Listing of radios - hardware that use the digirig TTL or RS-232

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I am thinking that there ought to be a listing here of hardware that uses each of these. I note the following pages and comments

“If you are not familiar with your radio’s serial capabilities or do not know which port standard your radio uses then first find the compatible transceiver cables and look for the configuration notes in the listing.”

I am thinking of a list that is separated into categories, some of which might be:

  • radios that use the RS-232 version. For example, I have been using the RS-232 version with a variety of HTs. I wondered about my Icom T8A. It seems that “TTL” and “RS-232” apply only to the serial port, and the cable set has no programming cable, which implies either digirig is OK, because the serial port won’t be used. I am compiling a text note for myself, because there is no clear clue otherwise.
  • radios that use the TTL version.

Here is partly why. I searched for a cable set for the Kenwood TS-570SG. No joy. On any variants. Ditto 570. I finally found

which lists…Kenwood TS-570, Kenwood TS-570d, Kenwood TS-570DG, Kenwood TS-570S, Kenwood TS-570SG, Kenwood TS-590S, Kenwood TS-590SG,

edit 20260302a: Corrections: 1) I have been using the TTL version with my HTs, not the RS-232 version, but see my further notes. 2) I was seeking a cable for the Kenwood TS-590SG, not a 570 variant, but the comment applies. Searching on digirig.net and finding information is not always easy.

I started making notes to myself re the digirig hardware I have and how to use it, because we need to be sure not to mix TTL and RS-232 serial ports. Note especially the comments for the ICOM IC-T8A and Yaesu FT-70D. I have not yet tested the Lite with all my radios. I also have not tried programming the 480 or 590 with digirig. My notes follow:

Radio connections for digi comms and programming

digirig - TTL or RS-232 versions, Digirig Lite, USB isolator

Baofeng HT - programming requires Digirig Mobile TTL
Kenwood TH-D72A
Kenwood TH-F6A

ICOM IC-T8A - either - no programming cable for the serial port

Yaesu FT-70D - either - no programming cable for the serial port

Kenwood TM-V71A - programming requires Digirig Mobile RS-232

  • mini-DIN-6 1200 baud (DATA:audio/PTT)
  • mini-DIN-6 9600 baud (DATA:audio/PTT) (menu change)
  • mini-DIN-8 (PC) (20260302 cable doesn’t work with MCP-2A or chirp)

Kenwood TS-480SAT - CAT, programming requires Digirig Mobile RS-232

  • mini-DIN-6 audio/PTT
  • DB9 RS-232 for CAT, programming?

Kenwood TS-590SG - CAT, programming requires Digirig Mobile RS-232

  • DIN-13 audio/PTT
  • DB9 RS-232 for CAT, programming?
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I hope you have better luck then me. I have not been able to get ptt to work with the ts-570s using wsjtx or flrig. I have tried suggestions like using c-media-A, ptt, vox, serial port set to use rts for ptt. There are even examples of people saying they use the CAT com port with rts using the same comport for PTT. I have read that pin 9 of the serial port is used to key the rig but I shouldnt need to mode the cable I purchased from digirig to work with the ts-570s.

If you find a solution, please share it with me.

Thanks,

Charles

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Charles,

The PTT configuration depends on model of Digirig you are using. Please refer to the PTT configuration section of the setup tutorial for specific model for details including PTT configuration examples:

Digirig Mobile: https://digirig.net/getting-started-with-digirig-mobile/

Digirig Lite: https://digirig.net/digirig-lite-setup-manual/

Digirig DR-891: https://digirig.net/digirig-dr-891-setup-manual/

For additional PTT troubleshooting steps including a simple way to simulate the PTT to test the cable and radio, please check out this video: