6000 Series and ALS-1306 Amp

Mike-VA3MW

All

I want to confirm something for a customer, and that is the exact setup for a Serial connection to a ALS-1306.

From what I can dig up, you need

• ALS-1306 (obviously )
• FTDI USB / RS232 cable to the 6000 radio
• Null Modem adapter (Female to Female ?) 
• MFJ DB-DB7K (not the TS480) -- the DB9 cable being Male?

Can anyone that has done this, please confirm.

Thanks, Mike

Gary w8vi

I have the Flex 6600 and the ALS-1306 communicating and changing bands.

What worked for me:

- Ameritron - Kenwood DB-DB7DK cable (not the TS-480 cable) Has 2 female DB9 connectors

- Wireness FTDI USB to Null modem DB9F serial adapter Full Hardware handshake 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XG6S7YQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Has USB and DB9 Female connectors

- DB9 female to female gender changer
(it connects the Null modem cable to the DB-DB7DK cable - You need this because both cables have 9 pin female connectors)

I had a hard time finding a FTDI null-modem cable with a USB connector on one end and a Male DB9 connector on the other. I ended up with the Wireness model noted above that has a Female DB9 connector thus requiring a gender changer to connect both female cable connectors.

I've also used the same configuration successfully with my 6300.

73
Gary

Jim Branson

This post has been edited to show correct pinout.

After trying the described configuration above with two different DB-DB7DK, null modem and Flex Radio ACC-USBSERIAL (Male) cables.  I could never get the combination to work.   I downloaded the following diagram from W1TR (modified diagram for correct pinout) and built my own cable.   It changes the ALS-1306 to 160-6M perfectly using this cable configuration and the Flex Radio ACC-USBSERIAL cable.  
Thanks goes to W1TR and KE0U.

WQ2H - Jim Poulette

Mike - Aside power, I don't know exactly what the differences are between an ALS-1306 and an ALS-600, but in looking at the rear I/O, and pin out for the remote interface - they appear to be the same.

In the event you use an ARI-500 and a USB cable - I believe the (K1FQL/W8QB) cable I documented may suffice. I've been using it continuously for auto-band switching between the 6600M and the ALS-600/ARI-500 without a single glitch.

https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/als-600-ari-500-to-flex-6xxx-happiness

Hope this helps. Whatever path is chosen - good luck !

73
Jim, WQ2H

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Jim

Thanks

I just put this together.  The key point was the **** of the DB-DB7DX and this does it via CAT/RS232 on the 6000.  

• Ameritron/Kenwood cable DB-DB7DK (Female)
  
• Flex Radio ACC-USBSERIAL from us http://cart.flexradio.com/USB-to-Serial-adapter-for-the-FLEX-6000-series_p_1002.html (Male)
  
• DB9 Male/Female Null Modem Mini Adapter https://www.amazon.com/Male-Female-Null-Modem-Adapter/dp/7564005068/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1536...
  

Mike

WQ2H - Jim Poulette

Got it.

Bottom line: Whatever flavor of cables - I can't wait until the PGXL is available.

73
Jim, WQ2H

Frank Ventura

Once the cables are hooked up, can I assume that the USB port on the Flex should be configured for CAT?

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Frank

Yes, you want to set it up as a CAT device and to follow the TX Slice, unless you have a 6600 series then will want it to follow the ANT port it is connected to.  If you have 2 amps, then you can dedicate one to each antenna port.

Mike

Jim Branson

Has anyone been able to get this combination to work?  I have a Flex 6600 and an ALS-1306.

• Ameritron/Kenwood cable DB-DB7DK (Female)
  
• Flex Radio ACC-USBSERIAL fMale)
  
• DB9 Male/Female Null Modem Mini Adapter 

USB Flex Radio ACC-USBSERIAL plugged into Flex 6600 to Ameritron/Kenwood cable via 9 pin serial then using DB9 Male/Female Null Modem Mini Adapter plugged into ALS-1306.   RCA plug into ALS-1306.  7 pin round Yaesu plug is not plugged in to anything.

Settings USB Cable:
Using CAT as cable type, TX antenna, Ant 1,  auto report enabled, 9600, 8 , none, 1 and Flow Control set to none.   

ALS-1306 is set to remote and switches to 30 meters and never changes as I change bands on Flex.

Example of logging when changing bands:

05:15:06 (TX): FA00007196046;
05:15:07 (TX): FA00007245000;
05:15:41 (TX): FA00001930719;
05:15:41 (TX): FA00001940000;
05:16:23 (TX): FA00001940000;
05:16:30 (TX): FA00003827923;
05:16:30 (TX): FA00003806800;

Thanks,
Jim 
N0LBY

Ron Koenig

Did you ever get it to work Jim Branson ?

Jim Branson

No.  I cannot get it to work.  Any suggestions for troubleshooting from the community will be welcome.

73
Jim N0LBY

Jim Branson

I managed to get the ALS-1306 to switch with a Yeasu FTDX-1200 and the AMERITRON DB-10MY cable.  That eliminates the problem being in the amp.   I suspect there maybe an issue with one of the cables.

James Kennedy-WU5E

I got that cable you suggested and it worked!!!!!!!!!! thanks

Jim
wu5e

Ed Stallman

Will this cabling work with the 1300 as well ?

