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Reviews For: StationPro II

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : StationPro II
Reviews: 12MSRP: 600
Description:
StationPro master station controllers, featured in the August 2010 issue of QST.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.w8zr.net/stationpro/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00125
W9AC Rating: 2010-12-09
An enjoyable and highly useful station accessory Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The StationPro (SP) has been an indispensable station accessory. There's simply nothing else like it on the market. The NCS Multistation switcher is as close as it gets -- but only switches among audio devices. By contrast, the SP not only switches audio, but its real power is in its ability to switch audio, data, and both transceiver and amplifier RF.

The SP I and II are available only as kits. For me, the thrill of building kits was lost some time back around my fifth Heathkit. Since then, I've enjoyed home-brewing my own projects. But the SP is different. The quality of the assembly procedure provided by W8ZR exceeds that of Heathkit and is commensurate with assembly instructions from Elecraft. It's that good. Various tips and warnings for the builder are provided at regular intervals. Even for folks who have a minimal level of skill with kits will find that the SP series is a good choice. And, if anyone does get into trouble, a Yahoo users group is ready to help, if required. Quality of construction, selection of components and cosmetic detail are all outstanding.

I have two StationPro II devices, one of which has been modified for Internet remote control. Ample room exists on the SP rear panel as well as inside the cabinet should the owner like to customize and personalize the SP for a particular use.

In addition to hardware customization, the source code is so easy to comprehend and change that you may find yourself learning how to program code, even if it’s your first time.

The SP has some really nice, well-thought features. For example, the source code protects the amp relays from accidental hot-switching. The rig and amp selection matrix is novel as well. You can lock out amplifiers against accidental connection to a particular transceiver. There's even a "one press" swap feature to allow the op the ability to quickly A/B test configurations. An amp pulser circuit is included too.

So, if you use multiple transceivers (or classic separates) and amplifiers like I do, the Station Pro devices are great bargain. A commensurate commercial device would likely cost well over USD $1K.

Build one and enjoy it for yourself before they’re all gone!
W4PGM Rating: 2010-10-06
Great Project Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
If you have a number of radios and amps and have been looking for a way to switch amp to radio seamlessly this is the product. You buy the semi-kit from the above website and then they have an auto-order link to Mouser. Although not a kits for the very beginner it is so well designed and annotated that almost anyone with even a minimal kit background can assemble it without any issues. The unique nature of the PODs make configuring it to any vintage radio is relatively easy.

Using it is as easy as flipping a switch and you swap any of three transceivers to any three amps. When you switch all data, voice, amp key/ALC lines and line in and out are also routed correctly.

The unit also includes a amp tune pulse and an ID Timer that is either 1 time or repeating every ten minutes. Total hours in service are also stored.