[WT-support] Wintest and Ezmaster Problems

[Nick Totterdell]

Hi

 

I am having problems implementing an SO2R setup using Wintest and
Ezmaster but I am not sure whether the problems I am having are caused
by characteristics of the Wintest Software or of the Ezmaster.

 

The setup is as follows:

 

* Laptop running Wintest

* CW connections direct to the radios from laptop (Winkey in Ezmaster
abandoned because it is very unreliable)

* USB connection to Ezmaster

* CAT connections from Ezmaster to FT2000 x 2

* PTT/mike cable from Ezmaster to FT2000 x 2

* Headphone cable from Ezmaster to FT2000 x 2

* 24 relay outputs from Ezmaster used to switch aerials (6 Pak) and
bandpass filters (Dunestar x 2) via a homebrew relay controller which
allows full manual selection if necessary

 

The problems are as follows:

 

1. Wintest displays the correct band for operation but the Ezmaster
relays (particularly for the second radio) will often track the Band for
VFOB (subreceiver) - not always VFOA. This always happens on the second
radio if the band is selected on Wintest or CNRL-S is used to swap
radios.

 

2. On Radio 1 if the VFOB tuning is moved, the Ezmaster relays will
change to the band that is selected on VFOB but change back when it is
no longer changing.

 

3. On Radio 2 if the VFOB tuning is moved, the Ezmaster relays will
change to the band that is selected on VFOB and not change back.

 

So the question is how does the CAT interface work and how does Ezmaster
know what band is in use? If it is Wintest that tells Ezmaster the band
then there is a bug in Wintest. If Ezmaster works out the band by its
own independent CAT comms then this is where the problems is and it is
unlikely to be able to be fixed.

 

Unfortunately, the alternative MicroHam equipment does not have the same
configurable band relays as the Ezmaster and so a change to MicroHam
will be a major redesign for a system that is frustratingly close to
working.

 

Incidentally, is anyone still using Ezmaster and if so, how have all the
"firmware" problems been resolved? Is MicroHam now the only viable
commercial option for an SO2R controller and will it provide the
functionality that I am looking for - even if I have to find an external
method for detecting the band and for switching aerials and bandpass
filters?

 

Thanks in advance...

 

Nick G4FAL

g4fal at riverauto.co.uk

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