TH-D7 PG-4W programming cable diagram

Well, I just received a very nice Kenwood TH-D7G(II) portable VHF/UHF radio.

The main problem was the programming of my favourites frequencies. I started to grab informations from the internet regarding the software I need and, most important, what cable to use.
The internet is very poor in informations about PG-4W, the programming cable, but there are a lot of vendors (from 12 to 25 EUR/cable) which is quite inacceptable for me... I do know how to make a PC to Radio cable!
So, I prepared myself with a RS232<>TTL adapter (with MAX232), one 2,5mm stereo jack and some lenght of cable, a female DB9 COM port and some patience...
First step was to read carefully the User manual where it states that the radio conect directly to the PC.

To be sure I was measuring the voltage on the PC conector at the radio.
It was -6V (RS232 zero logic level) which means the radio has a RS232<>TTL level adapter inside. So, indeed, tha radio connect directly to the PC Com port...
I made the connections, but the software returns (over and over...) a communication error (Timeout).
So, I started to search for a reason. Maybe the software expect some signaling on the other ports of the COM...
I realise that, when I push the "Read Radio" command on PC, on the COM port RTS appeared a voltage swing. Hmmmm..... so, the Radio <> PC cable is not so simple...
So I connected the RTS with CTS and DCD with DTR and, BINGO!!!!, all was OK!
So, here is the diagram of the PG-4W programming cable for the Kenwood TH-D7 portable radio...

 Later Edit: Tom, NV1U sent me the following diagram made on his tablet:

 TNX Tom!


!!!!!!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is NO ERROR!!! The 2,5 mm plug diagram is not reverted!!!
The manual states that the tip is TxD and the ring is RxD. The TxD and the RxD on the plug ARE FROM THE RADIO VIEW
The radio transmit data to the PC by the tip of the plug and the signal goes to the RxD on COM port at the PC!

For programming the radio I use a IBM X61T with a USB<>COM adapter and the MCP-D7G, ver.1.01.

OEM GPS inside TM-D710 Front Panel

Acum aproape un an, scriam aici un post despre cum am adaptat un GPS Holux pentru utilizarea pe TM D-710 cu un minim de conectica.
Am cautat un modul convenabil din punct de vedere al dimensiunilor dar si al pretului. Un alt criteriu a fost acela al sensibilitatii de receptie, intrucat antena urma sa fie obturata de capacul de plastic al panoului frontal.

Am achizitionat de la Farnell un GPS Leadtek LR9552, cu antena incorporata. Dimensiunile sunt de 25x25 mm cu o grosime de aproximativ 7 mm!
Am fost impresionat de cat de mic este modulul; practic, antena acestuia este mai mare decat montajul propriu-zis...

Asadar, aveam in cutia cu "maimute" un modul GPS. (De fapt, mai am unul, HI).
Multa vreme am incercat sa gasesc si conectorul mama, corespondent conectorului existent pe modulul GPS. Nu am reusit sa il gasesc iar astazi, am avut ideea salvatoare, asa ca am trecut la fapte!
Am taiat partea de sus a conectorului si am capatat astfel acces la pini, urmand sa lipesc direct pe ei alimentarea si iesirea de semnal NMEA.
Conectorul este foarte mic, astfel incat operatiunea se recomanda celor cu vedere buna si mana sigura.

Pentru lipirea firelor am folosit un letcon de 25W caruia i-am subtiat varful astfel incat sa nu lipesc mai multi pini deodata.
Conform fisei tehnice, modulul GPS are doua iesiri! TxDA si TxDB.

Intrucat nu stiam care dintre ele este cea care furnizeaza semnalul necesar, am lipit pe toti pinii cate un fir. De fapt, nu imi trebuiau si intrarile la modul, dar, pentru ca mi-a iesit prima lipitura, am continuat, asa, din inertie...
Ulterior, dupa identificarea pinului corect, am dezlipit celelalte fire, ca nefiind necesare.
Proba de functionare am facut-o folosind conectorul lateral al panoului de control si o sursa de alimentare exterioara (o baterie 6F22 de 9V si un stabilizator LDO de 5V). Pinul 2 de la GPS este cel care furnizeaza semnalul necesar (TxDA).

