Anyone successfully triggering a SDR switch using their FT-857?
I have purchased this switch:? Antenna Sharer, SDR Transceiver...
?
It is powered by 12v and uses a ground signal to close the relays and disconnect the SDR while the radio is transmitting to avoid overloading the SDR. I've tried a few configurations with no luck. I'm currently using a digirig for cat control and audio pass through.
?
I've tried using pin 2 and three of the cat cable but the radio doesn't send ground when transmitting.?
?
I've seen the mfj used to make a cable that went into the radio and broke out of connection to activate their switch. Does anyone know how that works or does anyone have any ideas as to how to get this working??
?
This is the MFJ cable?
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I have used a splitter to split the 8-pin cable so I have a breakout. I just don't know what pins they would have used. I can solder the wire to the 3.5 mm connector for my switch. I just need some ideas as to how to proceed.?
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Thanks in advance for all the help?
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Hi Vitor,
I don't know N1MM+, but supposing you want to type on the keyboard of the computer and send CW (probably with another app), usually the best option is to use an interface that does include a Winkeyer chip, or even a Winkeyer device from K1EL, Steve.
You could mess with VOX, sound generated CW or even have a rs232 signal to interface with the CW key input but it seems that the best is to have the computer send the chars to be sent in morse to a dedicated device outside the pc and be done with it. Sometimes the computer will not keep up with sending and miss for a brief period of time.
I have a Microham USB III interface that can drive the CW key of the 857D, very handy and compact, a single USB cable for everything but it is not like having a dedicated cw device, it may work good enough for you but if you are serious about CW, get something with a winkeyer chip in it.
Or something like that, I know there are alternatives to winkeyer chips, even though they are the gold standard in my opinion.
Where are staying in Italy?
Giuseppe Marullo
IW2JWW - JN45RQ
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On 3/23/2025 7:43 PM, Vitor, PY2NY via groups.io wrote: Very good evening.
FT-857 is connected to N1MM+ and working with CAT control,
frequency, mode, ok... I am 75% happy.
I have just one USB-to-Serial port cable (/CHK340K/) LD-C100
generating COM3, the only one in my LENOVO Windows 10
notebook.
This will be the last question about this situation, and I am a real
dumb with computers. By the way, I am not FT-857 regular user.
Is that possible to share this LD-C100 cable to control a CW
computer generating signal? Or I need to find a kind of
USB-to-CW (?) cable to use with a another USB in my notebook?
If not, I will take a little keyer for my "possible" I/SP9NY portable
operation next April...
Thanks a lot...
/Vitor/ Luis Aidar dos Santos
*PY2NY, SP9NY, V26NY*
Caixa Postal 204
Jaboticabal, SP (Brasil)
14870-970
< utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig- email&utm_content=webmail> N?o contém vírus.www.avast.com < www.avast.com/sig-email? utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
<#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
--
Giuseppe Marullo
IW2JWW - JN45RQ
|
Thanks a lot Anne
Let's separate a little keyer to the baggage and finish this novel hi hi hi...
I have CAT control, computer, original FT857 microphone, antenna, antenna tuner. That's will be fine.
See you on the air.
Vitor Luis Aidar dos Santos PY2NY, SP9NY, V26NY Caixa Postal 204 Jaboticabal, SP (Brasil) 14870-970
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 04:56:28 PM GMT-3, Anne Ranch via groups.io <anneranch2442@...> wrote:
HERE is Google AI answer .? Cool, it even highlighted the "short version ". For CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) and CW (Continuous Wave) connections with the Yaesu FT-857D, you'll typically use the CT-62 cable for CAT control and a separate cable for CW keying, connecting to the radio's CAT/LINEAR jack and CW jack, respectively. [, ]
Here's a more detailed explanation: CAT Control: [] - CAT Interface Cable (CT-62): The CT-62 is an optional cable designed for connecting the FT-857 to a computer, allowing for CAT control. []
- Function: It has a built-in level converter, enabling direct connection from the rear panel CAT/LINEAR jack to the serial port of your computer, eliminating the need for an external RS-232C level converter. []
- Microphone Jack CAT Control: The FT-857D also has an undocumented CAT control setup through the microphone jack. You can set the Microphone jack setting in memory 59 to "CAT" to use this method. [3]
Generative AI is experimental. [1]? [2]?
Very good evening.
FT-857 is connected to N1MM+ and working with CAT control, frequency, mode, ok... I am 75% happy.
I have just one USB-to-Serial port cable (CHK340K) LD-C100 generating COM3, the only one in my LENOVO Windows 10 notebook.
This will be the last question about this situation, and I am a real dumb with computers. By the way, I am not FT-857 regular user.
Is that possible to share this LD-C100 cable to control a CW? computer generating signal? Or I need to find a kind of USB-to-CW (?) cable to use with a another USB in my notebook?
If not, I will take a little keyer for my "possible" I/SP9NY portable operation next April...
Thanks a lot...
Vitor Luis Aidar dos Santos PY2NY, SP9NY, V26NY Caixa Postal 204 Jaboticabal, SP (Brasil) 14870-970
|
HERE is Google AI answer .? Cool, it even highlighted the "short version ". For CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) and CW (Continuous Wave) connections with the Yaesu FT-857D, you'll typically use the CT-62 cable for CAT control and a separate cable for CW keying, connecting to the radio's CAT/LINEAR jack and CW jack, respectively. [, ]
Here's a more detailed explanation: CAT Control: [] - CAT Interface Cable (CT-62): The CT-62 is an optional cable designed for connecting the FT-857 to a computer, allowing for CAT control. []
- Function: It has a built-in level converter, enabling direct connection from the rear panel CAT/LINEAR jack to the serial port of your computer, eliminating the need for an external RS-232C level converter. []
- Microphone Jack CAT Control: The FT-857D also has an undocumented CAT control setup through the microphone jack. You can set the Microphone jack setting in memory 59 to "CAT" to use this method. [3]
Generative AI is experimental. [1]? [2]?
Very good evening.
FT-857 is connected to N1MM+ and working with CAT control, frequency, mode, ok... I am 75% happy.
I have just one USB-to-Serial port cable (CHK340K) LD-C100 generating COM3, the only one in my LENOVO Windows 10 notebook.
This will be the last question about this situation, and I am a real dumb with computers. By the way, I am not FT-857 regular user.
Is that possible to share this LD-C100 cable to control a CW? computer generating signal? Or I need to find a kind of USB-to-CW (?) cable to use with a another USB in my notebook?
If not, I will take a little keyer for my "possible" I/SP9NY portable operation next April...
Thanks a lot...
Vitor Luis Aidar dos Santos PY2NY, SP9NY, V26NY Caixa Postal 204 Jaboticabal, SP (Brasil) 14870-970
|
Very good evening.
FT-857 is connected to N1MM+ and working with CAT control, frequency, mode, ok... I am 75% happy.
I have just one USB-to-Serial port cable (CHK340K) LD-C100 generating COM3, the only one in my LENOVO Windows 10 notebook.
This will be the last question about this situation, and I am a real dumb with computers. By the way, I am not FT-857 regular user.
Is that possible to share this LD-C100 cable to control a CW? computer generating signal? Or I need to find a kind of USB-to-CW (?) cable to use with a another USB in my notebook?
If not, I will take a little keyer for my "possible" I/SP9NY portable operation next April...
Thanks a lot...
Vitor Luis Aidar dos Santos PY2NY, SP9NY, V26NY Caixa Postal 204 Jaboticabal, SP (Brasil) 14870-970
|
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Ham Radio Outlet sells them for $359:
<>
73,
--Hank
KB4MTO / TA5ZC
On March 21, 2025 3:44:58 PM EDT, Robin Kidd <w4ien@...> wrote:
I am looking for a FT-857D replacement head. Anyone have one for sale? If not, how can you get in touch with Yaesu for replacement parts?
?
Robin
W4IEN
?
--Hank Lambert
KB4MTO / TA5ZC
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Ham Radio Outlet sells them for $359:
<>
73,
--Hank
KB4MTO / TA5ZC
On March 21, 2025 3:44:58 PM EDT, Robin Kidd <w4ien@...> wrote:
I am looking for a FT-857D replacement head. Anyone have one for sale? If not, how can you get in touch with Yaesu for replacement parts?
?
Robin
W4IEN
?
--Hank Lambert
KB4MTO / TA5ZC
|
|
|
I am looking for a FT-857D replacement head. Anyone have one for sale? If not, how can you get in touch with Yaesu for replacement parts?
?
Robin
W4IEN
?
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Re: New to me FT-857D low TX power on USB/LSB CW works just fine... Bad mic? Something else?
Have you performed the ALC adjustment for SSB? That is very important as it is set for your microphone and your voice.
