ELECRAFT KPA3 Spezifikationen PDF herunterladen (Seite 9)

From January 2009 QST © ARRL

computer logging application or operating

various digital modes, I like to have my

FT-897D communicate with my PC using the

transceiver’s default baud rate, which in the

case of the ’897D is 4800 baud. When us-

ing the Radio Mate I’m faced with a choice:

either switch all my various programs to

9600 baud, or change the transceiver’s baud

rate each time I use the Radio Mate. I chose

the latter. Take this into consideration if you

connect your Radio Mate and find it doesn’t

function properly the first time around.

Using the Radio Mate

As mentioned previously, the Radio

Mate comes with two memory banks, each

containing 10 memories. The memories

now programmed. To recall a memory, sim-

ply depress the numerical button correspond-

ing to the desired memory channel.

Direct frequency entry is also relatively

easy. Just depress the DIR button and enter

the frequency using the keypad. Like most

radios that allow direct frequency entry,

you don’t necessarily need to enter any ad-

ditional zeros, especially if they occur after

the decimal point.

Just like most radios with multi-function

buttons, the length of time you hold down a

Radio Mate button determines what function

is used. This is indicated by either one or two

beeps (and the length of a beep).

Wishes and CAT Ports

I definitely enjoyed the Radio Mate and

would recommend it highly. I wish it

could read and write directly to

the transceiver memories, but that

shortcoming isn’t the fault of the

Radio Mate. None of the transceiv-

ers for which it is intended make

memory control available via their

CAT ports.

Speaking of CAT ports, there is

another bhi product known as the

CAT-MATE that functions as an

electronic Y splitter, effectively cre-

ating two CAT ports that can be used

simultaneously. For example, with a

CAT-MATE you could connect your

FT-8xx transceiver to a Radio Mate

and a computer at the same time. The

CAT-MATE has a built-in RS-232 to

CAT interface so that you can easily

control the radio with a number of dif-

ferent software packages. I didn’t test

the CAT-MATE for this review, but it

seems like a natural companion for the

Radio Mate.

The Radio Mate would make a fine

addition to any FT-8xx-equipped station.

Its use is relatively straightforward. And, for

those hams who may not particularly care to

sit and spin the dial, the desired frequency

is literally there at the touch of a button (or

two)!

Manufacturer: bhi, PO Box 318, Bur-

gess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9NR, United

Kingdom; http://radio.bhinstrumentation.

co.uk/.Distributed in the United States by

W4RT Electronics, 3077-K Leeman Ferry

Rd, Huntsville, AL 35801; www.w4wb.com/.

Suggested list price: $199.95.

bhi Radio Mate Keypad for Yaesu FT-817,

857 and 897 Transceivers

short takes

Joe Carcia, NJ1Q

W1AW Station Manager

[email protected]g

The bhi Radio Mate is a 16-button external

keypad designed to enhance the operating

convenience of Yaesu FT-817, FT-857 and

FT-897 transceivers. It allows the user to

select memories (two banks consisting of 10

memories apiece), toggle different modes

(most supported by the radio, such as CW,

SSB, FM or AM) and accomplish direct

frequency entry.

Simple Setup

The Radio Mate plugs into the CAT/

LINEAR jack on FT-857/897 radios, or the

ACC jack on the FT-817, using

a 6-foot cable terminated at the

end with an 8-pin mini DIN. The

16 keypad buttons are of decent

size and lettering, but they are

not back-lighted. The 0 through

9 buttons each have their own

function, in addition to providing

that particular number for fre-

quency entry and other applica-

tions. The remaining six buttons

are used for selecting MEMORY

[Bank], MODE, DIRECT keypad

entry, the ubiquitous ENTER

and CLEAR and decimal point

(.). The ENTER key is also used

as a Tune function. The CLEAR

button is also used to run split

VFOs. And, the decimal point

button is also used to swap

between VFOs A and B, or

make VFO A equal VFO B.

A somewhat large multi-

color LED indicates the

keypad’s mode. A power

switch is located on the side of the

unit. Power is derived from the CAT/

LINEAR/ACC jack(s). And, although rather

lightweight, the four rubber feet (already

attached to the bottom) keep the keypad

from sliding around. With a small footprint

(4 × 6 inches) very little space is taken up

on one’s operating table.

The Radio Mate is configured to “talk”

to your radio at 9600 baud data rate. So,

you’ll need to make sure the CAT function

on the radio is set to communicate at this

speed. This has the potential to cause some

confusion. For example, when I’m using a

are preprogrammed at the factory. Bank 1

contains various frequencies from 160 to

10 meters with modes set to either CW or

SSB. Bank 2 contains 10 to 2 meter frequen-

cies, with just two of them set for CW and

the rest set to FM.

If you wish to program your own Radio

Mate memory settings, you merely select

which bank you want, set the frequency and

mode (and other settings if applicable) on the

radio, and then depress and hold any of the

numerical buttons until a single long beep

is heard. That particular memory channel is

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