Transceiver interfacing details

This page summarises our experiences with rear-panel interfacing of transceivers to computers for digital modes, or to other transceivers for talkthrough applications.
Information regarding squelch operation is not required for a PC datamode interface, just for the talkthrough units.

Model

Connector

Squelch

Notes
Yaesu FT817, 857, 897
FT8100,1500,8900,100D		 6-pin mini-DIN positive Drawing more than 1mA from the squelch line mutes received audio
Icom IC2800, E-208 6-pin mini-DIN positive Note these Icom sets have positive squelch
Kenwood TM241 6-pin mini-DIN positive  
Kenwood TM-7-series 6-pin mini-DIN positive (see note) The squelch output signal also goes high in TX,
so additional DRAT circuitry is needed
Standard C5900 6-pin mini-DIN positive Set wanted band on right-hand display.
Tx audio gain is low
Icom IC706mk2G, IC703 6-pin mini-DIN negative Set IC706IIG menu 29 to 1200bps: this selects the correct pin on the mini-DIN for audio output
Icom IC706mk1 and 2, IC718 13-pin DIN negative IC706mk2 has different PTT pins for the two antenna ports
Icom IC735 8-pin DIN negative Centre pin is not required, so could use 7-pin plug
Kenwood TS2000 13-pin DIN TBD Different output pins are used for Main and Sub receiver audio

The connections on the 6-pin mini-DIN socket are shown below:

Note that a different pin is used for receive audio output for 9600baud packet.

The 8-pin DIN socket used on some Icom HF transceivers is connected as shown:

The 13-pin DIN socket used some HF transceivers is connected as detailed below:

Icom IC706 connections

Pin diagram

Kenwood TS2000 connections
pin 2: GND
pin 11: MOD (modulation input)
pin 12: AF (audio output)
pin 13: SQLS (squelch output, active low)
pin 3: SEND (ptt input)(only for HF/6m in IC706 mk2!)
(pin 7 is a special ptt input for 2m only in IC706mk2)		 pin 3 "MANO" is the (main) receiver AF output, equivalent to the "data out"
pins 4,8 and 12 are Ground
pin 9 "PKS" is the PTT line
pin 11 "PKD" is the modulation input, equivalent to the "data in".

Incidentally, the 13-pin DIN plugs for this interface are readily available from Maplin (part no. JW95D) and other component shops.

For details of other transceivers, please consult your user manual.