Hamplus MBD-8F Operation Manual

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MBD-8F

Automatic Antenna Switch Controller

MBD-8F is an intelligent controller compatible with all eight-antenna switches manufactured by

Hamplus. It has a band decoder to receive the information coming from the connected radio equipment. In

addition to antenna switching, the MBD-8F also offers five frequency-driven GPOs ( General Purpouse Output),

one Band Data BCD Output, one output to command Band Pass Filter, 12 GPOs to automate the operation with

TopBeam's Waller Flag receiving antenna. The MBD-8F also commands the RS-24 and RS-44 Rotator switches.

There are four ways that antennas and enabled rotators can be selected; 1) manually by the front panel of the

MBD-8F, 2) manually by frequency or band change on the front panel of the transceiver, 3) automatically by

frequency or band change by the remotely controlled transceiver, or 4) automatically by a remotely controlled

personal computer via RS-232 serial port to the MBD-8F.

On the front panel is a set of eight illuminated push buttons for manual selection of antennas, eight “Busy” LEDs

to indicate which antennas are in use by other MBD-8F Controllers, four LEDs to indicate rotator selection, one

LED to indicate when the radio is transmitting, one LED to indicate the controller is in "Split Antenna" mode and

one LED to indicate when the MBD-8F is connected to +13.8 Vdc power.

Functions and operation

1- Startup (after all cable connections are made to switches, controllers and transceivers)

Powering the MBD-8F will energize the antenna switch relay for the previously, manually selected antenna. Or, when connected to a transceiver, the controller will check the frequency or band the transceiver has selected and will immediately trigger and light the push button switch of the last antenna selected at that frequency or on that band. If connected, the rotator switcher, or other external equipment that is programmed using the GPO outputs, the MBD-8F will select the last used devices.

2- Activation of the antennas

To choose any antenna, just press the corresponding push button. When the push button is pressed, it changes

the state of the antenna switch control line that activates the corresponding antenna relay on the AS-81, AS-82F,

AS-84F or AS-86F Antenna Switch. It also activates the selected rotator for that antenna through one of the

Rotator Switches, model RS-24 or RS-28, if used. Antenna and rotator switching are reported on the Busy Net

network so the other MBD-8F busy and rotator red LEDs signal, not allowing any other MBD-8F to switch to any antenna and rotator already in use. Any conflict is signaled on the front panel of the MBD-8F by blinking the

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push button LED for two seconds, and the rotator LED with short and continuous flashes every second. The

rotator signal remains as long as there is a conflict.

3- Split Antenna Mode

This mode allows operation with two different antennas. One for transmission and one for reception.

Procedure to enter SPLIT mode:

A- First select the transmission antenna.

B- Then press and hold the PTT of the radio and press the desired antenna push button for reception for

two seconds. The push button will blink to confirm that the setting has been made. Then release the push button and the PTT. From this point the Split LED on the panel will be lit indicating that it is working with two antenas. Immediately after programming the Split mode, perform the function test by pressing and releasing the PTT of the radio and observing the push buttons of the MBD-8F that should alternate between the chosen antennas.

To exit Split mode simply change the radio band or press the transmit antenna push

button.

4- Permanent Split Mode

Permanent Split is used with antenna(s) connected to the switch that are exclusively for reception. When we select an antenna configured for permanent Split on the keyboard of the MBD-8F the Split mode is automatically activated. This way we guarantee the use of the receiving antenna only in reception. This procedure must be duplicated on all controllers connected to the same antenna switch that has receive only antenna(s) connected.

Procedure to configure Permanent Split mode:

A- First choose a transmission antenna. B- Then press and hold the PTT of the radio and press the desired antenna push button for reception for a little

more than ten seconds. Notice the flashing of the push buttons that will confirm the acceptance of the programming.

C- To undo this setting, first make sure that the Split LED is not lit. Then, while holding down the PTT, press the

desired push button for ten seconds. It is the same process used when programming was done.

