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Aprs Using The Kenwood Rc-D710 Display Head On The Icom 2820H D-Star Radio
Aprs Using The Kenwood Rc-D710 Display Head On The Icom 2820H D-Star Radio
The Kenwood RC-D710s firmware must be upgraded to version 2.01. This firmware upgrade is available for
download from Kenwoods web site. The Kenwood MCP-2A memory control program is a free download and is
required to adjust the data terminal TX level to 15. The standard data terminal TX level setting is to low for the Icom
2820H.
The MCP-2A memory program and the 2.01 firmware can be downloaded for free from Kenwoods web site:
http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/software_download.html.
The firmware upgrade and some of the settings on the RC-D710 must be performed with a computer. To connect the
RC-D710 to a computer you need to purchase the Kenwood PG-5G PC data cable. The PG-5G cable is not included
with the RC-D710 or the PG-5J interface kit.
Required Items:
Kenwood RC-D710 Control Head - $199.95
Kenwood PG-5J Interface Kit - $87.95
Kenwood PG-5G PC Data Cable - $41.95
A 2.5mm Mini Stereo Jack Plug - $2.99 at Radio Shack
For the Icom 2820H to pass its GPS data to the Kenwood RC-D710, the G-D data setting on the 2820H must be turned
on. Also on the GPS sentence menu set RMA and CGA to on.
Here is a diagram showing all the connections except the GPS connection between the Icom 2820H and the Kenwood
RC-D710.
Here is a diagram of the GPS cable that connects the Icom 2820H to the Kenwood RC-D710. The cable is included
with the Kenwood RC-D710 except its missing the mini stereo plug on one end. You will need to purchase a 2.5mm
mini stereo plug (the same size as the Kenwood supplied plug) and solder it to the cable. Connect this cable from the
Icom 2820Hs front DATA jack to the GPS jack on the side of the Kenwood RC-D710.
Here is a diagram of the GPS cable that must be assembled. Radio Shack has these plugs listed as 3/32 (3/32 =
2.5mm) Model: 274-244, Catalog #: 274-244. The tip wire must be soldered to the tip on the purchased mini stereo
plug. The sleeve wire must be soldered to the sleeve of the purchased mini stereo plug. The barrel wire must be
soldered to the barrel of the purchased mini stereo plug. You could also just purchase a regular stereo cable At Willy's
Electronic Supply 5482 Complex Street 103-105. 6 cable #70-206 $3.99, 12 cable #70-212 $4.29.
Here are the diagrams for the Kenwood PG-5G PC Data Cable if you would like to build your own.
When using this modified cable instead of the PG-5J interface kit, the DCD sense will need to be set to off in the RCD710. Or you can run a wire from pin 6 (P SQL) on the 2820H packet jack to the SQC pin (White orange) on the RJ-45
connector.
Instead of using the GPS data from the Icom 2820H, you can use a separate GPS receiver. Just connect the GPS
receiver to the GPS data jack on the RC-D710.