Interfacing a PGXL/TGXL/AG8x2 with ANAN G2

KI5RLR

I would like to connect my ANAN G2 model to 'Port B' of my Genius ecosystem - PGXL/TGXL/AG8x2. The AG8x2 is hardware model 4. I have several questions.

1) Is an external exciter (such as the ARB-704) necessary to operate the PGXL from the ANAN G2 PTT output?

2) Should PTT go out of the ANAN into the TGXL, then out of the TGXL into PGXL?

3) Do I need to use the PTT inputs on the AG8x2?

4) Should band data be sent from the ANAN, or from the PC running Thetis, to the TGXL via a USB (FTDI) cable?

Thanks in advance!

73s Clif KI5RLR

David Decoons, wo2x

Hi Clif

1) it doesn’t hurt but adds slight delay. Normally we want to see TX Delay set to 30 ms on the transceiver.

2) Yes radio -> TG PTT In -> TG PTT Out -> PG PTT In

3) you will need to use a method to send either BCD or Pin to Band info to AG. There are decoders that can take the Kenwood format CAT from Thetis/Anan and convert to BCD (DX Engineering and 4O3A are two options for equipment to accomplish it. There are third party options such as Node Red which would work also https://groups.io/g/nodered-hamradio

4) Good question as G2 can operate standalone. Check with manufacturer if Kenwood formatted CAT is available out of radio when using Thetis and not front of G2. For Anan 7000dle I recommend a FTDI chipset USB to serial cable from PC running Thetis along with a DB9 female to female gender changer to CAT in on PG XL. The amp should be set for Kenwood 2 and match baud set in Thetis. The Tuner Genius will get frequency from the amp across the network.

So, question back to Anan is CAT out. Is it separate depending if using internal G2 control vs Thetis on PC?

I hope this helps.

73 Dave Decoons wo2x

Presale Technical Support

KI5RLR

Thanks David!

1) So connecting a PTT (RCA) cable directly, with no external exciter, between the ANAN and TGXL -> PGXL is fine, I just need to add a 30ms delay? I think I have 20ms now, I will up that to 30.

2) Got it.

3) I have a B2BCD on the way, it's supposed to arrive this week... I think that is what you are referring to. NodeRed looks interesting, but the learning curve looks pretty steep.

4) I will see if I can get an answer to this question.

73!

Clif

David Decoons, wo2x

Ok, you will need two CAT outputs from G2. One to PG XL and one to B2BCD, then DB15 from B2BCD to AG. Check both B2BCD and AG documentation for pinout. You need 5 wires BCD A,B,C,D and ground.

on AG for port for G2, set dip switches for BCD (dip 1&2 for port A and 3&4 for port B)

73 Dave

KI5RLR

https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/comment/20608234#Comment_20608234

I thought I had read that the dip switches were no longer used on the AG... everything is controlled through the software. Maybe I imagined that.

David Decoons, wo2x

I have always used the dip switches to set input type for ports A and B. Not sure if the software overrides it, but doesn’t hurt to set them for the port or ports used by the Anan.

73 Dave wo2x

Ken D'Alessandro

I finally got my G2 running Thetis to control the PGXL and TGXL. I am using a FTDI USB/Serial converter but you must use a female-to-female DB-9 null modem cable between the USB/Serial DB-9 male connector and the CAT input on the PGXL. PGXL CAT settings are Kenwood2, 8N1, 4800 Baud. Use matching 8N1 and 4800 Baud rate in Thetis CAT settings plus whatever COM port your USB/Serial shows up as. PGXL and TGXL now both read the frequency of the G2.

My thanks to someone in the Apache Labs Community who happened to mention using a null modem cable in a post that I read. Dave, WO2X, confirmed for me that the null modem cable was necessary. I had been trying to use a straight-through DB-9 female-to-female cable with no success. Also with the null modem cable that works I found out that higher Baud rates (at least the 38400 rate) do not work.

73,

Ken N7KD

David Decoons, wo2x

Hi All,

To follow up on Ken's post, the PG XL and G2 com ports are both wired as DCE. Typically that means it would connect to a DTE device with the straight through cable. The traditional radios with com ports are configured DTE.

The Anan G2 is DCE, thus requiring the null modem adapter.

As far as 38400 not working, this must be a G2/Thetis issue as other Kenwood radios do work at 38400 baud rate.

Good troubleshooting Ken!

Mike-VA3MW

The only part I can add, and it is from a career of dealing with RS232, is that slower can be more reliable for the baud rates. Since so little data moves, I always ran Kenwood at 4800 baud without issue. Even today, for ham radio stuff, we never go above 9600 unless it is locked in at a higher rate.

KI5RLR

I ended up using a StarTech.com 4 Port USB to Serial RS232 Adapter (ICUSB2324I) in conjunction with the 4o3a B2BCD to make both my G2 and IC7300 work with the ecosystem.

The new model CAT2LAN from 4o3a looks promising, if it becomes available.