Discussion:
Kenwood D710 Mic protocol
John Gorkos
2011-11-10 14:19:22 UTC
Permalink
I'm in the beginning stages of an idea here...
I picked up one of these little gadgets at the local hamfest for $30:
http://www.ergonomicsmadeeasy.com/store/iphone-accessories/product/itiny-bluetooth-keyboard/

Basically, it's a Bluetooth keyboard almost exactly the same size as my
Samsung Galaxy smartphone. It works great with my cellphone, but I want
more.

My thought is to build a simple microcontroller that sits in-line with
My D710 mic cable. It could draw off the 8V line on that connector, and
have a bluetooth transceiver in it and a pic or avr chip that generates
the appropriate 'serial' protocol to simulate mic keypad presses. By
doing that, I could use this handy little wireless, full function
keyboard for APRS text messaging. Normal keypad presses would be passed
through from the mic, but any keypad presses sent over bluetooth would
be translated from the character sent to the appropriate serial protocol
for the mic (including multiple presses, if necessary, i.e. you have to
hit '2' three times to generate a "C".

Anyway, I was wondering if there are any published specs on the protocol
that the Kenwood mic uses to talk to the D710. According to the
"TM-D710 Instruction Manual" page 15, pin 8 is "keypad serial data."

I'm thinking it would eventually be about a $100 add-on to the radio to
have wireless keyboard messaging ($30 for the keyboard, and $60 or so
for the dongle that goes in-line with the mic cable. Heck, a really
smart guy would include a standard USB host connector in there too, so
you could plug in a standard USB keyboard (i.e. one of those rubber,
roll-up jobs you get for $10 at hamfests).

Anyone?

John Gorkos
AB0OO
l***@public.gmane.org
2011-11-10 14:31:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by John Gorkos
My thought is to build a simple microcontroller that sits in-line with
My D710 mic cable. It could draw off the 8V line on that connector,
I think someone helped the people making remoterig.com for some simple
control via the mic line.

I would say that it's easier to use the connection on the back of the
radio. You know have easy access to virtual all the menu, memory etc
settings.

I have started connecting a bluetooth device to the display unit and
are almost ready with an android app so that you can send/receive
messages when the TM-D710 are in APRS mode. The next step for this app
is to use a second bluetooth device so that you can control all the
menu setings, memory editing etc.

For the all commands you can download the excel document in the yahoo
group for the V71/710

Kai Gunter
LA3QMA
James Higgins
2011-11-10 15:26:28 UTC
Permalink
John

Why not use a stand alone Bluetooth to RS232 adapter. I saw a module
on Ebay for $17.00 that looks like it would interface to the RS232
port on the radio.

I have no affiliation with the Ebay or the company selling the module
nor can I recommend the module. Just looks like a possibility.

Jim KC2SZ
Post by l***@public.gmane.org
Post by John Gorkos
My thought is to build a simple microcontroller that sits in-line with
My D710 mic cable.  It could draw off the 8V line on that connector,
I think someone helped the people making remoterig.com for some simple
control via the mic line.
I would say that it's easier to use the connection on the back of the radio.
You know have easy access to virtual all the menu, memory etc settings.
I have started connecting a bluetooth device to the display unit and are
almost ready with an android app so that you can send/receive messages when
the TM-D710 are in APRS mode. The next step for this app is to use a second
bluetooth device so that you can control all the menu setings, memory
editing etc.
For the all commands you can download the excel document in the yahoo group
for the V71/710
Kai Gunter
LA3QMA
_______________________________________________
aprssig mailing list
https://www.tapr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aprssig
l***@public.gmane.org
2011-11-10 16:11:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by James Higgins
John
Why not use a stand alone Bluetooth to RS232 adapter. I saw a module
on Ebay for $17.00 that looks like it would interface to the RS232
port on the radio.
I have no affiliation with the Ebay or the company selling the module
nor can I recommend the module. Just looks like a possibility.
Jim KC2SZ
The bluetooth module i'm talking about is just plug'n'play on the
backside of the TM-D710. very good price from hong kong

