Interconnect-to-Radio Detail

Select Other Pages Here a) GPS antenns and receivers a2) GPS antenna information b) GPS to TNC data cables c) TNC GPS Data interconnect d) TNC-interconnect cables d+e) TNC-Radio interconnect h) Power Splitter Harness i) Mag-mount antennas o) Cable and Wiring Overview -) Baker-to-Vegas HQ Page

Radios documented so far:

• Alinco DR-130 (1200 bps and 9600 bps Euro-DIN mic connections)
• Alinco DR-1200 (1200 bps Euro-DIN mic connection)
• Icom 27/37/47 series, and most Icom radios (1200 bps Euro-DIN mic connection)
• Icom 245/255A radios, via the rear panel connections (1200 bps connection)
• Icom Handhelds (1200 bps)
• Kenwood 642/733/742/942 radios, via the RJ-45 mic jack (1200 bps)
• Kenwood 733 packet-ready jack (1200 bps connection)
• Yaesu radios (1200 bps)

Because of the variety of radios that may be used, we'll detail a few cable configurations here. (We are expecting support from Alinco for a second year. Their radios were solid performers through last years challenge!)

We will still be relying on donations to get all our radios, so we will document as many radios as practical. (Since some of the radios we need will be used for voice operation, we will try to use all the available Alinco and Kenwood radios for the GPS packages first. We will add as many radios as needed to this page.)

AEA includes interfacing information for a large number of radios in their TNC manuals.

All the radio-to-interconnect cables terminate with the 6-pin, female molex connector (female shell, with male contacts) on one end. The other end is wired for the appropriate connectors for the radio.

The Radio-to-TNC Interconnect uses a MOLEX(tm) "Miniature Series, 0.062" connector.
The MOLEX part numbers are;
03-06-2062 (plug) and 03-06-1061 (receptacle)
02-06-1103 female terminal (18-24 gauge) and 02-06-2103 male terminal (18-24 gauge)
1625-6PRT package set of (2) complete connectors

 We have found it cheaper to buy the individual components in quantity (10- or 25-packs) of the plug and receptacle, and bulk bags of the terminals. Our local source is Minute Man Electronics in Fremont, but they are available at many other outlets and mail-order houses as well.

NOTE: The pin numbers shown MAY NOT MATCH the numbers you may find molded into your connector shells! Please look at the images in the wiring diagrams, and put the pins where the diagram shows the numbers.

If you are connecting a 9600 bps TNC, you need to bypass the microphone audio stages, and connect directly to the modulator of the transmitter. You may also need to adjust the TNC output, or the radio's deviation, in order to get your TNC to communicate well with others.

This schematic also works with the IC-255A as well.

The Icom IC-245 and IC-255A radios have an advantage of a molex connector on the rear of the radios, used for remote control of the radios. The advantage for packet users, is that this connector gives you the receiver audio straight from the IF stage, just before the squelch and audio stages. The result is, you can turn the speaker down (or off), and not care what the squelch is set for. Basically, it's better for receiving than taking audio from the speaker jacks. The transmitter also benefits, since the TNC will bypass the mic audio stage and connect directly to the modulator. The disadvantages to these radios are; You can only choose between 1-watt and 25-watt outputs. They lose their memories when power is removed. They also require relatively high current to keep the memory alive when the radio power switch is turned off. Some TNC's will think they are always receiving carriers from these radios.

Select Other Pages Here a) GPS antenns and receivers a2) GPS antenna information b) GPS to TNC data cables c) TNC GPS Data interconnect d) TNC-interconnect cables d+e) TNC-Radio interconnect h) Power Splitter Harness i) Mag-mount antennas o) Cable and Wiring Overview -) Baker-to-Vegas HQ Page

Copyright 1996-2002, David K. Z. Harris, N6UOW
Questions? Comments? Additions? Email b2v at baker2vegas.org

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