Am desfacut panoul capacul panoului frontal si am desfacut saibele de fixare de la potentiometrii de volum/squelch si de la optical encoder.

Cele doua blocuri potentiometrice sunt conectate pe doua bucatele de cablaj si, desi sunt codificate diferit, in realitate sunt identice ca valori si schema electronica, deci nici o grija ca le-ati putea incurca intre ele la montaj.
Pe placa cu componente exista o folie profilata destinata protejarii cablajulu iin zona decupata a capacului din spate. O puteti ridica fara grija, nu este prinsa nici de cablaj si nici de capac. Sub aceasta folie exista un conector flexibil si este bina sa aveti mare grija cu el!

Desfacem cele doua suruburi care fixeaza cablajul de masca si ridicam montajul.
Conectorul de 2,5mm se gaseste in stanga afisajului LCD si se observa ca este vorba de o mufa care are si circuit de autodeconectare.
In figura de mai jos se vede clar pe care dintre pini conectam firul de semnal de la GPS.

Dupa ce lipim firul de semnal de la GPS, asezam cablajul la loc in panou si folosim o degajare in PCB pentru a trece firul in spatele carcasei.
In stanga conectorului RJ45 ce foloseste la conectarea panoului frontal la unitatea centrala observam un regulator LDO. Acesta este regulatorul care furnizeaza 5V montajului.
Intre regulator si conector, pe cablaj este marcat traseul de 10V. Acest marcaj este facut exact pe traseul de GND, unde ne vom conecta cu pinul 1 de la GPS.
Pinul 7, de +5V de la GPS se va lipi direct pe pinul regulatorului LDO.

Dupa lipirea firelor de la GPS, putem face o proba:
Conectam panoul de comanda si pornim statia. In meniul APRS selectam la INPUT: GPS.
Pornim TNC-ul in regim APRS12 si apasam butonul PMON pentru a observa informatiile furnizate de modulul GPS. Dupa aproximativ 2 minute, la mine a inceput sa dea informatiile de pozitie.
Cu ESC ne intoarcem in regimul de afisare a frecventei si apasam POS. Pe afisaj ar trebui sa observam deja coordonatele locului in care ne aflam, inclusiv cu afisarea careului (KN34BK in cazul meu).
In partea din stanga sus a afisajului, va clipi "GPS"; semnificatia este aceea de semnal NMEA coerent.

Oprim statia si deconectam panoul de comanda pentru etapa urmatoare.
Dupa ce am verificat functionarea corecta, eliminam de pe capacul din spate ghidajul destinat unui beeper (nu stiu care era rostul HI). Aplicam o bucata de folie dublu adeziva pe care vom lipi modulul GPS, chiar pe partea cu antena de receptie. Am observat ca nu influenteaza cu nimic performanta receptorului GPS.

Fixam modulul dupa cum se observa din imagine si inchidem capacul de la panoul de comanda.

Din acest moment, avem un TM D-710 cu GPS incorporat in panoul frontal!

Imi cer scuze pentru calitatea imaginilor dar am folosit ce aveam la indemana, adica un telefon mobil.

Mai jos sunt cateva informatii despre modulul GPS folosit:


{Some time ago I made a GPS unit for TM D-710. Now, with a little help from Leadtek, I manage to embedd a GPS OEM unit inside the TM D-710 Control panel! Yes, I just put a GPS inside the "box". }

20-channel, miniaturized single chipset module GPS with integrated ceramic antenna

The Leadtek GPS 9952 module (LR9552) is a high sensitivity and very compact smart antenna module, with built in GPS receiver circuit. This 20-channel global positioning system (GPS) receiver is designed for a wide range of OEM applications and is based on the fast and deep GPS signal search capabilities of SiRFStarIII architecture.

