[GreenKeys] Query: Dovetron-to-PC and Dovetron-to-radio connections

[Jack]

Warren,

I have all of the radios, the RTTY modem, three UGC74's and the Kleinschmidt
TT76, but no shelter. I did get some cables from a stripped shelter a few
years ago. I'd love to get a S250 shelter, but right now the quest is on for
the larger S280 shelter that goes on the back of an M35A2
2 1/2 ton truck (I have one of those beasts). I just saw a huge pile of the
S250 shelters near Middletown, NY, along Rt 84. Made me drool...!
The Dovetron simply needs audio in and loop out (and AC, of course). I
assume you didn't get a Tempest model which has a lot of BNC connectors on
the back. If so, all is not lost, but there is no HV loop in it. The GRC106
transceiver has sufficient audio to drive it. You would need to chop the
connector cable that goes to the MD522 to feed the audio into the Dovetron
and you're all set. If you want to transmit, you feed the Dove's AFSK output
into the same audio connector and set the tone level for proper RF output. I
have used my GRC106 on SSB and it works very well.
You might also want to try to copy the "Clatternet" on Saturday mornings on
the 10.1 mHZ ham band. They use mil equipment, so your MD522 would work
as-is with no mods. It is always a good idea to get things working as they
were supposed to, before modifying them!
If you want a copy of the Dovetron manual, I will copy it for you for the
cost of copying and mailing. The schematics are pretty big and they'll be
abear to copy. Let me know what you need. I can't help with the Tempest
model, but they do work the same except for the connections. I used one to
drive an RS232 speed/code converter unit; worked fine. It also has the
MIL188 output which the UGC74 can use.
Fair Radio has GRC106 manuals (I need to get one) for around $40. I think I
have manuals for the shelters, too. They were all over the place when I was
stripping the cables.
The Dovetron would interface to a Ham rig in the same fashion as above. I
obtain audio in from the back of my Kenwood TS870 and feed it to the
Dovetron. It is independent of the volume control ("phone patch", I think).
And you also feed the AFSK audio to the microphone input, too. I directly
shift the 870 through the FSK jack on the back. It is keyed by a transistor
switch in series with the TTY loop.
Just let me know what you need and pass along the questions.

73,
Jack WA2HWJ
Tel: 518-758-8873 (near Albany, NY)