Getting started: AIOC

The basics

Using the AIOC is easy:

  1. Plug & Play: Plug the AIOC into your computer
    • Works automatically on Windows, MacOS and Linux. No drivers required.
    • Pre-flashed with an up-to-date firmware.
  2. Verify Device: Verify the AIOC shows up in your operating system
    • COM/Serial Port: For PTT & Programming
    • Sound Card: For Audio
  3. Physical Connection: Push the K1 connector into the radio until you feel a click
    • A gap here will cause audio failure

⚠️You must use a USB-C cable that supports data transfer. Many charging cables are power-only and will not work. If your computer doesn't detect the AIOC when you plug it in, swap the cable."

⚠️The connector connecting to your radio requires a firm push. You should feel or hear a 'click' when fully inserted.

On Windows, you may see a device called 'AIOC DFU Runtime' with a yellow warning icon ⚠️ in Device Manager. This is normal. It does not affect the operation of the AIOC. This driver is only needed for updating firmware, which is not recommended to be done on windows (see below)

Application guides

In VaraFM Sound card settings , select the AIOC for Input and Output.

In VaraFM PTT settings, set PTT Via to "COM", select the COM port from the drop down, and set PTT Pin to "DTR".

If you need further assistance, the Wavetalker has a great guide on Winlink setup.

UZ7HO Soundmodem

Select the AIOC as the sound card device for input and output, select the appropriate COM port, and select Swap COM pins for PTT

APRS (Direwolf)

Start with the standard Direwolf setup guide to configure the audio device. On Linux you may also have to correctly configure permissions, which are discussed further in the Direwolf manual. Here is an example configuration:

[...]
ADEVICE plughw:<x>,0  # <- Linux
ADEVICE x 0           # <- Windows
ARATE 48000
[...]
PTT CM108             # <- Use the new CM108 compatible style PTT interface
PTT <port> DTR -RTS   # <- Alternatively use an old school serial device for PTT
[...]

I have a separate complete guide on this: https://na6d.com/pages/aioc-all-in-one-cable-setup-guide-for-allstarlink

APRSDroid

The AIOC supports the audio formats used by APRSDroid, but APRSDroid doesn't support triggering the PTT in the AIOC. You can read more about it in the GitHub issue here.

WoAD

The AIOC works with WoAD in packet mode using the "Audio" TNC Type. For PTT Set PTT USB DTR to Enabled and select the AIOC for the USB Port. You may need to restart the app with the AIOC plugged in to get the port to show up.

Chirp

Select the AIOC COM port. No special driver installation is required. AIOC behaves like a standard serial cable.

Deep dive

Troubleshooting RFI (Radio Frequency Interference)

If your AIOC disconnects or locks up when you transmit on high power try one or more of these:

  • Ferrite Chokes: Add ferrite beads or chokes to the USB cable connected to the AIOC.
  • Shieled USB Cable: Use a high-quality shielded USB cable. Many cheap USB cables have ineffective or missing shielding. We recommend our cables.
  • Cable Rerouting: Try rerouting the USB cable away from the radio's antenna. The USB cable often runs parallel to the antenna, which is a common source of ingress. A right-angle USB-C cable is highly recommended for this. We recommend our cables.
  • Antenna Separation: Move the antenna away from the radio using a short length of coax, such as a mag mount, to separate the high RF source from the AIOC.

Updating Firmware

⚠️Hardware vesion 1.2 require firmware 1.4.0 or higher. NA6D shiped hardware v1.2  with firmware v1.4.1 since November 2025."

NA6D AIOCs generally ship with a very recent firmware and no firmware update is required, but some folks want to use a special firmware for their use case.

Windows Users: Updating firmware is not recommended on Windows. The process is very complex and NA6D has never been able to get it to work successfully.

To update on Linux and MacOS install DFU-Util. Since all NA6D AIOCs come with firmware pre-installed, there is no need to apply a jumper. Use a command like this to flash a new firmware to the AIOC.

dfu-util -d 1209:7388 -a 0 -s 0x08000000:leave -D aioc-fw-x-y-z.bin

Detailed Specs

  • USB: Type-C port for USB 2.0 Full Speed
  • Power: Requires 5v power through the USB port around 50-100mA
  • Serial Data 3.3v level

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