5- GPOs with frequency drive ( GPO = General Purpouse Output )

These GPOs are used to trigger the tuning box of shortened antennas that use "high Q" coils. The trigger points of the GPOs depend on the operating frequency. These points are defined by the user through the keyboard of the MBD-8F. This procedure is only possible when the radio is connected to the MBD-8F in the CI-V (Icom) or RS232 mode for other manufacturers.

Procedure to configure the GPOs:

Press the chosen antenna push button for 5 seconds to enter Setup mode. In the configuration mode, the antenna push button flashes eight times. Push buttons 5, 6 and 7 correspond to GPOs 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Initially these three push button will be erased. Start with the lowest frequency within the band. Use the Radio VFO and find the frequency for triggering the first GPO (GPO1). Once the desired frequency is found press push button 5. The GPO1 will be highlighted and the 5 push button will be highlighted. Increase the frequency by turning the VFO to the next desired point and press the push button 6 which will mark the second trigger point (GPO2). Repeat the operation to find the third trigger point (GPO3) and press the push button 7. Perform a quick test, turn the VFO of the radio through all frequencies of the band and check that the marking push buttons light up at the frequencies that you have marked. In each segment of frequency only one push button will be illuminated. Once the selection has been completed, it must be saved and returned to the normal operating mode. To SAVE, simply press push button 8.

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6- Rotator Switch

The MBD-8F can also command a Hamplus model RS-24, or RS-44 rotator switch. With this equipment it is

possible to use one, two, three or four rotator controllers to read and control up to 4 rotators. The RS-24 is

suitable for stations with up to two transceivers and RS-44 for stations with up to four transceivers.

Procedure to configure the Rotators

Enter setup mode by pressing the antenna push button you wish to associate with a particular rotator for 5

seconds. This will cause the MBD-8F to enter configuration mode. Then, while in this mode, press the 1, 2, 3 or 4

push button to choose the rotator of this antenna. Once configured, the rotator indicator LED is lit. To exit the

configuration mode and SAVE, press push button 8. From this moment on, whenever the antenna associated to

the rotator is used, the rotator indicator LED in use (RT1, RT2, etc.) will light up and the respective rotator will be

connected to the control Used in this MBD-8F.

7- Communication with Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, Elecraft K-3 via RS-232 and BCD

To use the MBD-8F's automation functions, it must communicate with the radio. For ICOM brand radios, we use the CI-V protocol (MBD-8F CI-V port). With this protocol all the features described above will be able to work. For the equipment of the YAESU brand we use the band data information, which allows all configurations except the activation of the GPOs by frequency. For those of the brand Kenwood and Elecraft K3 the protocol used is by the RS-232 communication port that allows use of all functions of the MBD-8F.

Elecraft K3 also has band-data information like the Yaesu.

CI-V Baud Rate 19200 ( Icom Radios ) RS-232 Baud Rate 9600 (Kenwood and K3)

8- Band Data Table

BCD Band Data

Band Frequency BCD

160 m 0.0 to 2.9 MHz 0001 80 m 3.0 to 4.8 MHz 0010 60 m 4.9 to 5.9 MHz 0000 40 m 6.0 to 8.9 MHz 0011 30 m 9.0 to 12.9MHZ 0100 20 m 13.0 to 16.9 MHz 0101 17 m 17.0 to 18.9 MHz 0110 15 m 19.0 to 22.9 MHz 0111 12 m 23.0 to 25.9MHz 1000 10 m 26.0 to 34.9 MHz 1001 6 m 35.0 to 54.9 MHz 1010

Frequency Band for communication via RS-232 and CI-V

Band 1 from 0 to 400 KHz, Band 2 from 400KHz to 550KHz, Band 3 from 550 KHz to 1.7 MHz, Band 4 from 1.7 to

3.0 MHz, Band 5 from 3.0 to 5.0 MHz, Band 6 from 5.0 to 6.0 MHZ, Band 7 From 6.0 to 8.5 MHz, Band 8 from 8.5

to 12 MHz, Band 9 from 12 to 16 MHz, Band 10 from 16 to 18.5 MHz, Band 11 from 18.5 to 23 MHz, Band 12

from 23 to 27 MHz, Band 13 from 27 MHz to 34 MHz MHz, Band 14 from 34 to 55 MHz,Band 15 above 55 MHz.

