T5600 Programming Cable: How-To

[kc7gr]

A while back (at least a year or two), details of making a programming cable for the T5600 were posted. I just finished experimenting with those details, and with a T5600 I'm about to list for sale on That Site Which Must Not Be Named.

Based on said experiments, I'm pleased to present updated instructions. The cable built based on these instructions has been tested and is known to work.

Start with a section of standard 8-conductor telephone line cord. Strip it to the correct length to apply a modular connector, and orient it so that the end is facing away from you, gray wire to the far left and blue on the far right. This will place pin 1 on the left. Crimp a standard RJ45 connector on the end.

(Alternatively, you can probably get hold of a pre-made phone cable with the correct connector. Just remember, no matter what colors are on the wires, consider pin 1 to be on the left as the end of the plug is facing away from you).

Assuming you have a telephone-colored cable, strip the free end and isolate the orange, brown, and gray wires. Trim the others back (you won't need them).

For a D-sub 25 connector, connect the gray (ground) lead to pin 7, the brown wire to pin 2, and the orange wire to pin 3.

For a D-sub 9 connector, attach the gray to pin 5, the brown to pin 2, and the orange to pin 3.

Happy tweaking.