Kai Gunter
LA3QMA
Tom Hayward
2011-11-10 15:57:02 UTC
Permalink
My thought is to build a simple microcontroller that sits in-line with My
D710 mic cable.  It could draw off the 8V line on that connector, and have a
bluetooth transceiver in it and a pic or avr chip that generates the
appropriate 'serial' protocol to simulate mic keypad presses.  By doing
that, I could use this handy little wireless, full function keyboard for
APRS text messaging.  Normal keypad presses would be passed through from the
mic, but any keypad presses sent over bluetooth would be translated from the
character sent to the appropriate serial protocol for the mic (including
multiple presses, if necessary, i.e. you have to hit '2' three times to
generate a "C".
Anyway, I was wondering if there are any published specs on the protocol
that the Kenwood mic uses to talk to the D710.  According to the "TM-D710
Instruction Manual" page 15, pin 8 is "keypad serial data."
You're not the first one to have this idea. This guy has a working
prototype of a keyboard adapter:

http://www.shaneburrell.com/?tag=tm-d710a

It uses an FPGA to generate the mic key signals, because it's a very
odd protocol no one has been able to implement with just a
microcontroller. This page shows what the protocol looks like:

http://www.coastalchip.com/D710.htm

I started a similar project, but to simplify things I planned to
inject serial data on the control head line, because the protocol is a
lot simpler. It's just TTL UART @ 57600 baud (same as many of the
other Kenwood radios). I only got as far as investigating the
protocol, no working prototype.

Tom KD7LXL
l***@public.gmane.org
2011-11-10 16:18:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Hayward
You're not the first one to have this idea. This guy has a working
http://www.shaneburrell.com/?tag=tm-d710a
It uses an FPGA to generate the mic key signals, because it's a very
odd protocol no one has been able to implement with just a
Doing it the hard way. Not sure why people want to do it like that. I
was thinking of doing it like the coastalchip did for the TM-D700 but
for the TM-D710 you have to decode the mic line signal.

So i was thinking a bit further why not use an android/windows/iphone
gadget and you have a keyboard and everything you need to send/receive
messages and also configure/control the radio.
Post by Tom Hayward
http://www.coastalchip.com/D710.htm
I started a similar project, but to simplify things I planned to
inject serial data on the control head line, because the protocol is a
other Kenwood radios). I only got as far as investigating the
protocol, no working prototype.
I'm aware of this and with a small modification you can send messages
but you have to type it "blindly" as using the connection on the
display is not giving you this feedback.

using a keyboard with a small LCD display and you can send/receive
messages when the radio is in APRS mode.

Using an android/windows/iphone gadget you get even more...

Kai Gunter
LA3QMA
Bob Bruninga
2011-11-10 17:02:00 UTC
Permalink
Im not following this thread closely, but here is a data point.

Turns out the D700 DTMF keyboard interface will work with the D710... BUT,
the problem is, that it ONLY works for the DTMF text, all the other buttons
such as editing >, <, del, and CR (ENTER) the old D700 interface was able to
implement via programmable function keys on the Mic. Such that your hands
never had to leave the keyboard to originate, edit and send the message.

On the D710, he can do the DTMF text, but your hands have to go back and
forth so much between the DTMF keyboard and the radio edit and send buttons
that it was not worth the trouble.

Maybe you guys can figure out the DATA stream to do all of this from your
Microntroller. This would be FANTASTIC.

Just do not overlook the fact, that unless you can do the Texting, and
Editing and other message functions all from the added keyboard, then it
might be a frustrating result?

Bob, Wb4APR


-----Original Message-----
From: aprssig-bounces-***@public.gmane.org [mailto:aprssig-bounces-***@public.gmane.org] On Behalf
Of la3qma-***@public.gmane.org
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2011 11:19 AM
To: aprssig-***@public.gmane.org
Subject: Re: [aprssig] Kenwood D710 Mic protocol
Post by Tom Hayward
You're not the first one to have this idea. This guy has a working
http://www.shaneburrell.com/?tag=tm-d710a
It uses an FPGA to generate the mic key signals, because it's a very
odd protocol no one has been able to implement with just a
Doing it the hard way. Not sure why people want to do it like that. I
was thinking of doing it like the coastalchip did for the TM-D700 but
for the TM-D710 you have to decode the mic line signal.

So i was thinking a bit further why not use an android/windows/iphone
gadget and you have a keyboard and everything you need to send/receive
messages and also configure/control the radio.
Post by Tom Hayward
http://www.coastalchip.com/D710.htm
I started a similar project, but to simplify things I planned to
inject serial data on the control head line, because the protocol is a
other Kenwood radios). I only got as far as investigating the
protocol, no working prototype.
I'm aware of this and with a small modification you can send messages
but you have to type it "blindly" as using the connection on the
display is not giving you this feedback.

using a keyboard with a small LCD display and you can send/receive
messages when the radio is in APRS mode.

Using an android/windows/iphone gadget you get even more...

