Cables for ICOM IC-M801E (marine SSB and HAM transceiver)

1

Hello

This thread will be similar to:
Cables for ICOM IC-M803

I own an ICOM IC-M801E. I want to connect this using a Digirig, which I will buy (presumably RS232 version), and I need to be sure about cables and pin-outs.

ICOM_IC-M801E_manual.pdf (2.8 MB)
I have compared your answers in the M803 thread with the manual I have for the M801E. The two radios are similar, but the pin-outs for the AF/MOD and REMOTE 9-pin connectors are different. Please can you confirm if I’ve correctly identified how I need to build my cables.

The manual for the M801E is attached. See page 59 for the pin-outs

I think the cables should be built as follows…is this right?
Also, will the PTT function work properly?
(Bold text is the difference from the M803).

Thanks
Rog

DB9 pin 1 (MOD+) → 3.5mm TRRS ring1 (RIG_AFIN)
DB9 pin 2 (MOD-) →
DB9 pin 3 (GND) →
DB9 pin 5 (AF-) →
DB9 pin 6 (GND) →
DB9 pin 9 (GND) → 3.5mm TRRS sleeve (GND)
DB9 pin 3 (AF+) → 3.5mm TRRS tip (RIG_AFOUT)
DB9 pin 5 (SEND) → 3.5mm TRRS ring2 (PTT)

The serial CAT cable will be to REMOTE connector:
DB9 pin2 (RXD) → 3.5mm TRRS tip (RIG_RXD)
DB9 pin3 (TXD) → 3.5mm TRRS ring1 (RIG_TXD)
DB9 pin5 (GND) → 3.5mm TRRS sleeve (GND)
DB9 pin7 (RTS) →
DB9 pin8 (CTS)

2

This looks ok on paper (screen?). Worth giving it a try.
Please report the results when you have a chance.

3

Thanks.
Forgot to check, on the TRRS, do you count the rings trom the tip back to the sleeve (first.ring No.1) or is it the other way around?

And I take it.this is to the tip…
DB9 pin 3 (AF+) → 3.5mm TRRS (RIG_AFOUT)

4

Counting from the tip:

image

And yes, RIG_AFOUT is on the tip. I’ll edit the post.

5

Hi,
Just to confirm this wiring definitely works :+1: :+1:

I made the homebrew cables according to the pin-outs in this thread. I hooked-up last night and (after a bit of fiddling with settings and levels) was able to send/receive email over HF using Winlink RMS and Vara-HF on my laptop, linked to the Icom IC-M801E through DigiRig.

I’m so excited it’s silly :slight_smile:

I might give WoAD a go too and see if I can get that working also.

Thanks for a great product and excellent support.

Rog

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6

Hi,

are you able to change the radio frequencies from the software or still this has to be done from the keypad?

thanks
Mark

7

Connecting was fine for audio Tx and Rx with the laptop, but I struggled with remote control of frequency over my M801 until I read this.

I spent hours and hours and in the end it was simply the specific RS232 cable chipset difference that clinched it!

You need the right chipset in the serial lead. The DigiRig has the wrong flavour. So I now use it as a sound card and for PTT control, with a separate USB to RS242 cable (the UGreen one mentioned) for remote control.

In my settings, COM5 is the UGreen cable doing the radio remote control (sets frequency etc). COM4 is the DigiRig doing the audio stuff and handling PTT, using it as a sound card only. It does mean having 2x USB connectors to the laptop. I tried putting them into one using an external USB hub. It didn’t work, but it was a cheap and nasty hub :thinking:

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