Custom Products for the Digital Radio Amateur Enthusiast

Quick Explanation:
The DRA-36M is a sound card made specifically for our extruded & anodized Metal-SC Cases. The "M" Series sound cards have the same high-performance as our Standard Series, and in most cases even have the same model number - just with a M appended to the end.

The DRA-36M is a mechanically and electrically refined DRA-36 that's easier to use because of eliminating things not required for digital data communications, and, making easier to access headers and jumpers, and, (mostly) eliminating the need for adapter rails and their associated attachment hardware.

Revision 2 puts the blue COMM OK LED on the front panel, and adds selectable Relay or Transistor PTT keying. All usable features are retained, and all jumpers are numbered the same as a DRA-36.

   
DRA-36M Front and Rear

More information for those willing to continue reading:
If you've ever purchased a DRA-30 thru DRA-80 along with a Metal-SC case, you know that adapter rails are used to make the board wider and longer - so it can slide into the mating slots of the metal cases. The rails are simply installed as part of the build process. The M Series circuit boards eliminate the need for adapter rails and maximizes usability because the board is a little larger. The new boards slide directly into the slots of the metal case. The boards have a tinned copper shielding enhancement area that slides into the slots of the metal case. This tinned area maximizes the coupling between the board and case and minimizes RFI.

Plastic cases allow all LED's to be viewed from the top. Prior to REV2 M Series boards - there was no easy way to view the blue COMM OK LED when a board was placed in a Metal-SC case. As shown above, a new front panel adds the blue LED, and new rear panels properly identify the M Series boards.

The PTT keying method is selectable by two mechanical jumpers. You choose between Transistor or Relay keying. The Relay position adds functionality that the DRA-52 has, being compatible with all radios, including the ICOM IC-706MKIIG and ID-880H. The Transistor position insures the fastest keying on radios that are okay with electronic keying. A reed type relay minimizes the keying delay when this option must be used.

The DRA-36M does away with a function that wasn't easily able to be taken advantage of. This function was the the CTCSS Logic input. This input would only ever be used with AllStar Link or Echolink and provides little to no value for digital data communications. While the regular DRA-36 has this input - it couldn't be brought to the outside world because there aren't enough pins on the Mini-DIN6 radio connector for everything. Thankfully this feature is rarely (never?) required when using a DRA for digital data using programs like VARA, SoundModem, fldigi, and Direwolf. The DRA-36M is still AllStar Link and Echolink capable - as access to COS Logic has been retained.

Because the M series circuit boards are slightly larger, we now have the room to move things around without compromising performance. In the case of the DRA-36M - we've moved JU3, the TX channel select and JU5, the 1200 / 9600 RX baud select headers more easily accessible spots. Needle nose pliers are no longer required to move any jumpers.

Additionally - one header/jumper was eliminated - as explained below.

RA-DR1XM

And - we'll still supply any other Standard RA or DRA board in a metal case when that option is chosen - using adapter rails and hardware.

Email Kevin Custer for ordering information, ordering by check, and/or support of this exciting product.

Product of Masters Communications, all rights reserved.
Specifications may change without notice.
Images are property of Kevin Custer - W3KKC
Board layout by Kevin Custer - W3KKC
HTML April 21, 2024, W3KKC All Rights Reserved!