Icom: IC-9700 GPS

[KB3TCB]

The IC-9700 uses a 2.5mm Stereo jack to connect to the GPS signals. There is no power outlet provided on the IC-9700 to power a GPS. It is important to note the IC-9700 GPS connection requires asynchronous serial RS-232 compatible signals, a USB GPS will not work.

Given the requirement for a RS-232 compatible signals and a power source I chose the Garmin 18x PC GPS Navigator Unit.

Garmin 18x PC GPS is an excellent GPS which has separate contacts for both power and the GPS signal. The Garmin 18x PC 12v Cigarette Lighter Adapter accepts power between 8 and 30 volts so it will easily connect to the standard 13.8 power supply for the radio itself. The GPS signals use a DB 9 Pin Serial Connector with the required signal type and levels. See the specification sheet at

https://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/GPS_18x_Tech_Specs.pdf

The second item was a Cigarette Lighter Female Socket and cable to connect the Garmin 18x PC to the 13.8 volt power source.

The third item was a 12 Foot 2.5mm Stereo Headphone Extension Cable that will be modified to connect the Garmin 18x PC DB 9 Pin Serial Connector to the IC-9700 2.5 mm socket.

The fourth and last item is a DB9 9 Pin Male Solder Type Connector which replaces on end of the above 12 Foot 2.5mm Stereo Headphone Extension Cable for connection to the Garmin 18x PC. The two cables are allow the GPS to be place at some distance from the IC-9700 itself.

The Garmin 18x PC GPS along with the cables and connector makes for a very easy installation requiring only one modification. That is the replacement of one end of the 12 foot 2.5mm Stereo cable with the DB9 connector

 

[AK9R]

Seems like a lot of effort for little gain. Why do you need a GPS for a radio that is sitting at a fixed location (unless you routinely drive around with your 9700)? Isn't that GPS input only used to provide DPRS data when operating on D-STAR? Can't you enter your (fixed) location into the radio?

 

[prcguy]

My 9700 is fixed and I entered my precise location manually into the radio and it works fine. I have an old Garmin mag mount GPS thing that sounds like it might be the 18X series, and a GPS disciplined 10MHz source feeding the radio that probably has the needed RS-232 signals, but I don't think I would benefit from a live GPS.

Seems like a lot of effort for little gain. Why do you need a GPS for a radio that is sitting at a fixed location (unless you routinely drive around with your 9700)? Isn't that GPS input only used to provide DPRS data when operating on D-STAR? Can't you enter your (fixed) location into the radio?

 

[KB3TCB]

Of course you are correct, but I am in Amateur Radio for the fun and technical challenges.
i also wanted to use most if not all the radios capabilities.