RadioCopFFFR
Member
Great job on the mounting! How bad was the 690 to convert? I have one that I am wanting to do that to.I also have a 630 and was wanting to convert it also.
My Rack Shack
- Thread starter HummerMike
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HummerMike
Member
I just took a 630 out for the 690. The 630 was easy. Just adjust the VCO voltage to stay locked at 54Mhz. The 630 software will allow you to program six meter frequencies. It will help to check the radio's front end with a service monitor to make sure the sensitivity is good. I got the 690 already modified for best performance above 50 Mhz. What is needed is to cut two 1/16 dia. brass rods just under 1/4" long. Hot glue them into the two slugs associated with the RX and TX VCO trimmer. You will need to input a Hex edited code plug with test frequencies in the 52-53-53.99 range and adjust the VCO for max voltages. The radio's front end will need to be tweaked with a service monitor per the service manual. Next you will need to read your current code plug and write your frequencies in using a entry ten MHZ down from what you really want. Say you want a frequency of 52.500 MHz. Write in 42.500. 41 instead of 51. 43 instead of 53. Use this guide for your whole code plug file. Now save the file. Use a hex edit program and open up the saved code plug. Go in and change all the 41, 42, 43 values to 51, 52, 53. Save the code plug back and then load the hexed code plug into the 690. You should be good to go.
ShawnInPaso
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Looks super Mike.
iMONITOR
Silent Key
Definitely some elaborate setups guys!
HummerMike
Member
I now have six scanners in my rack. I saw N9JIG's post and got inspired to bring my scanners to the computer control. I am using the ProScan software and works great. The reason for this post is to share the cable I found to interface my scanners using the rear serial 9 pin port to the computer. The cable has the needed female plug on the scanner side. It has a 3 foot cable, so plenty long enough to reach most computers or at least a hub. I ordered one to try. It was truly plug and play. I have tried this with windows 7 and 10 and it works fine for me. I have since ordered 5 more. They are ~$8.60 shipped. Just copy and paste what is in the brackets for a search in eBay. ( PROLIFIC chipset USB to RS232 DB9 Adapter 9-pin Serial Cable ).
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HummerMike
Member
Just to add a note to my earlier post. So far this cable will only connect at 4800 baud. Works fine with my 996P2 scanners. Too slow for my 536HP.
Mike
Mike
You may be able to change the speed setting in the Device Manager.
With the 536 however you can use the WiFi to connect to ProScan, works great.
With the 536 however you can use the WiFi to connect to ProScan, works great.
Awesome rack.
(In reference to "I purchased blank plates and cut the openings and threaded holes for the Mobile Face Plates.")
Wondering which 2U blank plates you used? And what tool(s) you used to cut the holes out for the faceplates and thread the holes?
(In reference to "I purchased blank plates and cut the openings and threaded holes for the Mobile Face Plates.")
Wondering which 2U blank plates you used? And what tool(s) you used to cut the holes out for the faceplates and thread the holes?
HummerMike
Member
I used a couple different ones. I tried one that was about 1/8" thick. It looked good, but when I cut the openings, It would bow and look kinda rough in the box. What worked best for me was a 2U with the little bent lip on top and bottom. It will retain its rigidity after you cut the holes. The racks I used have 10/32 screw holes. I tapped the 2U plates with a 10/32 tap. Just use a drill bit two to three sizes under the tap I covered the 2U blank plates with painters tape. (Don't use masking or Duct Tape) I laid the two face plates over the 2U blank plate and traced the inside of the openings and marked the screw holes with a felt marker. Center punched the screw holes , drilled and tapped. I just used a Jig Saw to cut the big openings. You may have to do some filing. Remove tape and put the face plates on and insert scanner. I just looked for the lowest price shipped on the face plates from eBay. Just make sure they have two holes on each side. There are some with only one hole to the side. Hand tighten the screws because the blank plates are thin. Or, you could use screws and nuts. I also found the black button head 10/32 screw with plastic washers on eBay in a 25 count pack for around $10. You'll use 12 screws per 2u rack and two scanners.
Mike
Mike
scottyhetzel
Member
Super clean, love the wiring on the back. Add labels to fuses for troubleshooting....hopefully the main is fused. Is the chassis grounded too?
Surfing around looking for DB9 adaptors and found this. It even comes with thumbscrews. Wonder how it will work. Just ordered to try it out.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZXRR5N7
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZXRR5N7
If it gives 4 different Comm Port numbers then this looks like it might be a cool idea.
Anxiously awaiting your results!
Anxiously awaiting your results!
cool setup
very nice setup i like it really cool nice job
very nice setup i like it really cool nice job
N1SQB...Sweet!! Id love just one of those. But alas, my handhelds will have to do for now.
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OK here are my results:
It works great but with two caveats, that are easy to deal with.
1. The DB9 cables are male pins. If you have a newer scanner like the 536HP or 15XT then it has male pins as well so you need a gender changer to plug into the scanner (see #2 below).
2. With those same scanners you need null modem adaptors to make it work. I had some mini null modem adaptors and mini gender changers so got it to work. I did find this product that is both in one adaptor. I am going to order some of these.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/7507825604
3. If you have an older scanner like the 780XLT then your in luck. It has a female connector on the scanner and does not need a null modem adaptor. It plugs right in and works.
Opinions:
I think this is a great solution. I, as I'm sure many of you, have been dealing with mother boards with extra slots and serial add in cards for years. This is a cleaner solution going forward.
It assigned individual comm ports to each plug. In my case the next four sequentially available were 7, 8, 9, 10. So plug #1 was 7, plug #2 was 8 and so on. The reviews for the cable mentioned that it would be nice if the plugs were numbered, well they are now.
I installed with Windows 10 and tried without loading drivers but it did not work out of the box. Going into device manager and clicking "update drivers" on the first on fixed it for them all. The cable did come with a mini CD with the driver on it but I don't have a CD-ROM drive anymore. The standard driver FTDI driver windows found works fine.
The octopus head of plugs allows scanners side by side or stacked on top of one another. The plugs have to be within about 10-12 inches of each other. This allows two wide and about four high.The main portion of the cable is 2-3 feet long so I just plugged it into a USB extension cable that I already had and it works great.
Ubbe
Member
You can tell cable types apart by its gender. If it's a male then it is a serial connection and if it's a female connector it is a null modem connection.
The DB9 connectors on scanners that are male works as a computer and are intended for connection of accessories like a GPS. If you connect that male DB9 to a computers male DB9 you'll need a null modem adapter.
/Ubbe
The DB9 connectors on scanners that are male works as a computer and are intended for connection of accessories like a GPS. If you connect that male DB9 to a computers male DB9 you'll need a null modem adapter.
/Ubbe
Thanks! Wish I had of known that years ago.
gillham
Member
This might be a dumb question, but did you check on the scanner to make sure you bumped up the baud rate?
Sometimes in Windows Device Manager, you can match the baud rate there, in the device properties. Then finally, choose the baud rate you've pegged on the scanner and device manager, and perhaps it'll connect.
Worth a shot and worth mentioning!
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