{"id":1029,"date":"2016-11-30T10:33:59","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T08:33:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.rigexpert.com\/uk\/designing-transceiver-cables-for-rigexpert-interfaces\/"},"modified":"2016-12-12T09:50:09","modified_gmt":"2016-12-12T09:50:09","slug":"designing-transceiver-cables-for-rigexpert-interfaces","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/old.rigexpert.com\/uk\/designing-transceiver-cables-for-rigexpert-interfaces\/","title":{"rendered":"Designing transceiver cables for RigExpert interfaces"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>RigExpert interfaces are connected to the transceiver using a cable, which is designed depending on a transceiver model. We provide <a href=\"\/uk\/transceiver-cables-for-rigexpert-interfaces-2\/\">cable diagrams for most popular transceivers<\/a>, but the interfacing device may be connected to any other type of transceiver.<\/p>\n<p>A cable has a 25-pin plug connected to the device on the one end, and one or more transceiver connectors on the other end.<\/p>\n<p>The sources of information\u00a0 for designing cables are<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/uk\/25-pin-transceiver-connector-on-the-rear-panel-of-rigexpert-interfaces\/\">RigExpert transceiver connector<\/a> description<\/li>\n<li>Transceiver user manual and\/or circuit diagram<\/li>\n<li>Diagrams of similar interface circuits and RigExpert cables for similar transceivers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are several functions to be implemented in a cable:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Audio in\/out<\/li>\n<li>CAT interface<\/li>\n<li>PTT function<\/li>\n<li>CW key function<\/li>\n<li>CW paddle<\/li>\n<li>FSK function<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Specific transceivers may leave some of these functions unsupported, so the first step in making a cable is to decide which functions to implement. A transceiver manual and circuit diagram contain all details about transceiver functionality as well as connector descriptions (including pinouts).<\/p>\n<p>There are several consideration of designing a really good cable:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cable length (should be 1 to 2 meters).<\/li>\n<li>Shielding &#8211; audio in\/out lines shielding is absolutely necessary, but it is better to shield all other lines, too (several lines may use a common shield).<\/li>\n<li>Minimized number of connectors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The algorithm of designing a cable is:<\/p>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<ol>\n<li>Deciding which functions shall be implemented in a cable, according to RigExpert interface and transceiver-supported functionality<\/li>\n<li>Defining one ore more way each function may be implemented (i.e. finding all suitable ways to connect a specific line to the transceiver)<\/li>\n<li>Choosing the ways which minimize the number of used connectors<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p>Audio in\/out<\/p>\n<p>There are several possible combinations of audio in\/out connection:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>MIC_TRCVR line (audio output of RigExpert interface) may be connected to<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<ol>\n<li>Microphone connector on the transceiver front panel, or<\/li>\n<li>Specialized Audio In connector (this may be RCA or 3.5mm PATCH IN connector), or<\/li>\n<li>Common socket which connects a number of other lines (this may be ACC, DATA or PACKET connector)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0SPK_TRCVR line (audio input of RigExpert interface) may be connected to<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<ol>\n<li>Headphone or speaker connector, or<\/li>\n<li>Specialized Audio Out connector (this may be RCA or 3.5mm PATCH OUT or LINE OUT connector), or<\/li>\n<li>Common socket which connects a number of other lines (this may be ACC, DATA or PACKET connector)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>AGND_TRCVR line (analog ground) should be connected to the transceiver analog ground. Do not shorten GND (pins 11 and 24) and AGND_TRCVR on the 25-pin connector &#8211; this will destroy the advantage of transformer decoupling of audio lines provided by RigExpert interface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The picture below illustrates audio in\/out connection. Always use separate shields for audio input and output lines.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables1.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><br \/>\nCAT connection for transceivers with CI-V interface<\/p>\n<p>CI-V interface is supported by the majority of Icom transceivers. It uses a single line (instead of two lines) for CAT data in\/out. Normally, a 3.5mm plug is used on the transceiver side of the cable.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shorten CIV_IN and CIV_OUT pins of RigExpert interface 25-pin connector, and wire this line to the center pin of a 3.5mm plug<\/li>\n<li>GND (ground) line goes to the ground pin of the 3.5mm plug<\/li>\n<li>12V_TRCVR input of RigExpert interface should be connected to VCC (+5V output of RigExpert device), or either to any other source, including +8V or +13.5V transceiver outputs or 12V_MAX (+12V) output of RigExpert interface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The picture below illustrates CI-V connection:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables2.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>CAT connection for transceivers with RS-232-compatible CAT interface<\/p>\n<p>These transceivers normally have a DB-9 connector for CAT connection.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>TXD12V is a RigExpert interface CAT output<\/li>\n<li>RXD12V is a RigExpert interface CAT input<\/li>\n<li>GND goes to transceiver ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The steps here are as follows:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Defining the type (DB-9 male or female) of the cable plug<\/li>\n<li>Finding the proper RXD12V\/TXD12V connection (normally, these two lines are connected to pins 2 and 3 (or vice versa) of DB-9 connector)<\/li>\n<li>Finding if it is needed to shorten pins 7 and 8 (DTR and DSR lines) of DB-9 connector<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The following picture shows an example of this type of connection:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables3.