SPE 1.3/2K

General

DDUtil can remotely control the SPE 1.3/2k amplifier using RS232 serial ports attached to your PC. The following actions can be controlled from DDUtil. Note: the following descriptions are for the 2K model. Some features on the 1.3K are different so consult the owners manual for differences.

• Power On/Off
• Operate/Stby (toggle)
• PA Temp display
• Antenna selection (toggle: 1-6)
• Output Power (toggle: Low/Med/High)
• Input (toggle: 1-2)
• Tune (initiate)
• Display (reset amp alarm)
• Alarms and Warnings display

To connect and use the SPE 2K amplifier follow the steps below.

Cable Connections

Two serial connections are required for the SPE 1.3/2K to communicate with DDUtil/Radio. One for Remote Commands and one for Band Switching. And before you ask, there's no option for this. It's set in concrete by SPE.

Remote Commands (DDUtil)

Use either the USB cable furnished with the amplifier or the Port connector on the back of the amp.

USB Connector (recommended)

Follow the manual for connecting this port. Note: the connection is the same as for the SPE Term 2K software.

Port Connector

If the Port connector is used a special cable is required and must be fabricated as follows using standard DB9M/F connectors (ref user manual section 13.5).
***Warning*** DO NOT use a store bought serial cable for this connection! The wiring is wrong and can damage the amp.
Use the following diagram to fabricate the Port connector cable.

Port (DB9M)              PC (DB9F)
----------------------------------
TX232 / 7 <------------< 2 / RX PC
RX232 / 8 >------------> 3 / TX PC
  Gnd / 5 -------------- 5 / Gnd

Band Switching

Fabricate Cable

The SPE 1.3/2K amps require a separate serial connection for band switching and the Cat #1 connector is normally used for this function. A cable must be fabricated as follows.
Note: The DB9F and DB15M connectors are supplied with the amp, but are available from almost any supply house like [Mouser] or [DigiKey].

Cat (DB15M)              PC (DB9F)
----------------------------------
TX232 / 9 <------------< 2 / RX PC
RX232 / 1 >------------> 3 / TX PC
  Gnd / 4 -------------- 5 / Gnd

Setup DDUtil

• Connect the cable you just fabricated to any open PC serial port (you can use any spare COM Port or a USB to Serial port).
• On DDUtil's Ports tab Passive Listener group follow these steps:
  
  • Set the Port drop-down to agree with the port number where the cable is connected.
  • Set the Comm drop-down to 9600 8-N-1.
  • Select the Follow Radio check box.
  • In the Radio Type drop-down select Kenwood.
  • No additional settings are needed and should be left not selected.

The amp should now follow the radio and switch to the correct band.

Setup the SPE1.3/2K Amp

Ref. user manual section 10.1(b).

• Set CAT to Kenwood

Note: DO NOT set radio type to Flex Radio.

• Set Baud Rate to 9600 8-N-1