Re: Icom 208H 'optional extras'...
atec77
> Picked up a 208H yesterday. Nice rig all round, especially if space is an
> issue. I'm quite impressed with the receiver, also a healthy 50W on UHF
> doesn't hurt. You get a reasonable length separation cable for the
> controller, BUT the mic cable is only about a metre long and connects
> to the main body of the radio, so basically you cannot remote mount the
> main unit any real distance. Why bother supplying a decent length cable
> for head but not for the mic makes no sense to me.
>
> The other thing is no bracket supplied for the controller/remote head...
> Of course, you can buy these things as 'optional extras', and presumably
> pay right through the nose for them too.
>
> I tried velcro for mounting the head, however its just a tad too heavy
> to be reliable. Looking at the OEM bracket, it ain't much at all, and in
> fact uses velcro to secure to the head. If I had the appropriate tools
> (which I don't) it would be pretty easy to fabricate one. I'll keep my
> eyes open, something should come along that'll suit.
>
> Anyway, I was thinking why not use ordinary CAT5 or similar for the mic
> cable and/or the separation cable? Has anyone done this, and if so a
> wiring diagram?
>
> Failing any of the above, if you know of any aftermarket equivalents for
> any of the above, also for the data cable, please spill the beans... most
> appreciated :)
>
I suspect you will need a decent shielded cable for an extended mike
cable , although cat5/6 foil wrap and some .001 caps might do it ?.
sparky
OPC-440 5.0 mtr
OPC-647 2.5 mtr
for mic extension..
"atec77" <""atec77 \"@ hotmail.com"> wrote in message
news:45494ad4$0$4672$61c6...@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
Brian 2W0BDW
>
> Anyway, I was thinking why not use ordinary CAT5 or similar for the mic
> cable and/or the separation cable? Has anyone done this, and if so a
> wiring diagram?
>
I have done this to my IC2800 with no problems whatsoever. the radio is with
the spare wheel and the mic plugs into a socket mounted in the dash with the
cable (CAT5) being routed around the car.
Also I have extended the display lead in a similar way (but due to not
having a 6 way plug/socket for the dispaly out came the 'iron and heatshrink
and more CAT5) again no problems and due to the fact that I couldn't be
bothered to measure, the cables are long enough to mount the radio in the
back of a huge camper and still use it from the front seat!
Brian 2W0BDW
"Brian 2W0BDW" <nots...@here.com> wrote in message
news:JNk2h.70264$pa....@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
Sillybilly I missed out the important 'wiring diagram':
use a test meter on ohms or a continuity tester to cheeck that:
pin 1 (plug) goes to pin 1 (socket)
pin 2 (plug) goes to pin 2 (socket).......................................
..................................................)
pin 8 (plug) goes to pin 8 (socket)
This will give a 'straight through' extension.
The socket I used was a wall mounted type, which I adapted to suit the
fitting space available in the car, and the wires connected via IDC on the
back .
I have HEARD of people using CAT5 patchlead and gender changer (double
socket) but not tried it. I just used/adapted what I had in my 'junk box'
If in doubt and near Cardiff let me know, I have loads of CAT5 cable. I'm
sure we could 'hook something up!'
All the best
jonz
news:pan.2006.11.02.01.00.49.365331@anunnakis@area51.org
> Picked up a 208H yesterday. Nice rig all round, especially if space
> is an issue. I'm quite impressed with the receiver, also a healthy
> 50W on UHF doesn't hurt. You get a reasonable length separation cable
> for the controller, BUT the mic cable is only about a metre long and
> connects
> to the main body of the radio, so basically you cannot remote mount
> the main unit any real distance. Why bother supplying a decent length
> cable for head but not for the mic makes no sense to me.
>
> The other thing is no bracket supplied for the controller/remote
> head... Of course, you can buy these things as 'optional extras', and
> presumably pay right through the nose for them too.
>
> I tried velcro for mounting the head, however its just a tad too heavy
> to be reliable. Looking at the OEM bracket, it ain't much at all, and
> in fact uses velcro to secure to the head. If I had the appropriate
> tools (which I don't) it would be pretty easy to fabricate one. I'll
> keep my eyes open, something should come along that'll suit.
>
> mic cable and/or the separation cable? Has anyone done this, and if
> so a wiring diagram?
>
> for any of the above, also for the data cable, please spill the
> beans... most appreciated :)
the fact the mike is not mounted on the control head seems to me be a
major design fault. after all, phillips, tait, etc. got it right all that
time ago...a retrograde step indeed.. just my two bobs worth............j
(sorry no solutions :^) )
Brian 2W0BDW
>>
>> Sillybilly I missed out the important 'wiring diagram':
>>
>> use a test meter on ohms or a continuity tester to cheeck that:
>>
>> pin 1 (plug) goes to pin 1 (socket)
>> pin 2 (plug) goes to pin 2
>> (socket).......................................
>> ..................................................)
>> pin 8 (plug) goes to pin 8 (socket)
>> This will give a 'straight through' extension.
>
> is for the mic? it's good to see that it is all quite straightforward and
> obviously can handle pretty long lengths too.
>
Yes that's the mic lead. Got the tape measure out and measured the rough
length of the extended mic lead, it's about 10 meters.
The 'head' on the 2800 only has 6 wires and I just 'snipped & extended' for
that using the 'extra (unused)' wires as earth/ground.
Robin
> Picked up a 208H yesterday. Nice rig all round, especially if space is an
> issue. I'm quite impressed with the receiver, also a healthy 50W on UHF
2M of cat 5 and a back to back coupler work fine for one of my cars that has
the 208e in it.
And heavy duty velcro mounts the head unit to the dasboard, and the hook
strip sticks the radio body to the carpet.
Robin
Jason Reilly
I've used flat telephone style cable about 1.5 metres long, no ferrites, and
a RJ45 back to back adaptor to connect the standard mike. Works fine,
though I'm told I have some buzz on TX if I have my vehicle headlights on -
not sure if it's alternator whine, or being induced through my unshielded
section of cable, have yet to investigate that.
--
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"Nick B." <nick...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eh9mk2d03ps0dn8s8...@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:00:06 +1100, Jeßus
> <127....@wilddslcrap.net.au> wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:33:04 +1100, jonz proclaimed:
>>In hindsight it could be a real benefit if installed in a vehicle, as you
>>could mount the head damn near anywhere due to it's small size and the
>>cable is very thin... * except* as mentioned, they do not supply a lengthy
>>cable for the mic, which is disappointing IMO. They probably couldn't
>>have the mic socket on the head due to lack of space... The Icom 2720's
>>mic connects to the head though. Now, if they could combine the best
>>points of these two radios into one, they'd really be onto something.
>
> I use a 2m cat-5 cable and a back-to-back coupler. Fitted a clip-on
> ferrite to the cable where it plugs into the body. To mount the front
> panel I use a piece of plastic electrial trunking which is U-shaped
> channel and mounted this on a convenient universal joint I just
> happened to have laying around. The front panel then slides into the
> channel sideways and is gripped securely.
>
> Tried the velcro method, lasted almost a day before I devised the
> above. Icom's MB-58 looks pathetic as it requires velcro to grip
> rather than sliding in securely. You would think they might have
> duplicated the front panel slide/lock facility.
> --
> Nick B.
F1LBY
> Anyway, I was thinking why not use ordinary CAT5 or similar for the mic
> cable and/or the separation cable? Has anyone done this, and if so a
> wiring diagram?
I dunno about that but I've extended my IC706 separation cable with STP
cable (CAT5 with shield) very successfully. Cable 10m long no problems.
73