Icom IC-900 User manual

RLC-ICM
Icom IC-900/901 Band Module Controller
Link Communications Inc.
P.O. Box 1071
Sidney, MT 59270

Introduction
You have purchased a powerful interface for remote control of the Icom IC-900/901 band
modules. The modules support a large range of frequency synthesis that the RLC-ICM controls.
The RLC-ICM interfaces the radios, provides receive and transmit audio level control, and
separate PL encode/decode supports by using the options TS-64 tone module. The RLC-ICM is
composed of 2 parts. Part 1 is the controller interface and part 2 is the radio interface. The radio
interface is a module that plugs into the actual radio module. The RLC-ICM supports up to 4 of
these interfaces. By reading this manual and following the enclosed examples most of your
questions should be answered.
We have attempted to explain everything in a way that is easy to understand, but some questions
are inevitable. If you have carefully read the manual and still have questions, call us at (406)
482-7515, fax at [phone], E-Mail at [email protected] or write us at.
Link Communications Inc.
P.O. Box 1071
Sidney, MT 59270-1071

Limited Warranty
Coverage:
Link Communications Inc. warrants that its products will be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment. During this time, Link
Communications Inc. will cover parts, labor and return shipping. If failure is caused by
instances other than manufacturing defects, Link Communications Inc. will repair the product
and bill the customer for parts, labor, and shipping. Contact Link Communications Inc. for more
information.
What Link Communications Inc. will not cover:
1. Too much voltage to the controller. The RLC-ICM operates at +11V to +15V, negative
ground.
2. Damage to the controller by lightning, accident, or incorrect power hook-up.
3. Incorrect unit installation.
4. Damage caused by shipment (damage claims are handled by the carrier).
6. Repairs by other than Link Communications Inc.
THIS WARRANTY HOLDS ONLY TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER
HOW TO GET SERVICE
Please contact Link Communications Inc. for servicing information and authorization.
SOFTWARE
Link Communications Inc. holds the copyright on the RLC-ICM's software and hardware.
Changes to the software and copying of the software is prohibited without the written consent of
Link Communications Inc.

1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...........................................................1
Getting Started .............................................................2
Default Settings .............................................................2
Building a cable to interface the RLC-1 to the RLC-ICM interface ......................3
Building a cable to interface the RLC-2 to the RLC-ICM interface ......................3
Building a cable to interface the RLC-3 to the RLC-ICM interface ......................4
Power Connection ...........................................................4
Radio Interface Modules ......................................................4
Setup RLC-ICOM Interface with the RLC-1 Controller ..............................5
Programming the RLC-ICM with the RLC-1 controller ..............................6
Setup RLC-ICOM Interface with the RLC-2 Controller ..............................8
Programming the RLC-ICM with the RLC-2 .....................................10
PL Frequency using the TS-64 PL module .......................................10
RLC-2 Examples ...........................................................11
Setup and Programming the RLC-ICM with the RLC-3 .............................11
Special Considerations ......................................................12
Installing the TS-64 tone module ..............................................13
Schematic Drawings ........................................................14
Board Layouts .............................................................19

2
Getting Started
The RLC-ICM interface will operate on all Link Communications Inc. products that support the
Doug Hall RBI-1 interface. The RLC-ICM gets its input from the controller and then routes the
information to the requested band unit. To get the RLC-ICM operational you will need to:
make all of the hardware connections including building the cable to the controller, enter the
setup commands, then use the RLC-ICM with the controller commands for the Doug Hall RBI-1
interface.
Default Settings
To initialize the RLC-ICM back to factory presets you need to place a jumper between 2 pins on
a header connector. These pins are labeled 'T' and 'R'. When the jumper is placed across these 2
pins, and the interface goes through a power on reset cycle, all of the setup information
programmed into the ICM will be erased and overwritten with preset values. These preset
values cover the most widely used band modules.
There are 4 (10pin) ribbon cable connectors located on the ICM main board. These
connectors are labeled 1-4 indicating what module number the controller will control when
frequency and configuration information is entered. At initialization the module number is
configured with the following information.
Module 1:
- Frequency band: 140-160 mhz
- Offset when in plus or minus mode: 600 khz
- Frequency: 146.520 simplex
Module 2:
- Frequency band: 220 mhz
- Offset when in plus or minus mode: 1.600 khz
- Frequency: 224.000 simplex
Module 3:
- Frequency band: 430-440 mhz
- Offset when in plus or minus mode: 5.00 khz
- Frequency: 446.000 simplex
Module 4:
- Frequency band: not defined
- Offset when in plus or minus mode: not defined
- Frequency: not defined
When the user sends a frequency from the controller to the RLC-ICM the interface will
automatically determine what module to talk to from these definitions, or whatever you change
them to with the setup commands.

3
Building a cable to interface the RLC-1 to the RLC-ICM interface
The cable used to communicate with the RLC-ICM consists of 2 cables summed into a single
connector that connects to the interface.
Cable 1 is the audio cable Cable 2 is the serial data cable, DB-25
Pin 1 Ground Pin 9 Pin 2 Reset Pin 1
Pin 2 No Connect Pin 3 Clock Pin 4
Pin 3 PTT Pin 8 Pin 15 Data Pin 3
Pin 4 Audio Out Pin 5
Pin 5 Audio In Pin 6 *
Pin 6 No Connect
Pin 7 COR Pin 7
Pin 8 No Connect
Pin 9 No Connect
* Audio is discriminator audio. User must install appropriate audio de-emphasis jumper.
The female DB-9 on the RLC-ICM is used to pass data into the interface. The above tables
'bold' typeface indicates what connections are made to this connector. Pin #2 will not be
connected on this connector. The COR output from the RLC-ICM is low when active. All
other signals can be interfaced without any special consideration.
Building a cable to interface the RLC-2 to the RLC-ICM interface
The cable used to communicate with the RLC-ICM consists of 2 cables summed into a single
connector that connects to the interface.
Cable 1 is the audio cable Cable 2 is the serial data cable
Pin 1 Ground Pin 9 Pin 1 No Connect
Pin 2 No Connect Pin 2 Clock Pin 4
Pin 3 PTT Pin 8 Pin 3 Reset Pin 1
Pin 4 Audio Out Pin 5 Pin 4 No Connect
Pin 5 Audio In Pin 6 * Pin 5 No Connect
Pin 6 No Connect Pin 6 Data Pin 3
Pin 7 COR Pin 7 Pin 7 No Connect
Pin 8 No Connect Pin 8 No Connect
Pin 9 No Connect Pin 9 No Connect
* Audio is discriminator audio. User must install appropriate audio de-emphasis jumper.
The female DB-9 on the RLC-ICM is used to pass data into the interface. The above tables
'bold' typeface indicates what connections are made to this connector. Pin #2 will not be
connected on this connector. The COR output from the RLC-ICM is low when active. All
other signals can be interfaced without any special consideration.

4
Building a cable to interface the RLC-3 to the RLC-ICM interface
The cable used to connect the RLC-3 to the RLC-ICM has two connectors on one end and one
connector on the other. The end that plugs into the RLC-3 has a connector for the radio port (the
bottom DB-9 on a radio card) and one for the serial port (the top connector on the radio card).
The cables from these two connectors are both connected to the one DB-9 that plugs into the
RLC-ICM.
RLC-ICM RLC-3 Connections
Pin# - Line Name Pin# - Line Name
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1 - Reset (optional) Connect to an output line on I/O board
Connections to serial port on the radio card (top DB-9)
3 - Data 2 - RLC-3 SPI data output
4 - Clock/Strobe 3 - RLC-3 SPI clock output
Connections to the radio port (bottom DB-9)
5 - TX Audio 4 - RLC-3 audio out
6 - RX Audio* 5 - RLC-3 audio in
7 - COS from RX 7 - RLC-3 COR input (set for active low)
8 - PTT to TX 3 - RLC-3 PTT output
9 - Ground 1 - RLC-3 ground connection
* Audio is discriminator audio. Turn de-emphasis switch on radio card on.
Power Connection
The user needs to provide +12v DC to the RLC-ICM interface. When DC is present, the Red
LED will light. The polarity of the connector is Center pin (+), Shield (-). The interface draws
65mA at 12volts.
Radio Interface Modules
The RLC-ICM requires the installation of the radio interface module inside the band units. This
module allows the interface to communicate with the radio at a faster rate. The module contains
the squelch pot and the power level selection. Squelch adjustment is made by adjusting the
squelch pot. To loosen the squelch adjust the pot clockwise. To tighten the squelch adjust the
pot counter clockwise. The power level is adjusted by selecting either H (High) or L (Low).
Refer to your band unit manual for rf power output levels. The LED on the module indicates
power to the radio.
Installation of the radio module is accomplished by first removing the front module cover
(Grasp the cover on either side and gently remove). Second remove the (4) slotted screws
located in the corners of the board. Carefully remove to original circuit board and set aside.
Replace the board with the RLC-ICM radio interface and re-fasten the 4 screws. Plug the ribbon
cable into the 10 pin connector with the cable towards the top of the interface. Re-place the
radio's module cover and plug the ribbon cable into the appropriate radio slot.

5
Setup RLC-ICOM Interface with the RLC-1 Controller
The RLC-Icom interface allows the RLC-1 to control IC-900 band modules using the same
commands as are used for the Doug Hall RBI-1.
The RLC-ICM default set-up configured:
140-160 mhz band as module 1
220 mhz band as module 2
430-440 mhz band as module 3
Configuration for the RLC-1 consists of sending a special configuration data stream using the
RBI-1 software routines.
This command sets-up the interface to recognize the different band modules, and their location.
Format:- C033 is the default command name.
- Band unit 0 is required
- Power level of 3 is required
- 1 Mhz is always a '9'
- Remote slots number from 6,7,8,9 correspond to slot 1,2,3,4
-- This data is entered in the 100 Khz position
- Offset of 3 is required
- 'SS' Set-up code is from the table below
- PL frequency of 31 is required
- PL on/off information of 10 is required
This format then translates into:
C033*039#SS33101 <unkey> of *
Where # is the slot number 6=1, 7=2, 8=3, 8=4
Where SS is the configuration information below
It is recommended to put the module 'ON' information into a macro that the user calls after a
frequency is programmed into the RLC-ICM.
Example: Want to set-up module 4 as a 10meter module, then go to 29.600 simplex
1) C033*03990033101 * ; This assigns the 28 Mhz module to slot #4
This only needs to be done only once after complete re-initialization is run.
2) C033*00960020000 * ; This assigns frequency 9600 with simplex operation
Once the frequency is entered the RLC-ICM is in receive only mode
3) C033*03998533101 * ; This puts slot #4 into transmit and receive mode
It is recommended to put this information in a macro for easier access

6
Programming the RLC-ICM with the RLC-1 controller
The RLC-1 controller does not have a specific command for setting up the RLC-ICM interface.
Therefore the user must enter the programming strings using Command C033. The
Procedure:
First tell the RLC-Icom which band module is plugged into each of its connectors. The
setup codes are listed in the chart below. You will need to execute command C033 once
for each setup code you wish to enter.
SS (the setup code) Description
00 28 Mhz Module
05 50 Mhz Module
10 140..160 Mhz Module
15 220 Mhz Module
20 430..440 Mhz Module
25 1200 Mhz Module (not currently active)
The default setup for the RLC-Icom is to have connector 1 plugged into the 140..160
Mhz module, connector 2 plugged into the 220 Mhz module and connector 3 plugged
into the 430..440 Mhz module. As an example, the following commands will enter those
settings again:
C033*03961033101* ; Slot 1 band module assignment
C033*03971533101* ; Slot 2 band module assignment
C033*03982033101* ; Slot 3 band module assignment
Second, you must tell each band module what size of offset to use when you select a plus
or minus offset with commands C033. The setup codes follow:
SS (the setup code) Description
30 100 Khz Offset
35 500 Khz Offset
40 600 Khz Offset
45 1 Mhz Offset
50 1.6 Mhz Offset
55 1.7 Mhz Offset
60 5 Mhz Offset
65 12 Mhz Offset
70 20 Mhz Offset

