AR8200-MK3 Computer Interface Cable

[K3JTP]

I just pulled out an AR8200 MK3 (possibly unblocked - #151xxx) that I picked up at Berryville hamfest last year and stored away. Did not come with cables. I now want to program it, but the interface slot is not standard USB. What cable must I purchase and is the BuTel software effective for it and the 8600 (if I get one). Is the cable still available?-- Windows 10, standard USB on the computer.
Les
K3JTP

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Pretty certain cable you need is an AOR CC8200. They're quite costly & pretty hard to find these days but every once in a while they surface on ebay like here. 73 de W3JMC

 

[DudleyG]

The serial number 151xxx indicates it is an unblocked version. There are however two versions of the AOR CC8200 cable.

If you have an unblocked AR8200Mk3 and your serial number is less than or equal to 152831, then you need AOR CC8200A cable.

If you have an unblocked AR8200Mk3 and your serial number is greater than 152831, you need an AOR CC8200B cable.

Based on your serial number, you need the AOR CC8200A cable. The two cables are similar but the plug that goes into the receiver is a very different size for the two versions. Both versions have a female DB9 plug on the other end of the cable.

I use Butel software for my AR8200 receivers and it works ok. The key is finding a DB9 to USB cable that Butel Software will recognize on a Windows 10 computer. The 8600 has a female DB9 plug on the back of it, so the DB9 to USB cable that works with the AOR CC8200A cable will also work with the 8600 and thus plug directly into the 8600. I also have used Butel Software for my AR8600Mk2 and it works exactly the same as it does for the AR8200 series. The same version of Butel Software works with both receivers (8200 and 8600). In other words, you don't need two copies of the software.

 

[DudleyG]

As @Whiskey3JMC says -- they are hard to find and are expensive. Occasionally one will show up on eBay and the asking price is usually $100 to $125. The seller may not know which version they are trying to sell since both versions have a label on the DB9 plug that say CC8200 but does not have an A or B after it. If you have doubts about the version, get the seller to take a picture of the end that plugs into the receiver and post that picture. I can easily tell which one it is, because the "B" version is much thinner than the "A" version at the receiver end.

Looking at the picture of the product listing that @Whiskey3JMC linked to, that's a CR8200A cable.

 

[K3JTP]

Thank you, all, for your prompt replies. I'm not cheap by any means, but $185 for a cable, shipping included, is a bit too much. I'll manually program in a couple 100 presets.

 

[DudleyG]

I think you are making a wise decision to just manually program your receiver, especially if you are only putting in 100 or so frequencies.

Once you get the hang of it, it will go fairly fast. Several of us have manually programmed them for years and will help you if you have problems. There are several easy steps to make it faster to program.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I picked an 8200 Mk1 up last year & after seeing how expensive & scarse these proprietary cables are I went the "programming by hand" route

 

[K3JTP]

I will quickly go thru this RR Forum thread and assemble the programming tips that DudleyG referenced. At the risk of rehashing "old business", any other tips or steps will be most welcome.
I almost obtained last week an AR8600 MKII (desktop version) off eBay from a commercial vendor that auctioned off 5 or 6. units They cancelled my sale and refunded my payment...damaged unit. Evidently the AR8600's were used by some agencies, then retired.