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Author Topic: Wiring software  (Read 986 times)

KA5IPF

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Wiring software
« on: November 03, 2018, 09:43:57 AM »

I am reworking our club repeater and rather than wires running everywhere with no-one having a clue what goes where I'm going to document all of the interconnects. Rather than my hen-scratching I want to do it on a computer.

Anyone have suggestions of a free software package for that?

Here's what I'm putting together;
Kenwood TKR-750 repeater
Cat 250 Controller
Cat Weather radio
Cat RLS 1000
Computer for Echolink connection.

I think you can imagine the rats nest I'm looking at.
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K5LXP

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RE: Wiring software
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2018, 11:25:48 AM »


I create commercial quality (read: people pay me for them) assembly drawings and wiring diagrams using the Draw program in Libre Office.  Guessing MS Office would be similar.  What I like about the Libre program is it uses vector graphics and outputs direct to PDF.  I know there are numerous commercial CAD programs that would do this "better" but only if drawings are what you do for a living and can justify the learning curve and cost.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
 
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VU2NAN

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    • Amateur Radio VU2NAN - Nandu
RE: Wiring software
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2018, 09:13:47 PM »

I use MS Excel for making schematics and sketches for my blog!

73,

Nandu.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2018, 09:17:50 PM by VU2NAN »
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ON5MF

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RE: Wiring software
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2018, 01:49:13 AM »

And when doing the physical wiring, mark all cables.

The cables in my shack are marked with small labels (see https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2144432).

All of my labels have 2 lines: line 1, the connection on this side of the cable / line 2, where does it go.
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Mostly (low power) digi contesting using OQ6A, sometimes dxing using ON5MF
www.on5mf.be

NA4IT

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RE: Wiring software
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2018, 04:22:05 AM »

Here's how I did it...

Search Google for electronic schematic symbols. Do it in the image search. You should find several sheets if symbols. Download them.

Open them up, and using a graphic software, select, copy, and past the symbol you need into something like MS Pain or Libre Office Draw. Position them where you need them.

Use the line tool in MS Paint of Libre Office Draw to make the connections. Label stuff using the text tool.
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VU2NAN

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    • Amateur Radio VU2NAN - Nandu
RE: Wiring software
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2018, 07:36:23 PM »

Hi OM Scot,

That's how I have done it too - copied electrical & electronic symbols available online, edited them using MS Paint and stored them in an MS Excel file. Schematics are easily prepared and stored in the same file using the grid lines as reference.

Great minds think alike!

73,

Nandu.
« Last Edit: November 04, 2018, 07:38:58 PM by VU2NAN »
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K4JJL

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RE: Wiring software
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2018, 05:55:00 AM »

When I put together a voted system, I used CAT5 to wire everything together.  I tried to make it as modular as possible.  Each cabinet had a patch panel or a handy box w/ CAT5 jacks in it.  I used the same color scheme for the audio or signal wires.

O TX Aud -
WO TX Aud +
WBR PTT
BR PL ENC
WBL RX Aud -
BL RX Aud +
WG RUS
G COR



All I had to do once I got them placed was just plug the cabinets together.  Never had any issues with crosstalk, noise, or hum.
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W9FIB

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RE: Wiring software
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2018, 11:05:43 AM »

Many free cad programs out there that are easy to use. Just need to download them. Some have symbol libraries as well. Much faster and easier then all that cutting and pasting.

Personally I use AutoCAD Electrical. But that's because I use it for work as well. And they paid for it.

K4JJL...nice wiring job! Most fab shops wouldn't wire it that nice.
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

K4JJL

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RE: Wiring software
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2018, 11:24:08 AM »

K4JJL...nice wiring job! Most fab shops wouldn't wire it that nice.

It was all GE Mastr II equipment.  I spent a lot of time on it.  It was a sweet system that worked from S Miami to Jupiter.  Had remote receive sites and linked a 2m, 440, and 900 MHz repeater together all run through a 12-channel voter w/ an SCOM 7330 controller.  Even had a weather alert receiver.  I could program the controller over the Internet with a serial server.

One day a resistor popped in the screen grid power supply in the PA.  I bypassed the high power amp, and it ran on 40w for a couple weeks.  When I finally got the replacement resistor, the club voted to replace it all with a Yaesu Fusion system.  I said "Good luck." and walked away before I went on a vulgar tirade.

That Fusion POS didn't last 1 year before it died.  Now they have an Icom something-or-other that won't get outside the county.
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