TenTec
[Top] [All Lists]

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: Carl Moreschi <n4py3@earthlink.net>
Reply-to: n4py3@earthlink.net, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 16 May 2014 11:35:28 -0400
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
It does work with my N4PY Icom program. And my program provides a gateway to most logging programs.

Carl Moreschi N4PY
58 Hogwood Rd
Louisburg, NC 27549
www.n4py.com

On 5/16/2014 11:32 AM, Jim Allen wrote:
OK.  Thanks for that explanation.  I'll take the plunge and get one.

As I understand it, the Omni VI+ doesn't work with HRD or some of the other
software packages, K4PY etc.  Any problems like that to avoid?

I'm venturing into new ground here.  I don't know how automated I want to
be or need to be.

I saw a Youtube not long ago where a guy had CW Skimmer, and all the rest
of the software running a Kenwood of some sort.  He clicked on a call sign
on the skimmer, the computer tuned the radio to that frequency, turned his
antenna, called the station, worked it, and logged it, all untouched by
human hands!  I'm not there yet!

73 de W6OGC  Jim Allen


On Fri, May 16, 2014 at 10:09 AM, Frank A. Ellis<w3uhf.frank@gmail.com>wrote:

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
        TenTec@contesting.com<mailto:TenTec@contesting.com>
        http://lists.contesting.com/__mailman/listinfo/tentec
        <http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec>

    _________________________________________________
    TenTec mailing list
    TenTec@contesting.com<mailto:TenTec@contesting.com>
    http://lists.contesting.com/__mailman/listinfo/tentec
    <http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec>


_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
____________________________________________________________
Best Stock Tips for 2014
Top Investor Reveals 19 Stocks You Must have in Your Portfolio in 2014
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3155/5375749f94a23749f1719mp05vuc


_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec

_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec

_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec

73, Frank A. Ellis, W3UHF



_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec

_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec

_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>