MD-12 Decoder
Order MD-12 - $99 |
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*
Jumper free configuration
* Built-in USB interface
* RS-232, CI-V and band data interfaces
* USB connection to Flex SDR radios
* Generates Icom CI-V data stream from Non-Icom radios
* Generates Yaeso & Kenwwod data stream from Icom radios
* Bi-directional band data interface
* Automatic antenna selection for each band
* Field upgradable firmware
* Dimensions 1.0" x 2.2" x 3.4" (HWD)
* Weight 4 ounces
The MD-12 Decoder is a full-featured band decoder in a small package. It offers all the features of the popular Bandmaster V but without the relay outputs. It has been designed to bring automatic band selection to manual antenna controllers such as the SixPak and RatPak controllers. It is also compatible the DX-8, PB-28 and PSC-8 controllers. It may also be used with our ShackLAN Control Center software to provide automatic antenna selection without using any controllers.
All communications channels are active simultaneously and provide data translation for your station accessories. In other words, if you are using an Icom radio on the CI/V interface the MD-12 will output 4-bit band data as well as RS-232 data in Yaesu or Kenwood format. In reverse, when using a radio on the RS-232 interface the MD-12 will out 4-bit band data as well as an Icom CI/V data stream.
The USB interface may be connected to your PC for radio control. The USB
interface may be connected directly to a Flex SDR with no additional
cables or interfaces required.
The MD-12 contains a fully bi-directional band data interface.
The band data interface operates in input mode when using band data from
a Yaesu or Elecraft radio. When operating in band data mode the
MD-12 will output data on both the CI/V and RS-232 interfaces
with the frequency fixed to the middle of the current band. The band
data interface operates in output mode when any of the other data
interfaces are used for your radio.
Configuring the MD-12 is easily done with the MD-12 Setup App which is available for Windoes, Linux and Raspberry Pi.
Installation
Before you begin
Installing and configuring the MD-12 Decoder V is a simple process. All configuration is done from the MD-12 Setup App. Configuration steps are listed below.
The MD-12 Decoder does not have a traditional front or rear panel. It is designed to be installed in your station cabling and does not need to be visible on your operating table.
Power and network connections
Power to the MD-12 is supplied via the ShackLAN network connection and another device on the ShackLAN network must have power applied to it. More information for the network connections are here.
USB connector
The USB connector is used to transfer data to and from the radio to your computer using a standard USB cable. It is also used to configure the device and update the firmware. The USB may also be connected directly to Flex SDR radios. The USB driver should automatically install itself. If it does not, drivers can be downloaded at https://ftdichip.com/drivers/.
CI-V connector
This connector is used to interface to Icom radios. It uses the standard 1/8" phone plug used on all Icom radios for computer control. It should be connected to the REMOTE jack on Icom radios. For other makes of radios a CI-V data stream is sent from this connector to allow control of accessory devices.
Radio connector
This connector is used to interface to all radios except Icom. You can
use the same cable you would normally connect between the radio and a
computer except when using the band data outputs from Yaesu and K3
radios. It is preferred that you use the RS-232 data from the radio and
not the band data outputs otherwise there will be reduced functionality.
If you still wish to use the band data outputs, you will need to make
your own interface cable or purchase a custom cable. Band data signals
are labeled A, B, C, D in most radio manuals but may be designated as 1,
2, 3, 4 or 1, 2, 4, 8. Pinouts for the radio connector are shown in the
diagram to the right. Consult your radio manual for pinouts on the radio
connector. When acquiring radio data from the CI-V, USB or band data
this connector will transmit a RS-232 data stream in either Kenwood or
Yaesu format. When not using band data from the radio this connector
will output band data information.