Icom Ci V Usb Interface Schematic Top ((better)) -
If you need help choosing a based on your operating system. Share public link
Ensure the software matches the hex address of your specific Icom model (e.g., 94h for the IC-7300).
Connecting your Icom transceiver to a computer opens up a world of amateur radio possibilities, including automated logging, digital modes (FT8, RTTY), and satellite tracking. Icom radios use a proprietary communication protocol called .
+---------------------------------------+ | FT232RL USB UART CHIP | | | [USB]--| USB_DP TXD [01|----+ | USB_DM RXD [05|--+ | +---------------------------------------+ | | | | 1N4148 | | Diode | | +--+ | | +----- |>| -----+ | | +--+ | | | +-----------------+ | | 4.7k Ohm +--[===]--+ VCC (+5V) | +-----> [3.5mm Jack TIP] (CI-V Data) [GND]-----------------------------------> [3.5mm Jack SLEEVE] (GND) 1. The USB-to-UART Bridge
Connecting this to a USB port requires converting asynchronous USB data (TX/RX) into a single-wire TTL stream. 2. Top Icom CI-V USB Interface Schematic (DIY) The most robust DIY schematic uses an FTDI FT232RL Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or Go to product viewer dialog for this item. icom ci v usb interface schematic top
A 4.7kΩ resistor is connected between the joined TXD/RXD junction and the 5V source (or 3.3V) from the USB chip. This ensures the line idles high.
Before melting solder, it is vital to understand how Icom's CI-V interface physically communicates.
(Computer Interface V) system is a bi-directional, single-wire serial bus used to control Icom amateur radio transceivers. While modern rigs like the Icom IC-7300
Yes. USB‑to‑TTL adapters based on CP210x or FTDI chips are well supported by the cp210x and ftdi_sio kernel drivers, appearing as standard serial devices such as /dev/ttyUSB0 . The same software commands work on any platform. If you need help choosing a based on your operating system
To tie the split TX and RX signals back into a single bi-directional wire without causing a hardware conflict, a simple diode-steering or open-collector array is used at the jack stage. Because the optocouplers behave like open collectors, they naturally form a wired-AND configuration on the 3.5mm tip. The radio’s internal pull-up resistor acts as the load for the entire bus. Construction and Configuration Tips PCB Layout Considerations
It operates on an open-collector topology at standard TTL levels (0V for Low/Space, 5V for High/Mark). When the bus is idle, a pull-up resistor holds the line at 5V.
To help you decide which project best fits your needs, the table below compares the four main design options.
The story of the is one of elegant simplicity in the face of complex technology. While other manufacturers often reinvented the wheel with every new radio, Icom’s standard has remained remarkably consistent since its introduction in the late 1980s. The Birth of a Standard Icom radios use a proprietary communication protocol called
From a software perspective, the CI-V protocol is simple and robust. It uses asynchronous serial communication with the following settings:
Connect the anode (non-striped side) of the diode to the board's pin.
Would you like a , PCB layout example , or a specific IC’s connection diagram (e.g., FT232RL + 2N7000)?
When the PC sends data, the TXD pin pulls low. This pulls the single-wire bus low through diode D1 . When TXD goes high, the diode blocks the voltage, and the R1 pull-up resistor pulls the bus back up to 5V.
Open your radio control software and configure the following parameters: Select the newly assigned virtual COM port.