Features:

• Based on the high performance features of the SiRFstarIII single chip set
• 20 channels with All-In-View tracking
• Compact module size for easy integration: 25x25x8.4 mm
• Fully automatic assembly: reflow solder assembly ready
• Hardware compatible with SiRF GSW3 v 3. 2.2 software
• Multiple I/O pins reserved for customizing special user applications
• Low power consumption: up to 70 mA, and extra high sensitivity: -158dBm
• RoHS compliance
• Cold/Warm/Hot Start Time: 4 2 /38/ 1 sec . at open sky and stationary environments.
• Reacquisition Time: 0.1 second
• RF Metal Shield for best performance in noisy environments
• Multi-path Mitigation Hardware
• RS232 level for GPS communications interface
• Operating temperature: -20 ℃ to +60
• Protocol: NMEA-0183/SiRF Binary (default NMEA)
• Baud Rate: 4800, 19200, or 57600 baud (default 4800)
• Ideal for high volume mass production (Taping reel package)
• Cost saving through elimination of RF and board to board digital connectors

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Chipset SiRFstarIII single chipset (GSC 3f )
General Frequency L1, 1575.42 MHz (C/A code 1.023 MHz chip rate)
Channels 20
Sensitivity -159 dBm

Accuracy

Position 10 meters, 2D RMS
5 meters 2D RMS, WAAS corrected
<5meters(50%)>Velocity 0.1 meters/second
Time 1 microsecond synchronized to GPS time
Datum Default WGS-84
Other selectable for other Datum

Time to First Fix (TTFF)
(Open Sky & Stationary Requirements) Reacquisition 0.1 sec., average
Snap start 1 sec., average
Hot start 1 sec., average typical TTFF
Warm start 38 sec., average typical TTFF
Cold start 42 sec., average typical TTFF

Dynamic Conditions

Altitude 18,000 meters (60,000 feet) max.
Velocity 515 meters/second (1000 knots) max.
Acceleration 4g , max.
Jerk 20 meters/second 3, max.

Power

Main power input 5 +- 10% VDC input
Power consumption ≈350 mW (continuous mode)
Supply Current ≈70 mA
Backup Power 1.5 +- 10% VDC input.

Serial Port

Electrical interface Two full duplex serial TTL interface.
Protocol messages NMEA-0183/4800 bps (Default)

Time-1PPS Pulse

Level RS232 or TTL
Pulse duration The 1PPS pulse width is 1 μs, this 1PPS is NOT suited to steer various oscillators (timing receivers, telecommunications system, etc).
Time reference At the pulse positive edge.
Measurement Aligned to GPS second, ? 1 microsecond

Environmental Characteristics

Operating temperature range -20 deg. C to +60 deg. C
Storage temperature range -20 deg. C to +65 deg. C

Physical Characteristics

Length 25 mm
Width 25 mm
Height 8.9 mm (with 4mm antenna)

6.9 mm (with 4mm antenna)
Weight 13.0/8.0g

WARNING!

The Leadtek 9552 OEM GPS comes in two "flavours": RS232 and TTL I/O.
Be sure to choose and order the RS-232 version! They both share the same user manual/leaflet!
Only the RS-232 works with the TM-D710!!!

Chaos on 6712 kHz (HFDL basic freq)

A couple of days ago I was monitoring 6712 kHz.
The frequency is listed for Reykjavik Ground station, but on the air was Krasnodarsk Ground station.
As was not enough strange, on the same frequency a lady was dictating numbers... No, it was not a "Numbers station" in the classic mean. It sounds more like a network controller...
At the top, was a Jamming signal...

After a few minutes, the lady ceased transmission and Reykjavik GS was back on the air!!!

Very strange!

Here is a record.

Air traffic on 5655kHz

This evening, as usually, I was monitoring 5655kHz for some air traffic.
And there it was!
I was able to receive and decode HFDL from HAT-Yai Airport from Thailanda.
What was very unusual was that, on the same frequency, I was able to hear some USB Phone operations.
Anyway, It was impressive that the signal was very clear and noiseless!

Romanian Numbers Station

Putini sunt cei care isi arata preocuparea pentru asa numitele "Numbers Stations" la noi in tara.
Sub aceasta titulatura se ascund anumite emisiuni destinate agentilor care opereaza in tari straine, sub acoperire.
Tehnic vorbind, este vorba de un emitator, de regula in gama undelor scurte, ce transmite siruri de cifre, prearanjate dupa un anume algoritm, intr-una din gamele de frecventa folosite de emitatoarele de radiodifuziune comerciale sau nationale, de regula in modulatie de amplitudine sau in modulatie cu o banda laterala suprimata.
Sirurile de cifre reprezinta un mesaj criptat printr-o metoda de unica folosinta (tabla de criptare).
Mesajul este adresat unui agent care detine tabela unica de decriptare si care, prin folosirea acestiea, recupereaza mesajul.
Principalele avantaje ale acestei metode de comunicare (unidirectionala) sunt:
-posibilitatea ca agentul sa preia mesajul indiferent unde se gaseste pe teritoriul strain;
-absenta riscului generat de posesia unor mijloace specifice de comunicatie cu centrala de operatiuni;
-rezistenta la penetrare a codului folosit.

Ce se stie mai putin este ca si Romania a folosit astfel de metode de transmitere a mesajelor catre agentii sai din strainatate!
Aici puteti descarca un astfel de mesaj in format .mp3.

Some interesting frequencies to listen

As the local traffic is going boring and boring, I often listen "other" frequencies.
Here are some interesting HF frequencies related to maritime radio traffic:

Informal net frequencies change, but may be:

Atlantic: 8104/8107kHz at 0800UT

Pacific: 8143kHz at 1600UT

Formal Nets:

Med Net 8122kHz at 0630UT

Maritime Mobile Net 14300/14313 24hrs (HAM net)

Herbs Atlantic Net 12359kHz 2000UT (check in from 1940UT)

Caribbean Net 8104kHz 1215UT

Pacific Maritime Net 21412kHz 2200UT

Pacific Seafarers Net 14300kHz 0230UT (HAM net)

Coconut Net (Fr Poly) 8188kHz 1730UT

Coconut Net (SW Pac) 12353kHz 1830UT

Rag of the Air (SW Pac) 8173kHz 1900UT

RACAL Panther 2000-V - Tactical radio

This is how it sounds!

The Panther V Enhanced Data Radio (EDR) is a core element of the latest generation Panther EDR frequency hopping military radio family. It represents the smallest and lightest tactical 20 watt manpack and vehicle radio available today, offering un-paralleled Electronic Protection Measures (EPM), data and user capabilities in the 30 to 108 MHz military radio band.

Panther V, although available as a 20 watt manpack, has co-site filtering built in to the basic transceiver. By connecting the radio directly to the 24-volt vehicle supply, Panther V will operate as an extremely compact 20-watt vehicle station in multi-radio installations. For higher power, Panther V connects to a vehicle interface unit providing a power output of 50 watts. Even in this high powered role, the volume of Panther offers considerable savings over similar radios from its nearest competitors.

PANTHER V-EDR - GENERAL DESCRIPTION

• Operating in the 30 -108 MHz frequency range, Panther V-EDR offers unsurpassed communications performance for a radio a fraction of the size and weight of the current generation of equipment.

• The Panther V-EDR which is now in service in many countries around the word, has been described as the easiest to use tactical VHF EPM radio available today. Fully automatic initial and late entry synchronisation in all EPM modes, coupled with the user friendly controls, ensures that communicating is easy and reliable even for inexperienced operators.
• Essential to multi-media radio networks is an on-air management system able to provide voice priority and maximum throughput of data at the same time. Panther EDR has been designed with built in multiple radio access protocols, allowing integrated voice and data throughput on a radio net. Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) automatically controls data flow across a radio network and is essential for managed mixed voice and data networks.
• The advanced facilities provided in the new Panther V-EDR further simplify end enhance the radio s operation, including the introduction of a full dot matrix alphanumeric display for mode indication, easy to use menu structure, and programmable radio net names.
• The Panther V-EDR radio incorporates the very latest in Digital Signal Processing technology providing a truly software configurable digital architecture radio design. This means that the flexible design and processing power available will ensure that future upgrades, to meet specific operational requirements, can be achieved throughout the in service life of the radio. Software upgrades are achieved without the need to open the radio, thus ensuring that future requirements can be met in the field.
• To achieve the compact design and high reliability of the radio, comprehensive use of surface mount technology has been made with over 95% of the components being SMDs.
• The Panther V-EDR radio provides the option for seamless transfer of GPS position information from the externally connected GPS receiver (Internal option available for PANTHER V-EDR GPS). Position information is available on request (polled) or sent with each transmission. By embedding the position coordinates within the encrypted on air link protocol, the information is completely protected from enemy intercept, and additionally is transparent to the radio's voice and data transmissions.

PANTHER V-EDR - GENERAL FEATURES

• Frequency range 30 to 108 MHz
• Multi role: integrated transceiver
  • Manpack
  • Vehicle clip - in
  • 20watt vehicle fit
• Smallest 20Watt EPM manpack/vehicle transceiver available
• Compact 50 Watt amplifier
• Integral vehicle harness interface
• Internal GPS option
• Dedicated GPS interface
• and 3 way re-broadcast facility
• Alphanumeric display
• Technology: >95% SMD

COMMUNICATION

• Fully automatic synchronisation
• Combat proven optimised frequency hopping algorithms
• Free channel search with frequency hopping interoperation
• Integral high level 16kb/s digital encryption
• Custom crypto solutions
• Interoperable with fixed frequency transceivers
• Interoperable in all Jaguar V EPM modes
• Hailing facility
• Two frequency simplex operation
• Channel Scanning capability
• Intercom facility

ADVANCED DATA SERVICES

• Tactical Inter-net data service support
• Dual 115kb/s RS232 interface
• 9.6 kb/s data throughput with comprehensive FEC
• Integral CSMA for Packet data applications
• Multiple Simultaneous data calls (MSA)
• TDMA support for Weapon / Sensor system (option)
• Automatic voice / data recognition

APPLICATION SUPPORT

• Windows^TM based Messaging / Email / file transfer application
• Packet data overlay support
• Situation awareness (GPS)
• Command Information Systems support
• Slow scan video transmission

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

• Windows^TM based Radio Programmer Software (option)
• Windows^TM based Extended Control Software Development Tool Kit (option)
• Comprehensive Over The Air Re-programming with secure / hopping protection
• Key generation software (option)
• Comprehensive multi-level BIT
• Integral Electronic Log Record (ELR)
• Software upgrade package (option)

ADVANCED USER SERVICES

• Simultaneous multiple selective voice calls (MSA)
• Programmable Net Names
• Operator authentication and identification
• Alarm and alert functions (option)
• Commander break - in facility (option)
• Software radio architecture upgradeable for customer specific functionality

INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

The Panther V - EDR is a core element of the latest generation Panther Enhanced Digital Radio (EDR) family. It represents the smallest and lightest tactical 20 watt manpack and vehicle radio available today, offering un-paralleled EPM, data and user capabilities in the 30 to 108 MHz military radio band.

THE ULTIMATE MANPACK SOLUTION

The Panther V - EDR manpack transceiver provides 5 and 20 watts of RF power with un-matched co-site capability enabling operation in multi-radio locations where the majority of similar manpack radios would fail. The transceiver's superior co-site performance also enables the manpack to be operated in a vehicle clip-in configuration, with colocated 50 watt VHF radios, delivering up to 20 watts through the vehicle antenna.

THE COMPACT VEHICLE SOLUTION

The Panther V- EDR transceiver can be installed as a dedicated compact 20 watt vehicle radio in land based tracked and wheeled vehicles as well as airborne and naval platforms. Vehicle harness interfacing and power conditioning have integrated within the transceiver, thus providing a single unit solution.
For high RF power vehicle and base station operation, the Panther V - EDR transceiver interfaces to the BCC 767 amplifier unit providing 50 watts in a compact size that similar systems have been unable to achieve.

