G4NAQ
CAT Control Topics
What is CAT Control CAT Commands The RS232 interface Connecting it all up 3rd Party interfaces for the radio Software Configuration New connectivity options The Remote Shack Radio Programming (not CAT control) Useful Links
HRD CAT Interface
HRD Logbook Interface
TRX Manager
What is CAT Control? A method of interfacing your radio to your computer A method to control the configuration and settings of your radio
and manipulate its controls without touching the radio Enables automation within your shack integrating with other software to: -
Populate logging software based on the radios frequency, mode,
power For FSK provide the interface for data modes Program the radio (memories) Easier to change a setting that’s hidden in a menu
Traditionally and still in most instances implemented using an
RS232 interface Limited software support for Linux but Windows and Mac well supported
CAT Commands Each manufacturer has developed their own set of
commands and responses to support their equipment and are not compatible with each other! A set of all the formats, commands and responses is usually included in the back of the radios operating manual
Kenwood & Yaesu CAT Commands Kenwood & Yaesu commands consist of a 2 character
command following by 8 character setting or response terminated by a “;” Command
Parameter
;
Commands can interrogate the radio for its current
setting or instruct it to use the setting e.g. FA14250000; would instruct the radio to change VFO-A
to 14.250Mhz FA; would request the radio to advise the current frequency of VFO-A and would expect a response in the format of FA28233000;
ICOM CAT Commands ICOM uses a far more complicated format to complement
the complexity in their front panels ! But it does allow multiple radios to be controlled via one piece of software FE
FE
RA
E0
CN
SC
DT
FD
FE – known as preamble & sent twice for synchronisation RA – Receive Address to identify which radio the command is for E0 – the controllers address CN – Command Number SC – Sub Command Number DT – Data area FD –End of message
The above format is for sending data to the radio, there is a different format for the responses
The RS232 Interface RS-232 is a standard for serial transmission of data
developed in 1962 It defines the signals connecting a DTE (data terminal equipment) such as a computer terminal, and a DCE (data circuit-terminating equipment typically a modem Historically used for connections to modems, printers and mice Phased out during late 1990’s and replaced by USB
The RS232 Interface Name
Purpose
Abbrev
Pin
Data Terminal Ready
Indicates presence of DTE to DCE.
DTR
4
Data Carrier Detect
DCE is connected to the telephone line.
DCD
1
Data Set Ready
DCE is ready to receive commands or data.
DSR
6
Ring Indicator
DCE has detected an incoming ring signal on the telephone line.
RI
9
Request to Send
DTE requests the DCE prepare to receive data.
RTS
7
Clear to Send
Indicates DCE is ready to accept data.
CTS
8
Transmitted Data
Carries data from DTE to DCE.
TxD
3
Received Data
Carries data from DCE to DTE.
RxD
2
GND
5
Common Ground
The RS232 Interface There are multiple ways to wire an RS232 cable and the
cables look the same unless you look closer! “Straight through” where pins are wired to the corresponding
pin at each end of the cable RxD to RxD, TxD to TxD etc. “Null Modem” crosses the RxD and TxD lines so that transmit on one end is connected to receive on the other end and vice versa. In addition to transmit and receive, DTR & DSR, as well as RTS & CTS are also crossed in a Null modem connection. The Yaesu FT847 uses this configuration.
Within the Windows operating system RS232 interfaces are
referred to as COMx ports, in Linux ttySx.
The RS232 Interface – Null Modem
No RS232 Interface port? Modern laptops and desktop PC’s no longer contain an RS232 interface port but… If you have a desktop PC open the case as there may be a header cable missing which could be fitted Check the BIOS to see if there are settings related to the COM ports If you have space fit a PCI Express RS232 card, make sure the board will fit as many PCs will require half-height cards or mount cards horizontally which may necessitate a riser card (which may not be fitted) The easiest method is to use a USB to RS232 interface cable. There are many around but avoid those based on the Prolific chipset and buy an FTDI based version Cheap interfaces will cause problems such as intermittent connectivity caused by buffering problems or software to freeze Driver issues If you unplug a USB interface & use a different USB port the PC will allocate a new COM port no. and software will require reconfiguring
Connecting things together
Make sure you check the gender of the sockets at each end as these are not always consistent! If you buy the wrong cable a gender changer is cheaper than a new cable.
