I was itching to get on the air with my new FT-857 so I made up a quick and dirty set of simple interface leads.
The FT-857 has a data port on the back and a digital mode that is selectable from the menu system. It also has a data port VOX function so any audio being presented on the data port will activate the TX.
You need a 6 pin mini din plug and 3 x 3.5mm mono jacks.
Make up 2 leads. 1 with a 3.5mm mono jack on each end and one with a 3.5mm on one end and the 6 pin mini din plug on the other end.
The 6 pin mini din is wired ground to pin 2 and tip to pin 1. This is a view with the plug face down on the bench, ready to solder.
Put the 6 pin mini din in the data port on the FT-857 and the 3.5mm on the other end into the line out jack on the PC.
The 3.5mm – 3.5mm lead goes into the speaker out of the FT-857 and the other end goes into the mic or line in on the PC.
Don’t forget to set your input/output levels correctly (no ALC should be active on the transmitted audio) and turn on the VOX function in the menu (number 040) on the FT-857.
UPDATE…
Marcelo has pointed me to a much better diagram of the FT857 data jack. Note that this is an image showing the port on the back of the radio. http://goo.gl/xmTgK
Hi, Matt,
Thank you very much for this idea!
I was wondering if there is any particular reason why you are not using the same DATA plug for both, audio input and audio output.
In the 857′s Operating Manual, pg. 18, they suggest to use Pin 5 (data out 1200 bps) if you want to connect a tape recorder. Do you think that that audio output would not work for our purpose?
Also, it seems that there is an error in the Pin #s.
In my 857D’s User Manual, the #5 is at right and #6 at left, but, in your image, the #5 is at left. However, Pins #1 and #2 are OK.
Thanks for your time, 73,
Marcelo W8/XQ6BQ
Hi Marcelo, I did try using the data jack for audio out but I could not get enough volume out of it and into my cheap pc sound card. I would love to know how you get on if you do use the data out for audio.
Thanks,
Matt.
Hi Matt,
I haven’t made the cable yet, but I found a diagram with the connections for using the DATA (mini-din or PS2) connector for both, audio in and out.
They are using other connections and components for PTT also, but I think with VOX there is no need for that.
I still am in doubt because of the pin #’s.
Your post says: Pin1->ground and Pin2->Tip (from PC audio out);
but the diagram I found, as well as the FT857′s user manual, say the opposite: Pin2 to ground and Pin1=Data In (to tip – from PC audio out).
Do you think that perhaps there is a typo or some kind of error in your post?
(I really want to try this cable but I don’t want to make any serious mistake).
Thanks! 73,
Marcelo.
Oops! I forgot to paste the link for the diagram. There it goes: http://goo.gl/xmTgK
Hi Marcelo,
I think there is some confusion here.
The diagram you linked to shows the female data port on the back of the FT 857.
My simple diagram above shows the male plug as looking down from above, ready to solder. Yes, my pin numbers do not match up with the diagram but the end result is the same.
Hope that helps.
Matt.
I have updated the image and text to avoid confusion!
Thanks
Thank you very much for the clarifications, Matt! Thanks to your article I got interested in making this cable by my own. Now, I’ll just do it!
73.