Tait T2010 vs NinoTNC

tait-ninotnc-no-tx.md

I have a NinoTNC and a Tait with a TS0220 Iss 5 for TS5095 daughterboard, and I don't seem to get audio (or very low?) on RF. I was received on a nearby APRS receiver (?!), but not others, and not packet, and don't hear anything on a handheld.

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The NinoTNC passes its Test #3 (no yellow LED when SIGNALS MIC, but it does show with DATA). I've verified I get audio on TXA, using a amplifier+speaker (70-0190 project) and the test button: I hear the tone, and packet noise (video). I've continuity tested TXA to the Tait's S13-8, which is TX-SIG-IN. Without the accessory connector in, I can use the fist mic and get audio on the handheld, on a dummy load, so the radio works. When I plug the cable in and hit the NinoTNC test button, I get PTT doing TX, I receive a carrier on a handheld, but no tone or other audio. I tried grounding the SIG-SQULCH, that didn't help.

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I joined the Tait group on groups.io. Threads of interest:

Tait T2010 no transmit G7KMA, G1EZJ. This is with the same board as mine. Seems like D500 BAV70 and R513 are missing, and can be fixed with wire, see photos and planned yellow mods below. Can try that next. Also audo tx gain mod if needed

TS5199 Board in T2010 2E0SIP, M0ZPU. Note, not the identical board, but perhaps similar My Tait T2010-321-F93 has daughter board of some sort, a TS0220 Iss 5 for TS5095.

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References:

http://manuals.repeater-builder.com/2003/T2000/T2000%20Series%202%20Service%20Manual/M2000-00-301/Section_7-10.pdf IPN 220-01377-03 is my logic board

service manual https://www.manualslib.com/manual/2632894/Tait-T2000-Ii-Series.html?page=90#manual

FCC https://fccid.io/CASTEL0036/Schematics/Mechanical-Drawings-92986

Bought from Radioswap Ltd Communications on Ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/usr/radioswap_communications?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11400.m43474.l10174&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=cdba272aaead4ce5b2e2181e8aab3124&bu=43150648006&exe=104281&ext=245395&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20230222021951&segname=11400 and https://radioswap.co.uk . Chris Medlock?

This line interface kit is is NOT my board but maybe the descriptions help

I found a pinout here.

This one http://www.lyonscomputer.com.au/Radio-Transceivers/Tait-Radios/Tait-Line-Interface-Kits/docs/T2000-A80-Line-Interface-Fitting-Instructions-418-28000-01.pdf and
http://manuals.repeater-builder.com/2003/T2000/T2000%20Series%202%20Service%20Manual/M2000-00-301/Section_8-14.pdf

pins

5 4 3 2 1
   10 9 8 7 6
15 14 13 12 11

My tracing attempt. Note the blue link between the pin 2 and 14 (on other side of the board)

DE-15
1           S14-1 +13.8V. (verified with measurement)
2           S14-6 /PTT-TO-OPT (linked with 14)
3           S13-8 TX-SIG-IN
4           S13-11 OPTIONS-GND
5           S13-1 DET-AF-OUT (and DET point on logic board)
6           -
7           - No continuity, but per the circuit linked below, is S14-3 BUSY, via some amplifiers.
8           S14-8 MIC-MUTE
9           S13-11 OPTIONS-GND
10          P15 white S15-5 N/U
11          S14-9 /SIG-SQULCH
12          -
13          -
14          S14-5 PTT-FRM-OPT (and PTT point on logic board). Linked with 2
15          S14-15 RSSI

Actually, it looks a lot like this "Options" 220-01639-03 IPN 403-01639-03 https://manuals.repeater-builder.com/2004/T2000/Service%20manual%20additions/220-01639-03%20T2000SP%20OPTIONS%20BOARD%20A81/220-01639-03.pdf even thought it's not marked. Very lucky that this popped up on OARC here

And http://manuals.repeater-builder.com/2006/TM8000/TM8100%203rd%20Party%20Developers%20Kit/MMAA30-01-00-807.pdf seems to explain what those things are:

So do this?

executed that plan. verified continuity from bottom-left pin of the diode to the bottom of R547.
no change: still no tone on the HT.

