SM-8 Shack Master
Order SM-8 Controller - $249
*
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 1.4" x 6.7" x 6.7" (HWD)
* Weight 1.2 pounds
The SM-8 Shack Master is a full featured unit that contains a
universal band decoder and antenna switch controller. It features five
communication channels. All 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 Shack Master
will output RS-232 data in Yaesu or Kenwood format. In reverse, when
using a radio on the RS-232 interface the Shack Master will out 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 Shack Master 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 Shack
Master 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 Shack Master is easily done from the front panel. No PC
software is required. Antennas are easily assigned to each band. No
diode matrix is needed for antennas used on multiple band.
The Shack Master can directly control the RC-16 relay controller. From
the front panel you may assign any combination of 16 relays for each
band.
Installation
Before you begin
Installing and configuring the SM-8 Integrated Controller is a simple process. All configuration can done from the front panel. Starting with v3 firmware all configuration may also be done with the SM-8 Config App which provides more options than the front panel configuration process. Installation and configuration steps are listed below.
Optional Wireless interface installation
The optional Wireless Interface (NOT WIFI) is normally installed before shipping. If you are installing is later, it should be installed before proceeding. The wireless option kit consists of the radio module and an antenna. First remove the four screws attaching the rear panel and then slide the main circuit board out a few inches. Insert the radio module into the two socket strips located between the CI/V and Radio connectors. Be sure the module is fully inserted and that the antenna jack (gold color) is pointed to the rear of the unit. Carefully slide the board back into the case and reinstall the rear panel. Now attach the antenna to the radio module. This completes the wireless installation.
Power and network connections
The first step in the installation of the SM-8 is to connect 12vdc power to the SM-8. This can be done using either the power jack or via either ShackLAN jack. The two ShackLAN jacks are in parallel with each other and are also in parallel with the Switch jack. The ShackLAN cable to the antenna switch is connected to the Switch jack. Wiring should match that on the antenna switch. A mating connector is supplied with the unit. More information for the network and power 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 update the firmware. Starting with v3 firmware it can also be used to configure the unit. 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. It is not used for other makes of radios.
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.
Configuration from Front Panel
Entering configuration mode
The configuration menus are entered by pressing the NEXT and PREV buttons at the same time. The Configuration screen should be displayed. The Next and Previous buttons are now used to move between the various configuration menus. When at the Configuration screen pressing PREV will exit the configuration modeand NEXT will access the first menu option. Exit the configuration mode by pressing PREV until the main operating screen appears.
Configuring the Radio (Default = Band Data)
Begin radio configuration
After entering the configuration mode, press NEXT until the Setup Radio
menu is displayed. (or PREV if
you have already passed it). When the Setup Radio screen is showing
press AUTO to begin configuring the radio interface.
NOTE: For Icom
radios you must have CI/V Transceive enabled to complete the
configuration process.
Set radio number
The first item to set is the radio number. The radio number is used when you have multiple BM-5 units. Set the number to #1 if only a single SM-8 is present; otherwise, set the number according to your station requirements. Press AUTO when finished.
Set radio type
After pressing AUTO to set the radio number the Radio Type screen will appear. Cycle through the selections using the Next and Previous buttons. Press AUTO when the desired radio type is selected. The Yaesu and Kenwood selections offer a FA and IF option. Choose the one used by your logging software. The FA selection uses the frequency on VFO A while the IF selection uses the frequency on the main display, regardless of which VFO is active. If Band Data was selected you are now finished with the radio configuration. For all other radio types the Baud Rate screen will now be shown.
Set radio baud rate
After selecting the radio type you must select the radio baud rate. This baud rate applies to both the RS-232 and USB connections. Use Next and Previous to step between the selections. Press AUTO when the desired baud rate is selected. The Radio Number screen will now be displayed.
Set radio polling
After selecting the baud rate you must set the radio polling. Press Next or Previous toggle between Enabled and Disabled. Leave polling enabled except under special circumstances. When polling is disabled you must have your logging or radio control software poll the radio or the band decoder will not function. Press AUTO when finished.
Set radio timeout
This is last setting, except for Icom radios. The SM-8 has a timeout that will release all antennas when no data is received from the radio for approximately 20 seconds. This option should be normally left enabled. If disabled, the SM-8 will hold antenna selections indefinitely even after the radio is turned off. Press AUTO when finished.
