Control Program for Alpha 87a Linear

Introduction

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For the proper operation Alpha 87a Communication
you need to update your Linear Amplifier to:

Alpha 87a Communication can be used either stand alone to control the Alpha 87a amplifier or together with several CAT-Control programs to use the frequency settings of the transceiver for setting band and segment of the amplifier. For some programs you need to install the additional Comm Server, for DXLab Comm Server is not necessary (see below).

Connecting an individual TRX to Alpha 87a Communication by the Omi Rig interface

Connecting DX4Win Logger to Alpha 87a Communication by the SteppIR Interface of the DX4Win Logger

Setup of the N1MM Logger to Communicate with Alpha 87a Communication

CommServer

Alpha 87a Communication may be used together with the utility Comm Server as interface between Kenwood (TS-450, TS-950SDX), Yaesu FT-2000, ICOM IC-7000, ICOM IC-7800 and the following logging programs:

Logging-program DX4Win (www.dx4win.com)
Logger32 (www.kc4elo.com)
TRX-Manager (www.trx-manager.com)

To use this feature please download and install "CommServer"
Use the drop down menues for COM port settings and the selection of tranceiver and programs as shown below.

Com1: Interface to the Log-Program DX4Win (Port settings in the DX4Win program)
Com2: Input of the TRX Frequency information to the program
Com3: Interface to the Alpha 87a Linear

Alpha 87a Communication

Features

On- Off- Switch

Standby, Operate Switch

Hi, Low switch of the plate voltage

Autotune (only with software update AlphaMax installed in the Alpha 87a)

Manual tuning with the frequency selection of the program (Band and Segment)

Display of the main selections and Meter Panel
(only with software update AlphaMax installed in the Alpha 87a) with
Output Power
Reflected Power
Plate Current
Grid current

Display of the Fault Report

Setup of the Com-Ports

Main Window

      Alpha Control


      Alpha Control min.

"Diagnosis" will open the diagnosis dialog window.
"End of Diagnosis" will close the diagnosis window and go back to normal operation.
"open complete Comm-Window" will add the diagnosis window to the standard window.
Meter Panel
Direct control = Manual control of the Linear by Pushbuttons of the Program
Comm Server TRX will start Comm Server
DXLab Commander will connect Alpha 87a Cat to DXLab's CI-V Commander
Ham Radio Deluxe will connect Alpha 87a Cat to Ham Radio Deluxe
Exit Program" will terminate the "Alpha 87a Communication" program.

Comm Server TRX DXLab Application

DXLab Connection

If you intend to use Alpha 87a Communication together with DXLab you have to start the DXLab application CI-V Commander prior to the Alpha 87a Communication.

If you start Alpha 87a Communication before the DXLab Application CI-V Commander is started you will get the following information.

After clicking "OK" you have 30 seconds time to start the CI-V Commander.

If Commander did not start you will get the following information.

After clicking "OK" Alpha 87a Communication will be stopped.
If you still want to use the program together with DXLab you have to re-do the process, i.e.
start CI-V Commander first, then start Alpha 87a Commander again.

Com-Port Settings Alpha 87a Communication

Set the COM port using the drop down menus of the program. Any free COM port between 1 and 20 can be used.

Standard: Com1, Speed: 4800, Parity: None, Databits: 8, Stopbits: 1

Main Program Window

Alpha Control min.

Ham Radio Deluxe TX VFO selection by Pushbutton

Field "Linear"

The Field Linear consists of six pushbuttons with the same function as the switches on the amplifier front panel.

Power ON / OFF,

Standby / Operate,

Plate Voltage HI / LO,

Field Frequency Selection

The first box is the "Band" selection (MHz). With the Mouse and a click onto the arrow in the box, the band information will be indicated. A click onto the band-frequency will select the band. The second box is the "Segment" selection. With a click onto the arrow in the "Segment" box, the "Segment" information will be displayed. A click onto the "Segment" frequency will select the frequency range of that Segment.

Field Linear Autotune

If the linear is updated with the feature „Alpha Max“ the automatic fine tuning of the plate circuit can be switched on. The pushbutton „Autotune“ will switch on this feature (push button will change the colour to red). On the front panel of the linear amplifier Alpha 87a the Led of the pushbutton „Default“ will flash .
A second push to the button „Autotune“ will switch off the Autotune feature again. The pushbutton „Autotune“ is now green. The Led on the linear will stop flashing.

Meter Panel

The Meter Panel can be arranged either horizontally or vertically by adjusting the vertical or horizontal size of the window

Diagnosis

The Diagnosis Windows will allow you to communicate direct with the Alpha Linear Amplifier which is very convenient for trouble shooting. The diagnosis menu will be opened by clicking "Program" --> "Diagnosis".

Diagnosis

The diagnosis window will give you the following standard information of the linear

Data code
Serial number
Sfault: The last 8 soft faults of the linear
Hfault: The last 8 hard faults of the linear

A list of soft- and hard faults can be found in the Alpha 87a manual.

The window "Send to Alpha 87a" allows you to send "Remote Commands" to the linear as there are listed in the manual of the linear amplifier. Each command must be finished by the keyboard entry "Return".

    open coplete Comm-Window

last update 13.07.15 HB9ZS