Also tried the "notx" photo, no change. That seems to be for pin 6 on the DE15, which is not connected, so I'm not sure what achieves.

So... now what

I think I get audio with the fist mic with the option board disconnected. So perhaps try to bypass the option board and solder directly to S13/S14? Tried with wire inserts first, no change.

Looking at https://m0nfi.uk/equipment/mb7ivg-equipment.html I think perhaps he uses
S13-3 RX-LINE-OUT
S13-6 TX-LINE-IN
S13-11 OPTIONS-GND
S14-4 RX-GATE
S14-6 PTT-FROM-OPT
but, that's for a repeater.

Anyway, tried that, and it worked! Got successful test decode by Rik, and actually heard the tone on my ic9700 too.

Then reconnected the pi, restarted linbpq, did c M7GMT-5, and connected to Rik, and a chat followed.

So now to make this permanent I'll have to look. Perhaps remove the options board, put in my own VGA female.
It'd be nice if we could use the 12/16 IDC connector instead of wiring to the board. Looks like I need https://uk.farnell.com/wurth-elektronik/690157001672/connector-header-16pos-2row-idc/dp/2984310 .

From OARC #national-packet-network, they do seem to be taking what I had initially... so why does that not work? Perhaps try again.

[13:01]Robin M0JQQ: most interface boards use short ribbon cables to connect to main board
[13:01]Szymon - M0GZP: Ok yes I do
Image
[13:01]Szymon - M0GZP: Yeah short cables make it impossible to invert without removing main board
[13:01]Szymon - M0GZP:
Image
Image
[13:03]Szymon - M0GZP: not an awful lot here, I can't find anything on this board on google
[13:05]Mike Quin - 2M0MQN: Going by that side it looks like it might be an audio interface just without the prototyping space that the usual option board has.
[13:06]Vic EI5IYB ♢: this looks very proprietary
[13:06]Robin M0JQQ: Check you have a direct connection from S14.6 to D2, S13.1 to D5, S13.8 to D3 and S13.11 to D4. 
Then standard tait connector wil work
[13:07]Robin M0JQQ:
Image
[13:07]Robin M0JQQ: That is fo5 nino TNC to 15 pin 3 row tait 
[13:08]Szymon - M0GZP: that's a 15 pin connector not a 21 pin connector 😉
[13:10]Szymon - M0GZP: hmmm which is S14 and which is S13?
[13:10]Mike Quin - 2M0MQN: They're labelled on the silkscreen
[13:10]Robin M0JQQ: S13 top, S14 middle and S16 bottom as in your pic
[13:10]Szymon - M0GZP: my eyes aren't what they used to be dammit 😦
[13:11]Mike Quin - 2M0MQN: S15 is the lower red connector  in this picture
[13:12]Szymon - M0GZP: I can confirm all of these
[13:12]Mike Quin - 2M0MQN: https://manuals.repeater-builder.com/2004/T2000/Service%20manual%20additions/220-01639-03%20T2000SP%20OPTIONS%20BOARD%20A81/220-01639-03.pdf is the A81 board - might help for reference
[13:12]Szymon - M0GZP: Yeah got it when I looked closer, thanks 🙂
[13:13]Szymon - M0GZP: ok so now I need to find a DSUB15 connector sigh off to find an old VGA cable
[13:14]Szymon - M0GZP: I assume these are RX/TX/PTT/GND?  Can you say which is which? 🙂
[13:15]Mike Quin - 2M0MQN: D2 is ptt
[13:15]Mike Quin - 2M0MQN: D3 is audio from TNC
D5 is audio to TNC
[13:16]Mike Quin - 2M0MQN: D4 is ground
[13:16]Szymon - M0GZP: Perfect, thanks