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--- public:radio:2024:hf-vhf_xgate [29/03/24 09:49 GMT] – [Mobile Cross-band repeat access] john
+++ public:radio:2024:hf-vhf_xgate [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<-[[.:start]]
-====== HF-VHF Xgate 2024 ======
-** Revisiting an old project **
-===== Previously... =====
-  * [[public:radio:dormant:xgate|]]
-++++ DTMF Commands on VHF Port |
-===== DTMF Commands =====
-^Function^Command^Comment^
-|Log on | 0# |  |
-|Log off | *99*# |  |
-|Set Frequency | *1fffff# | ffff.f kHz |
-|Set Channel | *1xxxx# | mem chan xxxx |
-|Set Mode USB | *21# |  |
-|Set Mode LSB | *22# |  |
-|Set Mode AM  | *23# |  |
-|Set TX Power Low | *41# | 15W |
-|Set TX Power Medium | *42# | 50W |
-|Set TX Power High | *43# | 100W |
-|QSY Down 0.5kHz | *5# |  |
-|QSY Up 0.5kHz | *6# |  |
-|Monitor HF | *7# | 5 seconds |
-|Monitor HF | *7xx# | xx seconds |
-|Monitor HF | *7*1# |(Duplex Mode) Continuous Monitor ON |
-|Monitor HF | *7*0# |(Duplex Mode) Continuous Monitor OFF |
-|ATU Tune | *8# |  |
-|Status | *9# |  |
-|S-Meter | *91# |  |
-|Full Status | *93# |  |
-|Talkthrough ON | *01# |  |
-|Talkthrough OFF | *00# |  |
-++++
-===== Plans for 2024 =====
-  * Re-install all the hardware:
-    * IC-M710
-    * Raspberry Pi X-Gate controller
-    * X-Gate Interface with syllabic squelch and DTMF decoder
-  * Test in full-duplex VHF/UHF mode to identify any issues that need addressing to bring back to normal function
-  * Suspend or stop completely VHF APRS to free up V/UHF for X-Gate
-  * Test remote operation from Vehicle - V/UHF coverage is unlikely to be very good...
-  * Revisit Python code if necessary to add/remove features.
-  * Actually //have// real QSOs on HF using the X-Gate!
-===== 2024 Progress =====
-==== 23/3/24 ====
-  * Connected X-Gate Interface, R.Pi controller, IC-M710 and FT8900
-  * Initial problem with crashing due to USB problems on R.Pi causing USB/Serial adaptor (for control of IC-M710) to fail - this was cured by using different 5V USB power supply.
-  * Speech clipper removed from HF TX audio path due to distortion and poor audio quality.
-  * HF Audio drive level set to give correct HF SSB Power out
-  * Web server status page available by port forwarding at [[http://gm4slv.plus.com:42109/]]
-  * VHF uplink changed to split-band
-    * Input : 144.650MHz
-    * Output: 435.400MHz
-    * This allows control even when in permanent "Monitor" or "Talkthrough"
-    * Enabled a 15-minute CW ident on the UHF port which identifies with my callsign and the current HF frequency/mode.
-{{:public:radio:2024:screenshot_2024-03-23_233517.png?600 |}}
-==== TMUX Session ====
-  * Xgate software runs in a Tmux session with 3 panes
-    * Xgate software - printing commands etc. from the running controller code
-    * Relay control - independantly control various Xgate relays (PTT, Monitor, Mute, CW tone) directly, while main xgate is running.
-    * a shell for editing code etc.
-{{:public:radio:2024:screenshot_2024-03-23_232709.png?600|}}
-==== 24/3/24 : Thoughts.... ====
-  * Is the "HF Channel" 4-digit input selection really of any value?
-    * It requires memorizing channel numbers and saves entering only one or two digits.
-    * Will probably drop this function unless I find a use for it soon.
