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USB-CAT Cables: A question for anyone ...

 

This is for the hamlib CAT library improvement project.

Do any of you have one of the USB <-> FT-980 CAT cables (not a FIF-232C interface)? If yes, do you know if it supports PTT (through CTS/RTS pins)? If yes, is it the CTS or RTS?

The FIF-232C does support the (you need to add a simple circuit to tie the RS-232 pin to the CAT pin), but since the CAT port does support it I suspect that they may have this support built in.

I would like to make sure we define the library to natively support these cables ...

Thanks,
--
-Mat Breton, N8TW
 

Mat,

I found this message, along with many other emails from the list, in my spam folder.? Interestingly, some went through, some not.? So much for the scanner's AI...

On the topic of USB cables: I have two commercially built: Prolific and FTDI chip based.? They can be had from eBay and likely other sources.? Mine do not have the flow control lines routed to the CAT connector so their application is limited to sending/receiving CAT commands.

FYI I tested both cables with the MCS program that Roger posted in the Files section.? It runs on Win 10.?

The cables also work with WSJT-X 2.2.2 except for the PTT.? I have not tried the CAT PTT.? Not sure if it is even supported by our radio.. My goal was to make FT-980 operational with Ham Radio Deluxe, which is an ongoing effort.? From what I can see the problem is with HRD not initiating the link with the radio properly.? I will post a complete report on that when my bug ticket with HRD gets resolved, one way or the other.? The other being the HRD position that the radio is too old etc.? Even though it is shown in their list of supported radios... but this is a different story.

73, Wald N4PL

On Saturday, January 9, 2021, 8:15:18 PM EST, Mat Breton <i.m.n8tw@...> wrote:


This is for the hamlib CAT library improvement project.

Do any of you have one of the USB <-> FT-980 CAT cables (not a FIF-232C interface)? If yes, do you know if it supports PTT (through CTS/RTS pins)? If yes, is it the CTS or RTS?

The FIF-232C does support the (you need to add a simple circuit to tie the RS-232 pin to the CAT pin), but since the CAT port does support it I suspect that they may have this support built in.

I would like to make sure we define the library to natively support these cables ...

Thanks,
--
-Mat Breton, N8TW

 

Thanks Wald. I think I will just assume "RTS" for PTT (in case there are any cables that support it, or someone mods their FIF-232C or makes their own version). It seems that RTS is "typically" PTT, and DTS is "typically" key-down or FSK (the FT-980 doesn't support key-down or FSK via the CAT port, but a custom cable could route them into the FT-980 ports that do).

I am uploading a document shortly describing how to use rigctlcom to interface to the FT-980 from a package (ACLog) that doesn't support the FT-980. It seems to work fine. Can you give it a try with HRD and let me know if it works?

--
-Mat Breton, N8TW

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