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>CAT connection for transceivers with 5V CAT interface (with RS-232 polarity)<\/p>\n<p>These transceivers (usually, Kenwoods with 6-pin DIN CAT connector) are designed to use an IF-232 compatible interface box to connect to a computer serial port.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>TXD5V is a RigExpert interface CAT output<\/li>\n<li>RXD5V is a RigExpert interface CAT input<\/li>\n<li>GND goes to transceiver ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The picture below shows RigExpert interface to 6-pin plug connection. Pins 4 and 5 (CTS and RTS) should be shortened for Kenwood transceivers.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables4.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>CAT connection for transceivers with 5V CAT interface (with RS-232-reverse polarity)<\/p>\n<p>These transceivers include Yaesu models with (usially)\u00a0 MINI-DIN CAT connectors, which have an open-collector output buffer:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shortened CIV_OUT and CO_PULLUP become a RigExpert interface CAT output<\/li>\n<li>CIV_IN is a RigExpert interface CAT input in this mode<\/li>\n<li>GND goes to transceiver ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following picture illustrates this case. The CAT connector type and pinout is usually described in the transceiver manual.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables5.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Another circuit works best for transceivers with (usially)\u00a0 6-pin DIN CAT connectors with open-emitter CAT output buffer:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shortened CIV_OUT and CO_PULLUP become a interface CAT output<\/li>\n<li>RXD_OE is a RigExpert interface CAT input in this mode<\/li>\n<li>RXD5V goes to VCC to enable the RXD_OE input<\/li>\n<li>GND goes to transceiver ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following picture illustrates this case. The CAT connector type and pinout is usually described in the transceiver manual.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables5a.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>PTT line connection<\/p>\n<p>Normally, transceivers need an open-collector PTT output (tied to GND to transmit). However, some transceivers may need a positive-voltage PTT. PTT line can be connected to either a separate PTT transceiver connector, front-panel microphone connector, or a multi-function socket such as DATA, PACKET or ACC.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>PTT_OC is an open-collector PTT output of RigExpert interface<\/li>\n<li>PTT5V is a positive-voltage (+5V when PTT is active) output<\/li>\n<li>GND is connected to the transceiver ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The picture illustrates possible PTT connections:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables6.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>CW KEY connection<\/p>\n<p>The majority of modern transceivers provides CW\u00a0 key input, which is usually a 3.5mm or 6mm socket (for either stereo or mono jack &#8211; see the transceiver manual).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CW_OC is a CW KEY output, which is tied to ground when RigExpert interface generates dots and dashes.<\/li>\n<li>GND is connected to the transceiver ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables7.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>CW paddle connection<\/p>\n<p>RigExpert Plus\/TI-5 has a built-in electronic keyer for single or double paddle.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>DIT and DAH are inputs to be connected to ground to produce dots and dashes<\/li>\n<li>GND is a common line for CW paddle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Even though RigExpert Plus\/TI-5 has a built-in CW Paddle socket, the picture below shows a CW paddle connection via the 25-pin connector. Normally, a 3.5mm or 6mm socket on the end of short shielded or unshielded cable is used to connect a paddle.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables8.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u00a0FSK input connection<\/div>\n<p>Most transceivers provide FSK input for operating RTTY. This may be a separate RCA or DIN connector on the back, or this line may be found on other common connector, such as ACC or DATA.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>FSK_OC is a RigExpert interface FSK output (open-collector, required by most transceivers)<\/li>\n<li>FSK_PULLUP (internal pull-up resistor) should be connected to FSK_OC if the transceiver needs a 5V FSK input instead of open-collector input<\/li>\n<li>In some cases, FSK12V (RS-232-compatible FSK output) may be required by a transceiver<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rigexpert.com\/images\/cables\/making_cables9.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RigExpert interfaces are connected to the transceiver using a cable, which is designed depending on a transceiver model. We provide cable diagrams for most popular transceivers, but the interfacing device may be connected to any other type &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"content-type":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.rigexpert.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1029"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.rigexpert.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.rigexpert.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.rigexpert.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.rigexpert.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1029"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/old.rigexpert.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1554,"href":"https:\/\/old.rigexpert.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1029\/revisions\/1554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.rigexpert.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}