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IMPORTANT:
All outputs on the slave module must be used. Master for a slave module must be the first unit
(Unit 1) of a different module. Pin numbering always begins with the first (lowest) output of the slave unit
and continues upward with the lowest output on the first unit of the Master module.
NOTE:
RF boxes (switches) and associated items (rotator, serially-controlled devices, etc.) connected to the
local ports of SMD can be controlled only from that SMD. Any resource that is to be shared among
multiple positions (transceivers) - for example, shared antennas or shared amplifiers, must be connected
to uLINK modules.
TERM
START POINT
START point is
always
a single A port of the transceiver, RX/TX or RX2 port.
TERM
END POINT
End points are generally antennas (complete END point). However, in specific situations END POINT
can be any R port (an incomplete or “dead” END).
NOTE:
When an incomplete end point is used in an antenna selection, SMD “fills out” the connections from that
point with the
last used
control values from its memory. These values use the appropriate values for TX,
RX or RX2 but
do not
consider frequency dependencies. SMD considers frequency
only
when using
complete endpoints (explicit paths). As an example, a radio's start point is connected to the antenna
switch with two antennas - one antenna for 160m and second antenna for 80m. Both bands have to
antennas defined - one using complete end point (the specific antenna) and a second (incomplete)
endpoint defining only the antenna switch. If the last used antenna selection for 80m was the incomplete
path ending at the switch and the last used 160m antenna was the specific 160m antenna, on switching
from 160 to 80m SMD will select “last used” antenna for 80m (the path ending at the switch) and the last
used state of the switch (the 160m antenna) thus selecting the wrong antenna.
SMD uses additional, real time error checking for protection, so transmission will be not allowed. Once
the complete endpoint (80m antenna) is selected, SMD will remember that selection and the proper path
will be used (even if an incomplete path is selected) until the next band change. Avoid using incomplete
paths whenever possible.
TERM
ANTENNA SELECTION
Is a term for user choice of which Antenna Path will be built when pressing one of the seven main
Antenna Selection buttons. Virtual Rotators and Antenna Groups are special types of Antenna Selections
- both will be explained separately.
TERM
ANTENNA PATH
The complete connection from the START point to one or more END points including all attributes
involved in the signal path.
NOTE:
Antenna Path may not be just a simple connection from START to END point, it may have several
“branches”, each having its END point definition.
These terms are defined here because they will be used through this manual and we will not explain them
again. When a new term is introduced, it will be marked with a
TERM
icon.
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