Wow, I've received a lot of comments to my earlier e-mail expressing my interest in using the Accessory Connector for control or selection of external devices such as amplifiers, pre-amps, antenna switches, and transverters.
The data format coming thru the Accessory Connector is in the I2C format. There is a good write-up about the I2C interface here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I2c As we just learned from "The Flex Insider - Issue 3", "The (FLEX-6000) hardware "build package" has been released to manufacturing... our software teams are working on both the operating system and the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of SmartSDR". I am suggesting that two things should happen: 1. Flex software engineers send all band data out through the I2C "Accessory Connector" ( at least for the transmitting band ). 2. Flex or a 3rd party hardware manufacturer would build and sell products that will take the I2C band data and convert it into popular formats such as: A. Open collector or contact closures, one for each band. B. RS-232 for controlling devices adhering to the Kenwood or other control format. C. Other common formats ( what do you other Flexers need? ) I can see these accessory devices being very useful for many types of operators & installations, such as: - VHF/UHF ops using multiple transverters. - Locally operated stations wanting to automate band changing of amps and antenna selectors. - Remote and shared club stations needing to control accessories & antenna selection. 73 Lloyd - N9LB _______________________________________________ Flexedge mailing list [email protected] http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexedge_flex-radio.biz This is the FlexRadio Systems e-mail Reflector called FlexEdge. It is used for posting topics related to SDR software innovation and other technical SDR topics.
