Re: Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
Go and find a cheap CB amp.? They will work from DC to 50MHz at least.? You will likely need a bandpass filter for them.? They¡¯ll take 2 or 3 watts and produce 100W. ? 73, Clint, VE3CMQ ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert Sauvan
Sent: November 25, 2019 2:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ft817] Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier? That would be a great item for sure but they sure are pricey. Im going to look for a cheaper alternative. For that kind of money if I dont have cat control it might not be a big deal. It would be nice to have the amp here to see what it needs exactly. Hopefully soon. Thanks-Bob-W0YBS You might want to look at the bhi LTD. CAT MATE. It is designed for the FT-857, 897 and 817 to connect 2 devices to the CAT port. ? On Nov 25, 2019 2:19 PM, Bo W4GHV <bobarr@...> wrote: Yep, I just found one on eBay. Haven't used it yet, since the FT-818ND has been diverted to packet.
Noting the available amps for the 817/818 most do not have the pass thru. My buddy has one that does.?
If they have physical band switching and a "PTT" you should be ready to go.
Good luck ?
-- Thanks Bob Sauvan-W0YBS/V31CO rsauvan@...
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I have tinkered quite a bit with the 817 CAT protocol/interface and have not been? able to identify any working commands beyond those listed in the manual.
73,
Bj?rn SM7IUN
Den m?n 25 nov. 2019 kl 09:10 skrev Peter via Groups.Io <pkgcruise1= [email protected]>:
I have just finished putting together a 'remote faceplate' for my '817'.
This is a Nextion touch screen coupled to an Arduino and is based on the excellent work by EA3DMM (see the Nextion Facebook Group), plus not to forget IK1JNS who helped me in obtaining the correct library files - thanks gents.
This Allows me to control the radio via the touchscreen with features such as direct freq entry, mode change, signal metering etc etc.
Now, before i build a case I was wondering if i could include a Rotary encoder for up/down tuning with perhaps the push button of the encoder used to select fast/slow tuning . The stumbling block, after many google searches i can't find any mention of tuning or fast/slow functions being available as CAT command ?
Are these command available ? I am guessing so as i vaguely recall these functions being in some of the PC based CAT applications, unless they are doing something clever in software !
Any tips or guidance would be appreciated.
Rgds, Peter (G1FXE).....
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Re: Windcamp WLB 817 - recharge with a charger for LIPO
I use the same charging unit that came with Windcamp 8 years ago. Best battery accessory at the time for the FT817ND. Still the best at present time plus the external batteries now available are much lighter.?
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Re: Windcamp WLB 817 - recharge with a charger for LIPO
 --   Best Regards. Steve AB2ET/4
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Re: Lithium Battery Options
On Mon, 25 Nov 2019 13:31:11 -0800 "Steve Sawicki via Groups.Io" <ab2et@...> wrote: In 90% of use in FT-817 arena the current draw is minimal in to what
the pack can provide, for? additional protection and visual and audio
notification for a minimal amount?? less then ($2 each) a voltage and
alarm device that plugs into the balance plug provides a display of
each cell then the total, you can set the alarm per cell or voltage
total. Best Regards. Steve AB2ET/4 I'd like to suggest this option where the voltage is displayed on the distribution box. Liz VK2XSE
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Re: Lithium Battery Options
John, You Stated --RC packs are designed to work with RC speed controllers, most of which have low voltage cut off. The biggest down side of using an RC pack verses a LiFePO with a BCM is you can in inadvertently draw down the voltage to a point where the battery is history. The better LiFePO packs protect the cells.
Yes RC speed controllers have low voltage cut of systems because of the amperage that they need to provide in lets say throttler settings.
In 90% of use in FT-817 arena the current draw is minimal in to what the pack can provide, for? additional protection and visual and audio notification for a minimal amount?? less then ($2 each) a voltage and alarm device that plugs into the balance plug provides a display of each cell then the total, you can set the alarm per cell or voltage total.?
Best Regards. Steve AB2ET/4
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Thanks for the info. I went down the Nextion path with the cute ubitx QRP XCVR but it was torture,
The Nextion display can be used as a simple terminal but it has a lot of computing power itself if you can figure it out.
I think I will stick to my simpler Arduino CI/V interface and its displays.
Some complain about 'wearing out' the FT-817 EEPROM by too many writes. But I'm betting we will QRT before it does.
73, Bo W4GHV
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Re: Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
That would be a great item for sure but they sure
are pricey. Im going to look for a cheaper alternative. For that
kind of money if I dont have cat control it might not be a big
deal. It would be nice to have the amp here to see what it needs
exactly. Hopefully soon.
