[ICOM] Icom CI-V serial to usb question

[Dave Bernstein]

The URL is http://www.qsl.net/g3vgr/civ.html . This circuit derives its
power from the serial port's modem control signals, specifically pin 4
(DTR). The first thing to check is that there's +12 VDC (or thereabouts)
on this pin. 

If the USB converter isn't supplying enough power, you can try using pin
7 in addition to pin 4 (making sure your software asserts the signal
RTS). If that's not enough, you can reconfigure the interface to accept
power from an external source, though that's not very convenient in a
portable setup. I've found Belkin's USB-to-serial converters to have no
difficulty in powering my CI-V interface through the modem control
signals.

I've been using KB7SG's interface design since its 7/92 appearance in
QST; there's a schematic http://www.qsl.net/civ_commander/interface.jpg
. I've built 3 or 4 of them over the years for use  with a 706, 735,
756, 775, and 781 with no problems.

    73,

         Dave, AA6YQ 



-----Original Message-----
From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of David Ashworth
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 23:16
To: ICOM Reflector
Subject: [ICOM] Icom CI-V serial to usb question


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.


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