It's in the manual under SSB setup and should be done when you 1st get the radio and when you change your microphone.
If you don't have a manual, you can download one from Yaesu or from my website:
<>
Welcome to the FT-857 world. It's an amazing radio.
73,
--Hank
KB4MTO / TA5ZC
On March 19, 2025 12:53:23 AM EDT, "Michael KC1WDZ via groups.io" <measter@...> wrote:
Good evening everyone,?
? ? ? ?I've got a new to me FT-857D it has worked great on 2m/70cm and I just got my general ticket. I'm running a 40-10 EFHW through a ATU100 tuner.?
?
With the power set to 100 I'm only seeing 30 watts at most on USB/LSB on HF. If I send CW using the microphone I see around 85w output. It seems that I'm getting little to no modulation with voice on sideband.
?
Is the microphone on it's way out or gone? The only variable I have in play i have my digirig hooked up via the din cables.
?
?
--Hank Lambert
KB4MTO / TA5ZC
|
Re: How can I use the 8 pin CAT connection to activate a SDR switch?
Pin-2 of CAT (TX-GND) is not grounded until signal line TX-B at the base of Q1108 is brought HIGH (>0.7V, 5V I think), forward biasing B-E and B-C.?
i presume because CAT is multipurpose depending on menu settings, so you want that line grounded only when MCU decides it should be. 
Michael Boatright, M. Photog., CPP, GSD
Michael Boatright Photography
404.488.6644
Portraiture & Documentary Photography
Historic Wet Collodion Process
Goat Farm Arts Center
1200 Foster St., NW, Suite S301
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30318
FB:
IG:
Certified Professional Photographer (PPA)
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Looking at the diagrams I tried using pin 2 (circled in red) to activate the switch. I was under the impression it was grounded while the radio was transmitting. I checked with a DMM there is no continuity between the wire attached to pin 2 and the chassis
of the radio. Pin 3 shows continuity on the DMM.?
?
I'm using a splitter so I can run my digirig and the switch. I verified proper operation of the switch by manually grounding the wire to the power harness of the SDR switch.?
?
I also verified multiple times that the wire I'm using is pin 2.
?
?
Am I doing something wrong ? Is there a better way? The switch is looking for a momentary ground while transmitting.?
|
How can I use the 8 pin CAT connection to activate a SDR switch?
Looking at the diagrams I tried using pin 2 (circled in red) to activate the switch. I was under the impression it was grounded while the radio was transmitting. I checked with a DMM there is no continuity between the wire attached to pin 2 and the chassis of the radio. Pin 3 shows continuity on the DMM.?
?
I'm using a splitter so I can run my digirig and the switch. I verified proper operation of the switch by manually grounding the wire to the power harness of the SDR switch.?
?
I also verified multiple times that the wire I'm using is pin 2.
?
?
Am I doing something wrong ? Is there a better way? The switch is looking for a momentary ground while transmitting.?
|
Re: New to me FT-857D low TX power on USB/LSB CW works just fine... Bad mic? Something else?
Like most amateur equipment, SSB in the FT-857D is Single Sideband Supressed Carrier, unlike CW, which is actually "just" the carrier. FCC rules define amateur power in PEP [Peak Envelope Power]. (PEP is the average power of a single RF cycle at the peak of
a modulation envelope. (Ed Hare, W1RFI, Excerpted from January 1998 QST). Your meter more than likely measures the power as AVERAGE POWER not PEP (My Daiwa CN-801 measures both). IF you are modulating your signal at 100% (not necessarily a good idea, as you
may be splattering up and down the bands), theoretically, you should get a PEP of 100W, per the spec. Average power is going to be 20%-40% (roughly the duty cycle of unprocessed/processed speech) of that depending on how hard you are driving the modulation,
based on duty cycle (compression bumps up the duty cycle).
If you look through the FT-857D Service Manual, you might notice that there isn't a procedure for checking SSB power. However, if you are getting full power out on 160-10 with FM or CW, you are getting full power out of your final (50MHz has it's own final).
There are some settings you can check in the "hidden menu" but it's really not likely that there's anything wrong. A hard reset or a walk through the "hidden menu" can confirm that.
This is why you never use SSB to tune your antenna system, or why you sometimes hear hams whistling on air. They are whistling to modulate the SSB in order to get power out (No AF = no modulation = no power out on SSB). Most hams use either CW, or if you don't
have a key connected, set it to FM and key the mic (note, if there is any modulation it's going to increase the deviation (i.e. bandwidth) of the FM signal. You can also configure the rig through settings to use the microphone to key CW.