9- Antenna memory per band

The MBD-8F has a non-volatile memory for each of the eight antennas so that whenever an antenna is selected

this memory registers the band selected by the Radio. With each band change in the radio the MBD-8F will

activate the last antenna that was used in that band.

Note: The setting mode is only possible when the Radio is properly connected to the MBD-8F.

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10- Connectors description (connector # on rear panel image)

a- Band Data Out (#3)

The DB-9 Band Data Out connector on the rear of the MBD-8F provides a Band Data output that

matches the frequency of the radio that is connected. When the MBD-8F receives the band information from

the Band Data, this same information will be passed to the Band Data Out connector. When receiving the

information through Frequency the conversion to Band Data will be done according to the table in item 8.

DB-9 Band Data Out connector

Pins Function 1 Band Data A 2 Band Data B 3 Band Data C 4 Band Data D 5 + 13.8 Vdc 6 Cmd 1 7 Cmd 2 8 GND

9 Cmd 3

b- Bandpasser Out (#2)

The DB-9 To Bandpasser connector on the rear of the MBD-8F sends + 13.8 Vdc for the Band Pass Filter

relays. They are outputs to 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m and one to Bypass. The Bypass output will be

triggered when the information received from the Frequency Radio or BCD is different from the information

available here for the Bandpasser Out.

DB-9 To Bandpasser connector

Pins Band Frequency Function 1 20 m 13.0 to 16.9 MHz On +13.8Vdc 2 40 m 6.0 to 8.9 MHz On +13.8Vdc 3 80 m 3.0 to 4.8 MHz On +13.8Vdc 4 160 m 0.0 to 2.9 MHz On +13.8Vdc 5 --------- ----------------------- GND 6 --------- ----------------------- 7 --------- ----------------------- Bypass On +13.8Vdc 8 10 m 26.0 to 34.9 MHz On +13.8Vdc 9 15 m 19.0 to 22.9 MHz On +13.8Vdc

All control pins are Active High + 13.8 Vdc

c- TOPBEAM Waller Flag (#5)

The HD-15 connector labeled TB WF on the rear of the MBD-8F provides power (+ 13.8 Vdc) and the

controls for activating the filters of the Waller Flag receiving antenna control box. The commands follow the

Band data table or the Radio frequency.

HD-15 TB WF connector

Pins Band Frequency Data Function

1 160 m 0.0 to 2.9 MHz 0001 On Active Low

2 80 m CW 3.4 to 3.59MHz 0010 On Active Low

3 80 m SSB 3.6 to 4.8 MHZ 0010 On Active Low

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4 40 m 6.0 to 8.9 MHz 0011 On Active Low

5 30 m 9.0 to 12.9MHz 0100 On Active Low

6 and 7 -------- ------------------- ------ + 13.8vVdc

8 -------- ------------------- ------ PTT

9 and 10 -------- ------------------- ------ GND

11 -------- ------------------- ------ RTX On Active Low

12 -------- ------------------- ------ RX1 On Active Low

13 -------- ------------------- ------ RX2 On Active Low

14 -------- ------------------- ------ RX3 On Active Low

15 -------- ------------------- ------ RX4 On Active Low

d- DB-25 To Radio Connector (#7)

This connector receives power from the Radio (+ 13.8 Vdc), the transmit command (PTT) and the data

for frequency reading via RS-232 and Band reading via Band Data BCD.

