DX-8 Deluxe Switch Controller
Order DX-8 Controller - $199
Introduction
The DX-8 Deluxe Antenna Switch Controller has all the features of a
basic controller with some additional features. One of the features is
enhanced antenna indication. This unit uses multi-color LEDs that not
only indicate the antennas in use by itself in green but all antennas in
use by other radios are indicated in red. Another advanced feature is
the amplifier protection function which blocks the radio PTT output from
keying the amplifier when no antenna is selected. This controller is
ideal for remote operation when a separate Bandmaster series band
decoder is used.
Installation
Switch and Power connections
Connecting the DX-8 Controller to the
antenna switch is done via the green 4-pin connector on the rear
panel. The mating plug has screw terminals to simplify connecting
the control cable. A 12 volts power source may be connected to
either the 2.1mm power jack (center pin positive) or to the green
switch connector.Information on wiring the switch connector is here.
Connecting to other ShackLAN devices
The DX-8 Controller may be connected to other Shacklan devices such as other controllers, band decoders, stack controllers, etc. Connection to other devices may be made using the RJ-12 (modular) jacks using 6-wire modular cables. For older devices, you may connect to them using the green switch connector by connecting the other devices in parallel with the switch connections.
Configuration
All configuration is done with pushbuttons on the front panel and there are no internal settings. All configuration is done by holding in the AUTO pushbutton and then pressing one of the antenna selection pushbuttons followed by releasing both pushbuttons.
Setting the Radio number
The DX-8 Controller is shipped set to the factory default of Radio 1. To select a different radio number, press and hold the AUTO pushbutton and then press one of the antenna pushbuttons 1 thru 4 and then release both pushbuttons. The controller will now flash the current configuration.
Setting the Switch address
The DX-8 Controller is shipped set to the factory default of switch address 1. If you have only a single switch in your system this setting does not need to be changed. In system with multiple antenna switches each switch must have a unique address and the controller must be set to the same address of the switch it is to control. To select a different switch address, press and hold the AUTO pushbutton and then press one of the antenna pushbuttons 5 thru 8 (switch address 1 thru 4) and then release both pushbuttons. The controller will now flash the current configuration.
Operation
The bi-color antenna LEDs make operation of
the DX-8 Controller very simple. Any antenna LEDs that are red indicate
an antenna in use by another radio and cannot be selected. The Shacklan
antenna switches operate on a "first come, first served" basis and no
radio has priority over any other. In other words, one radio cannot
steal the antenna away from another.
To select an antenna press the pushbutton for the desired antenna
selection. The indicator will show green when the antenna is connected.
The antenna LEDs are controlled from the switch and not the controller
so a slight delay when changing antennas is normal. To allow automatic
antenna selection by a Shacklan Bandmaster band decoder or the Shacklan
Control Center software press the AUTO button to enable other devices to
control antenna selection.
The Antenna LED indicates antenna selection status. Steady green
indicates normal operation. Blinking red indicates no antenna is
selected and the PTT path to the amplifier is interrupted.