I was trying to interface the Icom IC-7100 to a PK-232 MBX Terminal Node Controller (TNC).\u00a0 On my Yaesu radios it is a pretty simple matter to put a 6 pin mini DIN connector on the end of the PK-232 cable and have everything working in a very short time.\u00a0 However, it wasn’t that easy on the IC-7100.\u00a0 The IC-7100 is a great little radio, covers just about DC to daylight in a very compact package.\u00a0 But I wanted to have the ability to use it on VHF packet radio, so interfacing the PK-232 was a requirement.<\/p>\n
After trying the data port and the accessory port I realized what the problem was. There was no squelch on the audio from these two outputs. I found that information on using this new radio with a vintage TNC was very hard to find. Reading the manuals supplied with the transceiver didn’t help much.\u00a0 After some additional investigation I saw that audio output from the receiver was available at the mic jack I then knew how to make the cable.\u00a0 Since that was from the speaker it would be squelched.<\/p>\n
Here is the connections to operate the PK-232 Terminal Node Controller with a Icom 7100 all mode all band radio.\u00a0 Below is the cable details for creating your own interface cable. \u00a0 On the left is the rear view of the RJ45 microphone connector on the IC-7100 matched up to the wire colors of a “standard” PK-232 radio cable as supplied by Timewave.\u00a0 If you are using a Kantronics TNC look up the pin outs for it’s connector in the manual or on the web.\u00a0 It should work just as well, although I don’t have a Kantronics TNC to test here.\u00a0 If anyone out there tries the Kantronics drop me a note and let me know how it worked.<\/p>\n
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