Perhaps every amateur radio operator who operates a remote station or an SDR transceiver (receiver) will agree that the key difference is that controlling the device feels unusual. Simply put, the operator needs to feel that they are touching the equipment, that the tuning knob responds to being turned, and that the buttons are logically placed according to their function.
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Professional tuning knobs and consoles for remote stations and SDRs
In practice, several designs are used, such as the TMATE from ELAD. The price of such a controller can reach hundreds of euros, which is certainly no small amount. That’s why the Griffin PowerMate multimedia knob has gained popularity—it’s significantly cheaper. It features excellent build quality, a comfortable design, and a controller that allows you to configure command functions for different software. However, the lack of physical buttons (other than pressing the trackball itself) could be considered a drawback. Another solution is to use multimedia or gaming keyboards. The final method—which is both the cheapest and best at creating the look and feel of a device’s front panel—is to modify a standard computer mouse.
How the homemade remote station (SDR) tuning knob works
Mice with a larger number of buttons are better suited for modification. There are inexpensive USB gaming mice available on the market, such as C-Tech or Evolveo. You’ll need to disassemble such a mouse to extract its electronics. I replaced the built-in rotary encoder with a KY-040 panel module, and the buttons are implemented using microswitches in a new layout. Only the electronics from the original PC mouse are retained; the shell is not used.
Planning the Functions of the Control Knob
The layout of the front panel depends on the functions you assign to the controls. In my case, I considered:
- a tuning knob
- UP / DOWN buttons for scrolling through bands
- LEFT/RIGHT buttons for navigating DX spots on the bandmap
The front panel features a tuning knob on the right side and four buttons arranged in a cross pattern on the left side
However, depending on the number of buttons, the control software, and the available CAT commands for controlling the transceiver, you can also configure completely different functions. I use the N1MM+ logbook connected to HamRadio Deluxe, which controls the remote station. This setup is based on an older Yaesu FT-1000MP transceiver. It’s an excellent device, but it has a limited set of control commands. For example, one of my requirements for optimal control is the ability to switch filters. Although N1MM+ includes this feature, and HamRadio Deluxe offers it for some devices, it is not available for the FT-1000MP. It is therefore up to you to select the functions you want that are available for the type of transceiver you will be controlling.
Procedure for Making a Tuning Knob for a Remote Station
In the first phase of the modification, we’ll disassemble a PC mouse and disconnect the internal encoder. In its place, we’ll connect a new KY-040 panel module. We do not need to disconnect the buttons; we simply connect switches leading to the front panel in parallel to their contacts.
PC mouse circuit board
The interior of the tuning knob for the remote station contains connections to the encoder and the buttons on the front panel
Wiring the remote station tuning knob is very simple
My mechanical design uses a HAMMOND HA1455K1202 instrument box measuring 75 x 40 x 120 mm. These instrument boxes are of very high quality and are easy to work with. They are supplied, for example, by GME.
The P-DT6SW pushbutton switches are arranged in a so-called cross-control layout. This is a logical arrangement. The front panel layout was drawn in CorelDraw. The first printout serves as a template for drilling; the second is on self-adhesive paper and forms the front panel. To protect it from dirt and wear, it is lightly sprayed several times with clear spray paint.
A flat PC IDE cable with plug-in connectors is used for the connections.
There are a large number of programs for mapping the actions of computer mouse buttons and keys. These programs are primarily intended for gamers and designers, where it is useful to execute, for example, a three-button combination with a single press, and so on.
While searching for a suitable program, I came across HydraMouse. Finding a program that would work is quite challenging. In my case, I use an older PC running Windows XP for amateur radio, and HydraMouse was one of the few programs that supported this operating system. You can configure actions for each button and application. The test configuration looks like this:
HydraMouse settings for a remote station
How did the remote station tuning knob perform in practice?
Excellent. The control box can be placed next to the keyboard and truly improves and speeds up operation. Tuning is much more pleasant and is even better than the Griffin PowerMate.
The finished Remote Station tuning knob
Building the tuning knob costs a fraction of the price of much more expensive control units. A PC mouse can be purchased for about €6, the enclosure for €14, the switches for €2, and the HydraMouse license is $19.95.
The Remote Station tuning knob isn’t limited to use with the N1MM+ and HamRadio Deluxe software combination. It can also be used to control SDR software such as PowerSDR and others. It’s definitely a step toward improving remote operation.
