USB Interfaces and many others ...

microHAM Station Master

Station Master Front

The microHAM Station Master is the successor to the popular Band-Decoder, and offers a lot of additonal functions. With the Station Master you integrate a lot of devices of your shack: automatic antenna switching with the freely programmable band decoder, computer controlled rotator direction,, CAT control of your radio, switching of bandpass filters, a sequencer for amplifiers and last but not least the integration of your SteppIR antenna. With the iLink connection you can further integrate your existing soundcard interface by microHAM: works with Micro-Keyer, Micro-Keyer2, Digi-keyer, Micro-Keyer2R(+) etc.

The most control functions are derived from frequency and PTT information. This offers you 20 frequency dependent output switches to control an antenna switch (for example). Some antennas can be declared as receive only antenna, the Station Master will block transmitting on these antennas. Additionally a freely programmable sequencer is availabkle, for example to control the delayed switching of pre amplifiers or amplifiers.

The intelligent rotor control allows the use of nearly any rotor manufacturer and type. The position information may be an analog voltage (e.g. Yaesu, Hy-Gain) or a digital pulse (e.g. SPID). Depending on band and your individual setup the antenna will turn automatically, for example after entering just the prefix of a call or a locator (depending on your log program).

Several fixed antennas can be grouped into a 'virtual rotr', selecting the right antenna depending of the destination. This can be used with antennas like 4-Squares or Beverages.

If you use a SteppIR or Ultrabeam antenna, this can also be controlled by the StationMaster. This has several benefits. A SteppIR antenna directly coupled to your transceiver would follow each and every frequency change, even when another antenna is in use. The Station Master transmits control information to the variable antenna only if it also the active antenna. Another benefit is that large split offsets can be compensated, the antenna will not retune between Tx and Rx.

With the clearly arranged controls of the Station Master, practically all functions can be controlled from the front panel. This makes the operation independant of a computer, provided the band limits and setup has been programmed once before.

The built-in CAT interface allows to connect nearly any radio to the computer and the log software. Already existing microHAM interfaces can be integrated with the iLink port.

Station Master Rear

Station Master Features

General

• Programmable Antenna, BPF, Rotor and PA controller
• Twenty (20) programmable relay outputs
• Integrated level converter for transceiver computer control port
• Decodes all frequencies of connected transceiver, including 75m, 6m, VHF and UHF
• Unlimited number of custom defined frequency segments “bands”
• Single USB connection to computer
• Stand alone operation
• Internal Rotator control
• Virtual Rotators function
• Separate RX/TX antenna support
• Automatic Antenna Scan function
• Separately programmable up to 20 outputs sequencer
• Automatic power amplifier support
• Fully compatible and simple integrated with microHAM “keyers” MK, DK, CK, MKII and MK2R
• Proprietary SteppIR support for automatic tunning and protection
• Hot Switch protection with user defined timing
• TX Inhibit support for Yaesu's transceivers
• Receive only antennas support
• Optical isolation from computer
• PS/2 keyboard or keypad with dual control of Station Master and microHAM “keyer”
• Integrated chokes and filters for maximum RFI immunity
• Metal/Aluminum case, powder coated and silk screened
• Free, no time limit firmware/software upgrades via Internet

CAT control

• Integrated level converter for CI-V, FIF-232, IF-232, or RS-232
• Up to 57600 Baud with fake handshake support
• Supports most Elecraft, Icom, Kenwood, Ten-Tec, Yaesu and other radios

Antenna control (Port A):

• Ten (10) programmable relay outputs
• Configurable power for common
  • ground
  • 13.8V positive
  • external power, max. + 24V
• Compatible with all remote antenna switches using common ground or positive control

Additional Antennas or BPF Control (Port B):

• Six (6) programmable relay outputs
• Configurable power for common
• ground
• 13.8V positive
• external power, max. + 24V
• Compatible with all automatic BPF on the market

RX Antennas and TX Sequencer (Port B):

• Four (4) programmable relay outputs
• Both poles of relay contact available
• Independent settings of Lead and Tail delay for each sequencer output

Internal Rotator Control:

• Three (3) programmable relay outputs
• Both poles of relay contact available
• Configurable support for BRAKE or SPEED control
• Support for multi-turn rotators
• Support for rotators with analog (pot) or discrete (pulse) azimuth read back
• Programmable software limit switches
• Dead zone definition
• Target finding strategy selection for optimal handling
• Support for “slipping” rotators
• Four memories for most wanted azimuths
• Automatic azimuth control from logger

