[EDIT] The drawing in this post has an error where Digirig’s audio jack contacts are labeled. Corrected drawing is posted later in the thread.
Updated complete drawing with the connector type corrected.
Now interesting question is: can the UART in MIC/SP socket be used for serial CAT control? If that’s a possibility, then Digirig can be integrated via a single connection on the transceiver.
I just send Lab599 an email asking if the UART ports can be used for CAT control, but I think they don’t.
With the digirig attached there will be now chance to listen to the signals, because of the absence of a speaker 
May it be possible to attach a 3,5mm barrel connector for audio out?
Pins 3 and 7 (Speaker + and Speaker -)
73, Stephan
Thank you for your suggestions.
With Digirig connected you can monitor the received audio via computer’s speakers. Check “listen” box in Digirig’s recording device properties inside of Control Panel.
Alot of people use Linux with digirig, depending on the ui and flavour, some will not have the option to monitor the channel without additional config.
Great, never thought about and until now, nerver tried it
Cool feature!
73, Stephan
Yes please. I am getting about 8-9 watts out from the battery pack and 10+ when I have a separate battery. I know I won’t use full power while doing digital but if it’s in standby, not draining battery pack would be nice.
Also in regards to the DC pigtail idea. In the picture you have a barrel port. The 5.5x2.5 matches the barrel jack on the battery pack but what about a female GX12x2. It would match the power cord that comes with the TX500MP. I charge the battery pack at home with USB-C but out in the field I use power poles and the GX12 connection. Either way nice work!
Looking over the wiring diagram, comparing it to the digirig schematic. Are the TRRS jacks on the digirig labelled referencing the radio pinouts or, the digirig? IE digirig “audio in”, is that audio in for the radio or the digirig. “Rig_Rxd”, is that the radios’ receive data or the digirig’s receive data?
All RIG_XXX signals are from perspective of the radio. RIG_RXD is the serial input on the radio’s side (Digirig’s serial output). RIG_AFOUT is Digirig’s audio input.
I made the cables according to K0TX’s updated schematics and didn’t have luck getting the CAT activated. I checked the cables multiple times w/ multimeter and the connections are correct. TX500MP is in the TS2000 mode. I haven’t found any other relevant settings. Swapping the TX500MP for regular TX500 works, so it’s not a txver / pc problem. Was anyone successful? Could it be a firmware issue?
Jan JL1EFX / KO6HBK
Ah, coincidentally, I think I see the issue. The R1 and R2 labeling is different across the 2 cables. I have followed the labeling on the audio cable for the serial cable
[EDIT] The drawing in this post is still not final. Corrected drawing with the reversed serial lines is posted later in the thread.
Yep, good catch. Yesterday I discovered the same screwup in my drawing while testing continuity in the cable prototypes. Here’s the updated sketch:
Another potential issue that needs to be hashed out is the GND vs CAT GND. Those may be electrically connected on the transceiver side already. If not, then both options will have to be tested.
Another thing to think through:
In the Digirig schematic, I see 3V3 Out and I don’t think this should be connected on the pin 3 because that also seems like 3V3 Out (otherwise it would be probably marked V_IN). AFAIK for the CAT serial, connecting TX, RX and GND should work since neither the Digirig nor the TX500MP need a power source. I would also probably go for 9 since that is directly marked CAT GND rather than 4 (which seems as GND to match with 1 for VIN). What do you think?
T > 2
R1 > 5
R2 > NC
S > 9
I will test this configuration today and will report.
It looks like I was wrong, I checked the actual connections using the breakout that came with TX500MP + the original cable for Digirig TX500 (GX12-4) and it turns out the mapping is:
T > 5
R1 > 2
R2 > 3
S > 9
I still believe the R2 should not be necessary?
The MP version of the radio likely reuses the design from original TX-500 where the serial lines of the CAT port are optically isolated and require external source of 3.3V to power the isolator circuitry. The fact that Pin #3 - GAT +3.3V is present in new pinout is another piece of evidence for that.
I see! That makes sense, thank you. And yes, the 3.3v pin is connected on the breakout cable too. Also, the RIG_RX and RIG_TX in the Digirig schematic confused me, I thought it meant those pins are the transceiver (=rig) perspective, rather than (Digi)rig haha.
I can confirm this configuration works:
T > 5
R1 > 2
R2 > 3
S > 9
I will test the audio tomorrow!
Thank you for the info on the working connections.
Digirig’s signal labels are indeed given for the radio’s (RIG) perspective. The fact that the working combination is from Digirig’s RIG_RXD to TX-500’s CAT TX means that LAB599
s labels are given from computer’s perspective. Updating the schematic accordingly:
I got limited number of early access cables. Use coupon code TX500MP in checkout while ordering regular TX500 cables to indicate that you want MP variant. If coupon is rejected, then I’m out of early access units.
