Kenwood computer interface summary

[K7LXC at aol.com]

Hello, all --

     I was amazed at the number of responses to my inquiry about the Kenwood
computer interface for the TS-940.  MANY people wrote to clarify what I
needed (a computer itnerface AND a ttl level controller) and other people
wanted to know what I found out.  Thanks to everyone for their help;
unfortunately I'm still a trailing-edge technology kind of guy and now I hope
I can get this thing working without jeopardizing my charter membership in
the Quarter Century Appliance Operator's Club (QCAO).

   Tnx to Jim, W9WU, and others for the following:

> Without the Kenwood IF10 (B), you're up the creek. Kenwood made
>a run of them several months back and you should be able to find one.
>Try this:
> I received a letter from Kenwood Service dated 11/2/95 stating due to
recent 
> demand "we decided to re-manufacture a one time only limited supply" of the

> IF-10B computer interface for the TS-940S.
> 
> You can order  using Part. No. ZIF-10B for approx. $79.95 plus tax and 
> shipping from:
> 
> Pacific Coast Parts    		800-262-1312
> 
> East Coast Transistor Parts Inc.	800-776-2626

>The cost is $74.95 plus $6.50 for shipping. (Assumes no state tax).
>Make check payable to Pacific Coast Parts.
>Send it to
>Pacific Coast Parts
>15024 Staff Court
>Gardena, CA 90248
>Include the part number (ZIF-10B), name, address, etc.

>After you fine an IF10B, then you need a serial port device that 
>provides the info to and from the TS940. W1GEE makes one
>for LTA. 

>Next, hook your digital antenna switch and your Alpha 87A up, and
>you won't have to touch the radio again!!

     Others advised that Ham Radio Outlet has them in stock.  

    As far as the ttl level controller, Kenwood has a version for $110.00
(IF-232) but almost everyone groused about the price when it is so "simple"
to do yourself.  HA!!  Double HA!  Nonetheless, W1GEE has one (he produces a
nifty TTL <-> RS232 Interface embedded into a db25 shell and takes power from
the serial port), N7BHC has one, PDA Applications (Logic 4) has one, there
are numerous articles in QST, etc. on rolling your own.  Take your pick.

    A good tip was to check the used equipment sources (Yellow Sheets,
internet lists, etc.) for used ones.

    Thanks to everyone for their helpful information.  In the final analysis,
I had to ask myself what I needed all this stuff for.  Well, I'm not going SO
2-radio, I don't have an Alpha 87 and I don't know if I'm ever going to make
the investment in TopTen switches, Dunestar filters, etc.  I guess I mostly
want to get my 940 computerized so that I can try the SO assisted sometime.
 Is it worth it?  I'll let you know.

73,  Steve  K7LXC

>From hwardsil at wolfenet.com (Ward Silver)  Mon Dec  2 15:50:49 1996
From: hwardsil at wolfenet.com (Ward Silver) (Ward Silver)
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 07:50:49 -0800 (PST)
Subject: About non mult qsos worked on mult stn (CQWW multi-single)
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961202074738.11016B-100000 at gonzo.wolfenet.com>


The only reason that calling with a different call would add value is that
it *won't* show up as a dupe, invoking an automatic "QSO B4" message from
the software.  This is often a problem for me when doing some QRP DXing to
expeditions that use computer logging.  If I work them running 100W early
in the show, they will say "QSO B4" if I try again later with QRP.  I use
a club call for the second QSO precisely to avoid the problem.

73, Ward N0AX


>From hwardsil at wolfenet.com (Ward Silver)  Mon Dec  2 16:00:35 1996
From: hwardsil at wolfenet.com (Ward Silver) (Ward Silver)
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 08:00:35 -0800 (PST)
Subject: A DX-er's Night B4 Christmas
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961202075258.11016C-100000 at gonzo.wolfenet.com>


Since the starting bell for the North American Christmas Frenzy (r) has
rung, I suppose it's fair to assume that I can inflict my particularly
warped sense of Christmas Cheer on y'all.  Like the holiday fruitcake (the
poem, not me) that was well-received last year, I humbly submit to my
radio buddies and buddettes a shameless pilfering of Clarence Moore's
lyric verse.

May Santa bring us a K of 0 throughout the winter season...

73, Ward N0AX


'Twas the night before Christmas
And all 'cross the bands,
No DX was stirring
>From Brazil to Japan.

My antennas were pointed
With painstaking care,
In hopes that a new one
Soon would be there.

The family was nestled
All snug in their beds,
While visions of TVI
Danced in their heads.

In my slippers and sweater,
Chores finally past,
I'd just settled in
For DX-ing at last.

When out of the speaker
There arose such a ruckus,
That I grabbed for my 'phones
To see who the DX was.

Down to the low end
I tuned in a flash,
And switched in a filter
To get rid of some hash.

With the shack in the light
Of the amplifier's glow,
I tuned up and down
Hoping DX would show.

When what to my wondering
Ears did appear?
But a rapid-fire pileup
With DX in the clear!

As DXers clamor,
Calling low and then high,
When after a rare one
Raise a great hue and cry.

More rapid than popcorn,
The callsigns they came,
And he heard them, and logged them,
And called them by name.

"OH and PY and Hotel Charlie Eight,
JA and ZS and a Washington State!"

"All forty zones
and six continents, too.
I can copy you all!
It's a marvelous zoo!"

I could tell he was rare
>From that fluttery sound.
And I heard him quite clearly
As he turned it around.

"GM GE ES BEST DX TOO
QSL VIA BURO ES BCNU"

His fist, how it sparkled,
His callsign, sent well,
Made his signal to ring
Like the sound of a bell!

He worked through the callers
Like a championship.
And even tailenders;
Worked 'em lickedy-split.

I wasted no time and
Went straight to my work,
Calling up three
Where the big signals lurk.

My call came right back
Like he knew I was there.
The code crackled over
The cold winter air.

And then it was over,
It was down in the log.
I filled out my card
And sipped some egg-nog.

But I heard him exclaim
Before calling anew,
"Merry Christmas to all,
Listening up one to two!"


>From sm3ojr at pobox.com (Jonathan Silvergran, SM3OJR)  Mon Dec  2 16:22:29 1996
From: sm3ojr at pobox.com (Jonathan Silvergran, SM3OJR) (Jonathan Silvergran, SM3OJR)
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 17:22:29 +0100
Subject: CQ contest rules query
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19961202172231.3f774e92 at www.pocab.se>


At 16:16 1996-11-30 -0500, you wrote:
>In your opinion, is it legal per the cq rules to move stations from other
>bands to the band you are submitting as a single op, single band entry ? I
>didn't do it, but it sure is tempting after cqing for hours on 10 with few
>replies. I asked the same question on our east coast packet cluster and got
>5 yes and 1 no. Wonder what the real answer is?
>Thimk.
>73, Mick

Hi Mick and others,

We (SL3ZV) did a "triple single band" entry in CQWW CW. UN-assisted!
That last word says it all, doesn't it?

If you go UN-assisted, you're on your own. No QSY's, No DX-cluster, 
No spotting etc etc.

On the other hand, if you go assisted, there isn't much difference doing
what you described above, compared with picking a call from the local
DX-cluster, is it? Assisted *is* assisted, so if you assist yourself or
get assisted by others - no difference...

73 and GL

Jon, sm3ojr

E-mail: sm3ojr at pobox.com
URL:    http://www.itz.se/jonit
Packet: sm3ojr at sk3jr.osd.z.swe.eu


>From pb0aiu at euronet.nl (Peter)  Mon Dec  2 16:26:18 1996
From: pb0aiu at euronet.nl (Peter) (Peter)
Date: Mon, 02 Dec 1996 17:26:18 +0100
Subject: NA Software info...
References: <BMSMTP8494881340Phallman at mail.greatbasin.net>
Message-ID: <32A3032A.78B8 at euronet.nl>

Rich Hallman N7TR wrote:
> 
>   Anyone have info on the NA BBS???  Number I have never answers....
> 
> How abt a number for ordering???
> 
> Thanks!    Rich  N7TR
> 
> ***********************************************************************
> Richard Hallman                         N7TR at RNODX.ORG
> 11870 Heartpine St                "Big is good...Tall is better!"
> Reno NV 89506               ex: KI3V, A92FN, HL9RH, KI3V/VP9
> 702 677-1106                            /WP4, /HP, /VO2,  N3AMK
> ************************************************************************


lta bbs  412-528-8877   14.400 baud
orders    330-565-9950  24 hours

73 peter

pb0aiu/pi4cc

http://euronet.nl/users/pb0aiu/homepage.html

>From brad4 at roanoke.infi.net (Melvin G. Brafford)  Mon Dec  2 19:49:42 1996
From: brad4 at roanoke.infi.net (Melvin G. Brafford) (Melvin G. Brafford)
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 14:49:42 -0500
Subject: CQ contest rules query II
Message-ID: <199612021950.OAA26635 at mh004.infi.net>

The response to my query about moving stations from other bands, to the
band one is s/o contesting, were as varied as the people answering. Ask 100
people, you'll get 100 answers etc. The only way to be absolutely sure is
query the CQ contest committee, which by the way, I should have done first.
It would have saved several of us needless speculation. Of course this
point is moot to all but those of us who are destined to chase the
thoroughbreds.
73, Mick

>From w5robert at blkbox.COM (Robert)  Mon Dec  2 21:33:45 1996
From: w5robert at blkbox.COM (Robert) (Robert)
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 15:33:45 -0600 (CST)
Subject: CQ contest rules query II
Message-ID: <9612021533.aa13726 at blkbox.COM>

> The response to my query about moving stations from other bands, to the
> band one is s/o contesting, were as varied as the people answering. Ask 100
> people, you'll get 100 answers etc. The only way to be absolutely sure is
> query the CQ contest committee, which by the way, I should have done first.
> It would have saved several of us needless speculation. Of course this
> point is moot to all but those of us who are destined to chase the
> thoroughbreds.
> 73, Mick

Actually a quick look in the CQ WW CONTEST HANDBOOK is all that
you need.  My 94 book (about pg 24 / 25) says no problem - do it.
Many detailed questions about CQ WW appear in this Handbook.
-- 
73 Robert  W5AJ  w5robert at blkbox.com   


>From brad4 at roanoke.infi.net (Melvin G. Brafford)  Mon Dec  2 22:24:58 1996
From: brad4 at roanoke.infi.net (Melvin G. Brafford) (Melvin G. Brafford)
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 17:24:58 -0500
Subject: Final Word On CQWW rules query  (band dragging)
Message-ID: <199612022225.RAA02181 at mh004.infi.net>

The final word from Wayne Mills N7NG reguarding moving stations from other
bands to the band you are contesting, is a quote from Bob Cox's "CQ WW
Contest Handbook under annotated rules. And I quote him; IT IS PERMITTED TO
MOVE MULTIPLIERS FROM ANOTHER BAND TO THE BAND FOR WHICH YOU ARE COMPETING
AS A SINGLE OP, SINGLE BAND.
Thank you Wayne for clearing that up!
73, Mick, W4YV.