Ed N5DG

Ed N5DG

I'm trying to help a friend and make up this cable above.. This is the USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI chip cable I bought and used for my 2KFA amp that worked fine for me
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0758BMXBG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
? My question , with the Amazon cable plus the made up cable shown above  the 1306 will follow the Flex 6600 ? 
Could someone send me a screenshot of their USB Cat Cable Setup in SSDR 

Thanks Ed N5DG

Dudley WA5QPZ

Ed, Same as the ALS606, as in the USB serial Document. USB to Serial -> null modem (wired as in the doc) -> Ameritron , Kenwood cable to rear of amp, use CAT for amp setting. Rear of amp is specially wired for each different CAT mode (Ken/Ya) . Dudley

KC9EI - Dave

A small comment... as someone who makes test adapters/cables for many technicians... I can say with certainty, make SURE you verify the pin-outs with an ohmmeter, do NOT depend on the color code. Colors can and DO vary between manufacturers. (nice work btw)

Ed N5DG

Thanks Dudley , I guess what ur saying is the USB Cable from Amazon and the built cable won't work ? That looked easy . Guess I won't be helping my friend . You lost me on the ALS 606 and I guess this USB serial Document I can do a google search for ? I'll start a new post and see if someone can tell me what they did .. What cable to buy and where 
Thanks Ed N5DG

Jim Branson

Dave,
Thanks for the post and the 6600!  You are SO correct about the colors being different.

Jim 

Jim Branson

The screen shot above should be correct.  That's what I'm using.  

Jim N0LBY

Jim Branson

Ed,

I purchased the Flex ACC-USBSERIAL cable.  
http://cart.flexradio.com/USB-to-Serial-adapter-for-the-FLEX-6000-series_p_1002.html

I built the cable as described above and connected it to the Flex USB to Serial cable.  The cable I built is plugged directly into the ALS-1306.  Works perfectly.    Note: I am not using a null modem adapter.   My e-mail is good on QRZ.  If you want to drop me a e-mail, I can give you my phone number if you want to talk more about it.

73
Jim N0LBY

Ed N5DG

Jim Tnx reply , I'll do just as you described , I bet it will work fine  

Thanks Ed N5DG

Ed N5DG

Jim tnx for ur post showing how to assemble the cable  from Flex 6000 to ALS 1306 . I made this cable up and sent to my friend , received a phone call today telling me how well it worked .
Tnx agn , Ed N5DG

DonS

MFJ just started selling the RJ-USB6000 cable ($39.95) today for interfacing the Flex to the ARI-500.

Don - kx9q

W9HH - Steve

Hello,
I just purchased an ALS-1306 SS Amp to go with my 6400 and would like to send band data to it. 

I have the recommended FTDI USB to Serial cable connected to the DB9-F to DB9-F adapter and configured as Jim Branson suggested above. My USB cable settings are configured like the diagram above as well. 

- Band switching works perfectly except for when going to 6 meters where I get an error with the REM and PA indicators flashing.

I have double checked my wiring from pin to pin between the DB9-F connectors to verify mine matches the diagram that Jim posted above.

So then logic would suggest that the cable is doing what it should (I think), but maybe there is something wrong with the amp? Again, all bands switch correctly... except when going to 6 meters.

Anyone have thoughts on what might be causing the issue? 
Bad amp, bad cable or something else?

Thanks!
Steve W9HH

KC2QMA_John

Hey Michael, It would be cool if FRS could offer for sale a complete connection kit for a few of the most popular HF amplifiers. Basically all the bits needed to make a plug n play solution to connect radio to HF Amp.

Could possibly make nice arrangement with MFJ for product?

Just a thought?

W9HH - Steve

How about operator error??

OK - figured out the band switching error when going to 6 meters...

It looks like the last time on 6, I had inadvertently flipped the slice TX antenna over to "XVTA" and didn't notice it until a minute ago -

- Switched it to "TX1" where it belongs and all is good.
- Sorry for the previous post!

-Steve W9HH

tod_WE5TR

Looking for anyone who has used the RJ-USB6000 cable between a Flex6700 and an ALS-1306.  The cable comes with instructions for BCD use with an ARI-500. The cable is USB on the Flex end and RJ45 on the 1306 end. 

Thx.
 Tod - WE5TR

DonS

I could be wrong, however, I believe you can connect this cable to the flex and to the 1306 and setup in the flex cable type to BCD.  The ARI500 was required for the ALS 600/1300 but not for the ALS 606/1306.  I have an ALS 600 with the ARI500 and RJ-USB6000 cable and it works just fine.  To be sure you should make a call to AMERITRON Tech Support to confirm this.

Don -- kx9q

tod_WE5TR

Thank you, Don for the reply. the cable with the recommended settings was not working for me. It was giving flashing REM and PA.

Today, I confirmed the RJ connector pins and their BCD alignment and hooked them to a DB9 with a homemade adaptor (RJ-USB6000 to DB9). I now have band control on the 1306 with the RJ-USB6000 cable. 

Thank you again!
Tod - WE5TR

Pat Eastman

Dudley, Is this Ameritron product helpful? DB-USB6000
Thanks!
Pat Eastman K7PWE
Albany, Oregon