YAESU FTX-1 Series CAT Operation Reference Manual

CAT Operation

This manual describes the CAT operation for the FTX-1 series. CAT operation is supported with MAIN firmware version "Ver. 1.08" or later. If the version is "Ver. 1.08" or earlier, please update the firmware.

How to Check Current Firmware Version

1. Press and hold the [FUNC] knob.
2. Touch [EXTENSION SETTING]. If [EXTENSION SETTING] is not displayed on the screen, touch [FWD→] to switch screens.
3. Touch [SOFT VERSION]. The versions of each firmware will be displayed.

The image shows the transceiver with the current MAIN firmware version displayed.

Connection Method

Connecting via USB Cable (CAT-1 / CAT-2)

By connecting the transceiver and a computer with a commercially available USB cable (Type C), you can use commercial software or freeware to perform various digital mode operations and set up or control the transceiver.

Note: When connecting the computer via USB cable, you must first install the virtual COM port driver on your computer. The virtual COM port driver can be downloaded from our website.

The diagram shows a PC connected to the transceiver via a USB cable.

How to Confirm COM Port Number

1. Turn on the transceiver.
2. Connect the transceiver and computer with a commercially available USB cable.
3. Open the Device Manager screen on Windows®.
4. Double-click "Ports (COM & LPT)" in the Device Manager screen.

The Device Manager screen will show entries like "Silicon Labs Dual CP210x USB to UART Bridge: Enhanced COM Port (COM5)" and "Silicon Labs Dual CP210x USB to UART Bridge: Standard COM Port (COM6)". The COM port number may vary depending on your computer's usage.

Note: If a "!" or "x" mark is displayed in the Device Manager screen, uninstall the virtual COM port driver and then install the correct COM port driver again.

COM Port Settings for Various Software

The FTX-1 series uses the side USB terminal to provide two virtual COM ports: Enhanced COM Port (CAT-1) and Standard COM Port (CAT-2).

• Enhanced COM Port (CAT-1): CAT communication (frequency and operation mode settings).
• Standard COM Port (CAT-2): TX control (PTT, CW keying, FSK control) or CAT communication (frequency and operation mode settings).

By setting up the software to use the Enhanced COM Port (CAT-1) for CAT communication and the Standard COM Port (CAT-2) for TX control, you can simultaneously perform CAT communication for frequency and operation mode settings, as well as TX control (PTT, CW keying, digital communication).

Note: When using the Standard COM Port (CAT-2) for CAT communication, hardware flow control (RTS or DTR) may cause the transceiver to transmit unintentionally. To prevent this, set the communication mode or PRESET to "OFF" or "DAKY" in the setting menu to disable TX control.

Setting Menu Options

Note: When using the USB cable for TX control, the transceiver may transmit unintentionally when the computer starts up. Please be cautious.

Note: Before removing the USB cable, close the application on your computer.

TUNER/LINEAR Terminal (CAT-3)

The TUNER/LINEAR terminal on the back of the FTX-1 can be used for CAT communication (5V CMOS level serial communication).

Set this to "CAT-3" in the setting menu: [OPERATION SETTING] → [GENERAL] → [TUN/LIN PORT SELECT]. (Factory default: OPTION)

Note: The TX D and RX D of the TUNER/LINEAR terminals are 5V CMOS level. They cannot be directly connected to computer RS-232C terminals.

Note: You will need to process a commercially available band data cable (T9207451A, Mini DIN 10-pin to DIN 10-pin) yourself to make the connection cable.

Note: You cannot connect an external antenna tuner or linear amplifier simultaneously.

Communication Format

Sending Commands

You can control the transceiver by sending commands from your computer using terminal software or other applications.

Communication Parameters

• Baud Rate: 38400bps* (CAT-1, CAT-3 terminals) or 4800bps* (CAT-2 terminal)
• Synchronization Method: Asynchronous
• Start Bit: 1
• Data Bit: 8
• Stop Bit: 1* or 2 (fixed at 1 for CAT-2)
• Parity: None

*: Factory default setting

CAT communication settings can be changed via the following setting menu:

*: CAT-2 stop bit cannot be changed from "1bit".

Command Types

There are three types of commands: Set, Read, and Answer.

• Set: Input command (setting command). Commands to control the transceiver's settings from the computer.
• Read: Input command (read command). Commands to request the transceiver's status from the computer.
• Answer: Output command (response command). Response commands outputted by the transceiver.

Example of CAT System Usage

The following shows an example of setting the frequency to "14,250.000MHz" on the MAIN side:

FA [Command] [Parameter] [Terminator]

Command: Consists of two English letters. Case-insensitive.

Parameter: The number of digits varies by command. Parameters may not always be present.

Terminator: A semicolon (;) signifies the end of a command. It is always required.

Error Messages

If an error occurs on the transceiver, an error command will be sent to the computer.

• If the command format is incorrect.
• If the received command cannot be executed due to the transceiver's state.

CAT Control Command List

This section provides a comprehensive list of CAT control commands, their functions, and parameters.