7
For example, to select a 100 Khz offset for the 140..160 Mhz module that is plugged into
connector 1, enter C033*03964033101*
Setup codes 75 and 80 are reserved for special offset memories, which are not yet
supported.
You should normally use commands C000, C001 and C002 to control turning the remote
base on and off and monitoring it. Those commands treat the whole RLC-Icom interface
as one unit, connecting to and disconnecting from it the same way they would a link port.
In addition to these commands, you can tell the RLC-Icom interface to disable transmit
on any combination of the band modules. The below setup codes disable and enable
transmitting on individual modules:
SS (the setup code) Description
85 Transmit and Receive Enabled
90 Transmit Disabled (receive only)
95 Transmit and Receive Disabled
(module turned off)
For example, if you wanted to monitor the 140..160 Mhz module and the 220 module,
but only transmit on 220, you could enter C033*03979033101* to disable transmitting
on the 220 module on connector 2. If you then used C000 to connect the repeater port
you were using to the port that the RLC-Icom is on, you would be able to transmit on the
140..160 Mhz module but not on the 220 Mhz module.
If you have properly entered the above commands, the RLC-Icom is set up and ready to
use. To enter frequencies, turn PL on and off, etc., use the RBI-1 commands in this
section of the manual.

8
Setup RLC-ICOM Interface with the RLC-2 Controller
The RLC-Icom interface allows the RLC-1 to control IC-900 band modules using the same
commands as are used for the Doug Hall RBI-1.
The RLC-ICM default set-up configured:
140-160 mhz band as module 1
220 mhz band as module 2
430-440 mhz band as module 3
Configuration for the RLC-2 (V3.05a software) consists of sending a special configuration
command (C112) using the RBI-1 software routines.
This command sets-up the interface to recognize the different band modules, and their location.
Format:- C112 is the default command name.
- X is the connector number on the RLC-ICM that the module you are setting up is
plugged into (1..4)
- SS is the setup code described below
Procedure:
First tell the RLC-Icom which band module is plugged into each of its connectors. The
setup codes are listed in the chart below. You will need to execute command C112 once
for each setup code you wish to enter.
SS (the setup code) Description
00 28 Mhz Module
05 50 Mhz Module
10 140..160 Mhz Module
15 220 Mhz Module
20 430..440 Mhz Module
25 1200 Mhz Module (not currently active)
The default setup for the RLC-Icom is to have connector 1 plugged into the 140..160
Mhz module, connector 2 plugged into the 220 Mhz module and connector 3 plugged
into the 430..440 Mhz module. As an example, the following commands will enter those
settings again:
C112*110*
C112*215*
C112*320
Second, you must tell each band module what size of offset to use when you select a plus
or minus offset with commands C033. The setup codes follow:

9
SS (the setup code) Description
30 100 Khz Offset
35 500 Khz Offset
40 600 Khz Offset
45 1 Mhz Offset
50 1.6 Mhz Offset
55 1.7 Mhz Offset
60 5 Mhz Offset
65 12 Mhz Offset
70 20 Mhz Offset
For example, to select a 100 Khz offset for the 140..160 Mhz module that is plugged into
connector 1, enter C112*130*.
Setup codes 75 and 80 are reserved for special offset memories, which are not yet
supported.
You should normally use commands C000, C001 and C002 to control turning the remote
base on and off and monitoring it. Those commands treat the whole RLC-Icom interface
as one unit, connecting to and disconnecting from it the same way they would a link port.
In addition to these commands, you can tell the RLC-Icom interface to disable transmit
on any combination of the band modules. The below setup codes disable and enable
transmitting on individual modules:
SS (the setup code) Description
85 Transmit and Receive Enabled
90 Transmit Disabled (receive only)
95 Transmit and Receive Disabled
(module turned off)
For example, if you wanted to monitor the 140..160 Mhz module and the 220 module,
but only transmit on 220, you could enter C112*290* to disable transmitting on the 220
module on connector 2. If you then used C000 to connect the repeater port you were
using to the port that the RLC-Icom is on, you would be able to transmit on the 140..160
Mhz module but not on the 220 Mhz module.
If you have properly entered the above commands, the RLC-Icom is set up and ready to
use. To enter frequencies, turn PL on and off, etc., use the RBI-1 commands in the
controller manual.

10
Programming the RLC-ICM with the RLC-2
Programming a frequency into the RLC-ICM interface is accomplished using Command C116 if
you are using the RLC-2. The format of the frequency entry is in your RLC-2 manual. The
manual refers to the band module when referencing a frequency input. The below table lists the
RLC-ICM frequencies with respect to the band numbers.
Band Numbers Frequencies Covered
0430 Mhz
11250 Mhz (Not Active)
2140 Mhz
3220 Mhz
4440 Mhz
51270 Mhz (Not Active)
61280 Mhz (Not Active)
71290 Mhz (Not Active)
81260 Mhz (Not Active)
91240 Mhz (Not Active)
A29 Mhz
B50 Mhz
C150 Mhz
D160 Mhz
PL Frequency using the TS-64 PL module
The first 2 digits are the tone number, followed by the PL frequency
0 250.3
1 233.6
2 218.1
3 203.5
4 186.2
5 173.8
6 162.2
7 151.4
8 141.3
9 131.8
10 123.0
11 114.8
12 107.2
13 100.0
14 88.5
15 77.0
16 241.8
17 225.7
18 210.7
19 192.8
20 179.9
21 167.9
22 157.7
23 146.2
24 136.5
25 127.3
26 118.8
27 110.9
28 103.5
29 94.8
30 82.5
31 71.9
32 63.0
33 58.8
34 56.8
35 54.9
36 53.0
37 51.2
38 49.2
39 47.5
40 69.4
41 159.8
42 165.5
43 171.3
44 177.3
45 183.5
46 189.9
47 196.6
48 199.5
49 206.5
50 229.1
51 254.1
52 44.4
53 39.6
54 37.9
55 36.6
56 35.4
57 33.0
58 97.4
59 91.5
60 85.4
61 79.7
62 74.4
63 67.0

11
RLC-2 Examples
Example: I want to go to 147.380 +600 with a PL of 100hz and encoding PL only.
1) Use the command C116 to send the data to the interface
2) Locate the 140-149.995 module as #2
3) Locate 100Hz PL as #13
4) Have encode on, and decode off
C116 will look like:
-P- C116 * 2 0 7380 1 13 0 1*
Band module 2
Power of '0', not used
Frequency of 7.380
Offset of '1' is plus offset
PL of '13' which is 100hz
Decode 'off'
Encode 'on'
The information will be sent to the 2 meter module as previously set-up. The RLC-ICM defaults
2 meter module as slot#1 with a 600 khz offset.
Example: I want to go to add a 10 meter module in slot #4, and program the frequency to
29.600 simplex with no PL.
1) Use the command C112 to set-up the interface
2) Locate the 28-29.995 module as type #00
2) Use the command C116 to send the data to the interface
3) Locate the 28-29.995 module as #A
C112 will look like:
-P- C112 * 4 00 *
C116 will look like:
-P- C116 * A 0 9600 2 00 0 0*
Band module A
Power of '0', not used
Frequency of 9.600
Offset of '1' is minus offset
Command C112 configured the interface to route 10 meter requests to slot #4 and C116 handled
the information transfer.
Setup and Programming the RLC-ICM with the RLC-3
See the RLC-3 manual section dealing with the Doug Hall RBI-1 interface. C139 is the setup
command for software versions 1.44 through 1.48. Future software versions may use different
commands. All of the RBI-1 commands apply to the RLC-ICM as well.

