LDG RCA-14 User manual

RCA-14 Tranceiver
Accessory Port
Breakout Box
LDG Electronics
1445 Parran Road, PO Box 48
St. Leonard MD 20685-2903 USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.ldgelectronics.com

RCA-14 Tranceiver
Accessory Jack
Breakout Box
Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Jumpstart, or “Real hams don’t read manuals!” 3
Specifications 3
Getting to know your RCA-14 4
Installation 6
Operation 8
Application Notes 9
Base Station Use 9
Mobile Use 9
Technical Support 10
Warranty and Service 10
Introduction
Congratulations on selecting the LDG RCA-14. The RCA-14 is a “breakout box” for the
accessory jacks on popular transceiver, allowing easy access to the functions present on the jack.
It provides access via standard RCA connectors, cables for which are common and cheap. This
replaces the expensive and hard-to-find DIN type connectors found on many transceivers. This
setup allows you to easily make multiple accessory connections, and to change the connections
quickly and easily.
LDG pioneered the automatic, wide-range switched-L tuner in 1995. From its laboratories near
the Nation's Capitol, LDG continues to define the state of the art in this field with innovative
automatic tuners and related products for every amateur need.
2

Jumpstart, or “Real hams don’t read manuals!”
Ok, but at least read this one section before you transmit:
1. Plug the RCA-14 into your transceiver’s accessory jack using the included cable. Select
the cable appropriate to your transceiver: DIN-13, DIN-8 or DIN 6. You can use the
DIN-8 and DIN-6 together, but you must use the DIN-13 alone.
2. Connect accessories to the RCA jacks according to the pinout on Page 8 of this manual.
3. Operate your station normally.
Specifications
Transceiver interfaces: DIN-13, DIN-8, DIN-7, Mini-DIN-8, Mini-DIN-6 (cables provided)
Accessory interfaces: RCA jacks
Power requirement: none
3

Getting to know your RCA-14
Your RCA-14 is a quality, precision instrument that will give you many years of outstanding
service; take a few minutes to get to know it.
The RCA-14 front panel has three transceiver interface ports: DIN-13, DIN-8 and DIN-6,
supporting most popular transceivers. Cables for each are provided.
On the rear panel, there are 14 RCA output jacks, each connected to a pin on one of the interface
cables. Although labeled “Outputs”, all connections are bi-directional, and may be used as inputs
4

or outputs as needed. The path from the interface cable to the corresponding Output jack is a
straight-through, direct connection; any signal that appears an interface port pin will appear on
the corresponding Output jack, and vice-versa.
The provided cables connect the RCA-14 to the appropriate jack on your transceiver. You can use
the DIN-13 cable alone, the DIN-8 or DIN-6 alone, or both the DIN-8 and DIN-6 at the same
time.
5

Installation
The RCA-14 is intended for indoor use only; it is not water resistant. If you use it outdoors (Field
Day, for example) you must protect it from rain. Your RCA-14 requires no power, and has no
controls; it is a completely passive device.
Position your RCA-14 in a convenient spot on your operating desk, anywhere within reach of its
interface cable. The case has a mounting flange on each side; you can screw it to your desk or
wall if you wish. Select the transceiver accessory jack(s) you wish to use, and plug the
appropriate cable(s) into your transceiver’s jack(s).
6

Connect your accessories to the RCA jacks using standard RCA cables (not provided). Suitable
cables are available at any electronics or home entertainment store. RCA cables often come as
pairs for stereo audio hookups. You can use them as-is, or you can easily split most of them to
make two separate cables; just pull gently – they split right apart. Use the Output jacks as needed;
you do not have to connect them all. Again, all “Outputs” are bi-directional; they can be used as
input or outputs as needed.
When using the DIN-13 cable, pins 1 – 13 of your transceiver’s accessory jack are mapped to
RCA Output jacks 1 – 13, respectively (Output 14 is not connected in this case). Consult your
transceiver’s manual for the pinout of the accessory jack. For example, if the ALC line on your
transceiver is pin 3 of its DIN-13 accessory jack, you would run an RCA cable from the Output 3
RCA jack to your amp. When using the DIN-13 cable, make no connections to the DIN-8 and
DIN-6 jacks on the RCA-14 breakout box.
The DIN-8 cable maps pins 1 – 8 of the accessory jack to Outputs 1 – 8. The DIN-6 cable maps
pins 1 – 6 of the accessory jack to Outputs 9 – 14. You can use the DIN-6 and DIN-8 cables at the
same time if you wish. The DIN-13 cable must be used alone.
7

DIN-6 and DIN-8 may be used together if
desired. DIN-13 must be used alone
1
13
1
6
1
8
Output
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
DIN-13
DIN-8
DIN-6
8
RCA-14 Pinout

Operation
To operate your RCA-14 you just, well, operate. The RCA-14 has no controls and requires no
input from you. Simply use your transceiver normally, and your RCA-14 routes the selected
signals between your transceiver and your accessories.
Application Notes
Base Station Use
Your RCA-14 can go practically anywhere on your operating desk. Some obvious choices are on
top of the radio, or behind it.
Mobile Use
The RCA-14 is ideal for mobile operation. You can mount it on the dashboard with Velcro tape in
any convenient location, or behind the radio. It will also do perfectly well in the trunk with your
remote-mounted transceiver and 2KW linear.
9

Care and Maintenance
Your RCA-14 is maintenance-free. The outer case may be cleaned as needed with a soft cloth
slightly dampened in a mild household cleaning solution.
As with any modern electronic device, your RCA-14 can be damaged by temperature extremes,
water, impact or static discharge.
Technical Support
We are happy to help you with your product. For detailed tech support, submit our Tech Support
form on our web site under Support/Manuals, then Tech Support. You can find us at
www.ldgelectronics.com.
Warranty and Service
Your product is warranted against defects in parts or workmanship for two years from purchase.
The warranty does not cover damage due to abuse or exceeding specifications. This warranty
applies to the original purchaser only; it is not transferable. A copy of the receipt showing the
purchaser’s name and the date of purchase must accompany units returned for warranty service.
All returns must be shipped to us pre-paid; we will not accept units with postage due. Please fill
out and print the return form from our web site under Support/Manual, then Tech Support-
Warranty.
If you need to return your unit to us for service, package it carefully, keeping in mind that we will
re-use your packaging to return the unit to you. Include a full description of the problem, along
with your name, address and a phone number or e-mail address on the web form. Repairs average
about 3 to 6 weeks.
We will be glad to service your unit after the warranty period has ended. We will notify you of
repair charges by phone or e-mail, and bill you after repairs are completed.
If you have an idea to improve the RCA-14, please send us a description. We encourage everyone
who uses the RCA-14 to contact us (card, letter or e-mail preferred) telling us how well it works
for you. We are also always looking for photographs of our products in use; we often place such
pictures on our web site.
10
INRADIO
ABEL & PRO-FIT Centrum Radiokomunikacji
tel. fax:
e-mail:
internet:
ul. Puszkina 80 92-516 £ódŸ Poland
([phone] ([phone]
[email protected]
www.inRADIO.pl
Autoryzowany Przedstawiciel LGD w Polsce: