Radio-less node

Among other things, I would like to build a “radio-less” node, while I plan on using
one of Kevin’s RA-42’s for my 6 meter remote base, I don’t think I really need the
“overkill” an actual “radio interface” would involve. Because of some physical problems
( I don’t see as well as I did 50 years ago) I’m not sure I could modify a “sound fob” for
my proposed radio-less node. I know somebody must be doing this as “service” to the
amateur radio community ( not charging an arm and a leg). can someone point me in the
right direction ?

Thanks
Don, K8ZGW

Contact Marshall at http://www.uricables.com/ he also has radioless interfaces for the RA-40. Yes I have one of his myself.

http://www.repeater-builder.com/projects/fob/startech-syba-fob.html
You could try to contact Chuck Kelsey from the link above. Chuck designed a PC board prior to the RA-Series that uses an inexpensive sound fob (of various sources) and gives some of the features, including a RX pot and the same DB9 pin-out as my stuff. While is appears he just sells boards from a email link on this page, maybe he’d do one up complete for you at some additional cost? In addition, my RA-25 is a more economic radio adapter without some of the features of the more expensive ones.
http://www.masterscommunications.com/products/radio-adapter/ra25.html

Kevin W3KKC

I almost hesitate to ask this question, but I’m a 77 year old ham, that has been licensed for 59 years and am still learning.
I am planning on making a “radio-less” all star node, using one of Kevin’s RA-25 interfaces and
have some confusion.
Looking at the pin-outs for the 9 pin connector, some things seem obvious,
while others are confusing.The way I think I see this …
pin 1 will be connected to an amplified speaker ( other side to ground, pin 8)
If this were connected to a radio, this would be going to transmitter audio.
pin 5, PTT to ground, ( pin 8) ( maybe through a current limiting resistor ??)
OR, because this is “turned around” would it go to COS (pin3) ??
But where does my “audio in”, mic input and touch tone pad, go ?
My choice seems to be pin 6, Discriminator audio, again in a “turned around” world,
OR ??
I know this isn’t rocket science …
But it seems as though nobody that has built one of these, has documented it very well.

Thanks,
Don, K8ZGW

https://www2.hamvoip.org/hamradio/USBFOB_without_radio/

This should answer your pin-out questions. I followed the instructions and it does work for me.

Thanks to Earl, I have received the answers to my question(s).
Because I am using a RA-25, kind of “backwards” I have determined
the proper pin-outs of the device.

Pin 1 going to my amplified speaker.

My microphone audio ( along with my external touch tone pad)
will go into the Disc (pin 6)
You would adjust the mic audio level with the disc potentiometer.(R-12).

My PTT switch from the microphone to the cos (pin 3) input.

Earl also suggested using the Tx PTT (pin 5) to an led and 1K resistor
to plus power supply, thus giving a “Incoming Signal” indicator
for when the volume gets turned down and forgot about.

While others who are trying to be helpful, don’t seem to grasp the fact
that I will be using one of Kevin’s RA-25s, kind of “backwards” from
it’s intended use.

When this project is completed, I will be “supplying” some documentation
as well as some photos on some web space I have access to, so anyone
can build one.

Thanks
Don, K8ZGW