[drats_users] Which cables work with DRATS?

[Dan Smith]

Mike Heitmann <n0so at att.net> wrote:

>I use my '92 AD with a Prolific USB - serial dongle all of the time and
>it
>works fine, but I use the OPC-1799 data cable that came with the RS-92
>software.
>
> 
>
>The cable you are describing (with the 1/8" plug) sounds like a cloning
>cable. You might be able to use it to program the radio in clone mode,
>but I
>don't think you can use it for serial data with the '92AD.
>
> 
>
>73,
>
>Mike, N0SO
>
> 
>
>From: drats_users-bounces at intrepid.danplanet.com
>[mailto:drats_users-bounces at intrepid.danplanet.com] On Behalf Of Kent
>Hufford
>Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 6:18 PM
>To: 'Discussion of D-RATS'
>Cc: 'Mike Newland'; dstarsoftware at yahoogroups.com; 'Charlie Miller'
>Subject: [drats_users] Which cables work with DRATS?
>
> 
>
>We had a DRATS/Pizza get together at my place for lunch to get our
>laptops
>running DRATS.
>
> 
>
>We were all successful in getting the current b5 version running on our
>laptops, and sending and receiving thru the internet to the RATFLECTOR
>and
>back.
>
> 
>
>A couple of us got our 92s and 91s running DRATS via RF, simplex, and
>even
>thru the local repeater. My 92 used an original ICOM cable from the
>radio to
>a real serial port. The
>
>91 used the 3/32 stereo cable thru a USB to serial converter.
>
> 
>
>However, we had one 92 we could not get to key with DRATS. It was a
>serial
>cable, running thru a usb to serial connector. The cable, I think was
>the
>old style RT systems serial cable 
>
>that had serial on one end and 1/8 stereo on the other, which required
>the
>ICOM splitter that has a 3/32 stereo jack and a 1/8 stereo jack. I
>hooked
>the 92 to my cable and I could key it.
>
>I hooked my cable to his usb adapter and it would not key. I hooked my
>cable, thru my computer and it would key his radio. So, I think we had
>the
>settings in his radio correct. 
>
> 
>
>He also has a "new" RT systems USB cable, version 4, that we tried,
>that did
>not work(which we have been told would not).
>
> 
>
>We even tried another USB to serial adapter. It was on the correct
>port,
>because we could running the programming software, which could read and
>write to the 92.
>
> 
>
>So, after you read all this. The only way I could make the recalcitrant
>92
>work, is use my serial equipped laptop, and my ICOM serial cable with
>the
>funny ICOM connector. 
>
> 
>
>Must be a way to make a 92 work with a serial usb adapter? 
>
> 
>
>Thanks in advance
>
>Kent
>
>KQ4KK
>
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Right, that icom adapter is for splitting out the mic and speaker from the multi-pin adapter.  The RTSystems cable works for programming, because that's how they clone the radio (thru the speaker jack).  The 3/32 jack on the splitter won't work like the data port on a 91 either, because it's plumbed to the mic pins instead of the data ones.  Further, the RTSystems cable has a TTL converter in it and is half duplex.

If you want the 92's coolness, you have to pay full price for the cable :)

--
Dan Smith
KK7DS
(Sent from my phone, please excuse typos)