Interfacing Kenwood Equipment Older transceivers require an optional IF-10A, B or C
board fitted in the transceiver & IF232C level converter Until the TS870 Kenwood transceivers have fixed settings and the RS232 must be set as per the manual. Typically this is 4800 bits per second 1 start bit 8 character bits
2 stop bits no parity
Interfacing Kenwood Equipment Model
Interface
TS-50
IF-10D + IF-232C
TS-140
IF-10C + IF-232C
TS-440
IC-10 + IF-232C
TS-450
IF-232C
TS-480
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable
TS-570
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable
TS-590
standard USB cable (A-male to Bmale)
TS-680
IF-10C + IF-232C
TS-690
IF-232C
TS-711
IF-10A + IF-232C
TS-790
IF-10C + IF-232C
TS-811
IF-10A + IF-232C
TS-850
IF-232C
TS-870
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable
TS-940
IF-10B + IF-232C
TS-950
IF-232C
TS-990
standard USB cable (A-male to Bmale)
TS-2000
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable
Interfacing ICOM Equipment ICOM developed its own systems which had 2 notable versions
known as the CI-IV and CI-V ICOM implemented a bus type interface so up to 4 radios can be simultaneously connected as each radio has a unique id There is a UX-14 interface which allows older CI-IV radios to communicate with CI-V The level converter for ICOM is called a CT-17 & has connections for 4 radios All equipment interfaces have the same RS-232 configuration
1200 bits per second 1 start bit 8 character bits 1 stop bits no parity
Interfacing ICOM Equipment Model
CI-IV Interface
CI-V Interface
HF Transceivers
IC751
IC725 & newer
Receivers
IC-R71
IC-R72 & newer
144Mhz Transceivers
IC-271
IC-275 & newer
432Mhz Transceivers
IC-471
IC-475 & newer
Interfacing Yaesu Equipment Older transceivers require an optional FIF-232C level
converter All newer models work with the SCU-17 interface
Interfacing Yaesu Equipment Model FT-100
Interface Yaesu CT-62 level-converting cable (see note below)
FT-736 FT-747 FT-757GXII FT-767
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable or Yaesu SCU17 Yaesu FIF-232 and RS232 cable Yaesu FIF-232 and RS232 cable Yaesu FIF-232 and RS232 cable Yaesu FIF-232 and RS232 cable
FT-817
Yaesu CT-62 level-converting cable (see note below) or Yaesu SCU-17
FT-840 FT-847
Yaesu FIF-232 and RS232 cable null modem female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable
FT-857
Yaesu CT-62 level-converting cable (see note below) or Yaesu SCU-17
FT-890
Yaesu FIF-232 and RS232 cable
FT-897
Yaesu CT-62 level-converting cable (see note below) or Yaesu SCU-17
FT-900 FT-920
Yaesu FIF-232 and RS232 cable male 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable or Yaesu SCU17 Yaesu FIF-232 and RS232 cable
FT-450
FT-950 FT-990
Interfacing Yaesu Equipment Model
Interface
FT-1000, FT-1000D
Yaesu FIF-232 and RS232 cable (early FT-1000's may not work correctly with interfaces that claim to be replacements for the FIF-232)
FT-1000MP
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable
FT-1000MP Mark-V
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable
FT-2000 Mark-V
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable or Yaesu SCU-17
FTDX-1200
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable or Yaesu SCU-17
FTDX-3000
USB A-B cable (set Menu item 037 CAT SELECT to USB) or straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable (set Menu item 037 CAT SELECT to RS232C)]
FTDX-5000
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable or Yaesu SCU-17
FTDX-9000
straight-through female 9-pin RS232 to female RS232 cable or Yaesu SCU-17
rd 3
Party Interface Providers
There are 3rd parties who now provide compatible
cards and interfaces if you have an old radio or complete standalone interface units. www.piexx.com (plug in compatible boards) www.g4zlp.co.uk www.microham.com www.westmountainradio.com
Software Configuration Once everything is connected the next challenge is the
software configuration.. A few tips Baud Rate - Kenwood work well at high speeds (if they
are newer rigs & not fixed speed) Handshaking – Try and set this to “None” for Kenwood equipment or RTS “enabled” assuming you have wired the cable with CTS & RTS pins. If RTS is selected for handshaking you cannot use it for PTT switching or CW keying.
