[Kenwood] TS480 DATA

Fri Mar 13 17:42:08 EDT 2009

I run the TS-480HX just about 24/7 in digital ALE mode. Great rig for 
digital! Havent needed to play with ALC.....

Some digital modes more than others need proper audio levels, and good 
frequency calibration for good copy. Also use the digital interface jack for 
this purpose, and not the mike input. Fast tx/rx time is needed for your 
external interface, and the SignaLink is not always good enough for some of 
the faster modes, such as ALE.

Frankly with the great digital interface of the 480 series of radios, a much
simpler cheaper and reliable way to go is with the RIGblaster Data Jack Plug
and Play. A nice USB interface that is perfect for the TS-480 series of
radios. Cant get much easier. Plugs right into the 480 data jack and the USB
port on the computer, and is USB powered. This provides true cat keying with
out the delays in external soundcard versions. Rig keys before audio is sent
and no Microsoft operating systems noises get transmitted over the air as
when using vox.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/RIGblaster.htm

External Tnc's also interface nicely with the 480 digital data jack
interface. For those that dont like making up those small data jack cables
(the Rigblaster Data Jack comes with one pre-made), here is a great break
out box that makes your interfacing soooo much easier. The RCA-14 is a
breakout box for the accessory jack on most popular transceivers. It comes
with cables with the right DIN plugs and all the output are simple RCA
jacks. Plug the RCA-14 into your radio's accessory jack and all of your
ports are right at your finger tips. The RCA-14 comes with a DIN-13, DIN-8,
DIN-7, Mini DIN-8 and Mini DIN-6 cables. Compatible with these radios and
many more: Icom: 703, 706, 718, 746, 756, 7000 and 7800. Yaesu: 817, 857,
897, and 840. Kenwood: 480, 570, and 2000. Ten Ten Orion and Orion II.
http://www.ldgelectronics.com/c/252/products/6/21/1

- Excellent cooling package for hot mobile and summer environments in the
480 series. TS-480HX 200 watt radio can be operated at 100 watts or less, at
near full duty cycle for long periods of time (hours, not minutes) due to
extra cooling fan and design not available in most 100 watt radios. Both 480
versions have the same excellent heat sync and air flow design for cooling.
The HX has a second fan.

- Many HF rigs use relays for bandpass filter switching, and other tasks.
Unfortunately when changing bands, these relays cycle to the configuration
needed for each band range. When using software to scan the bands, these
relays are being cycled with each band change request from the software.
Some HF rigs allow using a dual VFO mode that the Software can use to scan
in such a way that the band relays are not cycled. Software uses a bandpass
relay selection that allows receiver performance during scanning, but
switches in the relays for band activity and transmitting. This approach
saves relay wear and tear. The TS-480 Series are such radios that allow
scanning with dual VFO mode, avoiding heavy relay cycling wear. Icom radios
also have a less than desirable computer interface that limits some of the
digital program support / features.

For Sky Command and HF performance, consider the following package:

TS-480HX, Six Meters through 160 Meters, 200 Watts, remotable head, stand
alone package for base, mobile or portable operations to cover voice and CW
needs. Sky Command Compatible, meaning no computer required to interface to
other compatible gear. Unique power requirement of this radio easily met by
a power supply package. Additional applications of this radio include the
ability to access / use it over remotable control head from a few feet to
several hundred feet by cable. Computer accessible locally or remotely for
full operation of the radio for voice and digital modes, using local area
lan, the internet or direct plug in of computer / laptop. Access and control
of the radio over radio links using compatible dual band mobile and dual
band walkie talkie. Excellent cooling package for hot mobile and summer
environments when air conditioning is not available. TS-480HX 200 watt radio
can be operated at 100 watts or less at near full duty cycle for long
periods of time (hours, not minutes) due to extra cooling fan and design not
available in most 100 watt radios. Yes, it has a digital interface
connector for great audio isolation and fast keying.

List of Radios for Digital Modes and ALE:
http://hflink.com/hardware/

TM-D700 / D710 Two meter and 440 FM mobile. 50 Watts with APRS and Sky
Command Compatible. Can crossband. Easy interface to the AvMap G5 for GPS
and Navigation Displays that includes APRS display / tracking. No Computer
required to interface these two items. D700 version even allows for a
keyboard to input text directly rather than use the menu for alpha / numeric
entry of the message.

TH-D7AG Two meter and 440 FM Walkie Talkie. Data communicator is equipped
with a built-in TNC and APRS. Sky Command Compatible.

AvMap G5 Navigator has built-in highly sensitive 20 channel Sirf 3 GPS
engine, has a ultra bright, non-glaring, 5 inch, TFT Touch Screen, and comes
with cable to interface to the Kenwood D700 / D710. See those APRS stations
on your display map!

