[amsat-bb] Using SATPC32 with FT 847 cabling Com port to USB

[Jim Jerzycke]

Yes, I forgot to include that in my reply.


Yaesu hasn't offered this repair/modification in quite a few years.


The only way to know for sure is to send some commands to the radio and 
see if it responds properly.


Jim


On 07/16/2016 11:27 PM, Alan wrote:
> One slight complication is that for some time Yaesu was willing to update the CAT port to
> bidirectional if you requested it.  So it is possible that even though the serial number is an early
> one, it may have been updated.
>
> 73s,
>
> Alan
> WA4SCA
>
>
> <-----Original Message-----
> <From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On Behalf Of Jim Jerzycke
> <Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2016 6:10 PM
> <To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
> <Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Using SATPC32 with FT 847 cabling Com port to USB
> <
> <It depends on when your '847 was built.
> <
> <
> <Some of the early radios were "one way", and later ones had full "two
> <way" communications on the serial port.
> <
> <
> <The following is from the "Supercontrol" FT-847 FAQ page:
> <
> <
> <Yaesu appears to use the following format for serial numbers on their
> <amateur products:
> <
> <Year of manufacture-Month of manufacture-Production Run-Individual Unit
> <number, where the month of manufacture is offset by 2, so "C" means
> <January, "D" means February, "E" means March, and so forth.
> <
> <Example: 8G051234 = 1998, May (fifth month, or "G"), Production Run 05,
> <unit #1234 in this run.
> <
> <One key serial number range is 8G05. This seems to be the point at which
> <Yaesu had corrected the bi-directional CAT issue
> <<http://www.supercontrol.de/cat/ft847faq/page4.htm#catcontrol> and made
> <some other improvements. This version was made in May 1998. Later serial
> <numbers (e.g., 8L09nnnn) all seem to have incorporated the earlier
> <improvements plus new ones.
> <
> <Thanks to Barry W4WB who wrote in with the correct information.
> <
> <
> <Yes, the serial port on the FT-847 requires a null modem adapter, per
> <page 91 of the operating manual. A null modem gender changer will work
> <just fine. I use a Keysapn 4-port USB to serial converter to eliminate
> <having so many "dongles" floating around on the desk, and I purchased
> <9-pin null modem cables with the correct sex connectors on them to
> <eliminate having gender changers.
> <
> <
> <The SatPC32 "changelogs" will tell you exactly what changes were made
> <between the various versions if you're interested. Upgrading to 12.8c is
> <completely painless as long as you follow the instructions.
> <
> <
> <73, Jim  KQ6EA
> <
> <
> <On 07/16/2016 10:03 PM, Cruzio Email wrote:
> <> I am setting up my registered  Satpc32 Ver. 12.8a with a desktop with Win
> <> 10,  with only USB ports.
> <>
> <> My radio is an FT 847 with a DB9 com port.  I have a Shaxon  RS232 Serial
> <> to USB adapter cable.
> <>
> <> The FT 847 CAT  and the adapter both have male DB9 connectors. Therefore I
> <> need a gender changer.  I was confronted with Null Modem  gender changers
> <> which got me to thinking.
> <>
> <> I believe the communication to the FT 847 CAT port is one way, but since it
> <> is a serial Com port, I need a null modem interface somewhere in the
> <> computer to FT 847 CAT port cable.
> <>
> <>
> <>
> <> So would someone confirm my thinking,  should I use a Null Modem gender
> <> changer?
> <>
> <>
> <> Another thought while I have such a great panel of experts, since my Satpc32
> <> program version  is 12.8a should I upgrade to 12.8c?
> <>
> <>
> <>
> <> By the way, I am also using a LVB Tracker box.  I have removed the MAX232CPE
> <> IC and I am connecting to the USB input without any consideration as to Rx
> <> to Tx  wiring changes.
> <>
> <> I could figure all of this out with trial and error, plus some expense, but
> <> I'm sure others have had these same questions.
> <>
> <>
> <>
> <> Thanks, Allen WB6RWU
> <>
> <> _______________________________________________
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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
>
>
>