IC-R8500 Interface Cable

[SCPD]

I'm trying to connect my R8500 to the PC, but the cable I'm using is not working. I'm using a DB9 to DB25 cable. The computer does not recognize the radio. Is the cable just a plain DB9 to DB25 or is this something special?

Thanks in advance.

 

[k4njk]

It's just a plain cable, nothing special. It's the same type of cable used to connect an external modem.

 

[SCPD]

That's what I'm using and it says communication failure.

 

[N9JIG]

Check your Comm Port settings. Be sure that the port number reported in the Device Manager matches that that is set in the radio programming software. The software is probably defaulted to Comm1 so check to be sure that is what your Comm Port is set to.

 

[iMONITOR]

I'm trying to remember Bob, it's been so long since I had an R8500. I think there is a setting in the radio's menu (not the software), that enables the com port, possibly sets the baud rate, etc. Go through the configuration menus on the radio itself and double check.

 

[SCPD]

Thanks Bill and all for the help. I've tried every setting on the radio as well as the computer and all seems good. It will just not communicate.

I have a question about the cable. Is a DB9 to DB25 HP printer cable the same as a external modem cable. In other words are is the pin configuration the same. I am using what's called a HP printer cable, but it is a DB9 to DB25 cable. That may be the issue. Not too sure.

 

[iMONITOR]

Thanks Bill and all for the help. I've tried every setting on the radio as well as the computer and all seems good. It will just not communicate.

I have a question about the cable. Is a DB9 to DB25 HP printer cable the same as a external modem cable. In other words are is the pin configuration the same. I am using what's called a HP printer cable, but it is a DB9 to DB25 cable. That may be the issue. Not too sure.

I never saw a printer cable that was DB25/DB9. There are serial printer cables that are DB25/DB25, and also parallel printer cables that are DB25/DB25.

Null-modem cables are typically DB9/DB25, but they will not work. They have pins 2 & 3 reversed on one end. If you have an ohm meter, or continuity checker, check pins 2 & 3 and see if they go straight through from one end to the other, or if they are reversed. If they're reversed, that's your problem. You need them to go straight trough.

There are also some DB9/DB25 adapters, that you could put on the back of the radio, then use a DB9/DB9 cable. But again, some of those adapters are not what they should be.

Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[SCPD]

Thanks Bill. I'll check that when I get home.

 

[SCPD]

Both pins 2 & 3 go through, so that's not it. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[iMONITOR]

Now I'm wondering if it should be a null-modem cable.

I'm so used to saying no null-modem cable for all the scanners out there, but knowing Icom, and they way the do some things, I guess it's not impossible that it might need a null modem cable. It's been years awhile since I had mine. Do you have one you could try? Or a null-modem adapter? It won't hurt anything to try it.

 

[k4njk]

In my experience serial printer cables and serial modem cables are different animals. A printer is a DTE device (data terminal equipment) and a modem is a DCE device (data communications equipment) and their associated serial cables use different pinouts. As was previously mentioned with a 25 pin to 25 pin printer cable pins 2 and 3 are crossed and pin 5 is connected to pin 20.

 

[SCPD]

I'm hunting for one now. I might have one in the attic.

Thanks Bill!

 

[SCPD]

In my experience serial printer cables and serial modem cables are different animals. A printer is a DTE device (data terminal equipment) and a modem is a DCE device (data communications equipment) and their associated serial cables use different pinouts. As was previously mentioned with a 25 pin to 25 pin printer cable pins 2 and 3 are crossed and pin 5 is connected to pin 20.

Based on what I have observed and what I have do you think the cable should be a null modem cable?

 

[SCPD]

This is the pin configuration for the cable I'm using.


The second cable, 25 pin to 9 pin, is the cable.


http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=bpp01243

 

[k4njk]

If you read the text you'll see that pin 2-2 and pin 3-3 in the 9 to 25 pin cable actually connects receive data (RD) to transmit data (TD) and transmit data (TD) to receive (RD). You need a cable that connects receive to receive and transmit to transmit. A null modem cable will not work either. You need a straight through cable.

 

[SCPD]

Thanks....I'll keep looking.

 

[bagmouse7]

Try this program:
http://www.plicht.de/ekki/software/civtest.html
You set the com port and the baud rate to match the 8500. Then make sure the transceive function is on on the 8500. Then spin the tuning knob. You should see the tuning commands spit out.
Good luck...

 

[Declared_Hostile]

Don't know if it helps but for mine I use a DB-9 cable with a 25 pin adapter on one end. I don't have a clue how it routes those signals though that connector and to which pins however. It just works.

 

[iMONITOR]

The IC-R8500 has two ports for computer control. It has the RS232 DB25 that we've been discussing, and it also has Icom's C-IV remote control jack. Isn't there some setting in the radio's setup menu (not the software), to configure it for which of the two ports you're using?

 

[SCPD]

Thanks Bill

I'm now looking or a DB9 to DB25 Adaptor. I'll keep you posted.