Hi, apologies for this question, however i cannot see an answer online. I am looking at purchasing the Baby loop, and wodered if there is a connection diagram for the loop controller and the Icom IC-7300 via the CT-17 level converter. Many thanks and 73, Adrian
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Thanks Laengsfeldt. It looks very simple.
You can use this circuit too, without ct17-Icom-Box: http://n9zle.tripod.com/ct17iface.gif
Unfortunately, the short answer is that the only way for the C-M controller to communicate with an IC-7300 is via the CT-17 interface. On the rear of the IC-7300 is a USB 'B' socket, signifying that this is a 'client' device, not a 'server'. The USB 'A' socket on a computer signifies that this is a server. Think of a client as being like a printer, mainly receiving data. Inside the IC-7300 is a USB bridge. One part of the bridge connects to what is essentially a sound card interface allowing you to send and receive audio data, the other part of the bridge is connected to a USB to RS-232 converter allowing you to control the transceiver by means of a CAT program. Consequently there is no way to use this USB 'B' socket to directly connect the C-M controller to the transceiver, since the controller's interface is RS-232, not USB. You would need a translation device that would take RS-232 and convert it up to the USB protocol, and then connect that to the transceiver which would internally convert it back down to RS-232, and, as far as I'm aware, no such translation/conversion device exists. Your best bet is the CT-17 interface.
Adrian, 5B4AIY
Is the CT17 level translator unit, the only way to connect the ATU 2.0 to the Icom 7300 transceiver?
Is it possible to connect the ATU 2.0 to the Icom 7300 transceiver, using the 7300 USB connection via a USB to RS232 converter?
Any one has experienced this?
Hi Adrian,
At long last I have my loop installed and operating :)
Many thanks for your help and advice.
Good Health and good DX.
73 Adrian M0OJR
Hi,
Thank you very much for replying to me, it’s greatly appreciated.
You have certainly answered my question OM
I have purchased a Baby Loop, however I haven’t even managed to unpack it as yet due to having my knee replaced.
I have saved your reply so that I can print and read it when getting set up ( as soon as I can walk properly).
Thanks for the tip re the semi automatic mode, that does sound wise.
Many thanks for answering my question so clearly and fully.
73 Adrian M0OJR
My apologies for the very late response, but I was having a lot of trouble with the C-M webpage. It would appear that you can only publish comments when using Windows-10 and M-S Edge, Windows-7 and I-E Explorer no longer seem to work. However, to answer your question, you will need to connect the REMOTE socket on the rear panel of the IC-7300 with a 3.5mm to 3.5mm mono patch lead to the front panel of the CT-17, and the rear DB-25 connector to the DB-9 connector on the RS-232 interface of the Ciro-Mazzoni controller. The pin connections for this serial lead are:
Ciro-Mazzoni Signal Direction Icom CT-17 Signal
DB-9 Name DB-25 Name
2 TX Data ----> 3 RX Data
3 RX Data <---- 2 TX Data
5 GND ----- 7 GND
If you have the latest firmware installed in the C-M controller (Cml_322.tes) then the auto-detect feature now works correctly at all port speeds, and you will be able to 'discover' the CI-V address of the transceiver. Obviously you will need to set the port speeds the same for both the C-M controller and the radio, and 9600 Baud is fine. I powered my CT-17 from an accessory output of my main power supply, but when I used my IC-7600 I could power it from the rear accessory socket. I have found that the Semi-Auto mode works the best. In this mode you tune the radio to a new frequency, and then press the ENTER key on the controller's keypad, and this will force the controller to obtain the new frequency from the radio and re-tune the antenna. Using the Auto mode, although the controller will continuously follow the changes of frequency, it can be quite disturbing to have the controller suddenly start a new tuning cycle just as you have tuned to that rare DX, much better that the retuning is done at your request.
73, Adrian, 5B4AIY