View source for USB-8 Relay Board

==General==
* Use this relay board to switch amplifiers, antennas or other ancillary equipment.
* The '''USB 8 Relay Board''' may be driven using the following methods.
** Using the band boxes in the '''USB 8 Relay Board''' group on the '''Features''' tab.
** Using the '''Band Data File''' on the '''LPT''' tab.
** Using the '''DDRB''' macro command.

==GUI Controls==
* '''Enable''' &rarr; Select to enable the '''[http://denkovi.com/productv/31/usb-eight-channel-relay-board-for-automation-12v.html Denkovi USB 8 Relay Board]'''
:'''Note:''' There is now a 2nd source for the '''Denkovi''' board at a cheaper price called a '''[http://www.ebay.com/itm/SainSmart-8-channel-12-V-USB-Relay-Board-Module-Controller-4-Automation-Robotics-/271052850490?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:3160 SainSmart 8]'''. This board is from China and is a drop-in replacement for the '''Denkovi''' board.

* '''Use Band Data File''' &rarr; Selecting this check box will disable the local auto band following defined in this Graphic User Interface and enable using the '''Band Data''' file on the '''LPT''' tab. 
:'''Note:''' &rarr; See the '''[[USB-8_Relay_Board#Band Data File|Band Data]]''' file section below for more information.

* '''Band Boxes''' &rarr; Enter a decimal number for each band you want the board to activate a relay for. Entering the following numbers produces:
:1 = Relay 1 activated
:2 = Relay 2 activated
:3 = Relays 1 & 2 activated
:7 = Relays 1, 2 & 3 activated
:255 = All relays activated

:'''Notes:'''
# Relays are activated in '''[[Glossary#Binary-Coded Decimal|Binary]]''' notation (00000111) = 7.
# See the [[CAT#DDUtil_Command_Reference|'''Macro''']] command '''DDRB''' for additional programming information for this board.
# To use the relay board to band switch an amplifier that uses Yaesu binary notation use the following setup:
   160 = 1   80 = 2   40 = 3   30 = 4   20 = 5
    17 = 6   15 = 7   12 = 8   10 = 9    6 = 10

==Band Data File==
* Optionally the '''Band Data File''' on the '''LPT''' tab can be used to drive the '''USB-8 Relay Board''' for enhanced operation vs. the band only operation of the '''USB 8 Relay Board''' group settings on the '''Features''' tab.
* To use the '''Band Data File''' option follow these steps.
*# Make sure a properly edited '''Band Data File''' is showing on the '''LPT''' tab.
*#: '''Note:''' &rarr; See this [[How_To#Setup_Binary-Coded_Decimal_.28BCD.29_Devices|'''link''']] for more information on setting up the '''Band Data File'''.
*# On the '''Ports''' tab take the following actions.
*## Select the '''Enable''' check box in the '''Parallel Port''' group.
*## If not using a parallel port select '''None''' as the port number.
*# On the '''Features''' tab in the '''USB 8 Relay Board''' group select the '''Use Data File''' check box.

==Macro Command==
Using the '''DDRB''' macro command adds another level of control to the '''USB-8 Relay Board''' by allowing additional relays to be controlled while still using the '''Band Data File''' to switch hardware per band segment.
* As an example suppose you have an amplifier that uses '''BCD''' switching to change bands (Quadra/SPE/others). Additionally, you need to switch in different lumped constants for your Inverted-L on 160 meters for different band segments. Here's how to do it.
 
  Start     Stop     Data     Macro
  -----     ----     ----     -----
  1800      1899       1        59
  1900      2000       1        60

* For the first segment 1800-1899 the macro #59 contains this command '''DDRB128:1;'''. What this does is combine the the #1 relay (for amp switching) and the #8 relay to switch in a capacitor/coil for the antenna.
* For the second segment 1900-2000 the macro #60 contains this command '''DDRB064:1;'''. What this does is combine the the #1 relay (for amp switching) and the #7 relay to switch in a different capacitor/coil for the antenna.
* Here is the structure for the '''DDRB''' macro command. 
 '''DDRB''' - Sends Denkovi Relay Board a value between 0-255
  '''Form:''' DDRB P1 P2 P3;
  '''Parm:''' P1 = decimal digit(s) 0 - 255
  '''Parm:''' P2 = Separator (1 char {':' recommended})
  '''Parm:''' P3 = decimal digit(s) 0 or 1
  '''Uses:''' DDRB7:0; Turns on relays 1, 2 and 3 only (suppresses band data)
  '''Uses:''' DDRB7:1; Turns on relays 1, 2 and 3 and preserves band data
  '''Note:''' Uses binary notation (128 = 10000000 = relay #8)
:'''Note:''' &rarr; See the '''[[CAT]]''' page for additional macro commands.

==Notes==