# FT847 and digirig cables
**URL:** https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005
**Category:** Uncategorized
**Tags:** yaesu-ft-847
**Created:** [July 17, 2023, 9:45pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005 "2023-07-17T21:45:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@N0zo](https://forum.digirig.net/u/N0zo)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 9:45pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005/1 "2023-07-17T21:45:39Z")
I’ve done a search and only found 2 topics that dealt with the FT847 and digirig. And I’m not sure which is really right because they seem to both be conflicting to what they other says.
So my question is, what cables do I need to use with the FT-847 and digirig?
I’ll mainly want to attempt FT8 on 2M, that was the whole reason I got this radio. But I wouldn’t mind using it for other digital modes and other bands as well.
I originally got the digirig for the FT-891, so I got those cables (even though I only need the audio cable for that radio).
I’m mainly wondering do I need to do something similar and use a RS232 cable for cat control on the 847 like the USB cable on the 891.
Right now I have one that goes to USB, but I’ve seen that there’s this one that some Yaesu radios use directly to digirig, but doesn’t mention my model specifically.
> **[Kenwood TS-480 cords for Digirig Mobile](https://digirig.net/product/kenwood-ts-480-cords-for-digirig-mobile/)**
>
> Digirig Mobile 1.6+ cables for Kenwood transceivers using MiniDin6 and DB9 connectors
I saw that there’s the pair, or just the rs232 itself.
So can anyone give me any insight to what I need?
Thanks!
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### Author:  [@K0TX](https://forum.digirig.net/u/K0TX)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2023, 9:12am UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005/2 "2023-07-18T09:12:14Z")
I would go with this post:
> [@Cables for Yaesu FT-847](https://forum.digirig.net/t/cables-for-yaesu-ft-847/257):
>
> Yaesu FT-847 features: 3.5mm TRS connector for HF packet MiniDin6 connector for FM packet DB9 connector for CAT control (requires RS-232 port configuration) At the time of posting MiniDin6 cable with 1200 baud pinout & DB9 cables are available in [TS-480 kit](https://digirig.net/product/kenwood-ts-480-cords-for-digirig-mobile/). [MiniDin6 cable with 9600 baud pinout](https://digirig.net/product/yaesu-ft-8xx-9600-baud-audio-cable-for-digirig-mobile/) and [DB9 RS-232 cable](https://digirig.net/product/rs232-cord-for-digirig-mobile/) are also available separately. TRS cable however requires a homebrew build: There is no need for capacitor because Digirig has it internally. With that in mind the pin…
You’ll need to homebrew an audio/PTT cable. Optionally, if you also want CAT control, you’ll need to make sure that Digirig is in RS-232 configuration and add a crossover DB9 cable. I have those in stock, but they’re different from the regular DB9 cables so leave me a note if you want that variant.
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### Author:  [@N0zo](https://forum.digirig.net/u/N0zo)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005/3 "2023-07-18T13:19:16Z")
To be sure I got it right,
On the 847 it’s a 3.5mm TRS
On the digirig it’s a 3.5mm TRRS
Tip of TRS to TRRS ring 1
TRS ring 1 to TRRS tip
TRS Ground/sleeve to TRRS ground/sleeve
TRRS ring 2 bridged to TRRS ring 1
Correct?
I’ll need the homebrew cable, and the correct rs232 cable? And that’ll be it?
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### Author:  [@K0TX](https://forum.digirig.net/u/K0TX)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005/4 "2023-07-18T15:50:24Z")
You’ll also need a 2K resistor, not just short between ring 1 and ring 2 on TRRS side.
As for RS-232 cable - you only need it if you prefer to add optional CAT control. I’ll be able to ship it after my return from the break at the end of the month. Please make sure to leave a note or message me the order ID.
> **[RS-232 cord for Digirig Mobile](https://digirig.net/product/rs232-cord-for-digirig-mobile/)**
>
> RS-232 DB9 cable for Digirig Mobile 1.6+
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### Author:  [@N0zo](https://forum.digirig.net/u/N0zo)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2023, 5:11pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005/5 "2023-07-18T17:11:42Z")
Thanks! I read the other topic mentioning the cable and misread it, I thought a resistor wasn’t needed but I see now that it was the capacitor instead.
I’ve never built anything like this before, but I don’t have any problem soldering.
How would the easiest way be to build it?
Get a cable similar to the one I’ve included, a TRS, and then another TRRS with the 4 wires, and have a small block in the middle to put the connecting wires and resistor similar to how some cables like the yaesu scu58 is?
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### Author:  [@K0TX](https://forum.digirig.net/u/K0TX)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005/6 "2023-07-18T18:27:05Z")
An easy way to prototype would be with something like this (TRRS variant):
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>
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### Author:  [@N0zo](https://forum.digirig.net/u/N0zo)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2023, 6:33pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005/7 "2023-07-31T18:33:54Z")
So I got the cable ordered, and the audio cable made. Two questions now.
I saw that the digirig needs to be put in rs232 mode by soldering the spot on the board, is that the only way?
And if so, will that make it so that I can’t use cat control on something that doesn’t use rs232?
And I’m not home to check my settings for the radio, but hopefully what I can provide is enough to get an idea.
The home brew cable I made kind of works.
I tried it with wsjtx, and it’ll decode.
When it tries to transmit, it’ll rapidly click but never transmit that I can tell.
I got the cable made and tested with a multimeter to make sure it’s wires line up right. Does the gauge of wire that I use matter?I think it was 26
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### Author:  [@K0TX](https://forum.digirig.net/u/K0TX)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005/8 "2023-07-31T18:39:43Z")
Re. RS-232 serial port configuration: yes, you’ll need to cut existing traces and make solder connections between the pads. More info on this here:
> **[Understanding Rig Control Options](https://digirig.net/understanding-rig-control-options/)**
>
> Diversity is beautiful. Let’s look at all the rig control options we encounter in modern and classic amateur radio transceivers and the ways to realize their best potential for digital modes …
and here:
> **[Digirig Mobile Rev 1.9](https://digirig.net/digirig-mobile-rev-1-9/)**
>
> After about a year of intense fine tuning Digirig Mobile went through nine revisions and it is now ready to graduate into higher volume production. Let’s take a look at the specifics.
The gauge of the wires don’t matter. This is a concern for the power cables, but typically not an issue with signal cables.
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### Author:  [@ke9dcc](https://forum.digirig.net/u/ke9dcc)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ft847-and-digirig-cables/2005/9 "2025-11-13T19:19:30Z")
I know this is an old post, but I’m curious if this custom cord wound up working. I have the GX16 / phone cable, but I would love to free up my mic port and use the data port on the back. I was disappointed to discover the packet plug doesn’t work for HF. I sent N0zo an email via his QRZ contact info. The alternate solution I cooked up is a y-cable that allows my mic and the digirig mic plug to remain plugged in. Unfortunately the hand mic becomes a speaker whenever my PC transmits and I can hear the outgoing ft8.