microHAM DXP User manual

microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
DXP
microHAM
www.microham.com
Version 1.0
2019
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microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
TABLE OF CONTENT
1 - FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 3
2 - PANEL DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Front Pan l ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
R ar Pan l ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
3 - HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Cabl s Conn ction and Initial S tup .................................................................................................................................... 6
Display D scription and Basic Op ration .................................................................................................................... 7
4 - SOFTWARE INSTALLATION ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Und rstanding DXP op ration ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Audio D vic s ................................................................................................................................................................. 8
S rial Ports ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9
S rial Ports Find r......................................................................................................................................................... 10
5 – SIGNALS CONFIGURATION............................................................................................................................................ 11
6 – SETUP MENU................................................................................................................................................................... 13
K yboard ........................................................................................................................................................................ 16
CW Op ration - WinK y................................................................................................................................................. 17
7 – FIRMWARE UPDATE....................................................................................................................................................... 18
8 - HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................................................................................... 19
9 - PACKAGE CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................................... 20
10 - WARRANTY .................................................................................................................................................................... 20
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ....................................................................................................................................... 21
APPENDIX A – DB15 TRANSCEIVER CONNECTOR ..........................................................................................................22
APPENDIX B – RFI Consid rations ..................................................................................................................................... 23
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microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
1 - FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
DXP is a lightweight transceiver-to-computer U B interface with high dynamic range and low noise 24-bit
audio ADC and DAC to facilitate high quality F K and Digital operation (FT8, RTTY, JTxx, P K31, etc.). CW
operation is supported by the time-proven WinKey CW keyer developed by K1EL, in version WKv3.
DXP is the first microHAM interface entirely utilizing tandard U B Class Devices for its U B operation. This
means, that drivers are already incorporated in all current major computer operating systems, no driver
installation is necessary. DXP does not need our U B Device Router for operation.
DXP is fully powered from a standard U B port while maintaining full galvanic isolation between computer
and transceiver. The relay-free construction of DXP provides quiet operation based on an optoMO part
replacing the traditional output relay. CAT interface is jumper-free set up from the menu. The DB15F system
connector is fully compatible with previous microHAM interfaces: U B II, U B III, DK, and DK II and uses the
same DB15 cables.
General:
•ingle U B connection to computer for power, data and audio
•Complete "Computer ↔ Transceiver ↔ Amplifier" galvanic isolation
•Internal 24-bit USB Audio
•Standard USB Audio Class device – no custom driver required
•Asynchronous data transfer, internal low phase noise LO -145dBc/Hz @1kHz
•High dynamic range 100 dB typical, 95 dB minimum
•Extremely low noise floor as low as <10 µV effective
•Real-Time audio input level monitoring on built-in display
•ilent operation without relays
•U B Class compatibility (Audio & CDC), no drivers required for Windows 10, macO and Linux
Radio control (CAT):
•Up to 115200 Baud
•Integrated menu driven (no jumpers) level converter for CI-V, FIF-232, IF-232, or R -232 levels
•upports most Elecraft, Icom, Kenwood, Ten-Tec, Yaesu and other radios
Digital (FS /AFS ):
•24-bit, high dynamic range, very low distortion analog inputs
•Dual channel receive capability
•Ultra low noise floor, below the noise floor from any current transceiver
•Front panel transmit/receive level control
•UART based, zero jitter F K output
•Resamples computer standard 45.0 Baud rate for accurate 45.45 Baud HAM RTTY speed
•Intelligent diddle stuffing to eliminate random gaps between characters for best decoding
performance
•upports data codes with 5/6/7/8 data bits and 1/1.5/2 stop bits
•ample accurate support for audio based P-F K keying
•Adjustable F K keying polarity
•U B keyboard support for stand alone F K transmission with type ahead function
CW:
•Genuine WinKey™ version 3 chip
•Front panel speed knob, stand alone operation
•ample accurate support for audio based Q-CW keying
•U B keyboard support for stand alone CW transmission with type ahead function
•ix (6) user programmable memories
Other:
•Isolated, high voltage optoMO based PAPTT keying output, no clicking relays
•Huge filtering for maximum RFI immunity, Metal/Aluminum case, Free firmware upgrades
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microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
2 - PANEL DESCRIPTION
Front Pan l
1. PWR
POWER LED lights when U B power is applied. Flashing in tand-by.
