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

19 Dec 2016

      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-/-ca...
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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Sent via AMSAT-BB@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