Yaesu FTX-1 Series CAT Operation Reference Manual

Overview

The CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) System in the FTX-1 series transceiver provides control of frequency, VFO, memory, and other settings using an external personal computer. This allows multiple control operations to be fully automated with single mouse clicks, or keystroke operations on the computer keyboard.

YAESU MUSEN does not produce CAT System operating software due to the wide variety of personal computers and operating systems in use today. However, the information provided in this chapter explains the serial data structure and opcodes used by the CAT system. This information, along with the short programming examples, is intended to help users start writing programs. As users become more familiar with CAT operation, they can customize programs for their operating needs and utilize the full operating potential of this system.

Using the USB Cable (CAT-1 / CAT-2)

The FTX-1 transceiver has a built-in USB to Dual UART Bridge, allowing direct connection from the side-panel USB jack to the USB jack of a computer without the need for an interface device. Simply use a USB cable to connect to the USB jack on the computer.

To connect to a PC using a USB cable, a Virtual COM port driver must be installed on the PC. Visit the Yaesu website http://www.yaesu.com/ to download the Virtual COM port driver and Installation Manual.

Diagram: A diagram shows a PC connected to the FTX-1 transceiver via a USB cable. The FTX-1 has a USB Type-C port.

How to Confirm the Installation, and the COM Port Number

After the FTX-1 and computer are connected, confirm that the virtual COM driver has been installed successfully:

1. Press and hold the power switch to turn the transceiver ON.
2. Connect the transceiver and PC with a commercially available USB cable (type-C).
3. Open the “Device Manager” screen in Windows.
4. On the Device Manager screen, double-click “Port (COM & LPT)”.

Example Device Manager Screen:

• Communications Port (COM1)
• Intel(R) Active Management Technology - SOL (COM4)
• Silicon Labs Dual CP210x USB to UART Bridge: Enhanced COM Port (COM5)
• Silicon Labs Dual CP210x USB to UART Bridge: Standard COM Port (COM6)

Note: The COM port number may vary from computer to computer.

The example indicates that COM5 can be used for CAT communications (CAT-1), while COM6 can be used for TX control (PTT, CW Keying, Digital Mode Operation) or CAT communications (CAT-2).

When performing software port configuration, select the COM port numbers that were confirmed using the procedure above.

Important Note: If a “!” or “X” is displayed for the port on the Device Manager, uninstall and reinstall the virtual COM driver.

CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) Operation

The FTX-1 contains two virtual COM ports, an Enhanced COM Port and a Standard COM Port. These ports offer the following functions:

• Enhanced COM Port (CAT-1): CAT Communications (Frequency and Communication Mode Settings)
• Standard COM Port (CAT-2): TX Controls (PTT control, CW Keying, Digital Mode Operation) or CAT Communications (Frequency and Communication Mode Settings)

When performing software port configuration, select the COM port numbers that were confirmed using the procedure above. Use the two confirmed COM port numbers for each software function. The frequency and communication mode and PTT control can be set from the software, and CW keying, digital communication, etc., can be performed simultaneously.

NOTE: When using a standard COM port (CAT-2) for CAT communication (setting frequency, communication mode, etc.) and using hardware flow control by RTS or DTR, be sure to set the following menu items to “OFF” (factory default) to disable PTT control by RTS or DTR.

Radio Setting Menu Items:

Important Notes:

• If a transceiver with a different serial number is connected and turned on, different COM port numbers will be assigned to it, making it possible to perform individual COM port configurations for separate transceivers.
• When using the USB cable for TX control, the transceiver may switch to the transmit mode when the computer is started.
• Always close the application on the computer before disconnecting the USB cable.

Using the UART (CAT-3)

The TUNER/LINEAR jack on the rear panel of the FTX-1 field head can be used for CAT communication (5V CMOS level serial communication).

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

Important Notes:

• Since the serial communication of this jack is 5V CMOS level, it cannot be directly connected to the RS-232C terminal of the PC.
• The connection cable must be prepared by yourself using the optional band data cable T9207451A (mini DIN 10-pin to DIN 10-pin).
• CAT communication cannot be used simultaneously with an external antenna tuner or linear amplifier.

Diagram: Rear panel connections of the FTX-1 showing TUNER/LINEAR jack with pins for +13.8V, GND, TXD, and RXD.

Pin Name and Function:

Communication Parameters:

• Asynchronous communication
• Baud rate: 38400bps* (CAT-1, CAT-3 terminals) or 4800bps* (CAT-2 terminal)
• Start bit: 1
• Data bits: 8
• Stop bits: 1 or 2* (CAT-2: 1 (Fixed))
• Parity bits: None

*Factory default

CAT communication settings can be changed using the following menu items:

Control Command

A computer control command is composed of an alphabetical command, various parameters, and the terminator that signals the end of the control command.

Example: Set the MAIN-side frequency to 14.250000 MHz.

FA 014250000 ;

Command Parameter Terminator

There are three commands for the FTX-1 as shown below:

• Set command: Set a particular condition (to the FTX-1)
• Read command: Reads an answer (from the FTX-1)
• Answer command: Transmits a condition (from the FTX-1)

Example of FA command (Set the MAIN-side frequency):

• To set the MAIN-side frequency to 14.250000 MHz, the following command is sent from the computer to the transceiver: “FA014250000;” (Set command)
• To read the MAIN-side frequency, the following command is sent from the computer to the transceiver: “FA;” (Read command)
• When the Read command above has been sent, the following command is returned to the computer: “FA014250000;” (Answer command)

Alphabetical Commands

A command consists of 2 alphabetical characters. Users may use either lower or upper case characters. The commands available for this transceiver are listed in the “PC Control Command Tables” on the following pages.

Parameters

Parameters are used to specify information necessary to implement the desired command. The parameters to be used for each command are predetermined. The number of digits assigned to each parameter is also predetermined. Refer to the “Control Command List” and the “Control Command Tables” to configure the appropriate parameters.

When configuring parameters, be careful not to make the following mistakes.

For example, when the correct parameter is “IS00+1000” (IF SHIFT):

• IS001000; (Not enough parameters specified - No direction (+) given for the IF shift)
• IS00+100; (Not enough digits - Only three frequency digits given)
• IS00_+_1000; (Unnecessary characters between parameters)
• IS00+10000; (Too many digits - Five frequency digits given)

Note: If a particular parameter is not applicable to the FTX-1, the parameter digits should be filled using any character except the ASCII control codes (00 to 1Fh) and the terminator (;).

Terminator

To signal the end of a command, it is necessary to use a semicolon (;). The position where this special character must appear differs depending on the command used.

CAT Control Command List

The following table lists the available CAT commands, their functions, and whether they support Set, Read, Answer, and Auto-send (Al) operations.