Hi Steve, after watching the first video on this subject and reviewing this video again I started to dig in myself. First I tried to connect the RT95 to a regular hardware KISS tnc. Stangely connecting the wires the same way you did, when I connected the RG-45 in to the mic the radio started a scan. Only by removing the cable and hitting a button the scan would stop. For some reason this has to do with the 5 VDC line to provide power to the serial mic control functions on pin 8. Since Retevis uses 3,3 VDC I go out they use Logic Levels serial data controlling. So my KISS tnc would not work. Next I went for a simular sound card via USB. Receiving packets worked. And sending packets also using VOX. My problem remained the PTT control. Using a nother usb to serial device is not recommended since there we speak about RTS or RTS- and DTR or DTR- where +12 or -12 VDC is used. Since the PTT line on the RT95 uses 5 VDC for Logic Level control of the PTT line. The case that using 12 VDC could frie something on the board I did not pursuade that idea. I found something better that deals with this problem: DIGIRIG MOBILE. A small interface using TRRS cables both for audio and serial controlling. Whil ordering the small (cheap) unit one can choose between logic levels, RS232, CV-I (Icom) and one more option. From version 1.6 the unit has a permanent PTT (logic level) line on the plug so we coild use this solution for (older) radios without cat control or serial data from a real serail port to key the radio. Thanks to the permanent logic level PTT line (using the standard 5 VDC to bring to ground) other brands can be controlled all by the computer (I think your FTDI board does the same). I still need to order the unit. It's around 60 $ us and a cable around 18 $ us. You should take a look at this and maybe make another video on this. Always great to follow your channel. If you have any comments we could also use email but I don't know how to share. Mine is on QRZ.COM where I also found yours (if you agree and are interested). I still don't use the RT95 for permanent APRS or Winlink email but thats the plan using Direwolf and VARA FM. Cheers, 73, ON4VP Phil
Hello Paul. The Digirig is a great solution for this -- except that it uses two connections to the radio and I really want to use just one. I also want to learn the right way to do just one. I will be back on this project soon. Feel free to reach out via email if you want. Thanks for watching.
So why not use a digirig or moblinkd tnc? They both use a TRRS 3.5mm plug and should be able to key the radio via the RTS line without needing to use VOX. All you'd need is the correct pinout from the digirig or moblinkd tnc. Slightly more money, but probably a lot less frustration. For example for on the TNC3 Tip= Speaker, Ring 1=PTT, Ring 2=Mic and Sleeve=ground. If you took pin 5 (Up/Speaker) to tip, pin 2 (PTT) to ring 1, pin 3 (mic) to ring 2 and pins 1 & 4 (Gnd) to Sleeve it should make this easier for those less inclined to experiment.
Why not exactly. This is just having fun. I don't think digirig makes a cable for this radio and so far this is all parts I have on hand. I've got another few videos in the series. Hams gotta ham, ya know.
@@temporarilyoffline No argument there. Loved the proof of concept. Guess I need to find a spare ethernet cable and a TRRS plug and give it a shot with my mobilinkd TNC.
I coulda bought a digirig for my yaesu ft-70. But I learned a lot more by building my own APRS board for it. But, then, not everyone wants to risk a two-hundred-dollar radio on "do it yourself". Both approaches have their merit!
What do you think of the audio quality of the RT95? I have been using Motorola GM300 radios for years to build repeaters. GM300(s) are getting hard to come by these days. I am liking that the RT95's audio out, microphone in, and PTT are all in the RJ45 connector. It would be so easy to interconnect two in building a repeater. Assuming I also have a proper duplexer.
VOX bad. Lol I used to use CB FM VOX when I used to adjust CCTV cameras before IP cameras. Kept my hands free to hold the ladder and the camera lens.... but VOX is still bad. Haha You are the "Radio Tinkerer!"! ;)
I need to actively remember the dmesg command... I know it exists, but forget when I need to find a serial port. I have been using 'ls /dev' to figure out what device is the correct serial port. I suspect combining dmesg and grep such as 'dmesg | grep FTDI' might make it even easier than using less. I will have to give it a try.
Bro I swear our minds are melded somehow. I have that same USB serial breakout board on my desk for my Anytone 778UV.
Brother from another mother!
Learned the name of Dupont from this! Thanks.
Always some little nugget in every video! Sometimes it's even relevant! Thanks for watching.
Following. I've got a few of these and would love to use one for packet and throw out the packet baofeng.
The next video is going to be even better - just need to film it still! Good to see you Billy
Im loving this project..