12
Special Considerations
1) There can only be 1 assigned module to each slot. Identically assigned modules will be
handled in the order 1,2,3,4.
Example: I assigned 2 meter module to slot 1,4. I connected my 2 meter module to slot 4 and it
does not function properly. What is the problem...
The RLC-ICM searches for the correct module type beginning with 1 and cycling up to 4. The
first match the interface finds will get the information. The solution is to move your 2 meter
module from slot #4 to slot #1.
2) Non-connected modules will give a valid COR signal and hang your controller.
Example: I assigned my 440 module to slot #3 but moved it to slot #2 and re-assigned it there.
When I moved the module my transmitter on the controller stayed keyed all the time. What is
the problem...
The COR coming from the radio module is active high when unsquelched. Because you
previously had the 440 module on slot #3 and moved it, the COR signal from slot #3 just went
active. If slot #3 was turned on before you moved it, the COR signal is being processed as
though the module was still located on slot #3. The solution is to send the configuration
command C112*395* to tell the RLC-ICM to remove slot #3 receive and transmit from the
interface, thus causing slot #3 COR to go away. It is a good idea to tell the RLC-ICM to remove
non-connected slots from the interface to keep this problem from occurring.
3) I get a valid COR from a slot that is enabled, but I do not get any audio.
The slots audio is broken, thus a jumper is available to re-make the receive audio path. The
jumpers are labeled J11-J14. J11 is port 1, J12 is port 2, J13 is port 3, J14 is port 4. The
jumpers need to be in-line when there is no TS-64 present. When the TS-64 is installed the
jumper is removed. This allows the PL information to be filtered.
Another cause for this problem is the receive audio pot is turned down. Locate the module you
are having the problem with and to the right is a bank of variable resistors. The pots are
numbered according to the slot number. (Refer to the board layout for location) The pots
location arrow should be located at about the 3 o'clock position for best audio. The other pots
are for transmit level.
4) I don't seem to get any action when I program the RLC-ICM
First verify that your unit is wired correctly.
Second make sure your unit is powered.
Third make sure you have powered your radios +12v
Fourth make sure you get a response when programming
Last, call Link Communications Inc.

13
Installing the TS-64 tone module
The TS-64 module is available from:
Communications Specialists, Inc.
426 West Taft Ave.
Orange, CA 92665-4296
1-800-854-0547 Voice
1-800-850-0547 Fax
To install the TS-64 module you need to be able to de-solder small parts.
The small 9 pin connector needs to be removed from the circuit board.
Place the double stick tape on the back side of the board for spacing purposes
Line up the 9 pin connector and the dual row header pads before placing the module on
the board. These pads will need to be thru-hold soldered to the RLC-ICM.
With small wires, carefully solder the wires to the RLC-ICM and the TS-64. Solder all
the wires. These wires allow the interface to control the frequency of the tone module.
Remove the 2 pin shorting jumper nearest to the tone module. The jumpers are labeled
J11-J14. J11 is port 1, J12 is port 2, J13 is port 3, J14 is port 4. The jumpers need to be
in-line when there is no TS-64 present. When the TS-64 is installed the jumper is
removed. This allows the PL information to be filtered.
Your PL encode level is located on the TS-64 module. PL tone levels should not exceed 500Hz
deviation.

14
Schematic Drawings

15

16

17