EI-150 / EI-151 technical data, User Guide and assembly instructions (KIT VERSION)

Transcription

1 EI-50 / EI-5 technical data, User Guide and assembly instructions (KIT VERSION) Figure Thank you for purchasing the Echo-Link interface controller from, we are sure you will enjoy it for the years to come. The EI-50 / EI-5 was originally designed as a kit version, however is also sold as assembled and ready to use device. In the kit version, through-hole technology will allow the active HAM to assemble the device with common tools and does not require any special tools to complete the job. In general the unit can be assembled within a few hours. Foreword: Around the World Amateur Radio Operator use since the early 90 s a communication method that utilizes the Internet. In the beginning there were only a few participants within this Network. Today the Echo-Link network has expanded Worldwide to over 3000 active participants not to mention the sleeping nodes. However, Echo-Link is a Voice over Internet Protocol that is exclusively for Licensed Amateur Radio Operator. The licensed HAM must request a Node Number from the Echo-Link Web site, by providing hers or his valid Call Sign that was issued by the governing body of the country the HAM is licensed in. Echo-link will verify the validity of the claim and issues a permanent Node number to the individual node operator. The operator is fully responsible for the operation of her / his node. As long as the node operates primarily through a Computer only setup, it should not be too much of concern. By using the EI-50/5 Echo-link interface, you are enabled to have signals linking into your node setup over the Air and unauthorized use of same may become a concern. The two most common configurations are on a simplex frequency as a simplex node or receiving / transmitting on a repeater channel pair to extend the aerial coverage. In either case, in the USA, a control operator must monitor activity on the channel as long as the node is enabled. Again, thank you for purchasing the Echo-Link Interface! Norbert Seibert (KJ6ZD) Let s get started! Page of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

2 What s included? Please check the contents of the package you have received and compare to the list below. Qty Description Echo-link Interface assembled and tested. Mini DIN 4 pin plug for RS232 hookup Mini DIN 6 pin plug for transceiver hookup 2.mm circular power plug 0mm Shaft Technical Specification and Instruction publication Schematic drawing Part Number EI-50 or EI EI-50_5.doc EI-50 or EI-50_B If any of the above is missing from your order, please contact echolink@dslextreme.com to resolve the issue. If you have received the kit version please check that all component bags are included in your order as below. Qty Description Bag with all resistors needed Bag with all capacitor needed Bag with all semiconductor (ESD safe Bag) Bag with miscellaneous items PCB ID Number Figure 2 Page 2 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

3 Assembly instructions of the KIT version This is a Step by Step assembly instruction and should take between 3 8 Hours for completion depending on Skill level. Open the bag marked R and empty the contents conveniently onto a clear work surface.. Insert and solder all resistors into their respective place, observing the correct values. The PCB is marked with a white silkscreen that has the component designators printed onto it. Refer to the Bill of Materials to locate the correct place for the components. 2. Next place and solder all capacitor onto the PCB as described in step to locate the correct position. If the capacitor is an Electrolytic type make sure the polarity is correct. 3. Solder all remaining passive components i.e. Audio coupler, connector etc. to the correct place on the PCB. 4. Open the ESD Safe bag and empty the contents onto your work surface. A word of caution. The EI-50 uses components that are Electro Static sensitive. We highly recommend using a ground strap when handling those components. If a ground strap is not available find some means of grounding. A computer case, other than a Laptop can provide sufficient grounding by touching the case frequently. 5. There is only one 8 Pin IC socket included with the kit. All other active components do not need to be placed using an IC socket. In some cases the use of sockets may cause weak spots were dust may deposit onto the contacts and thereby adding resistance that may lead to malfunction. However, if you feel that sockets are appropriate you may use them on all IC s. The PIC is already programmed and no further programming is needed. 6. Although there is no sequence on how to place the components onto the PCB, we recommend to start with the Voltage regulator and its supporting components. This will enable you to do electrical checks during the assembly. Once in place use a DVM to make sure that the board is supplied with a +5VDC from the Voltage regulator. If the Regulator gets hot within a few seconds, quickly disconnect the power supply source and investigate the cause. In most cases solder splashes are the cause of this symptom. 7. Bend the LED s to the front in such a way that will fit in the holes provided. (Enclosure version only) NOTE: Q2 is incorrectly shown on the silkscreen and must be inserted as shown below. Figure 3 Page 3 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

4 Important: Audio will be distorted if Q2 is inserted as on original silkscreen. After the board is populated with all components perform another visual inspection looking for solder bridges or splashes. If everything looks good go ahead and make the interface cables needed to connect the interface to the computer and the Radio transceiver. You will need to purchase, if you haven t done so, the two audio cables that connect to the Computer Soundboard. We recommend using a Stereo type cable although a Mono Cable will work too. EI-50 Component Layout. Figure 4 Page 4 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

5 EI-5 Component Layout. Figure 5 Page 5 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

6 Cable Hookup: RS232:. To make the RS232 cable, you ll need a cable with at least 4 conductors and should be of shielded type. 2. Refer to the connector image below and wire it according to the table below: Pin # Signal CD (COR signal to echo link. RXD (pin 2 from 9p Sub D) TXD (pin 3 from 9p Sub D) Ground (pin 5 on 9p Sub D) Figure 6 Figure 7 Note: Pins displayed are the pins at the PC Board connector looking at it like you would see the solder cups. Make sure to attach the Shield to the metal housing of the connector. Radio connection: Pin # Signal Microphone (TRX) Page 6 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

