[ICOM] Icom CI-V serial to usb question

[David Ashworth]

Hi fellows, I noticed the reflector has lots of talk about the CI-V
interface tonight.  I have a question very close to what a couple of people
were getting into.  Perhaps you might be able to help me.  I built a home
made interface with two 2N2222A transistors http://wwwg3vgr.co.uk/civ.htm
(the site seems to be down from my end right now) and it works fine with a
706MKIIG and a HP laptop using com1. I get the band/freq info from the Icom
on both the TR Log and Writelog programs that I use.  I have gotten
interested in RTTY and now use com1 on the laptop with a rigblaster to key
the radio for RTTY.  So, here is my question:  I have been trying to ADD the
freq/band info from the Icom to the programs using the above interface with
a USB to serial converter cable (IOGear GUC232A) and so far, no luck. One
end of the home made adapter is plugged into the 1/8" jack on the Icom, the
other end is a  9 pin female rs-232. The serial to USB cable is then plugged
into the 9 pin female rs-232 and terminates into an USB connector.  The USB
end is plugged into the USB jack in the laptop.  I put a breakout box on it
and can see all of the same signals that I see when it works plugged into
com1.  I have tested the USB to serial cable with a mini-tower PC and it
works.  I am beginning to think that it might be something with the laptop
not putting out enough to drive the converter cable.  Would anyone have any
ideas and maybe point me to another interface that I might build?   Thanks
so much for your ideas and help, best regards, Dave, NC6P.