Custom Products for the Digital Radio Amateur Enthusiast

Some generalizations:

• The DRA-36 and DRA-36M works well with ICOM and TYT radios - except those listed with a different recommendation.
• The DRA-50 or DRA-50M works well for Alinco, Kenwood, and Yaesu radios.
• Yaesu FTM radios (most - not all) use our DIN6-164 cable directly with no adaptation (see below).
• Some radios require an adapter or other mechanical upgrade to support digital communications.
• Some adapters available on this site change the native data connector to Mini-DIN-6 female.
• Some radios are bandwidth limited and won't work on the fastest data speeds. When we know one that does (or doesn't) we'll add a note.

There are exceptions, and it's best to inquire to make sure which DRA works the best with your radio depending on several factors including the application/program you're using. A link is provided below to email Kevin.

Alinco
Alinco DR-735T (DRA-50M REV2, DRA-52, '80, 'SR or '100 required for proper PTT operation - Maximum transmission speed is 4800 bps. Maximum reception speed is 9600 bps.
Alinco DR-X35 radios (some - not all) using our Alinco-6 Adapter Module. These are good for VARA FM Wide at Level 13.
Alinco DR-X38 radios (some - not all) using our Alinco-6 Adapter Module and Alinco / TYT AC-25 Accessory Connector.

Bridgecom
Bridgecom BCM Series - (some not all) may use our BCM-6 Adapter (currently in Beta testing)
These radio have a HD15 (VGA) data connector and this adapter converts that to MiniDIN-6.

ICOM
IC-207H
IC-208H
IC-2720H
IC-2800H
IC-2820H
IC-703
IC-706MKIIG (DRA-50M REV2, DRA-52, '80, 'SR or '100 required for proper PTT operation)
IC-746PRO
IC-7000
IC-7100
IC-7300
IC-7400
IC-910H
ID-880H (DRA-50M REV2, DRA-52, '80, 'SR or '100 required for proper PTT operation)
IC-9100

Kenwood
TM-251/255
TM-271 and TM-271A (US models requires modification to radio - details at N1VG)
European TM-271/271A
TM-451 & 455
TM-D700
TM-D700A
TM-D710A, E or G
TM-G707A
TM-V708A
TM-733A
TM-V7
TM-V7A
TM-V71A
TS-480HX, TS-480SAT

TYT
TH-9000 - works well with our Alinco-6 Adapter Module and AC-25 Accessory Connector.
These radios are not 9600 or VARA FM Wide capable, but work well with VARA FM Narrow.

Yaesu
FT-100, FT-100D
FT-DX101 & 101MP
FT-817, FT-817ND
FT-450, FT-450D
FT-840 **
FT-847 **
FT-857
FT-891
FT-897
FT-950
FT-991, 991A
FT-DX1200
FT-1500M
FT-2600 (requires our Alinco-6 Adapter Module)
FT-DX3000
FT-7100
FT-7800R
FT-7900R
FT-8000
FT-8100
FT-8500
FT-8800R
FT-8900R
FT-DX10
FTM-100DR ## &&
FTM-200DR ## @@
FTM-300DR ## @@
FTM-350 $$
FTM-400DE, DR, XDE, XDR ##
FTM-500DR ##
FTM-6000E or R ##
VX-1700

## You have a choice when connecting these radios to a DRA-50 or DRA-50M:
1 - Use our DIN6-164 Cable. This is a Masters Communications exclusive cable.
2 - Use a Yaesu CT-164 Adapter Cable to convert the 10-pin Mini-DIN to a standard 6-pin Mini-DIN female. Then use our DIN6-Shortie or DRAC-12 Cable to make the connection between the radio and DRA.
The CT-164 Adapter is available from authorized Yaesu Dealers.

** Data Port doesn't support HF data operation.

&& The FTM-100 requires you to go into "Set-up Menu" (see pages 51 thru 53 of the "advanced" owners manual) and shut off the APRS Modem to use a sound card like a DRA.
Follow the steps outlined in the section "Setting the packet communication operation".
Otherwise, you won't have receive audio from the "Data" port for an external sound card.
By default, when the radios squelch is closed, some weird data appears on the receive audio pin(s) of the CT-164 adapter and traditional Packet or VARA operation is not possible until "Packet DATA" is enabled, APRS is disabled, and the squelch is set open.
Other usual digital settings (like data speed) also apply, and are explained in this section of the advanced owners manual. Make sure the data speed matches and the squelch is open.

$$ The FTM-350 requires Yaesu's CT-141 adapter to convert its 8-pin Mini-DIN connector to a standard 6-pin mini-DIN and our DIN6-Shortie or DRAC-12 cable.
The CT-141 adapter is available from authorized Yaesu dealers.

@@ The FTM-200 and 300 requires the following configuration to work properly with a sound card.
First - watch this video by NA9LE - Youtube; DRA-50 & FTM-300 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lJDpADFxA4
While this video references a FTM-300, the contents are pertinent to the FTM-200 too.
Continue with what follows below:

After watching Jeremiah's video, you'll have to: