[TenTec] COmputer hook up to Omni VI+

Fri May 16 11:35:28 EDT 2014

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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at earthlink.net>
>>>>> To:<Undisclosed-recipients:>
>>>>> Cc: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment"<tentec at 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 at earthlink.net
>>>>>>> <mailto:n4py3 at 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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>>
>> 73, Frank A. Ellis, W3UHF
>>
>>
>>
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