End result is a selection of individual gear that operate totally as
separate units, Base, Mobile or Portable. However they can be configured to
give the HT remote control access to the dual band mobile leaving the HF rig
alone, or using the dual band mobile as an interface to the HF radio, the HT
has remote control and transmit / receive access. Due to Katrina, the FCC
granted legality for using Sky Command for such HT to HF operation.

As a bonus, in combination with the AvMap G5 Navigator, GPS information can
be fed to the D700 / D710 or the HT as needed. APRS info is sent to and from
the G5 making for a seamless interface that doesnt require a computer.  It
is nice to have received APRS stations displayed on the 5" screen with out a
separate computer being used!

Why go with the individual pieces rather than say the an HF rig with two
meters and four forty?? Two reasons.
1) Flexibility to use each radio independent of the other, or together as a
system.
2) HF performance. Yep, it turns out HF rigs 'with out' two meters and four
forty perform better due to front end design. HF radios, even those that
include six meters, can have tighter filter front ends that have to be given
up to support the higher bands. Down load the TS-480HX/SAT In Depth Manual
at the link below, and read it right from Kenwood experts.
http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/software_download.html

Links:
=======================================

TM-D700 / D710
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/fm_txvrs/0710.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TM-D700/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TMD700A/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TMD710A/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TM-D710_TM-V71/

TM-D700 External Keyboard
http://www.coastalchip.com/Kenkey.htm

TH-D7AG
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/ht/4211.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Kenwood_TH-D7/

TS-480HX
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/hamhf/0480.html
http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/software_download.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TS-480/

Sky Command System:
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/ht/4211sky2.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skycommand/

AvMap G5 Navigator
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/fm_txvrs/50630710.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Avmap_G5_APRS/

Link700 Support for TH-D7, TM-D700 , TM-G707,  TH-F6/7, TS-480 and TS-2000
radios. Link700 is offered as shareware.  It is totally functional, but has
"nag" screens when you perform certain operations.  In order to remove the
nag screens, it is necessary to register Link700.
http://www.wa3hrl.com/link700/

Internet Remoting Toolkit - Attach the TS-480 Control Head miles away from
the body of the rig.
http://www.w4mq.com/toolkit/index.html

For the software with the D700, I like both the Kenwood and the Link 700.
The Link 700 has a great features when doing multiple radios. Such as
TM-D700 / TS-480HX & TH-D7AG. I can build a file that contains the memory
and menu settings of the D700 for example, and then copy it to a D7 file
format. Upload it to both radios and they then are the same, matching memory
locations etc.

Considering the D710 my self, but I have not heard if the Link700 will work
with the D710 and its changed communications protocol. Does any one else
know? I would hate to lose the cross sharing of memory files.

Note that the D7 walkie talkie can remote control the D700/D710 dual bander,
and the D700/D710 can interface with the TS-480 HF, allowing remote control
of the 480 over HF by the D7. All using Sky Command. Very Cool! Other radios
can do the sky command codes, but it is more awkward to use than a rig that
is already compatible.

The TS-480 series of radios has an excellent digital interface, and doesnt
need an external audio amplifier that adds problems to the digital 
operations side
of things, especially for ALE operation where external audio amp performs 
poorly.

Would suggest avoiding any interface that uses VOX and doesnt use real push
to talk and RTS signals. Vox systems are is not capable of high speed ARQ
because of this (uses vox).Vox systems miss beginning transmissions of
received data for faster modes (such as ALE, etc). Avoid interfaces that
have sound cards inside of them. Fast digital modes do better with the
internal sound cards that support 48kHz sampling rate.

VOX type methods of keying PTT clip off the first part of the transmitted
ALE waveform. VOX release delay cuts off part of the received signal at the
beginning. PCALE can handle T/R timing better than some of the hardware ALE
radios. If using VOX for PTT for digital modes like ALE / Multipsk
operations, it is possible that you will not encounter too many handshake
problems if the signals are strong, with out phase distortion and Qrm. It is
also possible hat it will be impossible to link with some hardware ALE
radios or carry on reliable information exchange. Handshake timing is too
quick, and VOX start tones can not be used in software to key the Vox fast
enough. A start tone will not fix the Vox Ptt timing issue
either.

73 from Bill - WD8ARZ
http://hflink.net/qso/

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joseph Heflin" <josephcheflin at yahoo.com>
To: <kenwood at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 8:22 PM
Subject: [Kenwood] TS480 DATA
>
> HI I'm Joe (KC0ZHA) Does anyone have any experience with the TS480 on 
> Digital?  I use a SignaLink usb with MixW or 780delux (HRD) I receive ok, 
> but most everyone tell me they have trouble printing my signal.  I use the 
> data port on the transceiver. Someone told me to adjust the ALC,  but I 
> can find no ALC adjustment on the radio, nor in the manual.  Any help 
> would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks