I have multiple Digrig devices and LOVE them. Your products are solid. This one is new to me. I inherited an IC-208H from a Silent Key and want to program it with the laptop. I am lead to believe I can use Chirp to program it. I have used Digirig and Chirp on other radios successfully, so was excited to start.
I already had the Digirig Mobile and the USB-A to USB-C cable. I checked your website and found the FT-*xx cable was designed to connect to the IC-208H data port.
I can physically plug it in. If I use WSJTX to engage PTT over RTX (see I am looking up other people’s inquiries before asking) it does indeed transmit on the radio.
When I use Chirp to try to download from the radio (with the same physical connections), it briefly PTT’s the radio and reports that there is “No response from radio.”
I hope I am missing something simple. Please advise.
The programming is typically done via the serial port - Digirig’s green socket. In case of IC-208H that will have to be connected to radio’s 3.5mm speaker socket in the back.
OK, I saw an older 2023 post you made about that cable. I’ll go re-read it. I thought it was replaced by the cable I bought. No worries. But, I thought the speaker port was unidirectional, like to make sound. Do I have to have two cables connected at once?
Also, what is the detail of that cable? Is it just a basic 2 pin TS cable, or does it have more than that. Can I use one I have laying around, or do I need a special one.
Thanks in advance.
EDIT: I re-read the 2023 post. Looks like this is not a basic cable. Are you making a cable that would work.
The part with resistor and diode is handled by Digirig’s CI-V configuration. Which leaves cable to just wiring:
Digirig → Radio
3.5mm TRRS tip → 3.5mm TRS ring
3.5mm TRRS sleeve → 2.5mm TRS sleeve
Once you have completed the programming, you can disconnect the programming cable and resume using the same socket for connecting the external speaker.
As adventurous as I may seem, i was looking for something like, “here is a link to a cable in my store” or “here is an amazon link to the cable you need.”
Also, is this plugged in along with the other cable while programming, or just this one?
you mentioned multiple digirig devices.
what cable sets do you already own ?
there might be a ‘way around’
now, for some clarity;
‘data’ is a term that gets used way too much in ham radio
the data port on an ic-208h is for ‘audio that is data’, not for programming radio memories.
for memory programming via icom software or chirp, you’ll use the speaker jack, just like an icom HT would use the speaker jack for programming.
so, in short, just the ‘programming’ cable/setup would be connected to the radio.
in theory, the audio+PTT cable could remain connected without incident (unless chirp defaults to using flow control as this would key the radio) but isn’t needed for programming.
I’m getting a better feel for this. Thanks for the additional information. Just need the right cable now.
I have the following cables, all from Digirig. Yes, they make good cables.
USB-A to USB-C
Baofeng set (green and black)
FTM-400
Yaesu FTM MiniDin10 Cable
FT-8xx
Yaesu HT Audio/PTT Cable
unfortunately i don’t have a plug and play solution.
the closest cable is the programming cable for the uv-5r but it uses both spk and mic pins for programming.
imho, your best bet is to buy a $10 US icom HT programming cable off amazon or ebay.
this way you’ll avoid wiring it yourself and the CAT option of your digirigs won’t matter.
icom uses CI-V which is 1 wire for rx/tx whereas everyone else uses 2 wires for rx/tx lines.
keyword is:
OPC-478U
this is the programming cable, 478, in USB plug format.
going this route will populate a NEW serial/comport on the computer so you’ll have to chase down what # it assigns it.
