They really should have thought of using some connector which is already available and meets the required specs, waterproof, latching, etc. They are widely available from reputable manufacturers and the R&D costs are already paid for. Now Icom designed one of their own and it most certainly is a expensive part.
I can't see a proprietary connector as a cash magnet either. What really is funny too, that a radio which is claimed to be waterproof, has a hole in its 'hull' which is covered only with a rubber cap which pops off quite easily. The DC-inlet, that is. The 92 is ok to use in rain etc. but I really don't consider it waterproof. But that is very ok as it would be difficult to work submerged anyway. The ruggedness brings a bit of freedom how to throw the radio though :) Erik OH2LAK ------- Original message ------- From: Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: dstar_digital@yahoogroups.com Sent: 29.11.'08, 5:33 > I'm not objecting to the use of that connector - though it would have > been nice if they'd used a readily available connector. It looks a > lot like a Hirose LF series, which isn't exactly cheap, but at $12 > it's not bad and it's ruggedized and waterproof. > > If I can get equivalent cables made in lower quantities and still sell > them for a lower price after paying for custom tooling, then I think > that's a pretty good sign that the price they're charging is excessive. > > I think there could also be a market for a simpler cable that's not > threaded and waterproof. How often do you need a waterproof data > cable when you're using it with a laptop that's probably not waterproof? > > Scott > N1VG > > --- In dstar_digital@yahoogroups.com, "Dr. Joe Mesh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > > > And,,, Three of those pins are spares! But remember that the > whole thing > > is water proof to the test specs of the entire radio. BUT. It is > what it > > is guys. > > > > AND it is obtainable like most things in life for $$$. > > > > > > > > Thanks.Joe / W8SS / Mesh Engineering / Trustee & Sysop on D-Star for > K8LCD > > AKA: Dr. Joe Mesh, D.M.D., C.A.G.S. (Prosthodontics) > > from beautiful downtown HELL, Michigan > > Always available at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > ........................................................................... > > ............ > > See us on the web at: > > > > W8SS, W8SSS & K8LCD all on QRZ.com and at drsmesh.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > From: dstar_digital@yahoogroups.com > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > On Behalf Of Jon M. Hanson > > Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 7:24 PM > > To: dstar_digital@yahoogroups.com > > Subject: Re: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] Re: IC-92AD Connector > > > > > > > > What did you expect ICOM to do with a connector that carries power, > > audio, GPS data, push-to-talk line, and grounds for all of those > > (probably separate grounds for each)? I just looked at mine and there > > are 12 pins in there. If they made separate connectors for each then > > it probably would have violated the dimensions they were designing for > > making the unit much less compact not to mention having all kinds of > > wires sticking out of it making it cumbersome. > > --- > > Jon M. Hanson (N7ZVJ) > > Weblog: http://the-hansons-az.net/wordpress/ > > Homepage: http://the-hansons-az.net/ > > Jabber IM: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:jon%40the-hansons-az.net> > > > > On Nov 28, 2008, at 2:47 PM, Scott wrote: > > > > > --- In dstar_digital@yahoogroups.com > > <mailto:dstar_digital%40yahoogroups.com> , "Dr. Joe Mesh" <jm@> wrote: > > > > > > > > There is a solution! > > > > > > > > But if you look at this like most of us anything past FREE is never > > > > affordable. > > > > > > > > Mark, KJ4VO at the HRO Atlanta store and I have been researching > > > this. No > > > > one has the proprietary connector, period. I have not been able to > > > locate > > > > the custom waterproof connector vendor that Icom uses either. > > > > > > > > It turns out that the ONLY way we have found using any supplier to > > > do this > > > > is to order the microphone cable from the GPS microphone. It is > > > perfect > > > > > > Good to know. The suppliers I get my speaker mic cables from are > > > actually factories that produce speaker mics and things for companies > > > like Kenwood. Unfortunately they don't have this one, and if it turns > > > out that the tooling is owned by ICOM and is completely proprietary, > > > then there's not much alternative but to have a new mold made even if > > > I can find the factory. > > > > > > What's the cheapest accessory that has this connector type, regardless > > > of which pins are wired? If I do have them produced, I'll need to > > > send a couple of samples in for analysis. > > > > > > Scott > > > N1VG > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > >
