MIRA - Icom 28A FM radio with Packet Radio

This page explains how to use the club IC28A FM tranceiver which is configured to operate as a conventional 2m audio communications or act as an packet node.

Background :

The Icom 28a Tranceiver is dedicated to providing emergency communications. It is kept at the Parksville Community Hall in the community police room adjacent to the main entry door.

We became aware that the radio gets little use and there is a need for a packet radio 'node' to relay digital data to the emergency packet radio network established by the Telephone Pioneers Amateur Radio Club (TPARC). It was a simple matter to attach a TNC to the Icom 28a. This page functions as the 'user manual' for the modified radio.

Operation :

When you remove the tranceiver from its' protective case you will note that there is a KPC-3 TNC directly under the radio. A grey cable harness links the radio and TNC.

To operate the radio as a regular 'audio FM' rig:

1. Connect the antenna lead to a suitable 2M antenna
2. Connect the microphone to the front panel screw on connector
3. Connect the power supply leads to a 12vdc power supply ( check the selection of patch cords for best match )
4. Turn radio on, dial up appropriate frequency and conduct QSO

To operate the radio as a packet node:

1. Connect the antenna lead to a suitable 2M antenna
2. Connect the grey cable from TNC to the front panel screw on connector
3. Plug the grey speaker plug into the socket at the rear of the IC 28a
4. Connect the power supply leads to a 12vdc power supply ( check the selection of patch cords for best match )
5. Turn radio on, dial up 144.490 simplex ( for TPARC )
6. Turn the power on to the KPC-3 TNC ( pwr LED will light )
7. The Packet Node will now be active.
8. If needed, a computer terminal can be connected to the RS 232 connector at the rear of the TNC.

TNC Wiring :