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6- Rotator Switch
The MBD-8F can also command a Hamplus model RS-24, or RS-44 rotator switch. With this equipment it is
possible to use one, two, three or four rotator controllers to read and control up to 4 rotators. The RS-24 is
suitable for stations with up to two transceivers and RS-44 for stations with up to four transceivers.
Procedure to configure the Rotators
Enter setup mode by pressing the antenna push button you wish to associate with a particular rotator for 5
seconds. This will cause the MBD-8F to enter configuration mode. Then, while in this mode, press the 1, 2, 3 or 4
push button to choose the rotator of this antenna. Once configured, the rotator indicator LED is lit. To exit the
configuration mode and SAVE, press push button 8. From this moment on, whenever the antenna associated to
the rotator is used, the rotator indicator LED in use (RT1, RT2, etc.) will light up and the respective rotator will be
connected to the control Used in this MBD-8F.
7- Communication with Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, Elecraft K-3 via RS-232 and BCD
To use the MBD-8F's automation functions, it must communicate with the radio. For ICOM brand radios, we use
the CI-V protocol (MBD-8F CI-V port). With this protocol all the features described above will be able to work.
For the equipment of the YAESU brand we use the band data information, which allows all configurations except
the activation of the GPOs by frequency. For those of the brand Kenwood and Elecraft K3 the protocol used is by
the RS-232 communication port that allows use of all functions of the MBD-8F.
Elecraft K3 also has band-data information like the Yaesu.
CI-V Baud Rate 19200 ( Icom Radios ) RS-232 Baud Rate 9600 (Kenwood and K3)
8- Band Data Table
BCD Band Data
Band Frequency BCD
160 m 0.0 to 2.9 MHz 0001
80 m 3.0 to 4.8 MHz 0010
60 m 4.9 to 5.9 MHz 0000
40 m 6.0 to 8.9 MHz 0011
30 m 9.0 to 12.9MHZ 0100
20 m 13.0 to 16.9 MHz 0101
17 m 17.0 to 18.9 MHz 0110
15 m 19.0 to 22.9 MHz 0111
12 m 23.0 to 25.9MHz 1000
10 m 26.0 to 34.9 MHz 1001
6 m 35.0 to 54.9 MHz 1010
Frequency Band for communication via RS-232 and CI-V
Band 1 from 0 to 400 KHz, Band 2 from 400KHz to 550KHz, Band 3 from 550 KHz to 1.7 MHz, Band 4 from 1.7 to
3.0 MHz, Band 5 from 3.0 to 5.0 MHz, Band 6 from 5.0 to 6.0 MHZ, Band 7 From 6.0 to 8.5 MHz, Band 8 from 8.5
to 12 MHz, Band 9 from 12 to 16 MHz, Band 10 from 16 to 18.5 MHz, Band 11 from 18.5 to 23 MHz, Band 12
from 23 to 27 MHz, Band 13 from 27 MHz to 34 MHz MHz, Band 14 from 34 to 55 MHz,Band 15 above 55 MHz.
9- Antenna memory per band
The MBD-8F has a non-volatile memory for each of the eight antennas so that whenever an antenna is selected
this memory registers the band selected by the Radio. With each band change in the radio the MBD-8F will
activate the last antenna that was used in that band.
Note: The setting mode is only possible when the Radio is properly connected to the MBD-8F.
