PCALE functions as an ALE controller with almost any popular amateur or commercial HF radio.
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How PCALE Controls the Transceiver
For rapid
channel scanning, PCALE uses the computer- to- radio CAT interface to
control the transceiver frequency. Most
of the usual
computer - radio interface boxes that are commonly used for ham radio
digital modes or transceiver computer control work fine with PCALE.
Generally speaking, if you are already set up with ham radio digital
mode and CAT control, then it is likely you can get basic ALE running
with PCALE using your present system*.
PCALE
sends PTT control via the RS-232 serial port, normally using the RTS
(or DTR) pins of DB9 or DB25 connector of the computer (or a
USB-to-Serial adapter). The RTS line goes high when transmitting.
Hardware PTT is recommended.
Homebrew Interface
Most newer radios have USB soundcard and don't require any interface. But, for older radios, yo may need hardware control. It is possible to
construct your own interface. Schematics for homebrew interfaces are on
the HFLINK Interface page here,
and some of these provide speaker muting that un-mutes the station
external speaker whenever another station calls you. This feature can
also be adapted to ham radio interface boxes that have a "CW keying"
feature, by the addition of a relay in the speaker line.
Click to zoom on interfaces:
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Selecting a Transceiver for ALE service with PCALE
While almost any HF transceiver is suitable for ALE
work, some transceivers are better suited to continuous 24/7/365 ALE
service than others.
The following recommended transceivers have internal receiver bandpass switching circuitry that is optimum for fast Quiet Relay Scanning and Sounding with PCALE.
(These radios use diode bandpass switching for receive scanning, and only use relays when transmitting)
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ICOM The
following Icom radios are compatible with PCALE Quiet Relay Scanning,
and are recommended: IC746, IC746PRO, IC7400, IC756PRO (Milspec
1030E-DSP), IC756PRO2,
IC756PRO3, IC765, IC775, IC781, IC7800, and possibly IC-7300. They have diode switched filters, and are capable of up to 2 ch/sec scan rate.
Newer models running with CAT at 9600 baud can scan up to 5
channels/second. The IC756pro series and more recent models can run at
19,200 baud and are capable of 10 channels/second scan rate. (Note: the IC7800 has diode switched filters but has mechanical relays in the mixer, so some acoustic noise will be heard.)
Quiet Relay Scan Mods
(hardware modifications) are documented for several popular Icom
radios. These may provide the most cost effective solution for a
scanning ALE radio system.
Icom IC-718 Quiet Relay Scan Mod
Icom IC-7200 Quiet Relay Scan Mod Icom IC-M710 Quiet Relay Scan Mod
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KENWOOD The following Kenwood radios are compatible with PCALE Quiet Relay Scanning, and are recommended:
All Kenwood models after TS-440 (but excluding the TS-440). They have diode switched filters. The oldest models are capable of up to 2 channels/second scan rate. The more recent models work
at CAT rates of 9600 baud for up to 5 channels/second, and newest models work at 19,200 baud at 10 channels/second scan
rate.
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YAESU The following Yaesu radios are compatible with PCALE Quiet Relay Scanning, and are recommended:
FT-920, FT-990. They have diode switched filters, and are capable of up to 2 ch/sec scan rate.
(It is also possible to modify the FT-890 with a special QS/S mod that enables solid-state scanning; you can ask about this mod on the HFLINK forum)
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HARRIS The following Harris radios are compatible with PCALE Quiet Relay Scanning, and are recommended:
Harris RF-350 family: RF-350, RF-350K, RT-1446 URC, AN/URC-119,
AN/URC-121(V) The quiet relay scanning is handled by the BYPASS command, supporting up to 2 ch/sec scan rate. |
OTHER RADIOS
Most other radios that are not on the above lists will still function fine with PCALE.
Radios that don't have diode switched filters use mechanical relays.
Even though they are not Quiet Relay Scanning compatible, they will
scan in Simplex on a single VFO, rather than using the Split VFO
method. The bandpass relays will be clicking every few seconds during
scanning. This isn't technical a problem (unless the clicking in the
background bothers you). Some radios have relays that are barely
audible, while others are acoustically noticeable. By limiting the
number of channels in the scan group to less than 11 channels, it is
possible to be compatible at a scan rate of 1 channel/second. Even though
Quiet Relay Scanning transceivers are recommended for long term continuous 24/7/365
ALE use, many operators are currently using normal relay switched transceivers
that have been running perfectly in ALE service for years. All
operators are encouraged to use whatever transceiver they have, to get
on the air with ALE.
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Soundcards
It is best to use a good internal PC soundcard or the laptop built-in
audio. Cheap USB soundcard dongles or inexpensive USB radio interface
devices that have built-in soundcards may be OK for some ham radio
digital modes, but they are generally not capable of decoding ALE with
PCALE because they do not have real 48kHz sampling. It is also
necessary for the soundcard to have an accurate clock, within 15Hz when
the audio is measured at 2500Hz. Off-frequency soundcards often show up
as a problem decoding the ALE signal. Be sure to calibrate your radio and your soundcard before setting up ALE.
How Quiet Relay Scanning Works
PCALE uses the SPLIT VFO feature of the transceiver, and commands the
radio to set the TRANSMIT VFO on a fixed frequency. Then PCALE command
the radio to scan only the RECEIVE VFO. Certain models of transceivers
are compatible with Quiet Relay Scanning. Other transceivers that don't
have this feature will work OK for ALE, but PCALE scans them in single
VFO mode, instead of Split VFO.
Typical Relay Switched Filters:
Typical Diode Switched Filters:
Scanning of Radios Without CAT
PCALE can also control radios that do not have CAT, but
have channel memory. The special PCALE software for
this "hardware pulse scanning" is available by inquiring on the HFLINK
forum. Select Hardware Pulse from the radio type menu.
Connect the RS-232 port TXD line via a transistor interface to the
radio's "Up Channel" mic button line.
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