microHAM Station Master© Advanced Station Controllers are the successor to the popular microHAM Band-Decoders. The Station Master makes it possible to integrate many of the devices typically found in a modern Amateur Radio Station such as automatic antenna switching with transceiver CIV-CAT-COM control or programmable band decoder, rotator directional control interface, bandpass filter switching, amplifier sequencer and SteppIR antenna integration. The built-in iLink connection makes it easy to integrate your existing microHAM Micro-Keyer, Micro-Keyer2, Digi-keyer, Micro-Keyer2R(+) soundcard interface with the microHAM Station Master.

Most Control functions are derived from frequency and PTT information, with 20 frequency dependent output switches available. Control devices, such as an antenna switch, make it possible to designate any antenna as a receive only antenna and the Station Master will block transmitting on this antenna. A programmable sequencer is also available to control the delayed switching of preamplifiers or amplifiers.

Intelligent rotator control allows the use of nearly any rotator manufacturer and type. Rotator position information may be an analog voltage for rotators such as Yaesu or Hy-Gain, or a digital pulse type for use with the popular DX Engineering RT4500HD Rotator and others. Depending on the band and individual configuration, each rotatable antenna can be programmed to turn automatically when entering just the prefix of a call or a locator, depending on the logging program. Group fixed antenna or arrays together into a “virtual rotator” and then select the correct antenna based on destination, which is useful with antennas such as 4-squares and beverage antennas.

The Station Master can control SteppIR or Ultrabeam antennas, resulting in several benefits. A SteppIR antenna directly coupled to your transceiver would follow each frequency change, even when another antenna is in use. The Station Master transmits control information to the variable antenna only when selected and only on the transmit frequency, eliminating the issue of re-tuning during wide-frequency split operations.

A clean front panel design and well-placed controls make it easy to access most functions from the front panel. This makes the operation of the Station Master independent of a computer, provided the band limits and setup have been programmed once before.

Connect almost any transceiver to a computer and logging software with the built-in CIV-CAT-COM[RE1] [GB2] interface and existing microHAM interfaces can be integrated with the built-in iLink port. The required 'iLink' cable (both sides 6-pin Mini DIN) is included.

microHAM Station Master General Features:

• Programmable Antenna, BPF, Rotor and PA Controller

• 20 Programmable Relay Outputs

• Integrated Level Converter for Transceiver Computer Control Port

• Decodes All Frequencies of a Connected Transceiver, Including 75m, 6m, VHF and UHF

• Unlimited Number of Custom Defined Frequency Segments ("bands")

• Single USB Connection to a Computer

• Stand Alone Operation

• Internal Rotator Control

• Virtual Rotators Function

• Separate RX/TX Antenna Support

• Automatic Antenna Scan Function

• Independently Programmable Outputs Sequencer, up to 20 Outputs

• Automatic Power Amplifier Support

• Fully Compatible and Simple Integration with microHAM "keyers" MK, DK, CK, MKII and MK2R

• Proprietary SteppIR and UltraBeam Support for Automatic Tuning and Protection

• Hot Switch Protection with User-Defined Timing

• TX Inhibit Support for Yaesu Transceivers

• Receive Only Antennas Support

• Optical Isolation from Computer

• PS/2 Keyboard or Keypad with Dual Control of Station Master and microHAM "keyers"

• Integrated Chokes and Filters for Maximum RFI Immunity

• Aluminum Case, Powder Coated and Silk Screened

• Free, No Time Limit Firmware/Software Upgrades via the 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 transceivers

Antenna control (Port A):

• 10 Programmable Relay Outputs

• Configurable Power for Common

  • Ground

  • 13.8V

  • External Power, Max. + 24 VDC

• Compatible with All Remote Antenna Switches Using Common Ground or Positive Control

Additional Antennas or BPF Control (Port B):

• 6 Programmable Relay Outputs

• Configurable Power for Common

• Ground

• 13.8 VDC

• External Power, Max. + 24 VDC

• Compatible with All Automatic BPF on the Market

RX Antennas and TX Sequencer (Port B):

• 4 Programmable Relay Outputs

• Both Poles of Relay Contact Available

• Independent Settings of Lead and Tail Delay for Each Sequencer Output

Internal Rotator Control:

• 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 Sinding Strategy Selection for Optimal Handling

• Support for "Slipping" Rotators

• 4 Memories for Most Wanted Azimuths

• Automatic Azimuth Control from Logging Software

Virtual Rotator Control:

• Unlimited Number of Antennas Can be Joined to the Virtual Rotator

• Programmable Azimuth Ranges for Each Virtual Rotator Antenna

• Automatic Azimuth Control from Logging Software

• Unlimited Number of Virtual Rotators per Band

Power Amplifier Control:

• Automatic Tuning 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

microHAM Station Master Specifications

USB: USB 2.0 Full speed, USB 1.1 Compatible

Power Consumption: USB – less than 100mA

Power Supply: – max.1.8A at +13.8V (max. +16V)

CIV-CAT: RxD, TxD – Max. 57600 Baud, RTS Fixed Level Output Max. 1.0mA

Levels: TTL, Inverted TTL, Open Collector Bus, RS232

Serial: RS232 Levels, RTS Fixed Level Output Max 1.0mA, up to 9600 Baud

PA CI-V: Open Collector Bus Max 0.40mA, up to 9600 Baud

All Relay Outputs: 30 VDC, 48 VAC, Max 2A

External PORT A Power: Max. +24 VDC/1.3A

External PORT B Power: Max. +24 VDC/1.3A

PS/2 Consumption: Max. 200mA at +5 VDC

Rotator Analog Input: 10K Ohm, Max. +/-12 VDC

Rotator Pulse Input: active when grounded, max. +24 VDC/5mA

Rotator Reference Output: 9 VDC, Max. 20mA

PA Keying Output: Open Collector, Max. +45V/800mA

PA Keying input: Active When Grounded, max.+24V/5mA

PA ON/OFF Control: +12V, max. 100mA

Dimensions: W 9.055 in. (230mm) x H 1.732 in. (44mm) x D 6.300 in. (160mm)

Weight: 2.87 lbs. (1.3 kg)