PTT line interface for ICOM IC-706 family

2/17/13 3:04 PM

Interfacing tips for ICOM IC-706MKII transceiver with a Collins 30L-1 linear amplifier
Warning !! All interfacing and modifications are done at your own risk !! The author will not be liable for any damage !! 1. scope
The ICOM instruction manual of the IC-706MKII [4] gives only instructions to connect a IC-4KL amplifier to the transceiver, so a solution for connecting different amplifiers has to be found. Modern solid-state linears have usally low voltage low current PTT line inputs, so a direct connection to the ACC connector of the IC-706 is possible, if the switching current is less than 20mA. Old fashion tube linear amplifiers are using the negative grid voltage for switching the PTT line instead. My goal was to develop a solid state PTT interface circuit.

2. analysis & measurements

First I started with taking an overview about the known information that could be claimed from the manuals. Then I completed this information by some measurements like switching times or currents. The HSEND signal is used as bi-directional line for keying the transceiver and for switching amplifiers or antenna tuners. Its output current is limited to 200 mA and it's not designated for high negative voltages. signal HSEND level (unkeyed) HSEND level (key-down) HSEND input current HSEND output current Keydown to RF out value +8 V (2k2 pull-up) GND (-0.5V to 0.8V) 20 mA 200 mA 10 to 12 ms

The Collins linear [3] is using the negative grid voltage for switching the antenna relais. In the receiving state a direct connection to the transceivers HSEND line will damage the NPN transistor Q32. Even the key-down current of 60 mA is high. signal PTT voltage (unkeyed) PTT current (key-down) PTT relais switching time value -150 V 60 mA less than 14 ms

The idea is to use a PNP transistor which is capable to handle the required voltage and current. I choosed Motorola's MJE 350 which can be used up to 300 V and 0.5 A. Since a common-emitter circuit needs a negative voltage for triggering I used an opto-coupler as Darlington driver. Here one have to pay attention for choosing an opto-coupler with an corresponding collector-emitter voltage [1]. Infineon's SFH640 offers 300 V [2]. An additional diode 1N4007 prevents the transistors from positive transient voltages when the relay releases.

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PTT line interface for ICOM IC-706 family

2/17/13 3:04 PM

The LED emitter of the opto-coupler should be driven with 15 mA so I decided not to use the +8V regulated output of the ACC socket because its limitation to 10 mA but the 12V output. One additional NPN-transistor (T1) is used as LED driver to prevent both HSEND and Regulated 8V output from being damaged.

3. resulting schematic

4. partlist & datasheets

Needed parts can be directly read out from the schematic. References: [1] Infineon Technologies, "Driving High-Level Loads With Optocouplers - Appnote 4", 2001, www.infineon.com/opto [2] Infineon Technologies, "SFH640 - Datasheet", 2001, www.infineon.com/opto [3] Collins, "30L-1 Linear Amplifier instruction book", 1962, www.collinsradio.org [4] ICOM Inc., "IC-706MKII Instruction Manual", 1997, not online available, www.icomeurope.com Additional information on IC-706 modifications can be found at OH6KTR's pages Icom IC-706 Resources.

published: 08.02.2002 last modified: 23.02.2002

Copyright 2002 DL3LAR All rights reserved.

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