[App_rpt-users] New radio adapter compatible with AllStar Link - including hardware TX CTCSS logic control.

[Kevin Custer]

Masters Communications has released a new USB radio adapter compatible 
with AllStar Link - the RA-42.  This adapter is patterned after our 
popular RA-35, but it includes two extra control potentiometers for 
mechanically setting the TX audio levels, and it has a open collector 
logic output (sourced from either GPIO 4 or 8) intended for gating a 
hardware CTCSS encoder.  This GPIO logic output also drives a LED which 
illuminates upon asserting the GPIO high.  While the adapter is designed 
for TX CTCSS logic control, the logic output can be used for anything 
that an open collector NPN BJT can switch - even keying a relay.

Any software can be used as long as it has the capability of toggling 
the GPIO of the CM119A.  This logic is jumper enabled, and can be routed 
to pin 7 on the DB9 connector.  Since there aren't enough pins on the 
DB9 to bring this function out to its own individual pin, its routed to 
the DB9 as a jumper selectable option. One position (JU3-A) puts the 
internal controls revert option to pin 7, while JU3-B puts the TX CTCSS 
logic to DB9 pin 7.

If a user only wanted a LED as a status indicator, the jumper position 
is unimportant, as the yellow LED will illuminate no matter the position 
or existence of JU3. This function and logic output can be used for 
other things needing a buffered GPIO; it's not necessarily a TX CTCSS 
only function. Simply program your system to toggle either GPIO 8 
[default] (or GPIO 4 by re-configuring the jumper), and the logic 
developed will follow.

More can be seen by going to the web site and selecting the RA-42 link.  
The product is available immediately, and, as always, there's easy 
PayPal ordering.

http://www.masterscommunications.com/

Please refresh your browser if you don't see the link.

Questions or comments welcomed.

Thanks,
Kevin W3KKC