Yaesu: Yaesu FTM-400XDR Data Cables (Help!)

[rs500]

I am looking to purchase a FTM-400XDR and would appreciate assistance with the following requirements.

1. USB data cable to a PC for programming the radio
2. USB data cable to a PC for data packet operation
3. TNC cable to a Kantronics KPC3+ TNC

Specifically, how many cables does it take to accomplish all of the above functions? I would prefer to not keep disconnecting the cables if possible. Yaesu sells the CT-163 data cable with connections to both a PC and a TNC, but the PC connection is a 9-pin serial connector, and the TNC connector is a DIN6 (both wrong for my purposes). I don't know whether this cable would also work with RT Systems for programming the radio.

I prefer to not mess with modifying the Yaesu cable (particularly the USB side) because I don't want to lose the RF shielding. Any recommendations from someone running data packet on the radio (not APRS) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Ron

 

[AK9R]

You can drop #2 from your wish list. While the FTM-400 has an internal TNC, Yaesu does not let you access it to do regular packet. There is a way to output received APRS reports to a PC, but it's one-way only. This is true of all Yaesu APRS radios. I hate to be snarky, but if you wanted to do packet with your APRS radio, you should have purchased a Kenwood TM-D710.

If you purchased your radio new, it should have come with an SCU-20 cable that is 10-pin DIN to USB. That's the answer to #1 on your list. It might work with the RT Systems. Remember, that you can also program the radio using an micro SD card.

As for #3, the CT-167 is probably your best bet. You'll have to attach a DB-9 connector to the pigtail end for your KPC3.

Alternatively, get the CT-193. Connect a USB to serial adapter (look for one with the FTDI chip) to the DB-9 connector so you can program the radio. Cut off the 6-pin DIN and attach a DB-9 connector for your KPC3.

 

[rs500]

I have not purchased the radio yet, but perhaps I should be more specific. I presently have a TM-V71 and use it for BBS and RMS Express using a KPC3+. Since the TNC is separate, there is no setup when I switch between voice and packet. I would like to replace the V71 with the Yaesu (for it's ease of use and the C4FM capabilities). The APRS is a nice to have, but I don't plan on integrating it using the data port.

I did consider the D710 but would really like to have the usability of the Yaesu. The radio will be used by others on an infrequent basis and I am cautious about their ability to change the radio back and forth from voice to packet.

The user manual contains several pages that explicitly state that the radio can do packet communications.
"The provided PC connection cable “SCU-20” and other optional cables can be used to connect the radio to a personal computer as a COM port for the following operations.
• Transmitting your own station position information to the personal computer for
incorporation into the map software
• Updating the firmware of the radio
• Packet communication...

Packet communication via this radio is possible by connecting this radio to the TNC (terminal node controller)."

From other forum posts I gather that the radio cannot send APRS data using analog packet. But it still sounds like the radio should be able to connect to a KPC3 to do BBS and RMS packet.

Considering this, do you think the radio can do what I require? Thanks for your time.

Ron/K2RAS

 

[vagrant]

TLDR;
Keep your current setup and purchase the Yaesu. Just put an RF switch inline for both radios and one antenna like a Shakespeare AS-2, eBay or Amazon should have it.


I have a 400-XDR and a Kenwood D710A. Other than C4FM I would use the Kenwood to accomplish the tasks you are requesting. While you are doing this with a TNC, it is easier than you think to do this with your V71A, you need to purchase the RC-D710 control head. Basically, the D710 and the V71 are the same radio. When you connect the RC-D710 control head you now have a D710 radio and all of the functions. One can be obtained from DX Engineering for $300 https://www.dxengineering.com/searc...c-control-heads/fits-transceiver-model/tm-255 (Of course you have a dedicated TNC now so...)

If you decide to go with the Yaesu, which I would not do with what you want to do, please note that I rarely use the programming cable. Basically, other than for firmware updates or pushing out GPS data to a PC I do not use it.

As to programming the 400-XDR, I use RT systems software but I do not use a cable. You can download their software that Reads/Writes directly to a MicroSD card. I just pull it out of the radio and pop it into a PC and back again. It is an option in the RT software to read/write directly from the card instead of the cable/radio. I would not purchase the RT Systems cable for a 400-XDR unless you do not have a MicroSD card slot, or regular SD card slot you you could put the MicroSD into and then slip it in for the PC to see.

 

[cmdrwill]

You can do packet with the V-71 stock and a cable to the Kantronics. You do NOT need the RC-D710. You can do FLDigi with a cable to your computer.

I also have a CTCSS/DCS decoder on my 71 to monitor channel usage. No changes, menus, or hacking. I am thinking on making a cable for the Kantronics and for NBEMs /FLDigi.

 

[AK9R]

rs500, my answers are very simple.

The internal TNC in a Yaesu FTM-400 is not accessible by any outside program. The only exception is that the radio can send received APRS positions to a computer over a serial connection.

The Yaesu FTM-400's internal TNC cannot be used for regular packet. You can do regular packet with an external TNC.

With a TM-D710, you can do voice on one "side" of the radio and do packet on the other "side". The inexperienced people you refer to would talk on the voice side of the radio and would be instructed to not mess with the other side of the radio.