Zero Retries Guide to VHF / UHF Radios for Data

Steve Stroh N8GNJ
Aug 18, 2023
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Compiled by Steve Stroh N8GNJ, Editor - Zero Retries

Software Defined Transceivers are not currently in scope of this Zero Retries Guide.

No Modification Required / In Production / Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio VHF / UHF radios that are in production that are known to be usable for high(er) speed “audio interface” data communications such as VARA FM and 9600 bps Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) that do not require modification to be usable for high speed data.

50-54 MHz

  • Alinco DR-06T (Use Adapter 1 for standard 6-pin MiniDIN “data” port)

144-148 MHz

222-225 MHz

440-450 MHz

144-148 MHz / 440-450 MHz

144-148 MHz / 222-225 MHz / 440-450 MHz

Some Modification Required / In Production / Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio VHF / UHF radios that are in production that are known to be usable for high(er) speed “audio interface” data communications such as VARA FM and 9600 bps Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) but require some modification to be usable for high speed data. Radios listed in this section have detailed modification instructions available.

This section in development.

No Modification Required / Out of Production / Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio VHF / UHF radios that are out of production that are known to be usable for high(er) speed “audio interface” data communications such as VARA FM and 9600 bps Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) that do not require modification to be usable for high speed data.

Unless otherwise noted, radios in this section have an integral 6-pin MiniDIN “data” port.

144-148 MHz / 440-450 MHz

  • Kenwood TM-V71A - This was an excellent data radio. Not only did it include an integral 6-pin Mini DIN “data” port, but its operating modes were remotely controllable via an RS-232 port. It went out of production in 2021 or 2022 (accounts vary).

This section in development.

Some Modification Required / Out of Production / Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio VHF / UHF radios that are out of production that are known to be usable for high(er) speed “audio interface” data communications such as VARA FM and 9600 bps Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) but require some modification to be usable for high speed data. Radios listed in this section have detailed modification instructions available.

This section in development.

No Modification Required / Out of Production / Commercial

Commercial (surplus) VHF / UHF radios that are out of production that are known to be usable for high(er) speed “audio interface” data communications such as VARA FM and 9600 bps Frequency Shift Keying (FSK). Radios listed in this section do not require modification, but do require reprogramming2 for use in Amateur Radio VHF / UHF spectrum. Radios listed in this section have reprogramming instructions available.

This section in development.

Some Modification Required / Out of Production / Commercial

Commercial (surplus) VHF / UHF radios that are out of production that are known to be usable for high(er) speed “audio interface” data communications such as VARA FM and 9600 bps Frequency Shift Keying (FSK). Radios listed in this section require some modification to be usable for high speed data. Radios listed in this section also require reprogramming for use in Amateur Radio VHF / UHF spectrum. Radios listed in this section have detailed modification instructions and reprogramming instructions available.

This section in development.

Explanation of the Amateur Radio 6-pin MiniDIN “data” (9600 port) connector

The standard 6-pin MiniDIN connector on some Amateur Radios is referred to as the “Data” connector. This connector is also referred to as the “9600 port”.

Image from Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9600_port

See the Wikipedia article 9600 port for a basic explanation.

Analog, not Digital
This connector does not provide data (digital) signals (suitable for direct connection to a computer). Signals available on this connector are analog - audio input, audio output, and Push-to-Talk. Signals on this connector have bypassed the radio’s voice pre-emphasis (microphone) and de-emphasis (speaker) circuits so that audio signals from “modems” (sometimes referred to as “TNCs” or “Sound Cards”) will not be distorted by pre-emphasis and de-emphasis.

Flat Audio
Audio that is not pre-emphasis and de-emphasis is sometimes referred to as “flat audio”, typically in conjunction with repeaters that use audio conditioning units or circuits.

Originally Used for 9600 bps
This connector was originally used (required) for 9600 bps data using Frequency Shift Keying (FSK). 9600 bps data is rarely used in the past decade, thus the 6-pin MiniDIN connector is usually not included in new Amateur Radios. The development of VARA FM, and its ability to transmit and receive data up to 25 kbps caused a resurgence in interest in radios that included this connector, and some new radios such as the Yaesu FTM-6000R include this connector.

This section in development.

Adapters for Standard 6-pin MiniDIN “Data” Connector

Adapter 1
Masters Communications Alinco-6 converts the unique DSUB-9 connector used on some Alinco radios to standard 6-Pin MiniDIN.

Adapter 2
Masters Communications BCM-6 converts the unique High Density DSUB-15 connector used on BridgeCom BCM-xxd radios to standard 6-Pin MiniDIN.

Adapter 3
Yaesu CT-164 converts the unique 10-pin MiniDIN connector used on some Yaesu radios to standard 6-pin MiniDIN.

This section in development.

Other Compilations of Radios Suitable for Data

This section in development.

Icom Digital Data (DD) Radios and Repeaters

Icom Digital Data (DD) mode is a feature of some Icom radios and repeaters. It provides data speeds of 128 kbps using a 100 kHz channel on 1240 - 1300 MHz.

This section in development.

New Packet Radio

New Packet Radio (despite its name) has no relation to conventional Amateur Radio Packet Radio. It is a new, unique, TCP/IP-based data protocol for Amateur Radio data communications. It provides data speeds up to 512 kbps using a 100 kHz channel on 430 - 450 MHz.

This section in development.

Last updated 2023-08-17

1

The FTM-6000R is the preferred Yaesu radio in production that is usable for higher-speed data as it is “FM only”. The Yaesu FTM-200DR, FTM-300DR, and FTM-500DR all include System Fusion capability and are thus more expensive.

2

Reprogramming using software; radios that require crystals are out of scope.