2. CW
LED flashes with CW output.
3. FSK
LED flashes with F K output.
4. SPEED
CW speed control. Range (MIN, MAX) is defined by WinKey software.
5. PTT
LED lights when PTT from logger or digital modes program is active.
6. TX AUDIO
LED lights when TX Audio from logger or digital modes program is active.
7. RX AUDIO
LED lights when RX Audio to logger or digital modes program is active.
8. TX
ets display and right knob to adjust TX driving level. Invokes and closes ETUP menu
when pushed together with right RX button. Left button for navigation in the setup.
9. DISPLAY
10. RX
ets display and right knob to adjust RX level. Invokes and closes ETUP menu when
pushed together with left TX button. Right button for navigation in the setup.
11. KNOB
Multipurpose knob for adjusting TX and RX audio level. Pushing toggles between MAIN
and UB RX level, sets parameters in the setup.
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microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
R ar Pan l
1. RADIO
DB15F connector for radio connection. ee Appendix A for details
2. KEYBOAD
U B A connector connecting external U B keyboard or thumb drive for firmware updates.
3. COMPUTER
U B B connector for computer connection. Uses standard U B A-B cable.
4. PADDLE
6.3mm (¼") paddle input connector
TIP = Dit, RING = Dash, LEEVE = Ground
5. FOOTSW
RCA foot switch (default) or PTTIN input connector, function can be set in setup.
Active when closed to ground.
TIP = ignal, HELL = Ground
6. PAPTT
RCA keying output for Power Amplifier. Active output goes to ground.
Connector: RCA TIP = ignal, HELL = Ground
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microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
3 - HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Cabl s Conn ction and Initial S tup
Installation of DXP consists of hardware and software parts. First, it is necessary to setup the hardware.
1. Turn off the radio and make the rear panel of the DXP accessible.
2. Plug the DB15M of the radio cable set into the RADIO connector on the rear panel of the DXP.
Connect ALL connectors from the cable set to the matching jacks of your transceiver.
3. Connect your paddles to the PADDLE jack.
4. Connect your power amplifier keying input to the PAPTT jack.
5. Connect U B cable to the COMPUTER jack and other end to the computer's U B jack.
Sinc DXP is a USB pow r d d vic (do s not r quir xt rnal pow r conn ction)
it should b automatically turn d ON now.
6. Push TX and RX buttons together to enter ETUP menu.
Use ← (TX) and → (RX) buttons to find menu item 1.1 CAT TYPE. Rotate right (encoder) KNOB
to select proper CAT levels of your transceiver.
•CIV – all Icom transceivers
•RS232 – all modern transceivers with DB9 CAT control jack (Elecraft, Kenwood, Yaesu, etc)
•FIF232 – old Yaesu transceivers: FT-100, 736, 747, 757GXII, 767, 817, 840, 857, 890, 897,
FT-900, 980, 990, 1000, 1000D
•IF232 – old Kenwood transceivers: T -140, 440, 450, 680, 690, 711, 790, 811, 850, 950
Confirm selection by pushing knob.
7. If you use a foot switch, connect the foot switch to the FOOT W jack.
If you do not use foot switch, or prefer to have your foot switch connected to the transceiver,
connect transceiver's PTT output (TX GND, END, LINEAR, REMOTE etc …) to the FOOT W
jack using proper cable. FOOT W input needs to be set for alternate PTTIN function in menu
4.2 to avoid “stuck in TX” effect. Locate menu 4.2 FS JACK and select PTTIN by rotating knob.
8. Leave ETUP by pressing TX and RX buttons together, initial hardware setup is done.
You can turn on the radio.
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microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
Display D scription and Basic Op ration
The display of DXP provides real time information about incoming RX audio level, its gain or attenuation,
TX output level, indicates CAT data transfer, a clipping warning if the RX input level is too high, and
provides data output monitoring for CW and F K. It also serves as user interface for setting DXP
operating parameters in ETUP menu.
There are five real time screens, three fixed and two automatic. The automatic screens are output
monitors for CW and F K – when data are sent, that data is shown scrolling through the display. When
there is no more data to send the display returns to the last used fixed screen.