7 AF (TRX) PTT (TRX) COR ( External ) COR + ( External ) Radio Ground Figure 8 Note: Pins displayed are the pins at the PC Board connector looking at it like you would see the solder cups. Make sure to attach the Shield to the metal housing of the connector. System Diagram: The diagram below shows a general system wiring and should apply in most cases. Grounding is not shown in this diagram! Page 7 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

8 Figure 9 Cable Splitter Box: Since the EI-5x series uses Mini DIN connector for the connection to the Transceiver, the operator may want to built a small splitter box that looks neater than just splicing the cable. Here is an image that may help to decide: Figure 0 Page 8 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

9 Figure System Operation: Once everything is connected accordingly, you can start the Echo-Link system on your PC. Connect the EI-50/EI-5 first using the circular 2.mm power plug and then connect it to your power source of 3.8VDC max. This sequence should be observed to avoid shorts during the connection.. The EI-50 will indicate operational status via the built in Power Indicator. The EI-5 will 2. indicate its status in a similar fashion; however does an LED check before that will take about 3 seconds. During this check you will have an opportunity to visually verify that all LED s are functioning correctly. The EI-5 will cycle all LED s except the Power LED since it is on permanently. After power up cycle your Interface is ready for use. Echo-link defaults may have to be changed in certain areas to accommodate the added features of your interface. EchoLink provides settings for DTMF recognition. By default Echo-Link does the decoding via software and may be in some cases difficult set correctly. Set it to external DTMF. All other settings should be left alone unless you are using some kind of external carrier detect. Page 9 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

10 3. The EI-50 and EI-5 has provisions to use an external carrier detect, which works more reliable that the VOX operated carrier. If you provide this signal externally you need to change the Carrier detect setting within the Software. 4. By default the EI-5 has a time out timer that is set to about 3 minutes of key-up time. Once this time limit is exceeded it will automatically drop the PTT to avoid overheating of your transmitter. Most Echo-Link node transmitter are comprised of a regular mobile Transceiver. These Transceiver are designed to operate at a ratio of Minute TX and 3 minutes RX. In a node setup these time restraints can easily be exceeded. With the EI-5 you can leave the Echo-Link time out set to infinity and let your interface do the timeouts. This helps prevent disconnects and re-connects once Echo-Link reached it s time limits. After the PTT has been dropped, it simply waits for Echo-Link to request another key-up. The connection will still be active. 5. The Time Out limits can be changed via DTMF commands over the air. Simply press the A key followed by a number between 4. The selected time out limit will change immediately. The PTT LED will flash as many times as the selected time out slot. For example: if you pressed A2 the PTT LED will flash 2 times. 6. A Time out Approx. 2 Minutes 2 Approx. 3 Minutes (default) 3 Approx. 4 Minutes 4 Approx. 5 Minutes Approximately 20 Seconds before the EI-5 drop s the PTT, it will rapidly flash the COR LED. The time out values are stored in volatile memory, this means that if the Interface is powered down and then powered up again, it will reset to default time out of approximately 3 Minutes. Back panel legend: Figure 2 Page 0 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

11 Power Connector RS232 Port Transceiver Port SB Microphone SB Speaker The EI-5 is also equipped with an audio muting circuit that activates every time a valid DTMF tone is received. This way it will keep DTMF tones from entering the Internet and is avoiding other systems to respond to your DTMF codes. There is a short delay (500ms) before the audio path is enabled again. Audio quality adjustments: The EI-5x series possesses circuitry that enables the operator to make adjustments to the quality of the audio that is routed into the Internet. There are also adjustments for incoming audio levels and outgoing levels in conjunction with the Windows audio control panel. There is a great variety of different audio circuitry found in today s Radio Transceivers and the adjustment is merely a matter of trial and error. Under normal circumstance one would set all trim potentiometer to half of it s travel and make fine adjustments until it is pleasing the listener. To do this you can connect to the Echo-Link Test Server and try to make it perfect. We hope that you and your participants over the Air, will enjoy this new way of communication for the years to come. For more information, please visit Page of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

12 Technical Data: EI-50 and EI-5 Description Input Impedance Output Impedance Current Max. Input Voltage PCB Dimensions Audio PTT CAS Line Volume Microphone Level Indicator Soundboard Connector RS232 Transceiver EI-5 EI-5 Analog and Digital Value 600 Ohm 600 Ohm Approx. 30 ma 3.8 Volt DC positive l-20mm x w-25mm x h-20mm Adjustable tone quality Isolated via Opto Coupler Isolated via Opto Coupler Adjustable via Trim Pot Adjustable via Trim Pot PWR,PTT,DTMF, COR Standard 3.5mm Mono Plug 4 Pin Mini DIN (Shielded) 6 Pin Mini DIN (Shielded) Timeout Timer DTMF mute Separate Grounds More Info Low Frequency 300 Hz Low Frequency 300 Hz 2.mm Center positive Four mounting holes ea. side Treble <0K Bass <.5K 0-00mV RMS 0-00mV RMS High output LED s Three wire connect + CD 2,3,4,5 Minutes selectable Muted during DTMF Isolated to each other Page 2 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt

13 NOTES: Page 3 of 3 0/5/2008 EI-50_5.odt