Cables

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FTBasicMMO  FTBVR5K  FTB60  FTB177  FTB1050  FTB1802/7  FTB2070  FTB2800  FTB7800  FTB8800  FTB8900

I have tested a number of 2-wire cables with different radios and discovered that certain radios can be problematic - notably the FT-2800 and FT-1802. The matrix below summarises the results of my experiences:

All the serial port attach cables were tested on a desktop PC fitted with an ASUS A7N8X-E motherboard with an on-board 9-pin serial port. Where necessary a pigtail adapter has been used to connect to the radio's programming socket.

 

AME
original

AME
R1
Radioarena CT-091 (6) G3LIV
Multi
cat
G8XGG cable 4/6
(8)
FTDI TTL-
232R
(5)
G4TIC
DIY
G4ZLP
Digi
master
G4ZLP
Serial
RTS
CT29B & CT29F with adapters where needed
TTL2USB
CT-1
Yaesu CT-42 cable set
FT-60 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
VX-3 Y Y N (7) N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y(4) N
VX-6 Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
VX-150 Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
VX-170 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
VX-177 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
FT-1802 Y (1) N (2) N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (4) N
FT-2800 Y (1) N (2) N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (3) 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 R13 to raise voltage
Note 2: but can be made to work by raising the voltage to 3.8V. Doing this may negate its VX-2 compatibility.
Note 3: added a 47K resistor across R12 to raise voltage
Note 4: replaced the 47K resistor added in note 3 with a 100K potentiometer and adjusted o/p voltage to 3.8V
Note 5: The TTL-232R cable is adapted to 2 wire operation using the circuit by G4HFQ on the Links page
Note 6: Generic drivers from Prolific were download from here. Worked with Windows XP and Vista Business 32-bit
Note 7: used to work with an early release of VX-3 but no longer works with a current (Feb 2008) model.
Note 8: cable 4 for the mobiles, cable 6 for the handhelds

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 4:

 

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to me by email:  bob.freeth@g4hfq.co.uk
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