Computer control the Radio

[AC2OY]

What I want to do is have my computer and my radio talk to each other. Radio is a Kenwood TS-2000,Computer is a Dell Inspiron 8500. A friend told me who uses the same DX spotting software that if I connect the PC and the rig together,when I click on that spot the radio turns to that frequency. To my fellow TS-2000 owners I read where some cables(232C to USB-63)don't work because of chipset? I did I fact read that RT Systems has one that works. Only reason I'm asking a question is because I'll probably need a cable longer then 6 feet long. Anybody with any input I would thank you graciously.

 

[AK9R]

The computer control port on the TS-2000 is the RS-232 port on the back of the radio. In spite of what you hear about RS-232 to USB converters, there are many available that work just fine. You need to find one that uses the FTDI chip set and it should work OK for you. (There was a problem with an updated driver that Windows Update was pushing out to Windows 7 computers a few months ago, but Microsoft and FTDI have addressed that.)

More important than the model of your computer is the version of the operating system that computer runs. If it's running Windows 7 and you are satisfied with it, then there's no compelling reason to change.

The real question is what do you want to do with this computer-to-radio connection as that drives the software you choose. Many people will suggest Ham Radio Deluxe, but then they tell you to get the "free" version from some unsupported web site. The free HRD is an old version that hasn't been updated in a couple of years though many people are still using it. The paid version of HRD is a very good radio control, contact logging, and DX spotting program. Your payment gets you a year of very good tech support from the HRD folks. After a year, the program keeps working, but you don't get free tech support unless you renew. If you pay attention, you can get a discount on HRD usually during major hamfests. I have used the paid version of HRD and found it very capable. DM780 is the digital modes module of HRD and I ran into a limitation with the way DM780 worked, so I have since abandoned HRD.

Another very good program that does radio control, contact logging, DX spotting, and other features is DX Lab Suite. This program is free and the author is very engaged in supporting the program. The DX Lab Suite modules aren't as pretty to look at as HRD, but they work very well.

Both of these programs integrate pretty well with ARRL's LotW.

Those are the two radio control and logging programs I'm familiar with. There are others out there that I've looked at, but those are the two I've used extensively.

 

[AC2OY]

Wow thank you W9!!! Sorry my op system is in fact Windows 7 and the software I bought was N3FJP's AC Log. I will get a cable and give it a whirl.

 

[WyoDuner]

I have a TS-2000 and operate it under computer control from several programs. Easy as pie. It is a standard RS-232 port so any serial port you have whether built-in or via USB-Serial adapter will work just fine. I have used 3 different USB adapters on mine (2 were Prolific and one is the RigBlaster Advantage's serial port). There are settings you need to set such as PC control or TNC (Menu 55) and serial port rate to get the radio to talk but it's all in the manual. You can run the rig reliably at 57.6 Kbps, BTW.

One good thing about the TS-2000 is pretty much all software supports it.

Regarding cable length, don't worry about it. RS-232 goes pretty far. What you will want to worry about is RFI from your USB adapter and long serial cable runs. Get some snap on ferrite chokes to help with that.

 

[AC2OY]

Thanks Wyo!!

 

[majoco]

I use an older laptop running WinXPsp3 that has a proper comm port to control a couple of scanners and it works a treat - no flaky interface chip required - straight one to one RS232 cable.
Doesn't tie up the big computer either and makes less RF noise.

 

[AC2OY]

I was just down in the shack guys I think most folks are right,a 6 foot cable should make it from the rig to the PC. Worst case I'll have to do some rearranging. I think I can move the rig closer to the PC.

 

[Blindguy]

I use the cable from RT Systems and a USB extension cable to connect my TS2000 to my Windows 10 laptop. As others have said you can find other cables that work as well. As far as software here is a good free one:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/29370131/JJRadio 4_2_3/JJRadio.msi

Frank

 

[N0IU]

I use an older laptop running WinXPsp3 that has a proper comm port to control a couple of scanners and it works a treat - no flaky interface chip required - straight one to one RS232 cable.
Doesn't tie up the big computer either and makes less RF noise.

I don't have a TS-2000 but....

I did put a dual serial card in my desktop PC. It originally ran on Windows 8.1 and now runs Windows 10 and there are no issues at all whatsoever. In my shack, I use one of the ports for CW and the other for FSK RTTY but I see no reason why it wouldn't work with your TS-2000. And the best thing about it, I paid less than $15 for the card from Newegg.... which is less than you will pay for a USB cable!

 

[AC2OY]

Your telling the truth Scott thank you and Blindguy!!! Tomorrow I'll hook the cable up,install the drivers and see if I can get the two of these kids to handshake or talk to each other. Only thing I want to do now is have my AC logger DX spotter program control or tune the rig. I watched Scott N3FJP's videos and in one it appears that if he clicks on the spot the rig tunes to that frequency. Not sure if that will get me Hawaii,Alaska but at least it will go faster then I can spin the tuning knob.

 

[AC2OY]

Ok well the other night I tried to gain computer control for almost a hour. I'm quite sure I have a setting not correct. My question now is if everything on the computer end says drivers installed,device is working properly....ect. How do I know for sure? I emailed the software guy and in his help menus it seems I have the settings right but when I try to test it by entering a frequency or changing a band or mode nothing happens. I'm sure on the radio side I have something wrong. I tried 9600kbs and 4800 but nothing yet anyway.

 

[Blindguy]

Michael, I have always gotten te default COM port settings (9600 baud) to work fine. The one thing you may need to do is make sure the software is set to use the correct COM port. This will vary depending upon what COM port your computer assigned to the Serial to USB adaptor, check in device manager to make sure.

 

[AC2OY]

Frank that's where it gets weird all I see is com port 6 when I click to change it,nothing happens. I have com ports in front I didn't try but I figured the ones in the back next to the mouse and keyboard where the way to go.

 

[AC2OY]

Not really trying to resurrect this thread. Just want to pass this information along. There is a difference in a 232 null modem cable and a 232-c. That's where I originally went wrong. Bought a 232-c or straight cable and wamo I now have the computer control thr gig. So if anybody is struggling with this like I did the 9 pin 232-c cable will work. Life just got even better.

 

[wrath]

Take that TS2000 get a tm d710ga and a handheld and you can work HF from your HT via sky command,sky command is a little on the slow side but a nice toy none the less if your a fan of Kenwood stuff, I just picked one up for $530 it's one he'll of a radio for the dough.i am taking the IC 7000 of my chair and putting the Kwhopper on so I can Play with all the digital go ga's for awhile. Of course my freaking luck mine is dead out of the box have to ship it back and get a new one sent, highly unusual to have a Kenwood DOA, that was my luck 25 years ago with Alinco's bought and returned so many DJ580T's it was not funny.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

 

[jwt873]

All you need to work Sky Command with the TS-2000 is a compatible Kenwood handheld. (Must be dual band and have a built in TNC). The TH-D7 or TH-D72 handhelds are designed to control the TS-2000 directly.

I've got a TS-2000 and a TH-D72. Sky Command works great with that combo.

 

[AC2OY]

For my next trick I was thinking of trying to figure out how to get the TS-2000 to talk to my IPad. I saw a YouTube video where a guy used Skype to call up the rig I think? To be totally honest guys,I'm overjoyed that all I have to do now is point the mouse over the DX spot and click and the radio beeps twice and jumps right to it. It's wierd not turning the tuning knob but I'll get used to it!