Bob,
I recommend you look at the Yaesu FTM-6000 as an alternative
choice, considering currently available radios.? This radio has a
dedicated data port and is 100% VARA FM Wide capable and when
paired with the appropriate DRA and cable, you can work any normal
Winlink mode as fast as it gets.? Considering this is a dual-band
radio, the value is on par with the Alinco DR-X35 series radios,
which are commonly selling for $250 + on the used market.? It also
doesn't have the spurious emission issue that you reported on with
later MKIII Alinco's.
Many of the Yaesu FTM radios require a proprietary Mini-DIN-10
cable or CT-164 adapter to connect the sound card interface to
their data port.? I have a custom pre-made MD10 male to MD6 male
cable that works on any Mini-DIN-10 equipped FTM Series mobile
radio.? It's called the .?
The FTM-6000 radio pairs well with a DRA-50 or DRA-50M, and
provides for the fastest possible VARA FM Wide speeds.
I have no affiliation with Yaesu - I'm simply a satisfied
customer.
Kevin W3KKC
Masters Communications
On 3/10/2025 8:51 PM, Bob W0EG via groups.io wrote:
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Kevin,?
Thanks for the clarification.? For now, I¡¯ll keep
looking for used Alinco DR-135 series radios for Winlink VARA FM
WIDE.? Hopefully more manufacturers will recognize the need and
began to offer radios with a proper audio data connection.
Bob,
Stephen is correct.? There are several companies,
including Masters Communications, that makes an for the TYT TH-9000D
radio.? However - unlike the Alinco DR-X35, the TYT
TH-9000D is NOT wide band capable.? It only has filtered
audio available at the plug on the motherboard - IE
"1200 Baud" type of audio.
I additionally sell .?
This allows an to be used between the radio and
MD6 equipped radio interface like a DRA-36M.? Because
the TYT TH-9000 is only narrow band capable - all baud
rate jumpers need to be set to the "1200" position, as
9600 is not a valid choice.
So regardless of the radio interface you choose - your
throughput is going to be narrow.
Kevin W3KKC
Owner
Masters Communications.
On 3/10/2025 5:53 PM, Bob W0EG via wrote:
The case is identical to the Alinco
DR-135 and has the cut out for the DB9 on the back.?
Repeater Builder sells a DB9 cable assembly ?that
plugs into a connector on the motherboard providing
unfiltered audio.? Others have written about using
this for 9600 baud.? So far, I found that the receive
audio is a bit too low for the RIM Alinco 9600
adapter. ? I may try a Master Comm adapter as it has
adjustable gain.
On 3/10/2025 5:02 PM, Bob W0EG via wrote:
I have been
investigating the TYT TH-9000D Plus as a
possible low-cost alternative to the now
obsolete Alinco DR-135 series for Winlink
VARA FM WIDE.??
Regardless of spurs, this radio will NEVER
work on VARA-FM WIDE.? It lacks the "data
port" (actually wide-band audio audio from the
receiver discriminator on RX and direct access
to the transmitter modulator on TX.?? (You
can't use mic/speaker connections on VARA-FM
WIDE.)
The lack of the data port (usually a 6-pin
minid-DIN jack)? is a chronic "missing
feature" on Chinese radios, except for those
made by HYS.
Stephen H. Smith???
wa8lmf (at)
Skype:??????? WA8LMF
EchoLink:? Node #? 14400? [Think bottom of the
2-meter band]
Home Page:?????????
30 Meter?? APRS-over VARA? Frequency?? Details
Here:
????
- APRS over VARA? --
??
"Studio B" Ham Shack on Wheels
??
-
?
Kevin Custer