I wanted to build a fully remotable LZ1AQ Active Antenna controller with off the shelf components. It is very cheap to buy ESP8266 MCUs and multi-channel relay boards online. Why reinvent the wheel? This project can be easily adapted to control remote antenna switches and other devices that can be controlled with relays.
- Install ESP8266 in the Board Manager: ESP8266
- Add the board URL in the Preferences window
- Search and install
esp8266in the Board Manager
- Install WiFiManager
Library
- Search for
WiFiManagerin the Library Manager
- Search for
- Select Board
- Tools > Board > esp8266 > Select your board
- Flash Board
- Connect your board and select the COM port
- Upload the sketch
For WiFi setup, connect to SSID LoopController, the password is loopconfig
Navigate to http://loopcontroller.local/
Relay 4 connects to pin D1 (GPIO 5)
You can enable the 4th relay by setting bool auxEnable = true;
You can invert the button color for normally closed by setting bool auxNC = true;
You can set the button label by changing const char *auxLabel = "Relay 4";
I have mine set to power off the loop remotely wired in the normally closed position.
For additional relays I suggest using a project like Tasmota.
| Part Number | Description | QTY |
|---|---|---|
| ESP8266 | ESP8266 Board | 1 |
| N/A | 4 Channel Relay Module (Active Low) | 1 |
| RM2055M | Hammond Enclosure (50 mm x 140 mm x 190 mm) | 1 |
| HC-6 | Adhesive PCB Supports | 8 |
| BK/HTB-24M-R | Fuse Holder 5mm x 20mm | 1 |
| 5MF 300-R | Fuse 300 mA 5mm x 20mm | 10 |
| N/A | DC Connector of your choice | 1 |
| N/A | Panel Mount Micro USB Extension | 1 |
| PGSD-8 | Cable Grommet | 1 |
| N/A | Hookup Wire | |
| N/A | Dupont Jumpers Wires |
I used PC Motherboard standoffs and screws to rest the power inserter in the enclosure. It is not mounted permanently to allow easy removal of the front panel.
1 0 0 Loop A
0 1 0 Loop B
1 1 0 A + B
0 0 1 Vertical
Note: My code has pin 1 inverted so Loop A is in the Normally Closed position. This allows the loop to function in A mode with no power applied to the MCU or relay board.
LZ1AQ FAQ: Can the antenna switching be performed digitally?