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TR1 - Transmit / Receive Sequencer at a Glance

The purpose  of TR sequencer is to  turn station equipment on and off in a specific order with a specific amount of delay time between each switched event.  This has been a requirement for decades, since it is the only "sure way" to keep form accidently damaging equipment such as "hot switching" RF or power relays, transmitting into receive preamps, transmitting into feedline with no load, etc. Making shre each event happens in the proper order and with an apprpriate delay time is an absolute must at any station using preamplifiers, amplifiers, changeover relays, or in a high performance contest environment. Just about any ham station can take advantage of using a TR sequencer.  This is true for DX’ers, HF contesters, VHF/UHF rover stations, microwave contest stations, DXpeditions and any station that runs multiple antennas, preamps and amplifiers.

At the heart of the T/R Sequencer is a microcontroller with multiple trigger inputs (CW key or PTT), 5 open collector outputs capable of switching DC relays and 5 on-board high speed reed relays with SPST dry contacts.  All operating parameters are entered through the serial port with our Windows-based configuration program or a dumb terminal.  The delay between each output is user settable between 1 and 5000 milliseconds, in 1 ms increments.  On delays and off delays are individually programmable.   As shown in Figure 2, the board is professionally designed, manufactured, and assembled in the United Sates to ensure years of reliable service.

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Features

• 2 trigger inputs (active pull to ground).
• 1 input inhibit (optional, active pull to ground) that stops the sequence the sequence.
• 5 open collector outputs - active pull to ground.  Sinks up to 500 ma. 
• 5 SPST high speed reed relays that provide dry contact switching up to 500 ma. 
•  Each relay is driven by one of the 5 outputs.
• Sequence timing is set via serial interface from the computer. 
• Individual turn on and turn off delays between each output event.  
•  Output delay is programmable from 1 to 5000 milliseconds.
• All configuration parameters set via serial port using our PC program or dumb terminal.
• All configuration parameters stored in on-board flash memory.
• LEDs on all outputs to monitor output state, status LED tells you that the unit is in operation.
• Runs on 6 or more VDC and draws about 40 - 120 ma. depending on relay state.  2.1mm DC coaxial connector.
• 3 IO connector blocks are common Molex 10 pin (in line) 0.1" spaced male header connectors with locking ramp.
• 4 Analog inputs that can measure a DC voltage from 0 - 30 VDC in 0.1 v increments.  
• Analog inputs support a Wavenode directional coupler for automatic high SWR shutdown.
• Manual serial commands allow you to set any output state, query state, read A/D voltages, etc.
• Built in RS485 serial network running on standard CAT5 cable for multi unit installation (contest stations).
• Power over CAT5 cable to allow remote location / remote control from the PC graphic user interface.

Configuring the Sequencer

The PC connection  to the T/R Sequencer is a standard null-modem serial cable with a Male  DB-9 connector.  The operating parameters such as time delays, sequence order, and analog alarm conditions are set through the TR1 configuration program or through a dumb terminal program.  Configuration commands are simple commands and operating parameters.  for example setting a 200 ms. turn on time delay from initial trigger to the first output going active you would simply enter the command ...

     //ONDELAY01 200
Delay times for each turn-on and turn-off output delay are set individually between 1 and 5000 ms.

Multi-System Contest Environment

The TR1 also supports SierraBus, our local device control network.  Using SierraBus, multiple TR Sequencers can be connected using common CAT5 ethernet cable instead of the on-board RS-232 connection.   With SierraBus, all TR Sequencer can be configured and monitored individually on the same network. 

Downloads

TR1 Manual

Custom "Do-It-Yourself" projects with the TR1 board
TR1 DIY page

Prototoype Testing

Download and view videos of the original prototype of TR1 in operation at W1GQ's contest station.  The prorotype was significantly larger but the functionality is very similar.
Play movie 1
Play movie 2
Play  movie  3

(c) Sierra Radio Systems