[ICOM] Warning about W1GEE interface cables

[Floyd Sense]

Thanks, but I don't need that sort of education. I bought a W1GEE cable to
replace one that had been working for over a year, only to find out that
they already know their new cables DO NOT WORK.  If I wasn't sitting here
sifting through a pile of gear damaged by lightning, I'd just build the
interface myself.  I don't understand why the interface would be any
different for the 781 either, but apparently W1GEE does know.  Maybe it
doesn't work with a lot of other Icom rigs either.

K8AC


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ed Parish K1EP" <k1ep at arrl.net>
To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 8:57 PM
Subject: Re: [ICOM] Warning about W1GEE interface cables


> At 6/1/2004 08:45 PM, you wrote:
> >Today I received a new W1GEE Interface cable (model LCU3-I) to replace
one
> >that got zapped in a recent lightning strike.  I first tested it with my
765
> >and then with the 781 and it worked with neither.  After querying the
> >manufacturer, I was told that they were aware that their 9 pin cables
would
> >not work with the 781.  This in spite of the fact that the paperwork that
> >comes with the interface clearly pictures the 9 pine cable and states
that
> >it will work with the 765 and 781.  A reasonable person might wonder
which
> >of the other dozens of Icoms listed also will not work with the cable.
>
> I know nothing of W1GEE or his interfaces.  However, I have built a number
of interfaces of different types.  The radio end of the interface, the CI-V
interface, should be identical for any Icom radio.  That is the CI-V
standard.  The interface, whether it is a CT-17 or one you build, is a just
level translator.  It takes the positive voltage swing of the open collector
CI-V line and translates it to the bipolar swing of an RS-232 serial line.
Some are self powered, in that they derive power from the computer RS-232
port.  Although there is an RS-232 standard, no two serial ports are
identical.  We won't go down that engineering road, but sometimes your
computer won't supply the necessary voltage to self power the interface or
it requires a full +/-12 or more volt swing on the signals.  I don't
understand how the 781 or 765 CI-V interface is different than other Icom
CI-V interfaces.
>
> >While I've been satisfied with the W1GEE cables in the past, I strongly
> >recommend that anyone looking for a PC interface for their Icom look
> >elsewhere - there are plenty of alternatives on the market.
> >
> >73, Floyd - K8AC
> >
> >
> >----
> >Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> >Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> >Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>
>
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>