[amsat-bb] CAT Cable and Rotor Controller for FT-736R

[Greg D]

Hi Jim, are you sure?  I did an internet search for "counterfeit usb
serial", and the FTDI chip was the one at the top of the list. 

Oh, but digging further, I see references to both, actually.  Bummer... 
So, Jeff, I guess the recommendation is to beware, and look for any
signs that there might be a driver issue with the specific cable under
consideration.

Greg  KO6TH


Jim Jerzycke wrote:
> IIRC, it's the Prolific chipset that is commonly faked.
>
>
> The FTDI chips don't have that problem.....yet!
>
>
> 73, Jim  KQ6EA
>
>
> On 12/19/2016 04:02 AM, Greg D wrote:
>> Welcome back to the hobby!
>>
>> The main thing I would check is what USB->Serial chip the cable uses.
>> There are a lot of cheap cables with counterfeit FTDI chips in them, and
>> they're a nightmare to keep working.  The one you referenced seems to
>> have the Prolific chip, so I don't see any issues, but I have no
>> experience with it personally.
>>
>> No recommendations on rotors, as I built my own interface with a Basic
>> Stamp and some relays, but with an antenna as light as the Arrow, nearly
>> anything would be able to handle it.
>>
>> Greg  KO6TH
>>
>>
>> Jeff Bollettino K4AMK wrote:
>>> Hi all, I'm getting back into the hobby after a lengthy absence.  I
>>> had to re-test for extra as my old license had lapsed and I've taken
>>> care of that and shortened my call by one letter by getting an
>>> available vanity call sign.  So now I want to get my old Yaesu FT-736R
>>> operating the satellites and could use some help.  First up is
>>> interfacing SATPC32 on a new windows 10 machine to the CAT interface.
>>> I've read through all the AMSAT-BB threads I could find on the topic,
>>> with one approach being to add an RS-232 interface to the PC and
>>> building a TTL to RS-232 cable with some electronics.  If I can buy
>>> rather than build I'd prefer to do that for time reasons.  I found a
>>> cable on the UK site radioarena.co.uk that is a "Yaesu USB Programming
>>> / CAT Cable for Radios with 6-pin DIN Connector" which sounds perfect
>>> but one learns to be suspicious when it seems too easy.  Has anyone
>>> tried this USB to Yaesu CAT cable with an FT-736R, or otherwise knows
>>> why it would or would not work?  Here's the link:
>>> https://radioarena.co.uk/programming-cables/yaesu/yaesu-usb-programming-/-cat-cable-for-radios-with-6-pin-din-connector.html
>>>
>>>
>>> Second, I'm planning to get an Arrow LEO antenna with a low noise
>>> figure preamp and try a fixed elevation with just an azimuth rotator,
>>> mounted in an attic.  Could I get some suggestions on the rotor
>>> controllers that interface most easily/best with SATPC32?  I know
>>> there's a list of all of them in the read me file but this program's
>>> been around for awhile and I'm looking for what is easily available
>>> and integrates without running into unnecessary snags.  I haven't
>>> owned a rotator before, and so I'm not familiar with them.  I think
>>> what I need with a small, attic antenna is probably at the small end
>>> of the rotor scale.  I'll probably go through Norm's Rotor service,
>>> but it would be great to have some experienced recommendations on what
>>> to get.
>>>
>>> thanks for any guidance you can offer
>>>
>>> 73
>>>
>>> Jeff
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>> _______________________________________________
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>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
> Opinions expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views
> of AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> program!
> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb