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VIC to Cellphone Adapter and Military Radio Digital Modes Adapter

Augi

Active member
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42
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Location
SF Bay Area
Hi All,

Is anyone interested in connecting their cellphones to to their VIC-1 or VIC-3 systems?


For my own use I've designed and built a transformer isolated impedance matching box that allows me to connect my phone to any of the radio ports on the VIC-1 or VIC-3 systems. The VIC treats the phone as a radio so anyone on the intercom system can hear audio from the phone or key their PTT to talk out (if their crew box has permissions).


I listen to music, GPS directions and make phone calls on the road in the HMMWV through my VIC-3 headset.


If there is interest I will make a small run and sell them. I've done a professional job with a mix of surface mount and through hole components on a custom manufactured PCB in an IP67 rated enclosure.


They are plug-and-play with a standard 18-pin audio connector for interface with the VIC system and a standard TRRS headphone jack for interface with the phone.

I wasn't planning on selling these but a couple of guys asked for them. Unfortunately it's not worth it to just make two.

Price would be $100 each + shipping.

They will all be hand made by me in California and take maybe a month to complete once I place orders for parts.



I've also built an isolation transformer box to connect my PRC-104 (or any other military radio) to the Mic and Headphones ports of any computer and allows the use of digital modes with fldigi or other appropriate PC software.


This box has a U229 connector for interface to the radio and a pair of TRS audio jacks for interface to the computer. It also automatically keys the radio using a 1000hz tone in the right audio channel generated by fldigi.


It's similar construction to the above box, but has more and more expensive components, so the price would be $140 + shipping.


I've attached a picture of one of my prototypes. The final product would be very similar but omit the expensive Amphenol connector on the phone/computer side.

Augi


IMG_20170502_213440.jpg
 

Augi

Active member
284
42
28
Location
SF Bay Area
Jake: Yes, you are correct.

There is a standard cable to connect between the side of the VIC-3 control station and any VRC radio that you would have to buy. CX-13473 or CX-13489 -> either part number will work. This cable has a 6 pin connector for the VIC-3 side and an 18 pin connector for the radio side. My box has a mating connector for the 18 pin connector. The cables are all over ebay.

If you have a VIC-1, the standard cables to connect the crew boxes together all use the 18 pin connectors, so you just use one of those.

So this plugs into the "radio a" input on the master control station (in my case the lite version below) and has a 3.5 mm audio jack on the other end correct?

~
I don't have any pictures of the exact finished product because I made my personal units with U229 connectors (the 6 pin headset audio connectors). But the box I would build it in is the same as pictured and the PCB is the same as pictured.

In the center of the lid there will be the female 18 pin connector to mate to the VIC system. On one side wall there will be a 3.5mm audio plug just like on your phone. It will come with a 2ft or 3ft male-to-male 3.5mm cable to connect to the phone.

Augi
 

chickenbutt

Member
64
2
8
Location
New Jersey
Nice work!
Count me in for a VIC-1 cell phone adapter. Currently I have my VIC-1 connected to my RT-1523 radio via a CX-13300 cable. I assume I could connect this to another input of the VIC-1 amp (J503?) with a CX-4723 cable?
 

juanprado

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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Location
Metairie/La (N'awlins)
Yes sir, Count me in for a cellphone adapter. Read your post and quite excited to have this functionality for my full vic 3!

Thanks for offering this! I would be glad to prepay so you have $ for materials.
 

Augi

Active member
284
42
28
Location
SF Bay Area
Thanks for the feedback guys. It looks like there are enough interested for me to go through with making them. I won't collect money until I have them built, so check back in a month or two.


Chickenbutt: I don't have a VIC-1 anymore so I can't remember the exact port. The cable is correct though. My friend has a VIC-1 and I'm going to go test my unit out on his shortly.


Nice work!
Count me in for a VIC-1 cell phone adapter. Currently I have my VIC-1 connected to my RT-1523 radio via a CX-13300 cable. I assume I could connect this to another input of the VIC-1 amp (J503?) with a CX-4723 cable?
Jake: get a regular VIC-3 power cable and cut the end off. Then you just hook the two wires up to 24v.

Augi
 
Last edited:

Jericho

Well-known member
1,180
61
48
Location
Landaff NH
I am interested in one as well, let me know when they maybe ready and ill pay pal you Thanks for your ingenius work,.
 

Wire Fox

Well-known member
1,254
158
63
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana
And suddenly, VIC-3 threads everywhere. Did I just miss a big sale on working VIC-3 systems? ...otherwise, this is an excellent circuit build. If I had a VIC-3, I'd probably be looking to buy one off of you. One way to improve the end-user experience on this would be to attach an off-the-shelf battery-powered bluetooth dongle for the hands-free version.
 
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