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Digital Mode data cable


 

Question:? have you made a cable for digi modes yet?? the Lab 599 website has some diagrams for making your own cables and it shows a 10uf cap inline w/ the audio in side.? did you do this?? if you dont have that size of cap handy, would you think you could use a smaller or a larger cap?
?
Also, do you have?any advice on FLRig and WSJTX?settings to make it talk to the rig?? i get receive reports on WSJTX?via FLRig using the Kenwood TS-990 settings, but nothing on the TX out side.? i get the rig to go into transmit via the USB CAT cable, but no signals make it out of the antenna.
?
just thought i'd see if you have figured this out & are willing to help out.

73,?

Matt, KG8TRS


 

I use the Kenwood TS-930 as my rig definition and it works much faster than TS-990.

I have made several cables. I did use the capacitor?as I have tons of new parts and wanted to make sure the TX audio was isolated no matter what sound device I used.



On Fri, Jan 15, 2021 at 12:02 PM Matthew Allinson <kg8trs@...> wrote:
Question:? have you made a cable for digi modes yet?? the Lab 599 website has some diagrams for making your own cables and it shows a 10uf cap inline w/ the audio in side.? did you do this?? if you dont have that size of cap handy, would you think you could use a smaller or a larger cap?
?
Also, do you have?any advice on FLRig and WSJTX?settings to make it talk to the rig?? i get receive reports on WSJTX?via FLRig using the Kenwood TS-990 settings, but nothing on the TX out side.? i get the rig to go into transmit via the USB CAT cable, but no signals make it out of the antenna.
?
just thought i'd see if you have figured this out & are willing to help out.

73,?

Matt, KG8TRS



--
John Byerly
mailto:mtnlion@...


Doug Schultz
 

Using a larger capacitor should not be a problem, you are just extending the low frequency corner. Using a much smaller capacitor would not be a good idea, assuming they calculated the value needed properly.
Doug


 

New to Ham radio and working/soldering components in general.? I'm looking up 10uf capacitors and getting dizzied by the different types.? I'm assuming (and I know what the first 3 letters of that word are, so bear with me) I would need a something rated at 15v to do the job, or am I wrong?? Should I go with something like this ()?? I just got my TX-500 in yesterday and I'm eager to do some digital with it!


Doug Schultz
 
Edited

If I were looking for a 10uF cap, I would choose a non-polarized ceramic one, such as this

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/TDK/FG20X7S1H106KRT06/?qs=qf2ddTMq67WcrUW7BHxGTg%3D%3D

And yes, when looking at DigiKey or Mouser, the choices are overwhelming!

Doug


 

Again, I'm new at fiddling with electronics.? Two more questions...

To install it, do you need to snip the audio cable and solder each end to the capacitor, or just cut away enough shielding to solder the ends to the cable?

I'm under the impression an "inline" capacitor is able to be used in place of the one you linked, is that correct?

Thanks for the reply and input!?


Doug Schultz
 

Well, I have not looked at the 599 connectors, but the capacitor will go in series with the signal lead. It can be placed anywhere in series. At either connector end, or somewhere along the cable, whatever is easier.

Depending on the cable construction, you might cut the cable to install it, or if the cable is not really shielded (not a good idea, but lots of the foreign cables are not) you can just cut and insert the capacitor in the signal path.

Hopefully that helps ...

Doug


 

Thanks for the replies!? I'm trying to cram the capacitor inside the connector, to keep a clean look and protect the connection.? Would this capacitor work instead?

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Vishay-BC-Components/A105K20X7RF5UAAP/?qs=DPoM0jnrROXy%252Bh4qtU6DZg%3D%3D


Doug Schultz
 

Yep, a good choice.
Doug


 
Edited

"If I were looking for a 10uF cap, I would choose a non-polarized ceramic one, such as this"

I went with a 10uF polarized cap because the schematic specifically showed a polarized cap. I am curious if it really matters. Have you been able to get it working with a non-polarized version?


 

There is no reason to use polarized, other than cost of the cap.?


On Sun, Apr 25, 2021, 7:02 AM Chris via <ad8f=[email protected]> wrote:

I went with a 10uF polarized cap because the schematic specifically showed a polarized cap. I am curious if it really matters. Have you been able to get it working with a non-polarized version?


 

Good to know. I had a selection of caps so I picked the one they specified. If I need to make another data cable for the TX-500, I'll pick one that is physically smaller and easier to integrate!


 

If a circuit calls for a polarized cap, you can substitute for a non polarized. It is just a matter of cost control when in design.?

73,
de Steve W0ARK

On Sun, Apr 25, 2021, 11:26 AM Chris via <ad8f=[email protected]> wrote:

Good to know. I had a selection of caps so I picked the one they specified. If I need to make another data cable for the TX-500, I'll pick one that is physically smaller and easier to integrate!


 

Sorry to bother you - i could not find the schematics on the manufactures homepage or elsewhere - can you give me a hint?

Thank you, 73, Uli DD5UK


 

Hi Uli

have a look at:

73, Stephan

--
DF6PA
Stephan Forth
Licensed since 1978
TX-500, IC-703, FT-817ND


 

i don't suppose there is a cheaper way to get 1 capacitor ? seems silly to buy 1 and pay $1 for the cap and $8 shipping...


 

On Mon, Mar 1, 2021 at 02:55 AM, Justin Polak wrote:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Vishay-BC-Components/A105K20X7RF5UAAP/?qs=DPoM0jnrROXy%252Bh4qtU6DZg%3D%3D
this is a 1uF cap - is this correct ?


 

Any advice for soldering the audio data cable.? I do not have much experience with soldering trying to figure out a way to get at that center pin for the ground.? I have a Hakko iron with some smaller tips.

Thanks
Chris


 

I soldered the grounds from the cables together first (before the ground lead) and then applied a bit of solder to the ground of the cable.? Then I rested the ground on the lead, then applied the iron to the lead to finish the connection.? It's a bear, but it's doable.


 

Use a fine tip iron and solder.? watch lots of you tube instructional videos on how to solder, plan on ruining a couple of cable ends.

Tin the terminal and wire ends.

You learn by doing!

Wish i could be more help!

DEon