Kenwood TM-455E - Manual (Page 51)

8 EchoLink
TM-D710A/E CONTENTS 41
8.2 EchoLink and the TM-D710A/E
(written by Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD)
The Kenwood TM-D710A/E (and TM-V71A/E) is the first commercially-available amateur radio
transceiver with built-in EchoLink system capabilities. There are two different features of the
TM-D710A/E that make it useful for EchoLink operation:
• The rig supports EchoLink “node memories”, for use when mobile. You can store the node
number of your favorite EchoLink nodes in the transceiver’s memory. When you are in range of
a local EchoLink node, you can use a short-cut command to have the rig send the correct
DTMF sequence to connect the local EchoLink node to a distant EchoLink node.
• The rig makes it easier to set up your own EchoLink node by including a built-in PC interface.
If you purchase the optional PC cable kit, you can connect the transceiver directly to the sound
card and serial port of your PC to have it operate as an EchoLink node.
8.2.1 Sysop Mode
With the optional PG-5H cable kit, the TM-D710A/E can be connected directly to a PC to run the
EchoLink software in Sysop mode. In Sysop mode, EchoLink forms a gateway between the
Internet and a local RF channel, such as a simplex frequency or a nearby repeater. This allows
other nodes on the EchoLink system to communicate with mobile or portable users in your area.
Other EchoLink users can connect to your node, or local mobile and portable users can use the
DTMF pad on their rigs to connect your EchoLink node to other nodes on the system. For details,
refer to 8.5 Setting Up a Node Station (Link Station) with TM-D710A/E.
The TM-D710A/E connects to the sound card and serial port of your PC. The sound card
connection handles the transmitted and received audio, and the serial-port connection takes care
of PTT control and carrier detect. This allows the EchoLink software to key and un-key the
TM-D710A/E’s transmitter, and to detect the presence of a signal received by the TM-D710A/E.
8.2.2 Making the Connections
The Kenwood PG-5H is a package of two different cables. Following the instructions in the
TM-D710A/E Instruction Manual, connect the cables to the two jacks in the back of the transceiver
and to the serial port and sound card jacks of your computer. The pink plug goes to the
microphone input of the sound card, and the green plug goes to the sound card’s line out
(or speaker out). The black 9-pin connector goes to the computer’s serial port.
Many modern computers have USB ports, but no serial ports. If your computer has no serial port,
you will need to use either a serial-to-USB adapter cable, or a serial port option card. Either can
be purchased from stores that sell computer accessories.
8.2.3 Transceiver Set-Up
You will need to put the transceiver into EchoLink Sysop mode. To set up the transceiver, hold
down [PF2] while pressing the power button. Set up the link frequency on the "data band"
(normally the left-hand side of the transceiver) and be sure it is enabled for "PTT" and "CTRL".