Connecting an Kenwood Transceiver to your PC
PC control of an Kenwood transceiver requires either a level-conversion interface, an RS232 cable, or a USB connection as a function of the model:
Model |
Interface |
TS-50 |
IF-10D + IF-232C |
TS-140 |
IF-10C + IF-232C |
TS-440 |
IC-10 + IF-232C |
TS-450 |
IF-232C |
TS-480 |
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable |
TS-570 |
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable |
TS-590 |
standard USB cable (A-male to B-male) |
TS-680 |
IF-10C + IF-232C |
TS-690 |
IF-232C |
TS-711 |
IF-10A + IF-232C |
TS-790 |
IF-10C + IF-232C |
TS-811 |
IF-10A + IF-232C |
TS-850 |
IF-232C |
TS-870 |
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable |
TS-890 |
standard USB cable (A-male to B-male) or straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable |
TS-940 |
IF-10B + IF-232C |
TS-950 |
IF-232C |
TS-990 |
standard USB cable (A-male to B-male) |
TS-2000 |
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable |
The IF-232C, IF-10A, IF-10B, and IF10-C are no longer available from Kenwood, but replacement units are available from the suppliers below and used units can be found at flea markets and on eBay.
When using an IF-232C or equivalent, two cables are required:
- a male 6-pin DIN to male 6-pin DIN cable to connect the transceiver and IF-232C
- a male 25-pin RS-232 to female 9-pin RS-232 cable to connect the IF-232C and PC serial port
When connected to your PC via its Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, the Kenwood TS-590, Kenwood TS-590SG, the Kenwood TS-890, and Kenwood TS-990 provide transceiver control by emulating a serial port, and provide access to both their audio input and audio output by emulating a soundcard. Setup instructions are provided here.
If you use one of your PC's USB ports, configure Windows to not automatically power down this port.
Commercial Interfaces
Piexx TS-140 IF-10C and IF-232C interface replacement
Piexx TS-711/TS-811 IF-10A and IF-232C interface replacement
Piexx TS-940 IF-10B and IF-232C interface replacement
Piexx IF-232C interface replacement for the TS-440, TS-850, and TS-940
RT Systems USB-63 - recommended by Kenwood Technical Support for all Kenwood HF transceivers with a DB-9 serial connection, including the TS-990S, and TS-890S
Interfaces known to work with 32-bit and 64-bit flavors of Windows 7 and Vista
You'll find product reviews of the above, along with more alternatives at http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/53
HomeBrew IF-232C Replacement Interfaces