Thanks-Bob-W0YBS
You might want to look at the bhi LTD. CAT MATE.
It is designed for the FT-857, 897 and 817 to connect 2 devices
to the CAT port.
--
Thanks
Bob Sauvan-W0YBS/V31CO
rsauvan@...
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Re: Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
I believe it does so hopefully it will be a
simple fix.
Thanks-Bob-W0YBS
On 11/25/2019 12:19 PM, Bo W4GHV wrote:
Yep, I just found one on eBay. Haven't used it yet, since the
FT-818ND has been diverted to packet.
Noting the available amps for the 817/818 most do not have the
pass thru. My buddy has one that does.?
If they have physical band switching and a "PTT" you should be
ready to go.
Good luck
--
Thanks
Bob Sauvan-W0YBS/V31CO
rsauvan@...
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Re: Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
The amp I have coming is a MiniPA50.
Thanks-Bob-W0YBS
On 11/25/2019 12:00 PM, Liz wrote:
On Mon, 25 Nov 2019 08:35:40 -0800
"Robert Sauvan" <rsauvan@...> wrote:
I have a 45 watt amp coming in about a week and it comes with a cable
to plug into the Accessory jack in the back of the radio. I presently
have my Cat control cable installed there. If the amp goes there then
I will lose cat control. I assume the cable supplied by the amp is so
it can follow the bands as you change them on the radio?
You haven't stated the brand of amplifier.
Mine only works when in transmit, and the cable is sending the transmit
signal to the amp.
Certainly if I forget to plug it in I don't get many contacts ;)
Liz
VK2XSE
--
Thanks
Bob Sauvan-W0YBS/V31CO
rsauvan@...
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Re: Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
You might want to look at the bhi LTD. CAT MATE. It is designed for the FT-857, 897 and 817 to connect 2 devices to the CAT port.
On Nov 25, 2019 2:19 PM, Bo W4GHV <bobarr@...> wrote: Yep, I just found one on eBay. Haven't used it yet, since the FT-818ND has been diverted to packet.
Noting the available amps for the 817/818 most do not have the pass thru. My buddy has one that does.?
If they have physical band switching and a "PTT" you should be ready to go.
Good luck
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Re: Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
Yep, I just found one of the cheap cable splitters on eBay. Haven't used it yet, since the FT-818ND has been diverted to packet.
Noting the available amps for the 817/818 most do not have the pass thru. My buddy has one that does.?
If they have physical band switching and a "PTT" you should be ready to go.
Good luck
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Re: Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
On Mon, 25 Nov 2019 08:35:40 -0800 "Robert Sauvan" <rsauvan@...> wrote: I have a 45 watt amp coming in about a week and it comes with a cable
to plug into the Accessory jack in the back of the radio. I presently
have my Cat control cable installed there. If the amp goes there then
I will lose cat control. I assume the cable supplied by the amp is so
it can follow the bands as you change them on the radio? You haven't stated the brand of amplifier. Mine only works when in transmit, and the cable is sending the transmit signal to the amp. Certainly if I forget to plug it in I don't get many contacts ;) Liz VK2XSE
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Re: Lithium Battery Options
RC packs are designed to work with RC speed controllers, most of which have low voltage cut off. The biggest down side of using an RC pack verses a LiFePO with a BCM is you can in advertantly draw down the voltage to a point where the battery is history. The better LiFePO packs protect the cells.
John Kalotai N1OLO
On Monday, November 25, 2019, 3:22:15 AM EST, Paddy G4MAD <paddy@...> wrote:
I simply use an external RC battery - a Turnigy 2650mAh 3S 1C sourced from Hobby King.
The battery discharge is rated at '1C' - this is fine for QRP use - and it doesn't need a specific storage voltage when not used, unlike many higher capacity cells. It is tiny and weighs in at just under 5.5 oz. I also bought a suitable charger from them, and with any lithium cell & I heed the manufacturers instructions on safe charging.
I added XT60 connectors - and most importantly an in-line fuse. I don't want the FT817 PCB to perform that task in the even of a fault :-)
I mainly use it for occasional operating /P when on holiday. The battery capacity is far greater than my kids patience, so I've never run flat ! But at this price, you could have a main and back-up battery in the to-go box.
The only problem I've had was explaining what it was to an airport security guard when leaving Cyprus - it went through the X-ray a few times !
The RC world has a lot of battery and connector options - all a lot more affordable than ham radio accessories, so it's worth taking a look.
