CHIRP

h1. Guide to programming cables

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In most cases, the manufacturer of your radio produces the highest quality cable for programming. However, these are usually the most expensive and are not always the most convenient (because of a lack of USB, etc). Third party cables are available for most radios for a fraction of the cost, but quality can be an issue. Several radios use actual RS-232 signalling and thus cables for these radios can be easily home-built.

NOTE: RTSystems has recently been shipping cables intentionally handicapped to prevent their use with third party software, and to prevent use of third party cables with their software. Beware that if you buy their software/cable package, you will not be able to use their cables with CHIRP!

h2. Alinco Radios

All (to my knowledge) Alinco radios use a three-pin 1/8" plug with a TTL converter in the 9-pin housing. This is identical to the Icom OPC-478 cable.

h2. Icom Radios

h3. VHF/UHF Mobile Radios

Nearly all of these radios use an OPC-478 (or similar) cable, which plugs into the speaker jack of the radio. The housing of the 9-pin connector has TTL conversion logic, which can be home-built but it is typically easier to buy one pre-made. Note that some of the mobile D-STAR radios can also use their data connection for programming, which uses RS-232 signalling and requires no conversion hardware. Models that can do this include the IC-2820H, ID-880H, and ID-80.

h3. IC-91AD, IC-92AD, ID-1

These radios operate in "live" mode and require a full-duplex RS-232 serial cable connection. For the IC-91AD, the OPC-1529 cable is used (and can be easily built).

The 92AD uses a moisture-proof custom bayonet connection at the top of the radio, which is only available from Icom (OPC-1799) and only with their RS-92 programming software. Note that the OPC-1797 adapter cable will not allow you to use an OPC-478 programming cable with this radio.

The ID-1 is programmed via its integrated USB connection.

h2. Kenwood Radios

h3. TH-F6A, TH-K2A

These radios use a two-pronged cable that plugs into the microphone and speaker jacks simultaneously.

h3. TH-D7, TH-D7A, TH-D7Ag

These radios use a three-pin 3/32" plug directly wired to an RS-232 port (easily home-built).

h3. TM-D700

This radio uses a regular serial cable (Female-Female) to the 9-pin connector on the front of the radio.

h3. TM-D710, TM-V71A

This radio uses a RS-232 cable directly cabled to a eight-pin Mini-DIN connector marked "PC" on the back of the radio.

h2. Yaesu Radios

h3. VX-2R, VX-3R, VX-5R, VX-6R, VX-7R

These handhelds use the same type of cable, which is a four-pin TRRS connector and a TTL voltage converter in the 9-pin housing.

h3. VX-8R, VX-8DR, VX-8GR

The VX-8R and VX-8DR both use a moisture-proof multi-pin screw-on connector at the top of the housing. It is recommended that you find a third-party programming cable (not from RTSystems) for this radio.

The VX-8GR uses a three-conductor 3/32" plug directly to an RS-232 port. This is the same cable that Kenwood APRS radios use for the GPS connection, and almost the same as the Icom OPC-1529 type data cable, except that a null modem adapter must be used to switch the TX and RX pins.

h3. FT-7800, FT-7900, FT-8800, FT-8900

These radios use a 6-pin mini-DIN plug and a TTL converter in the 9-pin housing.