KC8PRZ writes "I recieved my TH6A on 9/07/01. After a good number of days useing this unit I have found no flaws or bugs yet. My impressions so far is that the unit comes off better than advertised. I am very pleased.
I also own a THD7A. The THD7A does very well also. I sold a Kenwood THG71A to get the TH6A. The THG71A was also built like a tank and flawless, just not nearly as nifty as the THD7A or the TH6A. The TH6A has been programed and operated now and I haven't even looked at the manual. The lighting is bright and it is easy to read. Recieved volume is resonably loud and clear. My unit does not get hot after transmitting a lot, only a little warm. It seems to have a very long battery life too. Reception appears to be good also. Haven't tested the 220 yet. 73's Mike"
jbird1
01-01-2002, 11:46 PM
Hi all,
KD7PEB Birdfarm Engineering
TechNote 010102-2a
Subject:
TH-6FA Kenwood Handheld and Kanatronics 9612 Plus 128K mods for reliable TNC operation
Problem:
Can’t get the TH-6FA to work with Kanatronics 9612 TNC, Receives fine, Squelch works but wont transmit in 1200 or 9600 baud.
Solution:
1. The 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm Mic/Speaker sockets on the TH-F6A are mounted too far inside the chassis. When regular 3.5/2.5 mm plugs are used the tip connections may short to the 2nd ring or make intermittent contact.
You have 2 options:
Option 1 carefully open the radio using the procedures outline in the service manual and take a drill or sharp knife to carefully widen the holes in the socket cover plate. Remove just enough to allow the plug to insert fully flush to the actual socket on the radio. Usually amount 1-1.25mm of material needs to be removed to enable flush mounting. Reassemble the radio per the service manual.
Option 2 try to locate 2.5/3.5mm plugs with small faces that will enable the plugs to fully be inserted in the sockets. These are hard to find and are non-standard 2.5/3.5mm plugs.
2. On the Kanatronics 9612 Plus 128K do the following to set the XMITLVL.
a. Set the TH-6FA on a clear channel with lowest power setting (EL)
b. Jumper J20 on 9600 port and remove jumper J6 (AC couple the unit)
c. Attach a scope to output side of J6 so you can monitor the output
d. Connect the cables to port 2 (9600) or port 1 (1200) and power up the TNC.
e. Use Hyperterm or other tty program to access the TNC at 9600 8-n-1
f. Type ‘*’ to set the baud rate for the console.
g. At the prompt type CAL
h. Hit T and use the +/- keys to set the XMITLVL to 100mv pp which will give you about 49/49 for level setting on 1200/9600.
i. Hit the S and observe a data signal at 100mv pp.
j. This completes the box settings, remove probes and reassemble
2. To fully verify the operation do the following.
a. Locate 144.390 mhz or similar station for 1200 or 9600baud
b. Connect the 9600 baud cable or the 1200 baud cable (Port 1 is 1200 baud, port 2 is 9600) to your TH-F6A.
c. Using Hyperterm or similar tty program connect and set baud rate for the console
d. On the console set MYNODE =
e. Start monitoring an active station at the appropriate data rate.
f. Type on the console C and wait for the connected message. Once the message is returned you’re active and functional.
Things to watch for:
Won’t transmit
Make sure the squelch is ok, it is inhibited until there is no green light indicating a signal, only then can it transmit.
Check to see you are using the correct 9612 port.
1200 on port 1, 9600 on port 2. Ports must match TH-F6A menu settings.
You still might have connector clearance problems.
Be careful to limit operation to less than 2-3 minutes continuous or the radio will shutoff due to over heating if in high power mode.
Run in (L) or (EL) mode then it can’t over heat.
Make sure that menu 9 is in TNC, not PC or MIC/SPKR mode.
Don’t connect RS-232 signals directly to the TH-F6A.
Use the Kenwood PG-4P cable with a DB25-DB9 adaptor. This has a RS-232 to 3 VDC level translators in the DB25 housing.
USE AC coupling between the 9612 and the TH-6FA.
Be sure XMITLVL is not greater than 50/50 or 100mv pp.
Other wise the clipper in D710 and D711 will clamp your high input signal. Note the 9612 can put out 4V pp so this is important. Stay at 100mv pp for best results.
Wiring diagram for Kanatronics 9612 Plus 128K to Kenwood TH-6FA.
For 9600 Baud Port 2 Connector
DB 15 Plugs TNC/TH-F6A
1 3.5mm shell (PTTMIC/PKD)
9 2.5mm shell (GNDGND)
13 2.5mm middle (XCDMIC/PKD)
2 2.5mm middle (XCDGND)
TH-F6A Setup for 1200 Baud
1. Menu 9 set to tnc
2. Menu 28 set to 1200
3. Set SQL to only allow active signal (or it will not transmit)
TH-F6A Setup for 9600 Baud
1. Menu 9 set to tnc
2. Menu 28 set to 9600
3. Set SQL to only allow active signal (or it will not transmit)
73’s and good Digital Dxing from KD7PEB
47 52 2 N 121 46 22 W CN97cu Sultan Wa. 98294
jbird1@msn.com