73 de Mike, KO4WX
Peace and be kind,
Michael
Michael Boatright, M. Photog., CPP, GSD
Michael Boatright Photography
404.488.6644
Portraiture & Documentary Photography
Historic Wet Collodion Process
Goat Farm Arts Center
1200 Foster St., NW, Suite S301
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30318
FB:
IG:
Certified Professional Photographer (Professional Photographers of America)
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Show quoted text
Good evening everyone,?
? ? ? ?I've got a new to me FT-857D it has worked great on 2m/70cm and I just got my general ticket. I'm running a 40-10 EFHW through a ATU100 tuner.?
?
With the power set to 100 I'm only seeing 30 watts at most on USB/LSB on HF. If I send CW using the microphone I see around 85w output. It seems that I'm getting little to no modulation with voice on sideband.
?
Is the microphone on it's way out or gone? The only variable I have in play i have my digirig hooked up via the din cables.
?
?
|
Re: New to me FT-857D low TX power on USB/LSB CW works just fine... Bad mic? Something else?
I always do a hard reset when I get used equipment. Then you can start from scratch and set it up the way you want.?
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-------- Original message -------- From: "Michael KC1WDZ via groups.io" <measter@...> Date: 3/19/25 6:27 PM (GMT-05:00) Subject: [FT-857] New to me FT-857D low TX power on USB/LSB CW works just fine... Bad mic? Something else?
Good evening everyone,?
? ? ? ?I've got a new to me FT-857D it has worked great on 2m/70cm and I just got my general ticket. I'm running a 40-10 EFHW through a ATU100 tuner.?
?
With the power set to 100 I'm only seeing 30 watts at most on USB/LSB on HF. If I send CW using the microphone I see around 85w output. It seems that I'm getting little to no modulation with voice on sideband.
?
Is the microphone on it's way out or gone? The only variable I have in play i have my digirig hooked up via the din cables.
?
?
|
Re: New to me FT-857D low TX power on USB/LSB CW works just fine... Bad mic? Something else?
On LSB / USB? you won’t see a true full readings on a meter.? ? CW? is AM and that right ? Richard ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Michael KC1WDZ via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 12:53 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [FT-857] New to me FT-857D low TX power on USB/LSB CW works just fine... Bad mic? Something else?? ? ? ? ?I've got a new to me FT-857D it has worked great on 2m/70cm and I just got my general ticket. I'm running a 40-10 EFHW through a ATU100 tuner.? With the power set to 100 I'm only seeing 30 watts at most on USB/LSB on HF. If I send CW using the microphone I see around 85w output. It seems that I'm getting little to no modulation with voice on sideband. Is the microphone on it's way out or gone? The only variable I have in play i have my digirig hooked up via the din cables.
|
New to me FT-857D low TX power on USB/LSB CW works just fine... Bad mic? Something else?
Good evening everyone,?
? ? ? ?I've got a new to me FT-857D it has worked great on 2m/70cm and I just got my general ticket. I'm running a 40-10 EFHW through a ATU100 tuner.?
?
With the power set to 100 I'm only seeing 30 watts at most on USB/LSB on HF. If I send CW using the microphone I see around 85w output. It seems that I'm getting little to no modulation with voice on sideband.
?
Is the microphone on it's way out or gone? The only variable I have in play i have my digirig hooked up via the din cables.
?
?
|
Hi Phil
My home contest station have FTDX10 and FTDX101D and I am not the guy that usually takes a radio in baggage while travelling.
I am not using FT857 at home, never, it's always OFF. After all those messagens, FC-40 seems to be the right option but not exactly for? portable operation because it's depends on FT857.
LDG is fully independent and Z11 has the capability to operate with batteries. CAT port in FT857 will remains free to control radio from notebook.
April will be my first experience (not counting WRTC's) with a complete station in baggage: FT857, LongWire, ATU and power supply. Let's see what happens.
Thanks a lot, Phil. 73 DX from Brasil.?
