I just got my FT-847 back from Yaesu for repairs due to a lightning strike. The radio powers up and what little I've checked seems to work except for the CAT port.

1. I have tried both SatPC32 and HRD to talk to the radio, but nothing happens. I don't even get the "CAT" indicator on the radio which, if memory serves, would show up even if I had erroneous settings you just couldn't do anything with the radio / software. 2. I have changed to slower baud rates in the programs and correspondingly, the baud rate in the FT-847. 3. I have changed baud rates in device manager for this COM port. 4. I have changed that COM port flow control from none to Xon/Xoff to hardware with no change. 5. I have changed HRD to use DTR, DTR and RTS, and just RTS. 6. I just tried a reset of all settings on the FT-847 and that still does not solve the issue. 7. I have checked the null-modem cable with an RS-232 tester and it appears good. 8. I just hooked that tester up to the cable with the other end of the cable connected to the radio and pins 2, 3, and 5 lit up. (Strange, I cannot duplicate that test now - nothing lights up on the RS-232 tester.)

At this point, I'm pretty sure my CAT port got taken out too (there was no way for me to test this before sending back to Yaesu as the radio would not power up) after the "event." However, I'm open to the possibility that I have missed something.

I am leaning heavily toward just using it as is. There was a time when I was using an IC-821, that I didn't have CAT control, but I do miss my HRD. :(

I would like to add that I am using a Prolific USB-to-serial converter that works flawlessly with my FT-857.

Thanks for any help or advice.

73, Joel, W4JBB AMSAT #32589