Make your own cable for the Android to Icom ID51A ? Why not?

[W4KYR]

Make your own cable for the Android to Icom ID51A ? Why not?

On the newer version of the Icom ID51A Radios (the 50th Anniversary edition). There is a cable that will connect the ID51A to Android tablets.  I saw a video on YouTube of the Android app ( called RS-MS1A) in use and you can control the ID51A with your Android Tablet. You can control the radio and send pictures, text and files.

From what I can tell, the app is free. I didn't see any cost associated with it.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.jp.icom.rs_ms1a.menu&hl=en

Unfortunately, the cable (is OPC-2350LU and it) is selling for $69 at most ham radio dealers. I'm thinking, why can't we build our own cable? How complicated can it be? Why can't we build one of these ourselves for $20 or less?  

Comments about the Android application called RS-MS1A was discussed at
http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php?topic=98646.0

Rather than bring up a six month old thread on a different topic. I think it would be better to start a new topic and ask specifically if the cable can be made for $40 or $50 less.

If anyone wants to see video of the RS-MS1A Android app for ID51A , I posted another thread with the video link here in the Digital forums on eham. For Ecomms potential, the concept of being able to send images, text and file transfers using a relatively small device in the field like an Android tablet does have an appeal. (Relatively small compared to a laptop and it's higher power consumption.)

$70 for the Android cable is pricy, especially when the Windows cable (USB RTS05) is only about $28. And the WCS-D51A combo cable and software is only $49.

I'm sure some of you are asking some of these questions too.

[K0JEG]

When I bought my ID-51a I also picked up the RT systems cable and programming software. The RT cable is basically a USB to serial adapter with a TRS jack that goes into the radio. It is functionally the same as the Icom cables, and will even work with DRATS software.

If you already have the RT systems cable, try using a USB OTG cable with it and the Icom software. My guess is that it will work. If it doesn't, well at least you still have a programming and data cable that will work on a PC.

[W4KYR]

When I bought my ID-51a I also picked up the RT systems cable and programming software. The RT cable is basically a USB to serial adapter with a TRS jack that goes into the radio. It is functionally the same as the Icom cables, and will even work with DRATS software.

If you already have the RT systems cable, try using a USB OTG cable with it and the Icom software. My guess is that it will work. If it doesn't, well at least you still have a programming and data cable that will work on a PC.

Thanks for the link, this definitely less expensive. 

[W4KYR]

Looks like someone has already figured it out using a serial cable from the ID51A to another cable with serial to USB and another cable from USB to Android. Here is the direct link and below is the picture.  http://www.sv2bzq.gr/dstar_rs-ms1a.htm