Yaesu FT-857 to PC configuration

[KR3AM]

As I understand it, I can connect a Yaesu CT-62 cable between the radio's CAT connector and the remoterig radio COM2 port, and then connect a USB cable between the remoterig control unit and my Windows computer, for logging and computer control of the radio.

How should I configure the remoterig units for this to work? Also, is there any special configuration I need to do on my computer?

[dj0qn]

Just download the RemoteRig manual and go to the section covering your radio. All settings
are there.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[KR3AM]

Thanks for the suggestion. Reading the pages that cover the Yaesu FT-857D (pp. 145 - 149), I see nothing that discusses how to use COM2 to route the radio's CAT serial port to a computer. Perhaps this topic is discussed elsewhere in the manual, but I haven't found anything.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is:

• What COM2 configuration settings should I set on the RemoteRig units? (mode, baud rate, etc.)
• Can I use a USB interface cable to route the COM2 data from the remoterig's USB port to my computer, or do I need to plug a traditional serial cable into the remoterig COM2 interface, and possibly use a serial/USB adapter for the computer side?

[dj0qn]

It was not possible to give you a more qualified answer before, since you didn't say which
radio you were using.

Anyway, you will find your answer in the manual on page 54. You place COM2 in logical
parallel with COM0 and run CAT off of COM2. Yes, you can use either a standard serial
cable or switch use use USB and then run CAT over the virtual serial port.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[KR3AM]

Thanks for the additional info. I'm a little confused about the "logical parallel mode". It seems to imply that this somehow links COM2 with the data that is being transferred between the FT-857 radio and remote head.

Maybe I should step back and explain what I'm trying to do...

I have the FT-857 connected to the remoterig using the detachable control panel (remote head) configuration described in the "Yaesu FT-857" section of the remoterig manual.

If possible, with that configuration still in place, I'd also like to control the radio from my PC using Ham Radio Deluxe. I was assuming that would be possible by connecting a Yaesu CT-62 cable between the radio base and COM2 on the remoterig radio unit, and then connectomg a USB cable between the remoterig control unit and my PC. The Yaesu manual says I can set the CAT baud rate to one of three possible settings. The default is 4800.

Would COM2 Mode 4 be what I want rather than Logical parallel.

[dj0qn]

There are  different architectures for Yaesu that are supported by RemoteRig: The more modern
protocol that is used by the FT-450/950/2000/5000/9000 is the one that is referred to under mode-4
in the manual, and requires a serial cable to go between the rig's CAT and the radio RRC's COM2 to
work. Kenwood works the same way, e.g. the TS-480.

You have a different architecture with the FT-857 (or 817 and 897). This rig uses a TTL communication
between the head and rig, which is then translated over to COM2 by using the logical parallel mode and then
can be used for CAT control @ 64k bps. The Icom 706 works the same way.

I hope this helped solve your confusion.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[KR3AM]

It does indeed. I never would have figured that out without your help.

So, it sounds like I don't use the Yaesu CT-62 cable on the radio side at all. All I need is a serial cable between the control side and my PC. I assume I can set "Use USB Com Port as COM2" to "Yes" use a USB cable.

Many thanks.

[dj0qn]

That is correct. Let me know if you need any further help.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[KR3AM]

I think the logical parallel mode is working. Running a terminal program on my PC at 64000 baud I see data streaming in as the radio operates.

However, I've hit a roadblock with Ham Radio Deluxe. The problem may be beyond the scope of this forum, but I figured I'd ask about it since other people here have asked about HRD. The problem is this: When HRD is configured for the FT-857, the only baud rates it allows are 4800, 9600, and 38400. I'm guessing this is because these are the rates that can be selected on the radio for the CAT interface. Is there a workaround to the problem that HRD won't connect at 64000?

Alternatively, is there a way to configure RemoteRig to connect the radio's CAT channel to my PC at one of the supported baud rates? Perhaps this can be done by abandoning the remote-head setup and using RemoteRig for just audio and CAT serial.

[dj0qn]

I have not tried it with the 857, but you can try connected a serial cable between the RRC COM2 or COM1
and the CAT port and put the serial port in transparent mode, as if it were a rotor or amplifier.

Maybe someone here has got HRD working with the 857.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[jkmusic]

KR3....Did you finally get this working?  I am doing the same. 
Thanks,