Fixed screens are TX audio screen, RX MAIN audio screen for the main receiver of your transceiver and
the RX UB audio screen for UB receiver, if your transceiver has two receivers. The TX screen is
invoked by pressing TX button. The number next to the VU-METER indicates the currently set output
level as a percentage of the maximum available output from DXP.
Adjusting TX level is individual for every radio. The golden rule is that the level should be set for
maximum RF output power at minimum or no ALC drive. This can be easily accomplished by observing
the RF output meter and ALC meter on your transceiver simultaneously. Adhering to this rule assures
that the output signal is as clean as it gets without excessive IMD products and as strong as you set by
RF output level on your transceiver.
RX MAIN screen is invoked by pressing the RX button. You can alternate between RX MAIN and RX
UB screens by pressing the knob. The number next to the VU-METER on these screens indicates
digital gain or attenuation in dB of the input signal fed to the computer for audio processing in digital
mode programs. The CLIP sign on the top right corner of the display indicates that the level of signal
into the DXP is too high. If you see this sign, you need to decrease the receive audio output signal level
in your transceiver menu. ome programs like W JT-X for FT8 mode require a certain level of noise for
processing, use knob to adjust for the recommended level. In most other cases, setting 0-10dB gain
provides the best performance for weak signal operation in RTTY or other digital modes.
Pressing both TX and RX buttons at the same time enters the DXP ETUP MENU which enables to
adjust the operating parameters of DXP. Individual ETUP MENU items are described separately in the
DXP ETUP MENU chapter.
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microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
4 - SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
DXP uses U B Audio Class compatible audio devices and U B Communication Class (CDC-ACM)
compatible serial port devices. These U B classes are natively supported by all current operating
systems (Windows 10, macO , and Linux) therefore there is no need to install any external drivers. The
given operating system already includes the necessary drivers for each U B class and installs them
automatically when DXP is connected to the U B jack on computer for the first time. True plug-and-play.
Windows versions prior Windows 10 (since Windows XP P3) provide a half way support for CDC serial
ports - they contain the appropriate driver but do not install it automatically. They will require an external
definition file (INF file) for the device to be recognized. For DXP installation on Windows XP P3 up to
Windows 8.1, download the definition file (DXP.inf) from our web pages and follow the installation
procedure described in erial Ports chapter.
Und rstanding DXP op ration
DXP connected to the computer appears in operating system as two stereo audio devices (input and
output) and three, purpose specific serial ports.
Audio D vic s
There are two audio devices - the output (TX) device and input (RX) device.
Output (playback) audio device is stereo, supporting 16 or 24-bit depth at 16/24/48 kHz sample rates.
In the operating system it is labeled as DXP (Windows), DXP TX (macO ), or microHAM DXP Analog
Audio Output (Linux). Volume sliders and mute boxes on this device are intentionally disabled (even if
still present for class driver compatibility) and the level adjustment is limited to pressing TX button and
turning the multi-functional encoder knob on the DXP front panel.
•Left output channel is used to send audio modulation to the transceiver and has to be chosen as
the TX audio device in the digital modes programs.
NOTE: Most transceivers (especially Yaesu) have to be switched to a dedicated digital mode PKT, DIG,
DATA etc … to accept audio modulation from external accessory input.
Most U B enabled transceivers have their audio data input set to U B by default. You will need
to change the input to ACC (the external modulation input can be named differently) in the
transceiver's setup menu.
•Right audio channel is processed in the internal D P detector and its output can be used as an
OOK keying source for CW (Q-CW) or F K (P-F K). Right channel features are disabled by
default but can be turned on in ETUP menu.
Input (recording) audio device is stereo, providing 24-bit depth at 48 kHz sampling rate. In the operating
system it is labeled as DXP LINE (Windows), DXP RX (macO ), or microHAM DXP Analog Audio Input
(Linux). Again, volume sliders and mute boxes on this device are intentionally disabled and levels
adjustment restricted to pressing RX button and turning the knob on the DXP front panel.
•Left input channel carries main receiver audio of the connected transceiver and should be used
as primary receiving audio device in digital mode programs.
•Right input channel carries sub receiver audio if DXP is connected to a transceiver with two
receivers. Right audio channel of DXP input device can be used as RX audio device in a second
instance of digital mode program to monitor split frequency or activity on different bands.
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microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
S rial Ports
DXP automatically installs three (3) serial ports on host computer for connection to your favorite logging
or digital modes program. Installation process on Windows 10, macOS and Linux is automatic, serial
ports use U B CDC class compatible drivers built-in to the operating system.
These three ports have dedicated functions for:
•transceiver CAT control
•FSK sending data for RTTY
•WinK y CW/F K control and sending.
Windows 10, macOS
No action required, ports are install automatically.
On Windows the ports are labeled “COM(x)”, on macO “usbmodem(xxxxx)” where x stands for the
port’s number.
Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8
Windows versions prior Windows 10 did not support U B CDC serial ports automatically. After
connecting DXP, “New Hardware Detected” dialogue pops up, asking for a driver (in our case definition
file). This definition file can be downloaded from our website:
http://www.microham.com/Downloads/DXP.inf
When DXP is plugged in for the first time and the “New Hardware” window appears, select manual
installation (Have Disk option) and direct the operating system to the path with the downloaded DXP.inf
file. This procedure will repeat three times, one for each serial port.
NOTE: Windows XP must have ervice Pack 3 installed, older ervice Packs have a bug in the
U B CDC driver. Versions other than Windows XP P3 are not supported.
Linux
No driver installation is required on Linux operating system; the new ports are labeled “ttyACMxx” where
x stands for the port’s number. However, to make the ports accessible for applications and operate
correctly, an initial setup step is required. By default, most Linux distributions run a core application
called “ModemManager.” The problem is that Modem Manager sees the creation of any /dev/ttyACM*
device as "Oh, a new modem appeared. I am the modem manager and I have to claim exclusive access
to it by opening it right away." If you want to avoid sending useless modem data to your interface and
radio (as you certainly do), you can do that for specific “modem” (your DXP) through udev. The
procedure is described here:
http://linux-tips.org/t/prevent-modem-manager-to-capture-usb-serial-devices/284/2
DXP identification numbers are: VID=0483 PID=a2f6
Alternatively, if you don't need Modem Manager (usually you don't), you can uninstall Modem Manager
in terminal:
sudo apt-get remove modemmanager
Then, to make new ports accessible to your applications you have to set permissions:
sudo chmod a+rw /dev/ttyACM*
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microHAM © 2019 All rights reserved
S rial Ports Find r
For simple identification which port number (Windows) or port name (macO , Linux) has been assigned
by operating system to either CAT, F K and WinKey port, you can install and run a simple application,
DXP Ports Find r, which will list the DXP serial port assignments on your computer. The only purpose
of this application is to identify the serial ports. It is not necessary to run it for normal operation, just to
setup logger/digital mode software or troubleshooting.
Windows (all)
Download dxp-win.zip package and unzip dxp.exe application to
your desktop. You can download the application from our
website – Downloads section, or directly from this link:
http://www.microham.com/Downloads/dxp-win.zip
DXP Ports Finder will scan serial ports on your computer and
display the COM port numbers assigned by the operating
system to the individual DXP serial channels.
If you want to change port numbering, go to Device Manager | Ports (COM & LPT) and double click on
port you want to change. Go to Port ettings tab, click the Advanced button and change the COM port
number at the bottom drop down box. Make sure each COM port listed in Device Manager has a unique
number; ports must not overlap.
macOS
Download and open dxp-mac.dmg image and move DXP
application to your Applications folder or Desktop. DXP
Ports Finder will scan serial ports on your computer and
display usbmodemxxxxx port names assigned by operating
system to individual DXP serial channels. You can
download the application from our website – Downloads
section, or directly from this link:
http://www.microham.com/Downloads/dxp-mac.dmg
Linux
Download Ubuntu version of DXP Ports Finder, other
distributions were not tested. You can download the application
from our website – Downloads section, or directly from this link:
http://www.microham.com/Downloads/dxp-ubuntu.tar.gz
Before you install DXP Ports Finder itself, you have to install the
necessary libraries in terminal for correct operation.
sudo apt install libwxbase3.0-0v5
sudo apt install libwxgtk3.0-0v5
sudo apt-get install --reinstall libcanberra-gtk-module
Then unpack and run DXP Ports Finder
tar xvzf dxp-ubuntu.tar.gz
./dxp
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