New Dongle Potential

Perhaps at least half-answering my previous query…

This is what I recently bought - the die-on-board version:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221670209239?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Anticipating this interface scheme will work:

http://www.crompton.com/hamradio/usb_fob_modification/usbfob_interface.pdf

we may be able to extrapolate some updates… I did verify the pinout of the 108 and 119 chips are the same.

Internally:

http://www.no1pc.org/radio/TopAccess.jpg

Regardless of direct/specific pin access, if the controls/indicators are assumed the same, access to the associated signals should be available at the respective (VolUp, VolDn) switches and Red LED.

The audio jacks are through-hole mount. Potentially removable and place DC blocking/coupling caps in the dongle, as well as the PTT output buffer, and perhaps any buffer for the active-low CTCSS and COS inputs.

To make a little more space and not chance an erroneous, unnecessary button press, clip the actuator posts and glue the button tops in place.

Button posts:

http://www.no1pc.org/radio/ButtonTop.jpg

It may be a few days before I can get to the necessary ‘surgery’, create a new node and test, but this looks to have potential.

At some point it might be difficult at best to come up with a
reliable source of non-potted USB dongles. Maybe that time is upon
us? With that in mind, I come up with this:
Now - this device is currently in beta testing and won’t be
available to the public for about a month, maybe less. I received a
shipment of genuine C-Media CM119A chips today. Circuit boards will
be produced after reviewing all of the feedback from the owners of
the 10 units currently in the field. No - it’s not a $2.00 FOB, but what’s your time and money worth to
buy products that are potted and unusable? Maybe the features of
such a device like the RA-35 makes it worthy of the asking price?
I’ll let that up to you to decide. I am assembling a list of those
interested. Email direct.
Thanks,
Kevin
kevin // at // masterscommunications // dot // com

···

On 3/15/2016 7:20 PM, Jim Aspinwall wrote:

      Perhaps at least

half-answering my previous query…

http://www.masterscommunications.com/products/radio-adapter/ra35.html

***DELETIA***

No - it's not a $2.00 FOB, but what's your time and money worth to buy
products that are potted and unusable? Maybe the features of such a
device like the RA-35 makes it worthy of the asking price? I'll let that
up to you to decide. I am assembling a list of those interested. Email
direct.

While I hold nothing against anyone who wants to hack at something to get it to work...time is money...at least for me it is...so spending anything more than an hour at my contract rate, to me, and only me, quickly outweighs the $50-100 usd that it might cost to purchase either an already-constructed and proven device...or spend hours looking for a $3.00 part that I have to spend another 2 hours modifying with no guarantee (especially for pacific-rim sourced devices off fleabay) that it is actually useable (USB programming cables, anyone?).

Done as an academic exercise...why not? Putting the bashed-together device into a commercial site? That's why hams get thrown out. That's just me, though. I'm sure the price of Kevin's device, the upgraded dongle from Repeater Builder, or Dave Kramer's URI in terms of being tested and proven working, when what your time is worth is considered, are actually cheaper.

I helped design and build a broadcast quality 1KW FM transmitter back in the day for a station. Passed all the proof tests. But, it cost, in the end, 2x what it would have cost to just issue a PO to Harris/Gates (at the time) for a manufactured rig with a guarantee.

But, again, that's just me and my $.03.
BB

···

On 3/15/2016 7:43 PM, Kevin Custer wrote:

On 3/15/2016 7:20 PM, Jim Aspinwall wrote:

I fully agree with Bryan, my billable time is worth more then the time spent modifying a sound FOB.
I have been testing the RA-35 and I love it. I can not find anything it can't do. I've tested it with DIAL on both x86 and ARM without a glitch. I've tried it with DSD and Mike has tried it with D-Star. I've run out of things to test. As they say, It just works!

73, Steve N4IRS

···

On 03/15/2016 09:24 PM, Bryan D. Boyle wrote:

On 3/15/2016 7:43 PM, Kevin Custer wrote:

On 3/15/2016 7:20 PM, Jim Aspinwall wrote:

***DELETIA***

No - it's not a $2.00 FOB, but what's your time and money worth to buy
products that are potted and unusable? Maybe the features of such a
device like the RA-35 makes it worthy of the asking price? I'll let that
up to you to decide. I am assembling a list of those interested. Email
direct.

While I hold nothing against anyone who wants to hack at something to get it to work...time is money...at least for me it is...so spending anything more than an hour at my contract rate, to me, and only me, quickly outweighs the $50-100 usd that it might cost to purchase either an already-constructed and proven device...or spend hours looking for a $3.00 part that I have to spend another 2 hours modifying with no guarantee (especially for pacific-rim sourced devices off fleabay) that it is actually useable (USB programming cables, anyone?).

Done as an academic exercise...why not? Putting the bashed-together device into a commercial site? That's why hams get thrown out. That's just me, though. I'm sure the price of Kevin's device, the upgraded dongle from Repeater Builder, or Dave Kramer's URI in terms of being tested and proven working, when what your time is worth is considered, are actually cheaper.

I helped design and build a broadcast quality 1KW FM transmitter back in the day for a station. Passed all the proof tests. But, it cost, in the end, 2x what it would have cost to just issue a PO to Harris/Gates (at the time) for a manufactured rig with a guarantee.

But, again, that's just me and my $.03.
BB

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Darril Holland pass way March 2 and I would like you take hem off you email holldrl@gt.rr.com

---- Kevin Custer <kuggie@kuggie.com> wrote:

···

On 3/15/2016 7:20 PM, Jim Aspinwall wrote:
>
> Perhaps at least half-answering my previous query...

At some point it might be difficult at best to come up with a reliable
source of non-potted USB dongles. Maybe that time is upon us? With
that in mind, I come up with this:
RA-35 Radio Adapter Interface Board - by Masters Communications

Now - this device is currently in beta testing and won't be available to
the public for about a month, maybe less. I received a shipment of
genuine C-Media CM119A chips today. Circuit boards will be produced
after reviewing all of the feedback from the owners of the 10 units
currently in the field.

No - it's not a $2.00 FOB, but what's your time and money worth to buy
products that are potted and unusable? Maybe the features of such a
device like the RA-35 makes it worthy of the asking price? I'll let that
up to you to decide. I am assembling a list of those interested. Email
direct.

Thanks,
Kevin

kevin // at // masterscommunications // dot // com

Darril Holland pass way March 2 and I would like you take hem off you email holldrl@gt.rr.com

---- "Bryan D. Boyle" <bdboyle@bdboyle.com> wrote:

···

On 3/15/2016 7:43 PM, Kevin Custer wrote:
>
> On 3/15/2016 7:20 PM, Jim Aspinwall wrote:
>>

***DELETIA***
>
> No - it's not a $2.00 FOB, but what's your time and money worth to buy
> products that are potted and unusable? Maybe the features of such a
> device like the RA-35 makes it worthy of the asking price? I'll let that
> up to you to decide. I am assembling a list of those interested. Email
> direct.

While I hold nothing against anyone who wants to hack at something to
get it to work...time is money...at least for me it is...so spending
anything more than an hour at my contract rate, to me, and only me,
quickly outweighs the $50-100 usd that it might cost to purchase either
an already-constructed and proven device...or spend hours looking for a
$3.00 part that I have to spend another 2 hours modifying with no
guarantee (especially for pacific-rim sourced devices off fleabay) that
it is actually useable (USB programming cables, anyone?).

Done as an academic exercise...why not? Putting the bashed-together
device into a commercial site? That's why hams get thrown out. That's
just me, though. I'm sure the price of Kevin's device, the upgraded
dongle from Repeater Builder, or Dave Kramer's URI in terms of being
tested and proven working, when what your time is worth is considered,
are actually cheaper.

I helped design and build a broadcast quality 1KW FM transmitter back in
the day for a station. Passed all the proof tests. But, it cost, in
the end, 2x what it would have cost to just issue a PO to Harris/Gates
(at the time) for a manufactured rig with a guarantee.

But, again, that's just me and my $.03.
BB

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App_rpt-users@ohnosec.org
http://ohnosec.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users

To unsubscribe from this list please visit http://ohnosec.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Enter your email address and press the "Unsubscribe or edit options button"
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