EightPak Push Button Deluxe Controller - Buttons in one row of eight. Also for 4x8 Pak. One needed per each radio.

• Multi-color LEDs show all antennas in use by all radios
• True first-come first-served antenna selection
• Lockouts prevent one radio from stealing an antenna from the other radio.
• PTT input prevents hot switching relays
• Configurable for separate TX/RX antennas
• PTT signal to amplifier interrupted when no antenna selected
• Compatible with all ShackLAN band decoders
• Supports both 1 of 8 and BCD control
• Fully controllable via software for remote control
• Remote control of up to 3 separate antenna switches

The DX-8R Deluxe Antenna Switch Controller has all the features of a basic controller with some additional features. The DX-8R uses multi-color LEDs that not only indicate the antennas in use by itself in green but all antennas in use by other radios are indicated in red. There is an amplifier protection function which blocks the radio PTT output from keying the amplifier when no antenna is selected. The DX-8R also has the ability to automatically switch between TX and RX antennas. This controller is ideal for remote operation when a separate Bandmaster series band decoder is used.

Installation

Power Connections
Connecting power to the DX-8R Controller may be done by supplying 12vdc to the power jack or from other ShackLAN devices via the NET connector. A power cable is included to connect to your station power supply. The white stripped wire is positive and the solid black wire is negative (ground).

Connecting to other Shacklan Devices
The DX-8R Controller may be connected to other Shacklan devices such as other controllers, band decoders, stack controllers, etc. Connection to other devices may be made using the RJ-12 (modular) jacks using 6-wire modular cables. This connector may be used to supply power to an additional DX-8R for dual-radio switches and also allows the two DX-8R controllers to track each other.

Amplifier PTT Connections
The DX-8R Controller has the ability to automatically interrupt the PTT control to an amplifier when no antennas are selected. PTT cable connections are made to the Amplifier PTT IN and OUT jacks. Connect a cable from the IN jack to the PTT output on the radio. Consult the radio manual for the proper connector on the radio. Some radios label this connector as SEND. Connect another cable from the OUT jack to the PTT input connector on the amplifier. This PTT signal is interrupted with a relay contact so it is compatible with all PTT voltages.
NOTE: To use the DX-8R automatic TX/RX antenna switching the PTT signal from the radio must pull to ground when activated. This is standard on most radios. Consult your radio manual if you are not sure.

Switch Connections

The switch connector pins supply +12vdc through a relay contact when activated and and can supply a total of 750 mA. Connect your antenna switch to the DX-8R using the green screw connector blocks. For standard hardwired switches simply connect the pins labeled 1 thru 8 and GND (ground or common) to the corresponding terminals on your antenna switch. Use only pins 1 thru 6 for six position switches. BCD type switches such as Ameritron can be controlled using the BCD connections A, B, C and, if required, D. If you are using a pair of DX-8R controllers with a dual radio switch you must connect the control wires for each radio to the appropriate controller.

Configuration

All configuration is done using the front panel pushbutton switches. All configuration settings are entered by holding the appropriate button on for longer than 2 seconds. The current settings will be show at power on by flashing the appropriate LEDs to indicate the current configuration. Settings are listed below:

Radio Number

The radio number must be set when using the DX-8R with dual radio switches. Using multiple controllers set to the same radio may produce unpredictable results. The factory default is Radio #1. Set the desired radio as follows:

Radio #1: Press and hold both the Antenna 1 (R1) and Auto pushbuttons for longer than 2 seconds.

Radio #2: Press and hold both the Antenna 2 (R2) and Auto pushbuttons for longer then 2 seconds.

After releasing both pushbuttons the DX-8R will indicate the new configuration. It will flash the Antenna 1 LED for Radio #1 or Antenna 2 LED for Radio #2.

Switch Number

The Switch Number setting is used when the DX-8R is remotely controlled via software to identify the controllers. For most stations using a single antenna switch, even if it is a dual-radio switch, the Switch Number should be left at the factory default of Switch #1. Larger stations using multiple switches and desiring computer control should set the Switch Number appropriately. The Switch Number is set as follows:

Switch #1: Press and hold both the Antenna 3 (SW1) and Auto pushbuttons for longer than 2 seconds.

Switch #2: Press and hold both the Antenna 4 (SW2) and Auto pushbuttons for longer then 2 seconds.

Switch #3: Press and hold the Antenna 3 (SW1), Antenna 4 (SW2) and Auto pushbuttons for longer than 2 seconds.

After releasing all the pushbuttons the DX-8R will indicate the new configuration. It will flash the Antenna 3 LED for Switch #1, flash the Antenna 3 and Antenna 4 LEDs for Switch #3.

Switch Type

The DX-8R is capable of controlling both standard (1 of N) or BCD type switches. The factory default setting is for 1 of N. Unless your switch uses BCD control, such as some Ameritron switches, leave this at the default setting. Change the Switch Type as follows:

1 of N: Press and hold both the Antenna 5 (1N) and Auto pushbuttons for longer than 2 seconds.

BCD: Press and hold both the Antenna 6 (BCD) and Auto pushbuttons for longer than 2 seconds.

After releasing both pushbuttons the DX-8R will indicate the new configuration. It will flash the Antenna 5 LED for 1 of N control or flash the Antenna 6 LED to indicate BCD format.

TX/RX Antenna Enable

The DX-8R has the ability to automatically switch between a TX and RX antenna. This feature is disabled by default. Enable or disable this feature as follows:

TX/RX Disable: Press and hold both the Antenna 7 (TXD) and Auto pushbuttons for longer than 2 seconds.

TX/RX Enable: Press and hold both the Antenna 8 (TXE) and Auto pushbuttons fro longer than 2 seconds.

After releasing both pushbuttons the DX-8R will indicate the new configuration. It will flash the Antenna 7 LED is the TX/RX feature is disabled or flash the Antenna 8 LED to indicate that TX/RX is enabled.

Factory Defaults

The DX-8R configuration may be returned to factory defaults as follows:

Press and hold the Antenna 1, Antenna 8 and Auto pushbuttons for longer than 2 seconds. The DX-8R will flash LEDs to indicate the new configuration.

Default settings are:

Radio #1

Switch #1

1 on N Switch Type

TX/RX disabled.

Operation

Basic Operation

Operation of the DX-8R for basic operation is very simple. The antenna LEDs will show all of the antennas selected. Dual-radio switches using a pair of DX-8R controllers will indicate antennas in use by both radios. The antennas in use by the other radio will be indicated in RED and those by itself are indicated in GREEN. Select the desired antenna by pressing the pushbutton for the desired antenna. Trying to select an antenna in use by the other radio will result in a conflict indicated by a flashing RED and interruption of the PTT to the amplifier. r.

Advanced Operation (TX/RX antennas)

The DX-8R has the ability to automatically switch between separate antennas for transmit and receive. The TX/RX Antenna function must be enable to use this feature. Follow the steps below to configure separate TX/RX antennas.

1 - Select the antenna desired for receiving.

2 - Activate the radio PTT (SSB with mic gain at 0 recommended)

3 - While the PTT is held active, press and hold the pushbutton for the desired TX antenna longer than 2 seconds.

4 - After releasing the TX antenna pushbutton the DX-8R will flash the TX antenna LED in RED and the RX antenna LED in GREEN.

When using a pair of DX-8R controllers with dual-radio switches both the TX and RX antenna will show busy on the other controller when selected.

You may cancel separate TX/RX antenna operation by either disabling this function or by simply selecting the same antenna for both TX and RX.