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BF-100 Bandpasser Instructions

 

Installation

Before you begin

 Installing and configuring the Bandpasser is a simple process which involves connecting the unit to your radio. You will need a length of 50 ohm coax with PL-259 connectors (not supplied). If you are using a ShackLAN equipped band decoder, such as the Array Solutions Bandmaster 3, any Hamation decoder or Integrated Controller, automatic band selection is as simple as plugging in a network cable between the Bandpasser and the decoder. No other connections are required. For stand-alone operation or use with a non-ShackLAN equipped band decoder you will also need to connect the unit to a +12vdc power source. Control from an external device is done via the Remote connector on the rear panel. Apply +12v to the pin for the desired band selection. Connector pinouts are engraved on the rear panel for easy reference. Installation steps are listed below.

Bandpasser Rear

Power and network connections

 A power connection is only required when operating the Bandpasser stand-alone or wih a non-ShackLAN equipped band decoder. Power requirements are +12-14vdc at 100 ma. The Power connector is a standard 2.1mm jack with the center pin positive. No power connection is required when operating with a ShackLAN equipped decoder as power is distributed over the network cables. ShackLAN power and network connection information.

External control connections

Remote connections  This step can be skipped if controlling the Bandpasser with a ShackLAN compatible band decoder or only with the front panel controls. For external control you need to apply +12v to the pin on the Remote connecter for the desired band. Current required for each band is 75 milliamps. The pinouts of the Remote connector are shown to the right and also on the rear panel. The Remote connector is a standard 9-pin subminiature female D connector. The mating male plug and a connector hood are supplied with each unit.

 

RF connections

 There are two standard SO-239 (UHF) connectors on the rear panel for RF connections. Connect a 50 ohm cable from the RADIO connect to the antenna connector on your radio. Simarly, connect another 50 ohm cable from the AMP/ANT connector to your amplifier input or antenna switch, if no amplifier is used. DO NOT CONNECT THE BANDPASSER TO THE OUTPUT OF AN AMPLIFIER OR TUNER. SEVERE DAMAGE WILL OCCUR.

Operation

Each time the Bandpasser is powered on it will step through each band and then flash two of the band LEDs three times. The 160M, 80M, 40M or 20M LEDs will flash to indicate the radio number (1-4) and flash either the 15M LED to indicate Auto mode locked or the 10M LED to indicate all modes available. After the self-test is complete the Bandpasser is ready to go. Operation of the Bandpasser is simple and straightforward. There are three mode of operation. These are Auto, Manual and Bypass. You can step through the three modes by pressing the Mode button. Aslo, pressing any of the Band buttons will automatically place the unit into Manual mode.

Auto mode

 The Auto mode is used when you want band selection to be done from an external source either from a ShackLAN compatible band decoder via the network or other type of band decoder via the Remote connector. Select Auto mode by pressing and releasing the the Mode button until the Auto LED is on.

Manual mode

 This mode is used when manually selecting filters from the front panel controls. Pressing any of the Band buttons will cause the unit to automatically enter Manual mode or you may press and release the Mode button until the Mode LED is on.

Bypass mode

 This mode is self-explanatory. In Bypass mode, no filters are selected. Note that you cannot enter Bypass mode when the unit is configured for external control. The Bypass LED will also indicate no filters selected when in Auto or Manual modes.

Radio number

 When used in a ShackLAN system, you will need to set the radio number of the Bandpasser so it tracks the band on the desired radio. This is done by pressing and holding the Mode button while pressing one of the band buttons for the desired radio number. The band buttons, from left to right, are numbered radio 1 to radio 4. Upon releasing the buttons the green LED for the selected radio will flash three times along with either the 15M LED or 10M LED to indicate Auto mode lock status. The Bandpasser then returns to normal operation.

Remote control mode

The Bandpasser may be remotely controlled via the Remote connector on the rear panel. Control may be done by applying a voltage for each band or in Band Data mode which is compatible with Elecraft and Yaesu radios. Enter Band Data mode by pressing the Mode and 10M (BDM) buttons simultaneously. Per Band mode is selected by pressing Mode and 15M (PBM) simultaneously.