DB-25 To Radio Connector

Pins Function Pins Function Pins Function

1 GND 10 NC 19 GND

2 BCD D 11 NC 20 GND

3 BCD B 12 NC 21 + 13.8 Vdc IN

4 GND 13 NC 22 NC

5 NC 14 GND 23 NC

6 GND 15 BCD C 24 NC

7 GND 16 BCD A 25 NC

8 + 13.8 Vdc IN 17 GND

9 PTT In 18 GND

e- DB-25 To Switch Connector (#1)

DB-25 connector on the rear of the MBD-8F provides the commands for driving eight Antennas, four

Rotators and four special GPOs driven by frequency or Band

DB-25 To Switch Connector

Pins Function Pins Function Pins Function

1 Ant 1 10 GND 18 Rotator 1 2 Ant 2 11 GPO1 19 Rotator 2

3 Ant 3 12 GPO3 20 Rotator 3

4 Ant 4 13 Expansion 21 Rotator 4

5 Ant 5 14 Rotator 1 22 Cmd 80m

6 Ant 6 15 Rotator 2 23 Cmd 40m

7 Ant 7 16 Rotator 3 24 GPO 2

8 Ant 8 17 Rotator 4 25 GND

9 + 12v

f- DB-9 RS-232 connector (#8)

The DB-9 connector identified as RS-232 on the back of the MBD-8F provides connection to

computers and with Elecraft and Kenwood radios.

DB-9 RS-232 connector

Pins Function

1 NC

2 RX

3 TX

4 NC

5 GND

6 NC 7 NC

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8 NC 9 NC

1- To Switch Output Commands to Antenna Switch and Rotator Switch 2- To Bandpasser Output Commands for Bandpass Filter 3- Band Data Out Band Data Output (BCD) 4- TB Key Board Output for Key Board Antenna TopBeam Receiver Waller Flag 5- TB WF Connects to the PFIU of the receiving antenna TopBeam Waller Flag 6- AUX. Power Supply Auxiliary Power Input (13.8 Vdc) 7- To Radio Input Power, Band Data and PTT Radio 8- RS-232 Communication with Kenwood, Elecraft K3 to PC COM port 9- CI-V Communication with Icom radios via CI-V port 10- Busy Net Busy Network for indication of antennas in use 11- Send Auxiliary input and pass-through output for PTT (Send)

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Connector Pin Identification

PI-MBD8F

03 / 17 / 2017

Rev.

Number:Size:

Date: Filename: Page.

MBD-8F CONNECTOR PIN IDENTIFICATION

1.0

By: Valmor

HAMPLUS

MBD-8F

8 9

1 2 3 4 5

DB9M

20m 40m 80m

160m

Gnd

Aux Bypass 10m 15m

To Bandpasser

8 9

1 2 3 4 5

DB9M

Gnd

RS 232

RTX 1

RX 3

RX 2

+12VDC

Gnd

RX 1

RX 4

Gnd

TB Key Board

+12VDC

160m

+12VDC

Send (PTT)

80cw

80 ssb

Gnd

Gnd 30m

RTX

RX 1

RX 2

RX 3

RX 4

DB15M

VGA

TB WF

8 9

1 2 3 4 5

DB9M

B.Data A B.Data B B.Data C B.Data D

Gnd

Band Data OUT

+12VDC

Cmd 1 Cmd 2

Cmd 3

16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13

Gnd Bcd A Bcd C

Gnd

+12VDC

Send (PTT)

Gnd Bcd B Bcd D Gnd Gnd Gnd

+12VDC

To Radio

16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13

Ant 1 Ant 2 Ant 3 Ant 4 Ant 5 Ant 6 Ant 7 Ant 8

+12VDC

Gnd

Rot 1 Rot 2 Rot 3 Rot 4 Rot 1 Rot 2 Rot 3 Rot 4 Cmd 80m Cmd 40m

Expansion

To Switch

Cmd 1 Cmd 3

Gnd

Cmd 2