Using SATPC32 with FT 847 cabling Com port to USB
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
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
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
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@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Jim Jerzycke <Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2016 6:10 PM <To: amsat-bb@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 <> <> _______________________________________________ <> 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 <> < <_______________________________________________ <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
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@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Jim Jerzycke <Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2016 6:10 PM <To: amsat-bb@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 <> <> _______________________________________________ <> 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 <> < <_______________________________________________ <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
participants (3)
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Alan -
Cruzio Email -
Jim Jerzycke