New Connectivity Options West Mountain Radio have introduced a Bluetooth
interface which replaces cables between the PC and the radio using Bluetooth and creates virtual COM ports for both CAT and audio for data modes. There are still cables between the rig & interface unit. This may remove issues if you have RF getting back into the PC down the USB cables. For those lucky enough to have an SDR the Ethernet port is now the method of connecting to the “box” and all these problems go away!
Radio Programming If you are programming the radio & not using it for CAT
control the cheap Prolific chipset based USB cables are fine… Especially for the Baofeng (Pofung) UV5 series of handhelds See Alex G8NQO for further information on this topic & use of the CHIRP software
The Remote Shack - Ofcom 10 Unattended and remote control operation • 10(1) The Licensee may conduct Unattended Operation of Radio Equipment provided that any such operation is consistent with the terms of this Licence. Additional restrictions which apply to the Unattended Operation of Beacons are specified in Schedule 2 to this Licence. • 10(2) Subject to Clause 10(3), the Licensee may also conduct Remote Control Operation of Radio Equipment (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Beacons) provided that any such operation is consistent with the terms of this Licence. • 10(3) This Clause 10 does not permit the Licensee to install Radio Equipment capable of Remote Control Operation for general unsupervised use by other Amateurs. • 10(4) Any communication links4 used to control the Radio Equipment or to carry Messages to or from the Radio Equipment in accordance with Clause 10(2) must be adequately secure so as to ensure compliance with Clause 3 of this Licence. Any security measures must be consistent with Clause 11(2) of this Licence. • 10(5) The use of any such communication links referred to in Clause 10(4) must be failsafe such that any failure will not result in unintended transmissions or any transmissions of a type not permitted by this Licence. • 10(6) If this Licence is a Foundation Licence or an Intermediate Licence, and the Licensee wishes to establish communication links to operate the Radio Equipment in accordance with Clause 10(4), then the Licensee may only do so using wireless communication links and the Licensee may only use the amateur band allocations detailed in Schedule 15 to operate those links. Any such communications links shall be subject to a maximum power level of 500 mW pep e.r.p. • 10(7) Only where this Licence is a Full Licence, Full (Reciprocal) Licence, Full (Temporary Reciprocal) Licence or a Full (Club) Licence, the Licensee may make use of any communications links (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the amateur band allocations detailed in Schedule 15) to establish the wireless communication links referred to in Clause 10(4).
The Remote Shack SDR devices and USB hardware receivers have provided
new options if you are prepared to leave kit unattended but you still need some form of CAT control
A remote shack in your 2nd / someone else's home or
remote shack in a remote location Lots of logistical issues i.e. power, computers, theft! Connectivity options Internet if there is a link at the other end Wireless link like the club’s Internet connection
Over the air using DTMF tones Over the telephone line
The Remote Shack
The Remote Shack Or rent someone else's! http://www.remotehamradio.com/the-stations/
Useful Links wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Amateur_Radio_T
ransceiver_Control The downloadable manual with TRX Manager lists some interesting quirks with specific radios which is worth reading http://www.trx-manager.com/ Cables for CAT and Data for most radios https://radioarena.co.uk/index.php