Virtual Rotator Control:

• Unlimited number of antennas can be joined to Virtual Rotator
• Programmable azimuth ranges for each Virtual Rotator antenna
• Automatic azimuth control from logger
• Unlimited number of Virtual Rotators per Band

Power Amplifier Control:

• Automatic tunning for CI-V controlled automatic amplifiers (Icom PW1, Expert SPE, Tokyo Hy-Power)
• Automatic band switching for BCD controlled amplifiers (Yaesu VL-1000, FL-7000)
• Support for QSK Power Amplifiers

Weight and Size:

• Weight 950g
• 230 x 130 x 45mm (without protruding parts)

Special Cables for Station Master

Cable list for microHAM CW-Keyer and Station Master

CW-KEYER List of CAT cables

10-Keypad

The 10 Keypad is directly connected to the microKEYER and allows control of various CW functions, like recall of stored standard buffers, adjusting speed and many more. The RTTY functions require a full PS/2 keyboard (a USB keyboard will not work!).

microHAM antenna switches

Remote controlled antenna switches for 6 or 10 antennas

The antenna switches by microHAM are weatherproof for mast mounting, but can be operated in the shack as well. The switches can be controlled by the "micoHAM band decoder" (see above, 5m cable included) or other band decoders. The PCB in the switches is a special HF design with striplines, using individual stubs for optimum SWR and lowest insertion losses. Unused antennas are grounded, when unit is powered off all antennas are grounded. The solid aluminum die cast chassis with 4mm wall thickness provides excellent protection against RF interference (class IP66). Normally all switches come with PL jack (female), N jacks are optionally available. Switches are available with 1-to-6, 2-to-6 or 1-to-10 configurations.

Typ	micro Six Switch	micro DoubleSix Switch	micro Ten Switch	micro Double Ten Switch
No. of radios	1	2	1	2
No. of antennas	6	6	10	10
Frequency range	0 - 60MHz	0 - 30MHz	1.7 - 60MHz	0 - 30MHz
Impedance	50Ω	50Ω	50Ω	50Ω
Relay voltage	+9 bis +16V	+9 bis +16V	+9 bis +16V	+9 bis +16V
Power consumption	max. 80mA	max. 180mA	max. 80mA	max. 210mA
Sizes	220 x 103 x 120mm	220 x 103 x 120mm	220 x 103 x 120mm	360 x 103 x 120mm
Weight w/o mounting bracket	2.2kg	2.4kg	2.4kg	3.6kg
Temperature range	-35° bis +70°C	-35° bis +70°C	-35° bis +70°C	-35° bis +70°C
Max. Power load (CW) 1.8 to 30MHz	5KW at SWR 1:1.3 3KW at SWR 1:2 2KW at SWR 1:3	5KW at SWR 1:1.3 3KW at SWR 1:2 2KW at SWR 1:3	5KW at SWR 1:1.3 3KW at SWR 1:2 2KW at SWR 1:3	5KW at SWR 1:1.3 3KW at SWR 1:2 2KW at SWR 1:3
Max. Power load (CW) 30 to 60MHz	1.5KW at SWR 1:3	-	1.5KW at SWR 1:3	-
SWR at 1.8MHz 14MHz 28MHz 50MHz	1.00 1.03 1.07 1.12	1.03 1.03 1.06 -	1.00 1.01 1.02 1.06	1.01 1.05 1.15 -
Insertion loss at 1.8MHz 14MHz 28MHz 50MHz	<0.01 <0.01 <0.02 <0.05	<0.01 <0.03 <0.05 -	<0.01 <0.02 <0.04 <0.07	<0.03 <0.03 <0.06 -
Isolation at 1.8MHz 14MHz 28MHz 50MHz	>80dB >64dB >58dB >50dB	85 - 115dB 65 - 100dB 60 - 90dB -	>75dB >61dB >55dB >47dB	90 - 115dB 70 - 105dB 60 - 80dB -
Order No. (PL sockets)	Micro-6SW 358.00 EUR Buy now	Micro-DUO6SW 523.00 EUR Buy now	Micro-10SW 405.00 EUR Buy now	Micro-DUO10S 789.00 EUR Buy now
Order No. N sockets	Micro-6SW-N 425.00 EUR Buy now	—	Micro-10SW-N 509.00 EUR Buy now	—

The products microHAM StackSwitch and microHAM StackMAXX are available on request.