Cat System Computer Control - Yaesu FT-1000MP Operating Manual

CAT System Computer Control
Cat System Computer Control
Overview
The CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) Sys-
tem in the FT-1000MP provides control of fre-
quency, VFO, memory, and other settings such
as dual-channel memories and diversity reception
using an external personal computer. This allows
multiple control operations to be fully automated
as single mouse clicks or keystroke operations on
the computer keyboard.
The FT-1000MP has a
built-in level converter, al- CAT
lowing direct connection |
from the rear-panel CAT © AODS o
jack to the serial port of 00000
your computer without the
need of any external boxes.
Each time a command instruction is being re-
ceived from the computer via the CAT port, the
GD indicator appears in the display, then turns
off afterward. You will need a serial cable for
connection to the RS-232C (serial or COM port)
connector on your computer. Purchase a stand-
ard serial cable (not the so-called "null modem"
type), ensuring it has the correct gender and num-
ber of pins (some serial COM port connectors use
a 9-pin rather than 25-pin configuration). If your
computer uses a custom connector, you may
have to construct the cable. In this case, refer to
the technical documentation supplied with your
computer for correct data connection.
Yaesu Musen does not produce CAT System
operating software due to the wide variety of per-
sonal 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 informa-
tion, along with the short programming examples,
is intended to help you start writing programs on
your own. As you become more familiar with CAT
operation, you can customize programs later on
for your operating needs and discover the true
operating potential of this system.
There are some commercially produced soft-
ware packages available, as well as various
shareware and freeware programs. To find out
more information, contact your dealer or check
advertisements in current amateur radio journals
and publications. Other valuable information
sources include amateur radio and PC users-
groups, packet radio and PC bulletin boards
(BBS), and amateur radio hamfests.
CAT Data Protocol
Serial data is passed via the CAT jack on the
rear panel of the transceiver at 4800 bits/sec. All
commands sent from the computer to the trans-
ceiver consist of five-byte blocks, with up to 200
ms between each byte. The /ast byte sent in each
block is the instruction opcode, while the first four
bytes of each block are arguments: either
parameters for that instruction, or dummy values
(required to pad the block out to five bytes):
Byte 1 Byte 2
Instruction
OPCODE
CAT 5-BYTE COMMAND STRUCTURE |
Argument | Argument| Argument | Argument
Each byte sent consists of one start bit, 8 data
bits, no parity bit and two stop bits:
Start
Bit
Stop} Stop
o| 1] 2| 2 s| «| 7| Se Bit
4
CAT DATA BYTE FORMAT
There are twenty-nine instruction opcodes for
the FT-1000MP, listed in the table on pages
80~83. Most of these duplicate menu program-
ming settings or options, or else emulate front
panel button functions. Notice that several
instructions require no specific parameters. How-
ever, every Command Block sent to the trans-
ceiver must always consist of five bytes.
The CAT control program you are writing must
construct the 5-byte block, by selecting the appro-
priate instruction opcode, organizing the para-
meters, if any, and providing unused (dummy)
argument bytes for padding the block to its re-
quired 5-byte length (the dummy bytes can con-
tain any value). The resulting five bytes are then
sent, opcode last, from the computer to the FT-
1000MP CPU via the serial port and CAT jack on
the transceiver rear panel.
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