I have tested a number of
2-wire cables with different radios and discovered that certain radios can be
problematic - notably the VX-3, FT-2800 and FT-1802 (but see note 8 below
for the current production of cables manufactured by Maxton). The matrix below summarises
the results of my experiences:-
N.B. Where necessary a DIY pigtail adapter has been used to
connect the cable to the radio's programming socket.
| |
Affordable Radio Maxton RPC-
Y1-U (4) |
Maxton RPC-
Y7800-U (4) |
Icom
OPC 478 |
G8XGG cable 4/6
(5) |
FTDI TTL-
232R
(3) |
G4TIC
DIY |
G4ZLP
Digi
master |
G4ZLP
Serial |
RTS
CT29B & CT29F |
TTL2USB
CT-1/2 |
TTL2USB CT-3 |
Yaesu CT-42 cable set |
| FT-60 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| VX-3 |
Y
(7) |
Y
(7) |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y(2) |
Y |
N |
| VX-6 |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| VX-150 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
VX-170
FT-270 |
Y |
Y |
N(6) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| VX-177 |
Y |
Y |
N(6) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| FT-1802 |
Y
(7) |
Y
(7) |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y (2) |
Y |
N |
| FT-2800 |
Y
(7) |
Y
(7) |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y (1) |
Y |
N |
| FT-7800 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| FT-8800 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| FT-8900 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
nyt = not yet tested
Note 1: added a 47K resistor across R12 to raise voltage
Note 2: replaced the 47K resistor added in note 1 with a 100K potentiometer
and adjusted o/p voltage to 3.8V
Note 3: The TTL-232R cable is adapted to 2 wire operation using the
circuit by G4HFQ
on the Links page
Note 4: If you have problems with the drivers please contact me. I have
versions for Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Win7
Note 5: cable 4 for the mobiles, cable 6 for the handhelds
Note 6: VX-170 and VX-177: the OPC-478 did not work when connected via several USB/serial
converters - one with a FTDI chip and another with a Prolific chip; tried on both XP and Vista. When connected to a real serial port it
worked.
Note 7: 27 Feb 2009 - the latest production of cables has been changed
to increase the output voltage and now work OK with the VX-3, FT-1802
and FT-2800. If you have an earlier version of the cable then see the Links page for a mod to change R11 to 22K for an output of around 3.7V.
Here is a picture of my TTL2USB CT-1 unit that I have modified to
enable me to vary the output voltage as mentioned in Note 2:

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