Icom 208H - Custom remote cable anyone ?

[KG6DOQ]

I finally decided that I am going to mount my Icom 208H
in the trunk. Naturally, this will require the purchase
of the 23ft separation cable (Part# opc-601/r) for about
$50.00.  (The cable that came with the radio won't reach)

As an experiment, I tried to extend the mic cable using
 standard CAT5 computer cable and it worked fine.
I used about 25' of cable. So that problem is solved.

Now, before paying $50 for the longer separation cable,
I was wondering if anyone has had any success in just
cutting it in half, putting connectors on each of the
cut ends, and adding a longer piece of cable in the middle.  

I haven't cut it yet, but I'll assume there's some type
of shield around the inside conductors.

Any thoughts on this appreciated.

- Steve Rhoades (KG6DOQ)

[K0BG]

This is a hard nut to crack as you'll find out when you cut the cable. The wire is about size 28, and the shield wires are about size 40. The other issue you run into is RFI ingress and it is almost impossible to get rid of it.

Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com

[N0XJO]

I got my seperation cables off ebay from a guy who makes new ones - I think it was $12 + shipping.  The cable kit included the faceplate kit as well as a speaker cable.  Both look professionally made and seem to be working just fine.  His email address is w1jim@amsat.org.

[KQ6Q]

Check your IC-208H carefully - I have an IC-2720, and the mike can be connected EITHER to the radio or to the control head! Your problem may already be solved....
If they omitted that feature, perhaps it was to make you pay for having alpha tags on the memories - which my 2720 lacks.

[W1JIM]

Sorry - this is in error.
While I did at one time offer cables for the Yaesu FT-8800R (etc) I never offered a cable for the Icom IC-208.
SRI!

[KF6CNP]

Could you just pick up some shielded Cat6 with RJ45 ends from ebay or something, or is the Icom cable proprietary?   I wonder if the shielding would solve the RFI problem.

I am trying to figure out something similar - I need a mic extension for a future TMD710A purchase, and if this were a viable solution, it would help out a lot.  It seems like in my case a shielded Cat6 would work, but I am hesitant to move on anything until I get confirmation.