I have an existing Digirig that I am trying to use for my vhf/uhf radios. But I would also like to try using VARA HF with my Kenwood TS-690S. I can find the cables listed for that radio, but not anything telling me which CAT control type is used on that radio. If, as I suspect, the radio uses RS232 control, then I will need to either buy another Digirig configured to that mode or change the control jumpers on the Digirig I have. But I am also using the Digirig to program my BTECH HTs, and I’m not sure if changing the jumpers will impact that use.
Changing serial port configuration with the the solder pads will certainly affect the programming for HTs as that relies on the logic levels. The change may not be needed though:
In theory radio’s 5V TTL levels should be compatible with Digirig’s 3.3V logic levles.
I never had a chance to personally try setting up TS-690S and I haven’t received conclusive confirmations from operators. It’s possible that there is some hardware incompatibility.
Please post your results if you decide to give it a try.
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Thanks for the reply. I think that I will just order the proper Kenwood cable set then, and give it a try with my current digirig. If that does work, I’m home free. But if not I’ll order a second digirig configured for RS232 instead of re-jumpering my current one. I don’t want to give up the programming capability on my current digirig.
In a message dated 3/5/2025 8:28:05 AM Pacific Standard Time, noreply@digirig.net writes:
I’ve got a 690s and use the rs-232. I don’t have a digirig with the lower voltage so I haven’t tried it.
Thank you for the reply. I have the cables on their way to me now. I’ll try them with my existing digirig and see if it works. I’ll post a note with my results after trying it. If not, I’ll be shopping for a new digirg with RS232 controls, as I don’t want to give up the HT programming abilities of my current one.
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