5B/G4MAD boxed up - arrow shows boxed battery
EI/G4MAD. Foreground shows life saving fluids.
?
Paddy, G4MAD/P, EI/G4MAD, 5B/G4MAD
?
?
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Yes, the comms is both ways. IE. As well as displaying the current radio state you can control the rig too as i mentioned below (freq input, mode etc).
Here's a link to the facebook posting where there are contact details for the author EA3DMM.
I have scaled up his layout for a larger screen on which i am testing although the screen i have does not have enough memory to hold the complete layout, waiting on delivery of a higher capacity one. In the meantime i have removed some of the image files used for the analogue meter display which is not an issue to me as this function is only applicable to the 897 & 857.
I will put them back when the new screen arrives !
Peter (G1FXE).....
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Re: Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
I believe I¡¯ve heard of people just using a Y-cable and getting it to work.? Seems I recall W4RT was selling Y-cables back in the day. ? I have no real experience on it, my 817NDs have only been used for backpack portable, never once tied to a computer except for memory programming.? In fact, I¡¯ve never really used computer control at all, just logging and digital.? So perhaps someone else will jump in with more info. ? GOOD LUCK! ? Mike ¨C KD5KC -- El Paso -- Texas. ? The canyons are calling, colorful and deep.? But I have promises to keep. And miles to go still in my Jeep...?? And miles to go still in my Jeep... ? 
? ADVENTURE:? The respectful pursuit of trouble. ? ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Robert Sauvan
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2019 9:36 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ft817] Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier ? Hi all,
Im trying to get my Ft-817 all set up to take to my condo in Caye Caulker Belize. Ive been experimenting with lots of antennas and I think Ive got that all taken care of now. I have a 45 watt amp coming in about a week and it comes with a cable to plug into the Accessory jack in the back of the radio. I presently have my Cat control cable installed there. If the amp goes there then I will lose cat control. I assume the cable supplied by the amp is so it can follow the bands as you change them on the radio? Im thinking I dont actually need that, I can change manually, but would rather have computer control of the radio. How is anyone else taking care of this issue? I am using a Yaesu SCU-17 digital interface with the radio as well. I noticed it has a PTT jack in the back. If I were to eliminate the control cable supplied with the amp, could I just hook the PTT from the amp to key it up from the PTT jack on the SCU-17? I did find an article for a guy using a breakout box on his FT-857D but it is different than my 817. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks-Bob W0YBS
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Re: Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
I think the 857 is similar enough.
I think the key is to have a 'pass thru' interface in the linear.
Basically a receive only interface.
Two gadgets can't talk on the line 'without a lot if smarts'.
Surely there's a way to get it going. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Good luck
73, Bo W4GHV since '54
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Simultaneous use of Cat Control and Amplifier
Hi all,
Im trying to get my Ft-817 all set up to take to my condo in Caye Caulker Belize. Ive been experimenting with lots of antennas and I think Ive got that all taken care of now. I have a 45 watt amp coming in about a week and it comes with a cable to plug into the Accessory jack in the back of the radio. I presently have my Cat control cable installed there. If the amp goes there then I will lose cat control. I assume the cable supplied by the amp is so it can follow the bands as you change them on the radio? Im thinking I dont actually need that, I can change manually, but would rather have computer control of the radio. How is anyone else taking care of this issue? I am using a Yaesu SCU-17 digital interface with the radio as well. I noticed it has a PTT jack in the back. If I were to eliminate the control cable supplied with the amp, could I just hook the PTT from the amp to key it up from the PTT jack on the SCU-17? I did find an article for a guy using a breakout box on his FT-857D but it is different than my 817. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks-Bob W0YBS
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Interesting project, I'd love details. I've worked a bit in that area.?
Currently with a Teensy 3.2, Arduino, simple encoder, & switches. It has a USB 'output'. ?( forgot the correct name).
The encoder changes the value pointed to by the mouse & the buttons enter any keys or messages to the 'keyboard'.
That should work for entering CAT commands. I'll be trying that soon.
Working on SDRUNO, Win4Icom, fldigi at present.?
Does your project work TWO WAY? ?The display unit on eBay for sale only displays and has no command ability.
73, Bo W4GHV since '54
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Re: Windcamp WLB 817 - recharge with a charger for LIPO
Very interesting report Steve, I'd like to see the pictures, thanks.
All the best,
Filippo - IZ0INX?
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Bj?rn SM7IUN
Terry L. Morris
iz0inx