There is a FlexRadio 6700 for WSJT, CW and SSB. The middle radios are Alinco DR135 and DR235 for 146-148 MHz and 222 MHz FM contacts. The A slice is used for 6m and the B slice is the IF for the DEMI XVTRs from 144 to 1296 MHZ. A Denkovi USB to 8 relay is interfaced with the Flex to switch IF and PTT lines for each band. It is then easy to change band just using the N1MM Plus software or the radio. The amplifiers on the top shelf are Lunar Link 1500 watts output.

The EME setup...

Receiver - LinkRF IQ+ dual RX radio for adaptive polarization. The receiver is preceded with two ARR MSP144VDG-25 24 db gain preamps at the antennas. The audio interface device is a E-MU 1616. The audio is fed to MAP65 for decoding

Transmit - MAP65 sends the audio using VAC, Virtual Audio Cable using Power SDR and feeds a Flex 1500 SDR which drives the Downeast Microwave 144-28 transverter. The output of the xvtr drives the Lunar Link LA200 amplifier to 1500 watts output. The frequency of the xvtr and 1500 are fed with a GPS disciplined 10 MHz oscillator.

This is the WSJT MAP65 software used to decode the 96 KHz spectrum of 2 meters. Also shown is the PSTRotatorAZ software used to control the rotators to track the moon. Other software used Dimension 4 (time synch), MoonSked, Trakbox, DXLabs, and LiveCQ.

Typical of the four stations used in M/2

This setup is for a typical single operator one radio contest. Hardware starting at top is Alpha 87A or Expert SPE 2K, FilterMax II, LP-100 Power Meter, Two LCD monitors suspended from the shelf and completely adjustable, Flex 6700 or 6500, Maestro, Vibroplex dual paddles, RadioSport Headset, and Green Heron EK device.

The screen show N1MM, Green Heron Everywhere software control of antennas and rotators, four PstRotatorAZ controls of the two SteppIR DB42 Antennas, MonstIR and 3 element SteppIR with 40m loop. The N1MM UDP controls the SteppIRs and GHE selection of antennas.

Wiring needed only for antenna, network and power. Ethernet is the backbone for the Flex 6000 series, Maestro, and logging computers. The server is connected to the rotators, SteppIR controllers and Green Heron devices. All radios are hard wired interlocked so that only one transmitter can be used on a band at a time. The Flex 6000 series has an TX inhibit circuit connected.

We use Bluetooth wireless Logitech keyboards and mouse. The mouse is a roller ball as it is very fast for RTTY.

Goal: Maximize operator efficiency, ie keep hands on the keyboard and minimize fatigue

Objectives:

Integrate all controls on the operators computer screen
Provide two computer screens at eye level to have adequate space for all controls and important information
An operator should be able to select any antenna for any band
Filters and screens automatically follow band changes
Rotators and switches will be on screen and only when that band is selected
Anything on screen should be able to be remote controlled from another computer using the internet
Steppir antennas shall be remote controlled on screen and follow the radio in use
Minimize the cabling necessary for this implementation
Use Ehternet networking for all stations
Use wireless keyboard and mouse to reduce cables and EMI/RFI issues.

Implementation:

Selected software and hardware to implement - Green Heron Everywhere, N1MM Plus Logger and PstRotatorAZ
Installed a server computer for GHE
Installed the StackMatch at the tower base for switching and interconnected to the GHE module. Antennas were added to improve the S/N ratio at the base unit
Used GHE modules for 160m Array control, HiZ 8 control, Comtek 4 Square control, and in shack Stackmatches
Used USB hubs to integrate the rotators and GH base unit in the shack to the server
Installed a secure WiFi network with Verizon USB 4G internet wireless connection
Connected the Steppir SDA 100 controllers to the server using serial to USB adapters
Installed the PstRotatorAZ software server for control of the Steppir controllers
Setup PstRotatorAZ clients on each station
Set the UDP broadcast output of N1MM to the input of the PstRotatorAZ to follow the radio
Each instance of PstRotatorAZ relays to the next and also to the GH client
Programmed the GH client so that when a station changes bands only the relevant rotators and antennas are on screen
Setup hotkeys to switch HiZ 8 directions

CW/SSB SO2R Setup

The FlexRadio 6700 has OTRSP, Open Two Radio Switching Protocol, in its software You can use keyboard shortcuts to combine audio, opposite radio focus, toggle cq between radios, change focus using the radio and N1MM Plus software together. The Steppirs can be controlled by either radio and the Green Heron show the relevant antenna controls for the two bands in use. Your hands should be on the keyboard except for tuning and minor adjustments. The FlexRadio series has a WinKey software emulation and the Maestro has an embedded WinKeyer chip.

How long does it take to switch from SO to SO2R? It takes a couple of minutes...connect the second amplifier coax and PTT, then select SO2R in N1MM Plus and allow Green Heron Everywhere to watch both radio slices.

RTTY SO2R Setup

This setup adds MMTTY for each radio. This is taken during the contest. You can see how busy each band is from glancing at the Maestro Panadapter. You can visually tune to the next station on the second radio using two items: the panadapter and the MMTTY indicator. It is easy to interleave QSOs on both radios. Left ear, left radio and right ear, right radio...

Equipment List

FlexRadio 6700/6600/6500 plus Maestro

Vibroplex Iambic Paddles

RadioSport Headsets

Array Solutions FilterMax III

PGXL Amplifiers

TGXL Tuner Genius

Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

Dell Computers

Green Heron Everywhere Software

Green Heron WIO and Rotator Controls

N1MM Logger Software