Microphone/handset extention cord help needed

[nwoods]

I have an Icom 208H mobile 2m/70cm radio. It is mounted towards the rear of my vehicle, and logically enough I want the handset and the remote display in the front. Icom makes an extension cable that retails for $90, but I'm told a simple CAT5 cable will work just fine, and I can get those for under $10.

However, its not working.

I plug it in and everything works fine for a while, then after a few minutes, the handset will no longer work, adn the lights go out on the buttons. I think it's a power issue. The handset has lots of buttons and is illuminated (backlit). What do I need to enable power and signal to run from the base unit to the handset? If the cable is okay, (just a standard CAT5), what about the double female connector I am using, could that be my failure point?

Do I need CAT5e ? What does the 'e' stand for? I thought it meant 'enhanced' as in bandwidth, but could it be for powered Ethernet? Would a powered Ethernet rated cable and connector work? If so, what are they called?

 

[MuddyOval]

Regular cat5 is fine for that- you don't need 'e'

Sounds as if you have a bad crimp on the RJ45's or maybe the double female connector has a problem. Have you tried wiggling the ends of the cable to see if it's a bad crimp? I made my own cable for my 207h and it works fine, so the aftermarket approach DOES work. Many cables are poorly made these days.

 

[nwoods]

I'm on my third cable and second female coupler. I tested the microphone itself at HRO on their unit, and it's fine. I really don't think its the cable, I think its the coupler. I don't know what else to use.

I'm using (and not succeding) with one of these:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0216279

Maybe I should try a slightly more expensive version?
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0216295

Is there something better I should try?

 

[cnynrat]

I did the same thing for my Kenwood TM-V71A installation, although with perhaps a shorter cable. I think I ended up with a 3' Cat-5 cable from the base unit to a remote jack for the microphone. Like your radio my mic has a bunch of backlit buttons also. Anyway, I don't see why your coupler shouldn't work, unless you just happen to have a defective one. How long is the cable you are using?

In case it may be useful to you, what I did was install a remote jack for my microphone - I used one of these that I bought from B&B Electronics. It's essentially a coupler that you can mount in a panel somewhere, and comes with a fairly dust/water resistant cap you can screw on when not in use.

I used the ENSP1F5 version, which has an RJ45 receptacle on the back side so you can simply plug the Cat-5 cable into the back.

 

[mountainpete]

The problem might be the pin sequence. If I remember correctly you need a CAT5 cable with an "A" sequence on one end and a "B" on the other.

Search Google for "how to make a cat5 cable" and check out the different color patterns. Even if your cable is right, the coupler may be reversing it again.

Pete

 

[MuddyOval]

I used the ENSP1F5 version, which has an RJ45 receptacle on the back side so you can simply plug the Cat-5 cable into the back.

Ooohhh, now that's sexy. Thanks for the tip!
I've been eyeballing the Kenwood V71A- is it true what they say about the display having problems or being hard to read? I'm torn between three different dual receive dual banders and I can't decide.

 

[cnynrat]

Ooohhh, now that's sexy. Thanks for the tip!
I've been eyeballing the Kenwood V71A- is it true what they say about the display having problems or being hard to read? I'm torn between three different dual receive dual banders and I can't decide.

Not to hijack this thread too much, but I've had my V71A installed for little over a year and I haven't had any problems with the display. Some of the indications on the display are a little on the small side - things like the current power setting for example. I find them a little hard to read with my (older) eyes where I have the radio mounted, but it's workable.

Probably like most people I considered the Yaesu FT-8800 and a couple of the Icom models. In the end I decided I liked the ergos on the Kenwood, but I appreciate that can be a highly individual decision. I like the way they don't try to cram two complete sets of switches & buttons on the front panel, but instead provide an easy way to switch which side of the radio is being controlled back and forth. YMMV.

 

[nwoods]

The problem might be the pin sequence. If I remember correctly you need a CAT5 cable with an "A" sequence on one end and a "B" on the other.

Search Google for "how to make a cat5 cable" and check out the different color patterns. Even if your cable is right, the coupler may be reversing it again.

Pete

That's a good tip Pete, I was completely unaware. Here are a few links I found:
- http://www.tomax7.com/aplus/APlusCD/cat5.htm
- http://www.mikestechblog.com/joomla...etwork-misc/73-how-to-make-a-cat-5-cable.html

 

[nwoods]

However....in thinking about this more, I don't think the A vs B thing is my problem. I am getting signal through for a short period of time, and then it fails. I wish they made female connector equipped RJ45 CAT5 cables!

 

[nwoods]

Time for confession. I think I figured it out. Every time I put the carpet back down over top the wiring, I think it was disconnecting the handset from the Cat5 coupler.

I lockwired it all together this evening, and using the same coupler posted above originally, it worked for a good solid hour. I leave in 30 hours for the Rubicon trail. Glad to have this sorted, even if the reason is embarrassing!