PANTHER V-EDR - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
FREQUENCY RANGE	30 to 108 MHz fixed frequency 30 to 88 MHz and frequency hopping 3120 frequencies at 25 kHz spacing
PRESET CHANNELS	8 programmable nets storing all operational information and synchronisation status (battery backed)
OPERATEING MODES	Fixed clear (FC) and fixed secure (FS) multimedia voice, data, video, messaging, situation awareness) Frequency hopping secure (FHS) multimedia - optimised at 1000hps Mixed Free Channel Search (FCS) frequency hopping automatic net operation
ON AIR INTEROPERABILITY	Fixed clear voice Frequency hopping hailing Jaguar V EPM modes Channel Scanning Mode (8 channels-FC) Two Frequency Simplex (FS)
FREQUENCY HOPPING	All frequency hopping 4/16/256 user specified frequency 256 channels orthogonal hopping (8 guaranteed orthogonal sets) 32 barred bands per programmed channel
SYNCHRONISATION	Fully automatic for both initial set up and late entry procedures Passive and active late entry Independent of external time of day information All synchronisation can be achieved without a Master station in the radio net Radio silence - indefinite
ENCRYPTION	High level digital stream cypher encryption covering all media transmissions Number of keys greater than 1022
BASEBAND INTERFACES	Dual audio input Dual RS232 data ports with flow control Connection to Combat Net radio Interface / Radio Gateway capability to Allied Forces EPM CNR radios (option)
DATA	Baseband data connections up to 115 kb/s Asynchronous / synchronous data throughput up to 16 kb/s Asynchronous / synchronous data throughput up to 9.6 kb/s with FEC Reed Solomon Forward Error Correction (FEC), binary block coding and interleaving Multiple Simultaneous Access (MSA) - up to 100 selective FHS data calls per net Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) with dynamic net management Automatic voice / data recognition
USER SERVICES	Selective call and radio banning Multiple Simultaneous Access (MSA) - up to 100 selective FHS voice calls per net Integral Over the Air Re-keying (Frequency, key and net information) Authentication with operator and transceiver identification
INTEGRATED LOGISTIC SUPPORT	Comprehensive multi-level Built In Test (BIT) Integral Electronic Log Record includes: serial number, user defined record, automatic fault log, radio duty cycle In field software upgrade capability
REMOTE CONTROL	In -built 2 wire remote control/retransmission (up to 4Km) 2 and 3 way re-broadcast capability Intercom facility over D10 field wire Extended control and programming from a PC based Windows application
CO-SITE	5W/20W Manpack radio: 5MHz frequency separation; 1,5 metres 20W /50W Vehicle radio: 5MHz frequency separation; 1,5 metres
TRANSMIT	Output Power: (nominal) Manpack configuration: 100mW, 5W at 12V DC, 100mW, 5W, 20W at 24V DC, Vehicle/base station configuration: 100mW, 5W, 20W, 50W (with amplifier) at 24V DC Harmonic Suppression: Better than 50dB below carrier Spurious Emissions: Better than 60dB below carrier for greater than 25kHz offset AF Response: Voice 300Hz-3.0kHz
RECIVE	Sensitivity: Better than -115dBm at 10dB SINAD Spurious Response: Better than 85dB AF Response: Voice 300Hz-3.0kHz AF Output Power: 20mW nominal for each socket in to 300 ohms Squelch: Carrier, 150 Hz tone and 16 kb/s
POWER SUPPLIES	Supply Voltage: 12V or 24V DC nominal Primary or rechargeable batteries or vehicle supply Protection Against: Supply polarity reversal Open /Short circuit RF connection RF input 65V (EMF ) applied Spike/Surge DEF STANDARD 61-05 (Q STAG 307) 24V DC at Remoter Line Terminals
ENVIRONMENTAL	Temperature range: -40'C to +70 C Environmental Specification: MIL STD 810E Nuclear Hardened: EMP protected EMI/EMC: MIL STD 461C
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS	Height: Width: Depth: Weight: Volume: Transciever: 90 mm 230 mm 205 mm 4.4 kg 4.24 litres 50W Amplifier: 70 mm 230 mm 230 mm 4.2 kg 3.70 litres