Acquire CI-V address (Icom only)
The SM-8 automatically acquires the CI-V address of Icom radios after exiting the radio configuration. After entering the settings for your radio the SM-8 will ask you to turn the VFO knob to acquire the CI-V address of the radio. The acquired address will be then be displayed. NOTE: This requires the CI-V Transceive function on the radio to be enabled.
Setting the Switch Address (Default = 1)All ShackLAN antenna switches have an address on the network. Most stations have a single antenna switch and it is most likely set to the factory default of Switch #1. The Shack Master may be configured for any switch address from 1 to 4. Non-ShackLAN switches may be controlled with the Shack Master with the addition of either a RC-16 or RD-16 relay control unit. In this case, the switch address must be set to Not Present. First enter Configuration Mode. Press Next until the Set Switch Addr menu appears. Press AUTO and use the NEXT and PREV buttons to choose the desired address. Press AUTO when finished. |
Assigning the antennas
You
must first configure the radio before you can assign antennas to each
band as the band to be configured is selected by changing bands on the
radio. Start by entering Configuration Mode and pressing NEXT until the
Assign Antennas menu appears. Press AUTO to begin assigning antennas to
each band. Place the radio on the band to be configured and then, using the NEXT and PREV buttons, select the antenna for the current band. Selections are automatically saved. Switch the radio to the next band and select the desired antenna. Do this for each band. Press AUTO when finished. |
Advanced features
Auto on Band ChangeThe Auto on Band Change feature, when enabled, will automatically set the SM-8 to Auto when changing bands. This can prevent transmitting into a wrong antenna if an antenna has been manually selected. It is recommended to leave this feature enabled. If, for some reason, you wish to disable it, enter Configuration Mode and press NEXT until you reach the Auto Band Change menu. Press AUTO and then either NEXT or PREV to toggle between Enabled and Disabled. Press AUTO when you have made your selection. Aux RS-232 data stream When the RS-232 connection on the radio connector is not being
used by your radio, such as Icom, band data or Flex SDR on USB, the SM-8
can automatically generate a data stream on the RS-232 pins in either
Kenwood or Yaesu format. This is useful for automatically controlling
station accessories. You may choose either the FA or IF data formats.
The one to choose depends on the device using this data stream. The baud
rate is fixed at 9600. |
Operating modeThe SM-8 has two modes of operation. The standard (default) mode directly selects antennas on the switch when operating in AUTO mode. This mode should be used for those with only a single antenna on each band. The other mode is CC Mode (Control Center) In CC mode the SM-8 works only as a band decoder and does not select any antennas. This is the preferred mode when using the ShackLan Control Center software for antenna selection. If you wish to use the Control Center Mode, enter Configuration Mode and press NEXT until the Set Op Mode screen is displayed. Press AUTO to enter Op Mode configuration screen. Press NEXT or PREV to toggle between Standard and CC Mode. Press AUTO when finished. |
Control on USBThe Control on USB function is used to switch between using the USB port for radio control or allowing configuration and Shacklan network access via the USB port. The default is sets this function to Enabled to allow the BM-5 Setup App to access the unit via USB. If you wish to control the radio via the USB port or have a Flex radio connected to the USB, you must set this to Disabled for the radio to work properly. Enter configuration mode and press NEXT until the Control on USB menu appears. Now press AUTO and use NEXT or PREV to toggle between Enabled and Disabled. Press AUTO after you have made your selection. Icom PW-1 Control and Pair to PW-1The PW-1 control interface is covered on its own page. RC-16 Relay configuration The SM-8 has built-in support for the RC-16 Relay Controller
and the RD-16A Relay Driver. Direct control of the RC-16 and RD-16A is
only available when the SM-8 operating mode is set to Standard. When
operating the SM-8 in Macro mode the RC-16 or RD16A must be configured
using the Control Center software. Relay selections may be entered for
each band. Proceed a follows:
NOTE: RC-16 or RD-16 address must be set to 1 for direct control. |
Reset RC-16 relay dataThe Reset Relay Data function is used to reset the relay configuration for
the RC-16 Relay Controller and the RD-16A Relay Driver. Using this
function will set all relays to off. |
Restore default settings The Restore Defaults function will clear all user data and
restore them to factory defaults. Be aware that using this function will
erase all of your settings. |