Important Update! The AIOC's original data output is already adjusted to 3.3v, not 5V as I previously thought (and state in this video). THE AIOC IS 100% SAFE TO USE WITH YOUR RADIO. The confusion for this came from misunderstanding a blurb in a Github issue. The actual release of the AIOB will have the voltage divider removed, through holes added to every pad, and some other changes still in the works! This does mean that the test runs run at too low a voltage to program / control most radios. Unfortunately the serial data interface I tested the AIOB with is very sensitive and still picked up the voltage, so I missed the original issue. Luckily there is a super easy fix for those with the test units, which Ill be releasing a video on shortly!
This is Simon, nice design! Thanks for attributing me on the silkscreen 😁 Regarding the 5V UART levels: the RX signal at the STM32 is on a 5V tolerant pin at the STM32 so in theory there is no additional circuitry necessary to protect the STM32 from over voltage. But it can't hurt either 😉
@kl1nk0r Thanks, Simon! That is correct, I left the chip's serial Rx Untouched (labeled RTX as it's what the radio transmits), and the voltage divider is applied only to the STM32's output into the radio, which runs at 5V by default. Many radios seem to be fine with 5V, especially for a quick program, but for something like CAT control, it can fry it and is very difficult to repair.
Great improvements Lucas, congratulations, on my wish list: Bluetooth, both sound and cat (cat over HID?), Stereo Sound to transfer I/Q signals from radio to computer (for SDRs and radios like KX3, TX500, many SDRs), 1:1 audio isolation transformers on sound channels to break ground loops, eliminate noise and/or transform impedance, isolation on PTT (reed switch or opti coupler), I realize the time and cost of doing all of these, just throwing out all the ideas in my head for you to choose from for what would fit in your product mix - perhaps different models. 73 de ws1m, bammi (new call sign)
@KA4UPW This would definitely be useful. I havent figured out a way to get that to work yet without working with Simon a lot to get the firmware to allow such a change, perhaps with another pin dedicated to this function to tell the STM chip what to do.
The board looks great! I would love to design a case for it. I have an AIOC board I use with my UVk5 for APRS and FT8. I’m looking to have a mobile board for APRS for my base rig and FT8 for my mobile HF right. Great job.
Awesome. But I just soldered my plugs to some wires and soldered those wires on the board. Then I removed those and soldered female jacks to some wires and then those wires onto the board. And then bought 2 cables with the right jacks and bobs your auntie. And like someone else said. Through holes with strain relief or better yet. A 8 pin standard jst header. That way Amazon has a 10 pack for 10 bucks.
Thanks for giving me a heads up! Looks like a Paypal Outage, not sure what's going on there. Ive temporarily enabled direct card processing (still through Paypal). Can you confirm if that works?
I use the AIOC with a soldered up pigtail to convert the K type connector to the 6P6C and 3.5 mono needed by my mobile radio (no mini DIN data port). Definitely if Simon at least separated some pads or throughs for separate functionality in his next aioc that would be very handy and would obviate the need for a second project. Moving the audio further away from the radio i imagine is something they wanted to do with the aioc but didnt want to make it huge - i find it unacceptably noisy and have to use it with an extension even on K type radios to get it away from the rfi source.
it would be nice to have bigger mounting holes so I can mount this on a spacer, and then the spacer to a plastic board, that I can then attach to the clip mounting points.
thank you for your work! I'm very interested if this would work with a Kenwood TM-V71A Edit: I think i understand this now. I look forward to using this for APRS. I'll keep a heads up for you getting them back in stock
"for the baofeng the aioc will work" yeah but, isnt a problem that the aioc just goes with 5v? could you damage the radio because of using it, just for not having it reduced to 3.3v?
Cant wait to hear what you think! All of them are "shipped" as of today, but they're just flashed, packaged, and have a shipping label on them. I expect to get them to USPS in a few days (they're closed today and I have to get off work early to get to USPS before they close)
I havent messed with allstarlink. Is this like a COR signal, where when receiving audio a 5v output drops to 0v, or something like that? If so, do you mean input from the radio? I know the AIOC already sends a virtual "COR / COS" signal when it is receiving audio from the radio, however this is virtual over the CM108 line, not a physical pin. What would a physical pin accomplish?
@LB0FI Thank you! Im keeping the code private at first to drive sellers to the shop. However, I will be open sourcing it after a bit of time, and I'll be keeping the price competitive.
Standard connector would be hard to do since it's not surfsce mount, would likely make it sognificantly more expensive. If there's enough interest, maybe!
What does an AIOC actually do and why do you need It? You're making the assumption that everyone knows the reason why an AIOC is needed and what it's function.
Thanks for the feedback, I tried to explain it a bit in the video but may have glossed over it too much. It acts as an interface between your radio and your pc or smartphone, allowing digital modes like aprs, ft8, js8call, psk, rtty, and much more! It could also be used to schedule transmissions or something like that.
@@w1btr Audio? Cat control? Both? On the audio side, what are the specs for THD+N, frequency response, and phase shift across the spectrum? How is PTT controlled from the usb port? Is serial emulated? Are you using a C-Media chip? Are you using VOX? What’s the real-world bitrate you are achieving using VARA? I’m working on a project…
I am not clear on what this board does. You need to spend a minute at the front of the video telling us who are ignorant of what kind of things this interface can help us with. I have designed hundreds of boards, but could not figure out how this thing would help me. 73 Glen K4KV
Hi Glen! A few other people had this issue as well. I recommend taking a look at my AIOC video introducing the concept. Basically, it acts as a soundcard interface as well as a serial and ptt interface. This lets you make a simple connector to interface with a standard HF, VHF, or UHF radio to work any digital mode you want, as well as allowing you to control your radio (if it supports it) and program it (again, if it supports it, which most do). Take for example APRS / AX.25. This digital mode usually requires a "TNC" a piece of hardware that encodes packets and sends them to the radio. Those are usually $100+. This little board lets you run a software TNC like direwolf (which actually performs better than a hardware TNC) and have the same functionality at a fraction of a cost.
Sorry, I tried to explain it well but might have glossed over it a bit. It works as an interface between your radio and your computer allowing you to send and receive audio from the radio through the computer. This is mostly used for digital modes, like APRS and Js8call, which are super fun to look into!
Important Update! The AIOC's original data output is already adjusted to 3.3v, not 5V as I previously thought (and state in this video). THE AIOC IS 100% SAFE TO USE WITH YOUR RADIO. The confusion for this came from misunderstanding a blurb in a Github issue. The actual release of the AIOB will have the voltage divider removed, through holes added to every pad, and some other changes still in the works!
This does mean that the test runs run at too low a voltage to program / control most radios. Unfortunately the serial data interface I tested the AIOB with is very sensitive and still picked up the voltage, so I missed the original issue. Luckily there is a super easy fix for those with the test units, which Ill be releasing a video on shortly!
This is Simon, nice design! Thanks for attributing me on the silkscreen 😁
Regarding the 5V UART levels: the RX signal at the STM32 is on a 5V tolerant pin at the STM32 so in theory there is no additional circuitry necessary to protect the STM32 from over voltage. But it can't hurt either 😉
@kl1nk0r Thanks, Simon! That is correct, I left the chip's serial Rx Untouched (labeled RTX as it's what the radio transmits), and the voltage divider is applied only to the STM32's output into the radio, which runs at 5V by default. Many radios seem to be fine with 5V, especially for a quick program, but for something like CAT control, it can fry it and is very difficult to repair.
Great improvements Lucas, congratulations, on my wish list: Bluetooth, both sound and cat (cat over HID?), Stereo Sound to transfer I/Q signals from radio to computer (for SDRs and radios like KX3, TX500, many SDRs), 1:1 audio isolation transformers on sound channels to break ground loops, eliminate noise and/or transform impedance, isolation on PTT (reed switch or opti coupler), I realize the time and cost of doing all of these, just throwing out all the ideas in my head for you to choose from for what would fit in your product mix - perhaps different models. 73 de ws1m, bammi (new call sign)
Order placed.
Put a small switch or at least jumpers to switch between vox and ptt.
@KA4UPW This would definitely be useful. I havent figured out a way to get that to work yet without working with Simon a lot to get the firmware to allow such a change, perhaps with another pin dedicated to this function to tell the STM chip what to do.
@@w1btr
Thats what i was thinking. Just a control interrupt line to enable the vox routine
This is great I need one , it’s Sunday so I’ll check the store tomorrow
Ok you have my attention. Do you have a demo video that can demonstrate these in use?
Maybe we can do something fun in this little thing.
Thank you for your sharing, Lucas
got mine ordered!
Wohoo! Shipping in the next couple of days!
The board looks great! I would love to design a case for it. I have an AIOC board I use with my UVk5 for APRS and FT8. I’m looking to have a mobile board for APRS for my base rig and FT8 for my mobile HF right. Great job.
Awesome. But I just soldered my plugs to some wires and soldered those wires on the board. Then I removed those and soldered female jacks to some wires and then those wires onto the board. And then bought 2 cables with the right jacks and bobs your auntie. And like someone else said. Through holes with strain relief or better yet. A 8 pin standard jst header. That way Amazon has a 10 pack for 10 bucks.
Jst headers arent possible with the fabrication process we currently use, but through holes will be added in the final version!
Ordering site not working. PayPal checkout not enabled just has a spinner.
Thanks for giving me a heads up! Looks like a Paypal Outage, not sure what's going on there. Ive temporarily enabled direct card processing (still through Paypal). Can you confirm if that works?
Awaiting the next batch. ETA?
I use the AIOC with a soldered up pigtail to convert the K type connector to the 6P6C and 3.5 mono needed by my mobile radio (no mini DIN data port).
Definitely if Simon at least separated some pads or throughs for separate functionality in his next aioc that would be very handy and would obviate the need for a second project.
Moving the audio further away from the radio i imagine is something they wanted to do with the aioc but didnt want to make it huge - i find it unacceptably noisy and have to use it with an extension even on K type radios to get it away from the rfi source.
it would be nice to have bigger mounting holes so I can mount this on a spacer, and then the spacer to a plastic board, that I can then attach to the clip mounting points.
Through holes please? The pads are not a favorite of mine.
I think it'd be possible to add small through-holes on the pads! Anything non-surface mount becomes very costly
@@w1btrI’m not sure but he may be talking about just adding vias to solder wires to, a bit more secure than soldering to the pads
Very reasonably priced at $35.
Better to by this than the time to DIY, which is great too.
thank you for your work! I'm very interested if this would work with a Kenwood TM-V71A Edit: I think i understand this now. I look forward to using this for APRS. I'll keep a heads up for you getting them back in stock
"for the baofeng the aioc will work"
yeah but, isnt a problem that the aioc just goes with 5v? could you damage the radio because of using it, just for not having it reduced to 3.3v?
Casting a vote for through holes for a pin header please. DuPont connectors are a way better option that solder pads.
Ordered mine, Have you shipped any yet? 73, NF4J
Cant wait to hear what you think! All of them are "shipped" as of today, but they're just flashed, packaged, and have a shipping label on them. I expect to get them to USPS in a few days (they're closed today and I have to get off work early to get to USPS before they close)
you need to put an easier way to an easier way to bring the COB out for Allstarlink ?
I havent messed with allstarlink. Is this like a COR signal, where when receiving audio a 5v output drops to 0v, or something like that?
If so, do you mean input from the radio?
I know the AIOC already sends a virtual "COR / COS" signal when it is receiving audio from the radio, however this is virtual over the CM108 line, not a physical pin. What would a physical pin accomplish?
Nice board! Am I correct to assume that this board is open source as well?
@LB0FI Thank you! Im keeping the code private at first to drive sellers to the shop. However, I will be open sourcing it after a bit of time, and I'll be keeping the price competitive.
@@w1btr I sent you an email earlier today, I'd appreciate it if you got back to me on that one. Thanks!
Through hole would work way better than pads - or even better if the pins are broken out to a standard connector. Otherwise, good job!
Standard connector would be hard to do since it's not surfsce mount, would likely make it sognificantly more expensive. If there's enough interest, maybe!
Will this run the 1.3 firmware for Allstar compatibility? And unfortunately the international shipping price is very high off your website
Unfortunately the cost is high since I dont have any distribution points, typically around $20 for New Zeland
This will be compatible with all future AIOC firmware updates that also support the original AIOC.
Just came across this. What are the uses for this board?
Lots of things with ham radios like APRS, FT8, repeaters, and more!
Blu Tooth?
Implementing a bluetooth chip like an ESP32 is definitely onnthe wishlist. We'll see if chip availability goes up!
are you sold out yet?
What does an AIOC actually do and why do you need It? You're making the assumption that everyone knows the reason why an AIOC is needed and what it's function.
Thanks for the feedback, I tried to explain it a bit in the video but may have glossed over it too much. It acts as an interface between your radio and your pc or smartphone, allowing digital modes like aprs, ft8, js8call, psk, rtty, and much more! It could also be used to schedule transmissions or something like that.
The world needs good ditch diggers too
@@w1btr Audio? Cat control? Both? On the audio side, what are the specs for THD+N, frequency response, and phase shift across the spectrum? How is PTT controlled from the usb port? Is serial emulated? Are you using a C-Media chip? Are you using VOX? What’s the real-world bitrate you are achieving using VARA? I’m working on a project…
I am not clear on what this board does. You need to spend a minute at the front of the video telling us who are ignorant of what kind of things this interface can help us with. I have designed hundreds of boards, but could not figure out how this thing would help me.
73
Glen K4KV
Hi Glen! A few other people had this issue as well. I recommend taking a look at my AIOC video introducing the concept. Basically, it acts as a soundcard interface as well as a serial and ptt interface. This lets you make a simple connector to interface with a standard HF, VHF, or UHF radio to work any digital mode you want, as well as allowing you to control your radio (if it supports it) and program it (again, if it supports it, which most do).
Take for example APRS / AX.25. This digital mode usually requires a "TNC" a piece of hardware that encodes packets and sends them to the radio. Those are usually $100+. This little board lets you run a software TNC like direwolf (which actually performs better than a hardware TNC) and have the same functionality at a fraction of a cost.
You did not recap what the board did...
Sorry, I tried to explain it well but might have glossed over it a bit.
It works as an interface between your radio and your computer allowing you to send and receive audio from the radio through the computer. This is mostly used for digital modes, like APRS and Js8call, which are super fun to look into!
I accidentally ordered the AOC board. All it did was give me bartending tips