-    * **Perhaps change to 2-digit channels and limit to a few frequently used frequency/mode combinations?**
-++++ The current channels are: Memory Dictionary (4 digits) |
-<code python>
-mem_dict = {
-        "0101" : ["1942.0", "LSB"],
-        "0102" : ["1933.0", "LSB"],
-        "0103" : ["1957.0", "LSB"],
-        "0104" : ["1985.0", "LSB"],
-        "0105" : ["1966.0", "LSB"],
-        "0301" : ["3773.0", "LSB"],
-        "0302" : ["3760.0", "LSB"],
-        "0303" : ["3615.0", "AM"],
-        "0501" : ["5276.0","USB"],
-        "0502" : ["5279.0","USB"],
-        "0503" : ["5298.0","USB"],
-        "0504" : ["5301.0","USB"],
-        "0505" : ["5304.0","USB"],
-        "0506" : ["5317.0","AM"],
-        "0507" : ["5320.0", "USB"],
-        "0508" : ["5333.0", "USB"],
-        "0509" : ["5354.0", "USB"],
-        "0510" : ["5363.0", "USB"],
-        "0511" : ["5366.5", "USB"],
-        "0512" : ["5371.5", "USB"],
-        "0513" : ["5378.0", "USB"],
-        "0514" : ["5395.0", "USB"],
-        "0515" : ["5398.5", "USB"],
-        "0516" : ["5403.5", "USB"],
-        "0521" : ["5258.5", "USB"],
-        "0522" : ["5278.5", "USB"],
-        "0523" : ["5288.5", "USB"],
-        "0524" : ["5366.5", "USB"],
-        "0525" : ["5371.5", "USB"],
-        "0526" : ["5398.5", "USB"],
-        "0527" : ["5403.5", "USB"],
-        "0531" : ["5330.5", "USB"],
-        "0532" : ["5346.5", "USB"],
-        "0533" : ["5357.0", "USB"],
-        "0534" : ["5371.5", "USB"],
-        "0535" : ["5403.5", "USB"],
-        "0591" : ["5450.0", "USB"],
-        "0592" : ["5505.0", "USB"],
-        "0701" : ["7160.0", "LSB"],
-        "1091" : ["10051.0", "USB"]
-        }
-</code>
-++++
-==== Initial try at 2-digit memory channels ====
-<code python>
-mem_dict = {
-        "01" : ["5279.0","USB"],
-        "02" : ["5320.0", "USB"],
-        "03" : ["5366.5", "USB"],
-        "04" : ["5371.5", "USB"],
-        "05" : ["5378.0", "USB"],
-        "06" : ["5395.0", "USB"],
-        "07" : ["5398.5", "USB"],
-        "08" : ["5450.0", "USB"],
-        "09" : ["5505.0", "USB"],
-        "10" : ["7160.0", "LSB"],
-        }
-</code>
-  * One change in main xgate code:
-   if len(command_two[2:]) == 4:
-becomes
-   if len(command_two[2:]) == 2:
-<code python>
-                elif command_two[:2] == "*1":
-                    write_file("Frequency / Memory")
-                    #if len(command_two[2:]) == 4:
-                    if len(command_two[2:]) == 2:
-                        new_freq = float(mem_dict[command_two[2:]][0])
-                        new_mode = mem_dict[command_two[2:]][1]
-                        write_file("Memory Channel selected %s" % mem_dict[command_two[2:]])
-                        set_frequency(new_freq)
-                        set_mode(new_mode)
-                        write_status("freq",str(new_freq))
-                        write_status("mode",new_mode)
-                    else:
-                        new_freq = float(command_two[2:])/10
-                        set_frequency(new_freq)
-                        write_status("freq",str(new_freq))
-</code>
-  * modified main xgate code to be able to start in //simplex// or //duplex// mode by the choice of commandline argument:
-    * for simplex (single frequency/band uplink/downlink) which will disable the continuous monitor function to avoid getting locked out ->
-  ./xgate_current.py s
-    * for duplex (separate uplink and downlink bands) which will enable the continuous monitor function, as it is always possible to send a command on the uplink band while the downlink is transmitting ->
-  ./xgate_current.py d
-I've updated the ''mercurial repository'' - added new files, committed recent changes and made a clone of it on the shack laptop - in Dropbox (which might be a bad idea?)
-There's another page about [[public:linux:mercurial| simple Mercurial]] , as an aid to remembering how to do it each time.
-|24/3/24 |{{ :public:radio:2024:xgate_m710.zip |}} |Xgate scripts |
-===== Mobile Cross-band repeat access =====
-=== 29/3/24 ===
-If the X-gate is set to ''simplex'' mode (single band control) on ''VHF'' it should be possible to access the system via a mobile cross-band repeater from a low power UHF handheld.
-This extends the range of the ''local VHF network''.
-If you are within UHF simplex range of the V/UHF cross-band repeater (usually vehicle mounted) and the vehicle is located within VHF range of the X-Gate (e.g. on a suitable distant hill-top) it //should// be possible to access the X-Gate and log in/change frequency  etc. and to operate through it on HF, from the UHF side of the vehicle's Cross-Band repeater.
-I am beginning tests on this using a [[public:radio:radio_database:tm-d710| TM-D710 mobile]] and [[public:radio:radio_database:th-d72|TH-D72 handheld]].
-From the RSGB Band Plan
-  * 144.500 MHz   Image Modes (SSTV, Fax etc)
-  * 144.600 MHz   Data Centre of Activity (MGM, RTTY etc)
-  * 433.8000-434.2500 MHz   Digital communications & Experiments
-On 2m an appropriate place seems to be between 144.500 and 144.600, where there don't seem to be any prior ''centre-of-activity'' channels carved out.
-I'll try 144.575MHz.
-On 70cm an appropriate place seems to be between 433.800 and 434.250 - //experiments// - so I'll use 433.825MHz
-  * Uplink changed to ''Simplex'' : 144.575MHz
-===== Further Information =====
-| GM4SLV XGate | Status Page | [[http://gm4slv.plus.com:42109/]] |
-{{tag>radio xgate}}