Vitor Luis Aidar dos Santos PY2NY, SP9NY, V26NY Caixa Postal 204 Jaboticabal, SP (Brasil) 14870-970
On Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 02:29:04 PM GMT-3, Philip - K4PO via groups.io <k4po.ars@...> wrote:
OM, The FC-40 tuner is superior to any tuner for Yaesu radios.? Others are good, but the FC-40 out does them all for whatever antenna you elect to run, base station or mobile.? Just follow the OEM instructions.? This model is actually an antenna coupler rather than tuner that fools the radio.? A Coupler presents an actual resonate state.? This is generally true for the ICOM version for ICOM rigs, Kenwood for Kenwood, et al.? Generic versions such as LDG coupler are good as well though no longer listed on their web site.? Sans the SGC-230 may it live long though no longer produced.? 73, Phil??
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OM, The FC-40 tuner is superior to any tuner for Yaesu radios.? Others are good, but the FC-40 out does them all for whatever antenna you elect to run, base station or mobile.? Just follow the OEM instructions.? This model is actually an antenna coupler rather than tuner that fools the radio.? A Coupler presents an actual resonate state.? This is generally true for the ICOM version for ICOM rigs, Kenwood for Kenwood, et al.? Generic versions such as LDG coupler are good as well though no longer listed on their web site.? Sans the SGC-230 may it live long though no longer produced.? 73, Phil??
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Good afternoon
Thanks a lot - I had a bunch of options now and think that will be possible to spend some hours with FT857 on HF bands, if the good italian wine and food left me some time for that. Will check for a UNUN/BALUN in Italy and try that longwire. Very nice support from this FT-857 group, really amazing. Thanks and see you around. 73 DX
Vitor Luis Aidar dos Santos PY2NY, SP9NY, V26NY Caixa Postal 204 Jaboticabal, SP (Brasil) 14870-970
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 03:35:25 PM GMT-3, Mike N2MS via groups.io <mstangelo@...> wrote:
I second the Z11Proll. It also uses latching relays so you can tune with external power source and disconnect if necessary.
?
Mike N2MS
?
?
For a travel/portable tuner I prefer the Z11ProII over the AT-100 or
AT-200.? Smaller footprint, lower current draw and accepts internal
batteries so no additional power source is needed. Tuning range and
power handling is the same as the AT-100.? All of them are wider range
than a FC40 but probably need a Balun or UNUN to work with long wire
type antennas.
?
?
?
Leonard K. Pennock
AD7AS
?
Those who walk bravely through life, unafraid of loss or failure,
find that they very rarely lose or fail.
?
On 3/12/25 9:43 AM, Giuseppe Marullo[iw2jww] via groups.io wrote:
Vitor,
why don't you consider a AT-200 Pro from LDG? not weatherproof but way
capable of tuning almost everything(I guess better than FC-40) and CAT
is completely independent.
Only drawback is that it will recognize band change only if you tx,
switching bands after tuning them will require a brief press of ptt to
recall last tuning for that band frequency(very quick, like a fraction
of a sec).
It could be even remoted, no connection beside the coax and some sort
of power supply.
Once tuned, you could even shut down the power and save battery.
I have a AT-100 Pro, it will tune 1.5W and it could be a good choice
for QRP(though form factor could be smaller).
Giuseppe Marullo
IW2JWW - JN45RQ
>
>
?
|
I second the Z11Proll. It also uses latching relays so you can tune with external power source and disconnect if necessary.
?
Mike N2MS
?
?
For a travel/portable tuner I prefer the Z11ProII over the AT-100 or
AT-200.? Smaller footprint, lower current draw and accepts internal
batteries so no additional power source is needed. Tuning range and
power handling is the same as the AT-100.? All of them are wider range
than a FC40 but probably need a Balun or UNUN to work with long wire
type antennas.
?
?
?
Leonard K. Pennock
AD7AS
?
Those who walk bravely through life, unafraid of loss or failure,
find that they very rarely lose or fail.
?
On 3/12/25 9:43 AM, Giuseppe Marullo[iw2jww] via groups.io wrote:
Vitor,
why don't you consider a AT-200 Pro from LDG? not weatherproof but way
capable of tuning almost everything(I guess better than FC-40) and CAT
is completely independent.
Only drawback is that it will recognize band change only if you tx,
switching bands after tuning them will require a brief press of ptt to
recall last tuning for that band frequency(very quick, like a fraction
of a sec).
It could be even remoted, no connection beside the coax and some sort
of power supply.
Once tuned, you could even shut down the power and save battery.
I have a AT-100 Pro, it will tune 1.5W and it could be a good choice
for QRP(though form factor could be smaller).
Giuseppe Marullo
IW2JWW - JN45RQ
>
>
?
|
Mike
Jim Ebner