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Re: [TenTec] COmputer hook up to Omni VI+

To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] COmputer hook up to Omni VI+
From: "Frank A. Ellis" <w3uhf.frank@gmail.com>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 16 May 2014 11:09:20 -0400
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Hi Jim,

There are two separate issues regarding interfacing. First, the ICOM CI-V data 
(present at the 1/8" jack on ICOM radios, as well as the Ten-Tec Omni VI) has a 
different data voltage level than is required by the computer. Therefore, a 
"level converter" is needed to convert the CI-V voltage levels to ones 
appropriate for the computer. The ICOM CT-17 Level Converter was a popular "box 
in the middle" between the radio and computer that accomplished this function. 
The CT-17 interface port to the computer was serial, not USB. If you wanted to 
use the CT-17 and connect to a USB port on the computer, a serial to USB 
adapter cable would be required. That is the second interface issue.

Fortunately, there are single-cable interfaces today that accomplish both the 
voltage level conversion from RS-232 to serial level, as well as the physical 
transformation from the 1/8" CI-V jack to a USB plug, all in one simple cable. 
As TJ stated, the necessary electronics to do this are packaged inside the 
cable-end boot, typically at the USB end. They are powered from USB power 
available from the computer's USB port, and unless you knew there was a small 
PCB inside the connector end, you would swear that it was nothing more than a 
simple cable, with a 1/8 jack on one end, and a USB connector on the other.

I bought several of these cables from a seller on eBay named "Kawamall" and 
they work very well. Since the Omni VI uses the ICOM CI-V protocol at the rear 
1/8" jack, any cable such as this may be used for a simple USB computer 
interface to the Omni VI.

Hope this helps.

73, Frank W3UHF




On May 16, 2014, at 10:39 AM, Timothy Johnston wrote:

> Jim, most USB to serial "adapters/converters/cables" are made in a
> all-in-one solution now. I have two of them, both have USB on one end, a
> few inches of cable and a 9 pin serial connect on the other end. There is
> no "black box" anymore. With SMT devices, they are literally built-in to
> the connector housing and you don't see them.
> 
> Whether you have USB ports or 9/25-pin serial ports, in order to use CIV,
> the signal levels (voltages) must be converted to match the CIV levels.
> Again, the converter might be too small to be seen and built into the
> housing.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> 73 de Tj, K4TFJ ...
> 
> 
> On Fri, May 16, 2014 at 10:25 AM, Jim Allen <jim.allen@longhornband.net>wrote:
> 
>> By "converter" do you mean merely a cable with the appropriate connectors
>> or is there a "black box" device somewhere?
>> 
>> The terminology is confusing to me, I guess.  On the 706 the Icom CIV cable
>> used for HRD was just a cable.  Will that work here?
>> 
>> 73 de W6OGC  Jim Allen
>> 
>> 
>> On Thu, May 15, 2014 at 9:17 PM, n5bi <n5bi@juno.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Yes, I also, have a usb to civ converter..works great on omy Omni VI+.
>>> 
>>> Gary Branch, N5BI
>>> Macon, GA
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carl Moreschi" <n4py3@earthlink.net>
>>> To: <Undisclosed-recipients:>
>>> Cc: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
>>> Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2014 9:59 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] COmputer hook up to Omni VI+
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Yes it can if you have a USB to CIV converter.  The bottom line is you
>>>> still connect to a USB port on the computer.
>>>> 
>>>> Carl Moreschi N4PY
>>>> 58 Hogwood Rd
>>>> Louisburg, NC 27549
>>>> www.n4py.com
>>>> 
>>>> On 5/15/2014 9:44 PM, Jim Allen wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Can the Icom CIV be used instead of the serial port and routed to a USB
>>>>> port directly?
>>>>> 
>>>>> TIA
>>>>> 
>>>>> 73 de W6OGC  Jim Allen
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Thu, May 15, 2014 at 8:10 PM, Carl Moreschi <n4py3@earthlink.net
>>>>> <mailto:n4py3@earthlink.net>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>    USB to serial converters are what is used now.  They are available
>>>>>    for $10 to $40.  They take a serial port DB9 and converter it to
>>>>>    connect to a USB port on the computer.  Then windows even assigns a
>>>>>    comport number to it so you can use it as a normal serial port.
>> For
>>>>>    a DB25, you need a DB9 to DB25 adapter on the end of the USB to
>>>>>    serial converter.
>>>>> 
>>>>>    The Omni VI also had a 1/8 inch CIV jack which is the Icom method
>> of
>>>>>    connection.  This is because the Omni VI uses the Icom command
>>>>> protocol.
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Carl Moreschi N4PY
>>>>>    58 Hogwood Rd
>>>>>    Louisburg, NC 27549
>>>>>    www.n4py.com <http://www.n4py.com>
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>    On 5/15/2014 8:42 PM, Jim Allen wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>        I see that the Omni VI+ has a connection called a "serial port"
>>>>>        in the
>>>>>        back, as well as an "Interface Port" which resembles a serial
>>>>>        port DB
>>>>>        connector..
>>>>> 
>>>>>        The description in the manual leads me to believe the Interface
>>>>>        Port is to
>>>>>        be used to connect to a computer.  Today's computers seldom
>> have
>>>>>        serial
>>>>>        ports, and I see that cables are offered on eBay for these
>>>>>        radios that are
>>>>>        1/8th" to USB, similar to the Icom cable.
>>>>> 
>>>>>        What's the story?  What should one use?  What should one do
>> with
>>>>>        a computer
>>>>>        having no serial ports?
>>>>> 
>>>>>        73 de W6OGC  Jim Allen
>>>>>        _________________________________________________
>>>>>        TenTec mailing list
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>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
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73, Frank A. Ellis, W3UHF



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