RH96 Control Head Remote Kit - First Look
- Thread starter K4APR
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NorthCOVideo
Member
As you mentioned in your youtube video, I don't think the Uniden data connector is as proprietary as you may think. I have found that a small $10 digital camera I have uses the same data connector, I have taken a few pictures of it and my 396T to give you a bit of a comparison. I couldn't find the USB cable that came with the camera, but I have pictured my Uniden serial data cable and it does plug into the connector on the camera. Now I would have no clue where to find them, but they are out there. A couple of the pictures are a bit blurry, that's because it is next to impossible for me to take close up pictures that small with my simple digital camera (not the one pictured), a good example of what I'm dealing with is the clothes pin I'm using as a stand in the one picture, I need to get my hands on a good DSLR.
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It's not proprietary to Uniden. The RadioShack (GRE OEM) Pro-107 also uses this style connector, however it is not wired the same.
NorthCOVideo
Member
Found it on a site I occasionally use to find DV connectors, bottom left single key, MUSB-A4-S-RA-SMT-SK.
http://www.adam-tech.com/2009/pdf/page_131.pdf
Also here, third section down.
http://www.wholly.com.tw/detail/192842/192842.html
Its a single key Mini USB and you can find a few results on google by looking with that keyword.
Thought this might be something you might want to look into to help with making the unit smaller and easier connectivity between the boards, scanner and remote head.
http://www.adam-tech.com/2009/pdf/page_131.pdf
Also here, third section down.
http://www.wholly.com.tw/detail/192842/192842.html
Its a single key Mini USB and you can find a few results on google by looking with that keyword.
Thought this might be something you might want to look into to help with making the unit smaller and easier connectivity between the boards, scanner and remote head.
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K4APR
Member
Outstanding work! Now, I just need to find the plug instead. I can take this information to some of my overseas connections and I bet they can track down a source for me.
The idea thing to do is have a cable of the same ends and pinout as the standard cable, but about 12" long.
Thanks!
K4APR
Member
Good catch, Nate! Looks like this connector is pretty popular in the USB world. Funny how Uniden decided to use it for a serial interface. I realize bits are bits and will travel over just about any connector used, but I find it interesting that they used that connector. I guess its a good thing no one has taken one of these USB cables and plugged it directly in. That would mean +5VDC going somewhere its not supposed to, most likely.
In theory though, any "serial" port on the scanner should be able to handle the -12VDC/+12VDC swings of a computer's serial port, but with the way things get cheated today to save costs, I would'nt count on it.
Great Idea, put me down for the B model. I could also help with any Beta testing.
OT Icom's mobile ham transceivers have a bad habit of forcing the use of multiple cable for remote operation. 1 for the head, 1 for the mic, 1 for speaker.
Sandy, KO6JF
OT Icom's mobile ham transceivers have a bad habit of forcing the use of multiple cable for remote operation. 1 for the head, 1 for the mic, 1 for speaker.
Sandy, KO6JF
K4APR
Member
Actually, that was my complaint with Yaesu and Kenwood mobiles and I loved Icom mobiles for not doing this. Two good examples are my IC-2720 and IC-706MKIIG. They both have a single extension cable and the mic plugs into the head. The variation on that is the 706 has a second jack on the back of the radio for the mic, as well.
As for the latest Icoms, your statement is true. The IC-208 and IC-2820 both require an extension cable for the mic, as well as the head.
Add me to the list...option B...I'd pay extra for an enclosed box as well....
K4APR
Member
Just a quick update...
This project is still in the works. I am getting some boards in next week for the version 2 prototype. I also have some quotes in for the custom length cables. I hope to have somthing in a few weeks.
Thanks to everyone giving me feedback and following along with the progress!
This project is still in the works. I am getting some boards in next week for the version 2 prototype. I also have some quotes in for the custom length cables. I hope to have somthing in a few weeks.
Thanks to everyone giving me feedback and following along with the progress!
Jason:
I have been following this thread with great interest. Please let me know when you are ready to start selling the "B" model.
I have been following this thread with great interest. Please let me know when you are ready to start selling the "B" model.
K4APR
Member
The type "B" boards are due in, but I am afraid that Chinese new year might hold it up. Details when I have them!
Chinese New Year!?! Gives me a good excuse to take off tommorow !! Today was Groundhog Day!!! I love my job !!!!!
I will be patiently waiting - been too cold and wet to do anything anyway!
Thanks for keeping us posted Jason !!
I will be patiently waiting - been too cold and wet to do anything anyway!
Thanks for keeping us posted Jason !!
K4APR
Member
There was a delay on the boards, but I just got an email back from the my rep and he says they are in processing and WILL ship before Chinese New Year shut down.
K4APR
Member
The updated PCBs came in this morning. The parts are due in this afternoon. Pending any issues, I should have some completed board pictures posted by this evening.
K4APR
Member
I have built up a pair of the new version boards and I am really happy with how they came out. Below are some pictures of the new boards:
This is the main board, with the addition of the "jump port" terminal block:
New, slimmer head board, mounted on the back of an RH96:
This picture shows an optional power cable attached to the "jump port". When used with the 996(XT), this could be used to power the scanner via a single power feed to the board and then jumped to the scanner, instead of having two seperate power leads:
This picture shows that the smaller head board allows for the head to be adjusted much easier, with more clearance:
I am still waiting on word back for the jumpers. I have determined the lengths needed are very short, ~8cm for each.
This is the main board, with the addition of the "jump port" terminal block:
New, slimmer head board, mounted on the back of an RH96:
This picture shows an optional power cable attached to the "jump port". When used with the 996(XT), this could be used to power the scanner via a single power feed to the board and then jumped to the scanner, instead of having two seperate power leads:
This picture shows that the smaller head board allows for the head to be adjusted much easier, with more clearance:
I am still waiting on word back for the jumpers. I have determined the lengths needed are very short, ~8cm for each.
K4APR
Member
Thank You! I am trying hard to have these ready for sale soon.
Uplink
Member
Wow, THIS IS AWSOME, GREAT JOB!!! 
Project parts and cables
Did you try Mouser for parts/cables and such? Mouser Electronics - Electronic Component Distributor
Did you try Mouser for parts/cables and such? Mouser Electronics - Electronic Component Distributor
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