[aprssig] D710 display head software emulator?

[Stephen H. Smith]

Alex Carver wrote:
>
> The serial port on the head accesses the TNC which is hiding in the head now instead of in the RF deck like on the D700.  The RF deck serial port communicates with the radio's own processor and gives you access to the CAT functions.
>
>   Once you take away the head, the radio becomes a V71A simple dual band radio.
>
> Having the TNC in the head means that the GPS has to plug in there, too, which means that you now have three cables routed to the head (serial, GPS, and the head-to-radio cable).  Even without the serial cable a mobile installation gets a little messier and more annoying when you need to remove the head.
>
> I can only hope the D720 goes back to the all-in-one RF deck like the D700.
>
>
>  

This messiness (TNC and all it's associated I/O on the head instead of 
the chassis) is a consequence of Kenwood's decision to also sell the 
head separately. They intend it as an "upgrade" to convert  V71s to 
D710s,  and also as a sort of "Ham Hud " accessory for users of any 2M 
rig.    (Never mind that clueless dealers have to stumble through 
explanations to equally clueless customers that    "NO the power 
sw,volume,squelch and channel select won't work on any radio except a 
V71 or D700")

On the other hand, the CAT functions are in the radio chassis part 
because the V71 chassis and the D700 chassis are identical.  

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    Stephen H. Smith       
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