Thanks! I'm having a lot of fun with it
Hi Steve, after watching the first video on this subject and reviewing this video again I started to dig in myself. First I tried to connect the RT95 to a regular hardware KISS tnc. Stangely connecting the wires the same way you did, when I connected the RG-45 in to the mic the radio started a scan. Only by removing the cable and hitting a button the scan would stop. For some reason this has to do with the 5 VDC line to provide power to the serial mic control functions on pin 8. Since Retevis uses 3,3 VDC I go out they use Logic Levels serial data controlling. So my KISS tnc would not work. Next I went for a simular sound card via USB. Receiving packets worked. And sending packets also using VOX. My problem remained the PTT control. Using a nother usb to serial device is not recommended since there we speak about RTS or RTS- and DTR or DTR- where +12 or -12 VDC is used. Since the PTT line on the RT95 uses 5 VDC for Logic Level control of the PTT line. The case that using 12 VDC could frie something on the board I did not pursuade that idea. I found something better that deals with this problem: DIGIRIG MOBILE. A small interface using TRRS cables both for audio and serial controlling. Whil ordering the small (cheap) unit one can choose between logic levels, RS232, CV-I (Icom) and one more option. From version 1.6 the unit has a permanent PTT (logic level) line on the plug so we coild use this solution for (older) radios without cat control or serial data from a real serail port to key the radio. Thanks to the permanent logic level PTT line (using the standard 5 VDC to bring to ground) other brands can be controlled all by the computer (I think your FTDI board does the same). I still need to order the unit. It's around 60 $ us and a cable around 18 $ us. You should take a look at this and maybe make another video on this. Always great to follow your channel. If you have any comments we could also use email but I don't know how to share. Mine is on QRZ.COM where I also found yours (if you agree and are interested). I still don't use the RT95 for permanent APRS or Winlink email but thats the plan using Direwolf and VARA FM. Cheers, 73, ON4VP Phil
Hello Paul. The Digirig is a great solution for this -- except that it uses two connections to the radio and I really want to use just one. I also want to learn the right way to do just one. I will be back on this project soon. Feel free to reach out via email if you want. Thanks for watching.
Build all the dinguses! Great stuff, TO.
Yes! Thank you!
I almost feel guilty now for just building an RJ45 cable to connect my DigiRig to my RT95. This will be a really versatile go-box radio.
If it works, it works. Go for it!
So why not use a digirig or moblinkd tnc? They both use a TRRS 3.5mm plug and should be able to key the radio via the RTS line without needing to use VOX. All you'd need is the correct pinout from the digirig or moblinkd tnc. Slightly more money, but probably a lot less frustration. For example for on the TNC3 Tip= Speaker, Ring 1=PTT, Ring 2=Mic and Sleeve=ground. If you took pin 5 (Up/Speaker) to tip, pin 2 (PTT) to ring 1, pin 3 (mic) to ring 2 and pins 1 & 4 (Gnd) to Sleeve it should make this easier for those less inclined to experiment.
Why not exactly. This is just having fun. I don't think digirig makes a cable for this radio and so far this is all parts I have on hand. I've got another few videos in the series. Hams gotta ham, ya know.
@@temporarilyoffline No argument there. Loved the proof of concept. Guess I need to find a spare ethernet cable and a TRRS plug and give it a shot with my mobilinkd TNC.
@@cameronmelvin9640 yeah, you have all the pieces there. I'm going to continue to improve it. What else do I have to do 🤣
I coulda bought a digirig for my yaesu ft-70.
But I learned a lot more by building my own APRS board for it.
But, then, not everyone wants to risk a two-hundred-dollar radio on "do it yourself". Both approaches have their merit!
@@b4ux1t3-tech agreed, definitely room for both!
Tnx for the video Steve, good info.
Just having some fun! Thanks for watching!
What do you think of the audio quality of the RT95? I have been using Motorola GM300 radios for years to build repeaters. GM300(s) are getting hard to come by these days. I am liking that the RT95's audio out, microphone in, and PTT are all in the RJ45 connector. It would be so easy to interconnect two in building a repeater. Assuming I also have a proper duplexer.
The audio has been great so far!
VOX bad. Lol
I used to use CB FM VOX when I used to adjust CCTV cameras before IP cameras. Kept my hands free to hold the ladder and the camera lens.... but VOX is still bad. Haha
You are the "Radio Tinkerer!"! ;)
I enjoy a good puzzle!
I need to actively remember the dmesg command... I know it exists, but forget when I need to find a serial port. I have been using 'ls /dev' to figure out what device is the correct serial port.
I suspect combining dmesg and grep such as 'dmesg | grep FTDI' might make it even easier than using less. I will have to give it a try.
There are lots of ways to do it. A TOAD reminded me that I haven't talked about the current best... so that will be in the next video in the series.
And if you're using Linux most non-FTDI serial adapters are supported out of the box.
Linux Good!
You don't show it in the video but Did you also need to connect to ground to make PTT work?
Nope, only connected RTS in this video.
"VOX BAD!" ... FOOT SWITCH GOOD! or an FTDI chip in this case. 😁 Thanks TO! Always walk away with some nugget from your videos Sir! 73 - KF6IF
Thanks Phil!
The next video in this series out?
I have had a stack of technical difficulties! But I will get to the next part of this evolution soon.
Is RTS sending a voltage or shorting to ground when the PTT is initiated?
RTS is sending a voltage
@@temporarilyoffline and that trips PTT on that rig?
@@mikezagorsky sure does
@@temporarilyoffline neat. Never knew of a rig that did anything other than short to ground for ptt