Kai Gunter
LA3QMA
l***@public.gmane.org
2011-11-10 17:53:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bob Bruninga
Just do not overlook the fact, that unless you can do the Texting, and
Editing and other message functions all from the added keyboard, then it
might be a frustrating result?
Bob, Wb4APR
If people can decode or get hold on the "mic protocol" then this is
one approach.

Connecting a BT module on both the radio and display you can control
the radio and turn on/off the TNC and even put it in APRS mode.

When in APRS mode you can receive stations and you can also
send/receive messages without touching the radio.

A keyboard is fine but via the RS232 on radio and display you need a
display as this method doesn't allow a visual feedback.

Kai Gunter
LA3QMA
Steve Noskowicz
2011-11-11 02:32:07 UTC
Permalink
 
--- Bruninga said:

 >  Turns out the D700 DTMF keyboard interface will work with the D710...
 
Just to be clear...  Are you saying that you know that the D710 *decodes* DTMF on the audio line from the mic during message input.
 
--
73, Steve, K9DCI
 
 
John Gorkos
2011-11-11 20:51:47 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Hayward
My thought is to build a simple microcontroller that sits in-line with My
D710 mic cable. It could draw off the 8V line on that connector, and have a
bluetooth transceiver in it and a pic or avr chip that generates the
appropriate 'serial' protocol to simulate mic keypad presses. By doing
that, I could use this handy little wireless, full function keyboard for
APRS text messaging. Normal keypad presses would be passed through from the
mic, but any keypad presses sent over bluetooth would be translated from the
character sent to the appropriate serial protocol for the mic (including
multiple presses, if necessary, i.e. you have to hit '2' three times to
generate a "C".
Anyway, I was wondering if there are any published specs on the protocol
that the Kenwood mic uses to talk to the D710. According to the "TM-D710
Instruction Manual" page 15, pin 8 is "keypad serial data."
You're not the first one to have this idea. This guy has a working
http://www.shaneburrell.com/?tag=tm-d710a
It uses an FPGA to generate the mic key signals, because it's a very
odd protocol no one has been able to implement with just a
http://www.coastalchip.com/D710.htm
I started a similar project, but to simplify things I planned to
inject serial data on the control head line, because the protocol is a
other Kenwood radios). I only got as far as investigating the
protocol, no working prototype.
Tom KD7LXL
_______________________________________________
aprssig mailing list
https://www.tapr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aprssig
Well. So much for that idea. I knew I wasn't that smart. Back to
pounding out messages 12 keys at a time.
Thanks for enlightening me/bursting my little mental bubble.

John Gorkos

Andrew P.
2011-11-10 16:43:08 UTC
Permalink
Let's try this again to the right address....

Funny, this sounds just like a feature I'm trying to put in my application for when it's connected to a Kenwood in APRS (not packet) mode. It seems a shame to turn off the Kenwood's very nice immediate-state tactical display just to run a higher-level strategic app through the COM port (and annoying as **** that you can't send APRS from both the radio and an external app simultaneuously).

Andrew KA2DDO

------Original Message------
From: la3qma-***@public.gmane.org
To: aprssig-***@public.gmane.org
Sent: Nov 10, 2011 11:18 AM
Subject: Re: [aprssig] Kenwood D710 Mic protocol
Post by Tom Hayward
You're not the first one to have this idea. This guy has a working
http://www.shaneburrell.com/?tag=tm-d710a
It uses an FPGA to generate the mic key signals, because it's a very
odd protocol no one has been able to implement with just a
Doing it the hard way. Not sure why people want to do it like that. I 
was thinking of doing it like the coastalchip did for the TM-D700 but 
for the TM-D710 you have to decode the mic line signal.

So i was thinking a bit further why not use an android/windows/iphone 
gadget and you have a keyboard and everything you need to send/receive 
messages and also configure/control the radio.
Post by Tom Hayward
http://www.coastalchip.com/D710.htm
I started a similar project, but to simplify things I planned to
inject serial data on the control head line, because the protocol is a
other Kenwood radios). I only got as far as investigating the
protocol, no working prototype.
I'm aware of this and with a small modification you can send messages 
but you have to type it "blindly" as using the connection on the 
display is not giving you this feedback.

using a keyboard with a small LCD display and you can send/receive 
messages when the radio is in APRS mode.

Using an android/windows/iphone gadget you get even more...

Kai Gunter
LA3QMA

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aprssig mailing list
aprssig-***@public.gmane.org
https://www.tapr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aprssig


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