K8RIC

K8RIC Delta Conversion

rich head

1. Introduction

    Rick Willaman (K8RIC) did such a nice job converting his Delta unit that it's only proper to share some of his construction details and pictures here. While he followed the basic conversion steps, he improved upon the conversion by fully connectorizing the Delta / Control Head interface, even including S Meter functionality. In addition, some of his excellent pictures have been included in the website itself to replace the ones originally taken.

    Here are Rick's improvements:

    a) J-601 Backplane Wiring

    Here's a better picture of the backplane wiring done to J-601, using color coded wire - Nice!

    b) HL Pin Assignments

    This sketch shows how Rick chose to assign the functions of the HL Pins that match up to the corresponding pins on J-601. These are the pins on A-601 that were 'spared up' for use as connection points.

    c) J-601 Pin Assignments

    Here are the assignments of the J-601 pins that are later drilled out and soldered to wires to the female DB-25 connector that will be mounted over top of the Delta's J-601 connector. Note that Rick used 'reserved' pins 23 and 24 for his S Meter circuit - clever!

    d) DB-25 Interface Cabling

    The original procedure called for hard-wiring a DB-25 cable to the 'innards' of the Delta, either by drilling a hole in the side of the radio, or by pulling the DB-25 cable through one of the holes in the front panel connector. Rick mounting the DB-25 connector on the radio itself. He did this by first drilling holes in the appropriate power and communications pins, by soldering the leads from these pins to a DB-25 connector, and then by mounting the connector on the Delta itself.

    e) Adding an 'S' Meter

G.E.and the product names Phoenix, Delta, Rangr are trademarks of Ericsson General Electric Mobile Communications.

DISCLAIMER - - If you follow the steps outlined herein, you do so at your own risk. I cannot, nor will not, be responsible for any possible damage to radio equipment, personal property, to yourself or to others caused by modifications that you may make as a result of your reading this.

The M/P controls TRANSMITTING and receiving on many frequencies, suitable for a wide range of HF, VHF and UHF needs. In the USA, TRANSMIT operation requires a license issued by the FCC for the class of operation intended. Amateur radio licensees must maintain strict control over their equipment, preventing unlicensed operation within or outside of the amateur bands.