CableGuide » History » Revision 20
Revision 19 (Robert Terzi, 04/01/2012 11:34 AM) → Revision 20/51 (Dan Smith, 04/04/2012 08:51 AM)
h1. Guide to programming cables
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In most cases, the manufacturer of your radio produces the highest quality cable for programming. However, these are usually the most expensive and are not always the most convenient (because of a lack of USB, etc). Third party cables are available for most radios for a fraction of the cost, but quality can be an issue. Several radios use actual RS-232 signalling and thus cables for these radios can be easily home-built.
If you have corrections or additions to this page, please "submit":http://chirp.danplanet.com/contact them to me, or ask for edit privileges. I much prefer this information to be user-maintained and contributed!
*NOTE:* RTSystems has recently been shipping cables intentionally handicapped to prevent their use with third party software, and to prevent use of third party cables with _their_ software. Beware that if you buy their software/cable package, you will not be able to use their cables with CHIRP!
h2. Alinco Radios
All (to my knowledge) Alinco radios use a three-pin 1/8" plug with a TTL converter in the 9-pin housing. This is identical to the Icom OPC-478 cable.
h2. Baofeng
h3. UV-3R
The UV-3R uses a Prolific USB-to-serial chip, but users report that in Windows, you must use drivers from http://409shop.com. It works out of the box on Linux.
The PLUS model of the UV-3R uses a Kenwood/Wouxun cable instead of the original single plug cable used by the UV-3R and UV-3R Mark II. All models (thus far) of the UV-3R use the same software
h3. UV-4X
The UV-4X is a rebaged UV-3R Mark II and uses the single connector cable. The radios themselves are made by "Vero Telecom":http://www.verotelecom.com/
h3. UV-5R
The UV-5R is made by TYT, uses a Kenwood/Wouxun cable, and does not use the same protocol as the UV-3R models.
h2. Icom Radios
h3. VHF/UHF Mobiles
Nearly all of these radios use an OPC-478 (or similar) cable, which plugs into the speaker jack of the radio. The housing of the 9-pin connector has TTL conversion logic, which can be home-built but it is typically easier to buy one pre-made. Note that some of the mobile D-STAR radios can also use their data connection for programming, which uses RS-232 signalling and requires no conversion hardware. Models that can do this include the IC-2820H, ID-880H, and ID-80.
h3. IC-91AD, IC-92AD, ID-1
These radios operate in "live" mode and require a full-duplex RS-232 serial cable connection. For the IC-91AD, the OPC-1529 cable is used (and can be easily built).
The 92AD uses a moisture-proof custom bayonet connection at the top of the radio, which is only available from Icom (OPC-1799) and only with their RS-92 programming software. Note that the OPC-1797 adapter cable will not allow you to use an OPC-478 programming cable with this radio.
The ID-1 is programmed via its integrated USB connection.
h3. IC-Q7A
For some reason, this radio doesn't use the standard three-conductor plug on the OPC-478. The cable for the Yaesu VX-7 actually works perfectly though.
h2. Kenwood Radios
h3. TH-F6A, TH-K2A
These radios use a two-pronged cable that plugs into the microphone and speaker jacks simultaneously.
h3. TH-D7, TH-D7A, TH-D7Ag
These radios use a three-pin 3/32" plug directly wired to an RS-232 port (easily home-built).
h3. TM-D700
This radio uses a regular serial cable (Female-Female) to the 9-pin connector on the front of the radio.
h3. TM-D710, TM-V71A
This radio uses a RS-232 cable (officially, PG-5G) directly cabled to a eight-pin Mini-DIN connector marked "PC" on the back of the radio. No level converter is required, so this can be easily home-made with the right connectors.
h2. Yaesu Radios
Check the following recommended vendors for cables:
* "KAWA Mall":http://www.kawamall.com/cat_cable_for_yaesu_vertex.cfm
* "Valley Enterprises":http://www.valley-ent.com/catalog/yaesuvertex-c-25_45_49.html
h3. VX-2R, VX-3R, VX-5R, VX-6R, VX-7R, FT-60R
These handhelds use the same type of cable, which is a four-pin TRRS connector and a TTL voltage converter in the 9-pin housing.
3rd party cables:
* "KAWA Mall":http://stores.ebay.com/KAWAMALL-RAD/Other-/_i.html?_nkw=vx7+cable&submit=Search&_fsub=1&_sid=55765193 : Works for VX-2,3,5,6,7R, ICOM IC-Q7A
* "409shop":http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=103790 : 2-in-1 cable for these handhelds and FT-7/8xxx mobiles
h3. VX-8R, VX-8DR
The VX-8R and VX-8DR both use a moisture-proof multi-pin screw-on connector at the top of the housing. It is recommended that you find a third-party programming cable (not from RTSystems) for this radio. Note that the radio expects 3.3V signalling.
If you are interested in building a custom cable, see "this guide":http://users.tpg.com.au/vk4go1/vx8-2.htm.
3rd party cables:
* "VX-8R/DR":http://www.valley-ent.com/catalog/yaesu-radio-programming-cable-fdti-chipset-windows-p-226.html from Valley Enterprises
h3. VX-8GR
The VX-8GR uses a three-conductor 3/32" plug directly to an RS-232 port. This is the same cable that Kenwood APRS radios use for the GPS connection, and almost the same as the Icom OPC-1529 type data cable, except that a null modem adapter must be used to switch the TX and RX pins.
3rd party cables:
* "VX-8GR":http://www.valley-ent.com/catalog/programming-cable-yaesu-vx8g-series-ct143-ftdi-windows-p-790.html?osCsid=j1ar78gkc6k6f6rueetvrb3pi6 from Valley Enterprises
h3. FT-7800, FT-7900, FT-8800, FT-8900
These radios use a 6-pin mini-DIN plug and a TTL converter in the 9-pin housing.
3rd party cables:
* "Valley Enterprises":http://www.valley-ent.com/catalog/yaesu-programming-cable-ft7800-ft8800-ft8900-p-218.html
h2. Wouxun Radios
The KG-UVD1P and UV2, UV3 radios use the same cable as the Kenwood TH-F6A and TH-K2A listed above. The connection consists of a 3.5 mm and a 2.5 mm 3-conductor phone plug (TRS). It is a 5 Volt (TTL) serial interface, with Ground and TXD (from Radio) on the sleeve and ring of the 2.5mm connector. RXD (to radio)is on the sleeve of the 3.5 mm plug.