Command Table

The table details each command, its name, function description, and whether it supports setting, reading, AI (Auto Information), and compatibility.

Example Command Format:

AG AF GAIN

Set: AG P1 P2 P2 P2 ; (P1: MAIN/SUB, P2: 000-255)

Read: AG P1 ;

Answer: AG P1 P2 P2 P2 ;

Note: A semicolon (;) indicates the end of a command. Blank parameters mean no parameter is needed. Commands are two English letters and are case-insensitive.

Command Descriptions (Partial List):

• AB: MAIN-side to SUB-side copy.
• AC: ANTENNA TUNER CONTROL (start/stop tuning).
• AG: AF GAIN setting and read.
• AI: AUTO INFORMATION setting and read.
• AM: MAIN-side to MEMORY CHANNEL copy.
• AO: AMC OUTPUT LEVEL setting and read.
• BA: SUB-side to MAIN-side copy.
• BC: AUTO NOTCH (DNF) setting and read.
• BD: BAND DOWN (moves to lower band).
• BI: BREAK-IN setting and read.
• BM: SUB-side to MEMORY CHANNEL copy.
• BP: MANUAL NOTCH setting and read.
• BS: BAND SELECT.
• BU: BAND UP (moves to higher band).
• CF: CLAR (Clarifier) setting and read.
• CH: CHANNEL UP/DOWN (memory channel up/down).
• CN: CTCSS NUMBER setting and read.
• CO: CONTOUR/APF setting and read.
• CS: CW SPOT setting and read.
• CT: CTCSS setting and read.
• DA: LCD CONTRAST/DIMMER setting and read.
• DN: DOWN key operation.
• DT: DATE AND TIME setting and read.
• EX: MENU setting and read.
• FA: FREQUENCY MAIN-side setting and read.
• FB: FREQUENCY SUB-side setting and read.
• FN: FINE TUNING setting and read.
• FR: FUNCTION RX (single/dual receive switching).
• FT: FUNCTION TX (transmit VFO setting and read).
• GP: GP OUT A/B/C/D output setting.
• GT: AGC FUNCTION time constant setting and read.
• ID: Radio ID read.
• IF: INFORMATION (MAIN-side) read.
• IS: IF SHIFT setting and read.
• KM: KEYER MEMORY setting and read.
• KP: KEY PITCH setting and read.
• KR: KEYER setting and read.
• KS: KEY SPEED setting and read.
• KY: CW KEYING MEMORY PLAY (message playback).
• LK: LOCK setting and read.
• LM: LOAD MESSAGE (voice/received sound recording).
• MA: MEMORY CHANNEL TO MAIN-side transfer.
• MB: MEMORY CHANNEL TO SUB-side transfer.
• MC: MEMORY CHANNEL setting and read.
• MD: OPERATING MODE setting and read.
• MG: MIC GAIN setting and read.
• ML: MONITOR LEVEL setting and read.
• MR: MEMORY CHANNEL READ.
• MS: METER SW setting and read.
• MT: MEMORY CHANNEL WRITE/TAG write.
• MW: MEMORY WRITE.
• MX: MOX SET setting and read.
• MZ: SPLIT MEMORY setting and read.
• NA: NARROW setting and read.
• NL: NOISE BLANKER LEVEL setting and read.
• OI: OPPOSITE BAND INFORMATION (SUB-side) read.
• OS: OFFSET (Repeater Shift) setting and read.
• PA: PRE-AMP (IPO) setting and read.
• PB: PLAY BACK (voice recording playback).
• PC: POWER CONTROL (transmit power setting and read).
• PL: SPEECH PROCESSOR LEVEL setting and read.
• PR: SPEECH PROCESSOR setting and read.
• PS: POWER SWITCH setting and read.
• QI: QMB STORE.
• QR: QMB RECALL.
• RA: RF ATTENUATOR setting and read.
• RG: RF GAIN setting and read.
• RI: RADIO INFORMATION read.
• RL: NOISE REDUCTION LEVEL (DNR) setting and read.
• RM: READ METER.
• SC: SCAN setting and read.
• SD: CW BREAK-IN DELAY TIME setting and read.
• SF: FUNC-KNOB FUNCTION setting and read.
• SH: WIDTH setting and read.
• SM: S-METER READING.
• SQ: SQUELCH LEVEL setting and read.
• SS: SPECTRUM SCOPE setting and read.
• ST: SPLIT setting and read.
• SV: SWAP VFO.
• TS: TXW setting.
• TX: TX SET setting and read.
• UP: MIC UP key operation.
• VD: VOX DELAY TIME / DATA DELAY TIME setting and read.
• VE: FIRMWARE VERSION read.
• VG: VOX GAIN setting and read.
• VM: [V/MMW] KEY FUNCTION.
• VM: VFO / MEMORY CHANNEL setting and read.
• VS: VFO SELECT setting and read.
• VX: VOX STATUS setting and read.
• ZI: ZERO IN setting and read.

The manual also includes detailed tables for CTCSS tones and DCS codes.