CAT Commands Converter © by Intrasystem Raimund Forstmeier - Padova/Italy ========================================================================= Version 1.0.0 JAN/2024 This Program is "FREEWARE". Assistance is not guaranteed. All my programs must be registered for each user. You send me a email request and i send you the file that is opening the program. Intrasystem is not working with anonymous user. My WebSite: http://www.intrasystem.it/Frequency/CATConverter.html E-Mail: raimund.forstmeier@fastwebnet.it SIMULATE any RIG with RFRScanner. A real simulation. ==================================================== For using the "Simulate Rig" option you must install the RFRScanner program. The RFRScanner program can connect the Frequency-Scanner to this 'CATConverter'. The connection configuration > RFRScanner + CATConverter The RFRScanner > scanning is sending original Rig-CAT-Commands the CATConverter is using. It is the same as receiving a CAT command from YADD and the SDRC application is reading‭ it. Prepare the RFRScanner ---------------------- - Open RFRScanner - Select a Com-Port. Example COM8 - Open the CAT Editor with "F5". Don't change any Data-Field. - Select a RIG. On Top you read the "Type" of Rig. - Scan Frequency default = 3500 to 3550. You can change it. - Select a "Step" value. - Select the speed in ms > "Delay msec". Select '1000'. (not below 500) - Click the Button (repeat) left side of the 'Start' Button. Default = 2. You can change this value. Input 20 for a longer run. - Now open the [Open Port]. - The scanner is running. Frequency is displayed on both Views. Prepare the CATConverter ------------------------ If you have the RADIO "Type" you could connect your Radio. Without you can use the 'Serial Port Monitor'. - Select a COM-PORT. Example COM9 if RFRScanner is using Com-Port COM8. - Select a Radio Type that is corresponding to the RFRScanner/Cat-Control Editor selection. For conversions between Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu select the 1. indicated. Yaesu => ICOM select 'Yaesu' with the RFRScanner CAT Control Editor. - The same is valid for Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu to Kenwood Cat string. - START the CATConverter While the system is running you can change the Rig 'Type' with the CAT Control Editor. Stop CATConvert. Select the conversion 'Type' accordingly! Interesting is the 'Kenwood' conversion. The CATConverter is showing you the real conversaton from 'HEX'. (Send Kenwood string > Hex string 'Income string' > Kenwood string 'OutPut') When the scanner finished RFRScanner is sending the "Get Frequency" command to the Com-Port. Just close the Port > "Close Port". <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< This program >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - Converting "Income" Frequency CAT Commands between Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu. - Converting "Income" a Frequency like '10.100,55' into Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu CAT Commands. - ICOM to Kenwood CAT string is reading Icom 4 and 5 Bytes. - ANY selection can be "real" tested with the "Simulate RIG" option using the RFRScanner. - ANY Output to a application or to the Serial Port Monitor. This Monitor is included, Menu > "SerialPort Monitor". - The ICOM converting to Kenwood is the DEFAULT if you don't select any other option. - A Radio, if connected to OmniRig, is receiving the frequency. Option > "Send to Rig". - "ICOM => YAESU". The Yaesu 'Mode' option is set to "00" as default. The 'Mode', 5th or 6th Byte, should be used if your 'Application' or "Income Frequencies", to be converted, is requesting it. Kenwood + Icom are using separate commands for the 'Mode'. Not used with this program. - The first PANEL (left side "Translate to Kenwood") is only converting to Kenwood. [Kenwood => Kenwood] Selection ------------------------------ It seems to be strange converting the same CAT-command. But Income + OutPut are quite different. The Kenwood command is not a Byte string. The Com-Port manager is translating it into a HEX-String. The Income string as 'Hex-string'could be > "46 41 30 30 30 30 33 35 33 34 30 30 30 3B". "46 41" = "FA" - "3B" = ";". In between is the frequency. The Ouput string we need is a 'Kenwood' Cat-String like > 'FA00016805000;'. This Ouput can be used by your Application program like the "SDRC" connected to "YADD". If for example the SDRC program is using a "Com-Manager" Class code SDRC is receiving the 'FA00016805000;' command but the SDRC Port it returning a 'HEX'string that SDRC is translating again into a Kenwood string like 'FA00016805000;'or SDRC is using just the Kenwood string. | ' | (' > 3 decimals) In fact the Frequency is here: 'FA000|16805000|;' = 16805000 / 1000 = 16.805,000. Com-Ports are 'BYTE' oriented; translading 2 times > Hex to Byte, Byte to Hex depending on the 'Type'.. The ICOM CAT command is a "BCD" string and much more complicated. The Yaesu CAT command is a 'simple' 'BYTE string' 5 or 6 byte. (5th or 6th byte is the 'Mode') - The second PANEL below is converting CAT Commands between different Radio Types. - A "Serial Port Monitor" is included. This program is "Free License" from 'GITHUB'. Use it as OUTPUT instead of a Radio or external Application like SDRC. Not active with "Send to RIG". In fact 2 applications can't read the same COM-Port. - If you don't have a Rig you can use the simulation or a application that can read the OutPut like YADD => SDRC. - Menu > 'YAESU 5 Bytes'. Take note that the YAESU default is using 4 Bytes. If a YAESU Radio is reaching a Frequency above 999.999,999 then * you have to select the 5 Bytes option. * Select the 5 Bytes here: Menu > 'Yaesu 5 Bytes' > Yaesu 5 Bytes. * You can SIMULATE the 5 Bytes with: ICOM => YAESU - OUTPUT > * To a Application like the "YADD" to "SDRC" using the Icom to Kenwood conversion. * To the Serial Port Monitor * To the Radio (Frequency) - ICOM Ci-V to Kenwood The Ci-V is the Radio 'Address' like Icom "4A" for the R-8500 receiver. Kenwood + Yaesu don't use it. You don't have to use the Ci-V selection if your application is not requesting it. You can chose a Icom Radio from the List (Local Icom Rigs) or write the Ci-V directly into the Ci-V Field. - [ Start ] Button "Income CAT Data String" + CAT Type > Hex, Bcd, Txt. - "Receive Port" + "Select Output Port" * Selecting the right ports is most important. * If your OutPut is Port 15 your application or Monitor should read on Port 16. Same with Incoming data from any application. * Check your "comOcom" settings. - Messages Extended messages can be "enlarged", Ctrl + Mousewheel for Text and Msg-Size. You don't need any Radio, use... the "Simulate RIG" + the Serial Port Monitor or your application that is reading the OutPut CAT string like the "SDRC" program by 'Simon Brown'(reading Kenwood CAT commands) connected with the "YADD" (Icom) program'. Think about other applications. This program can be used for several other applications. This is the reason "CAT Commands Converter" has been extended. The native application was "YADD to Kenwood" for use with the SDRC program. In general ========== - This program is only working with the "comOcom" virtual ComPorts. - A tipical use of this program is the connection between YADD and the SDRC program. YADD is sending a ICOM command and SDRC is reading the converted Kenwood command. - Read all " H "elp buttons - Make sure your ComPorts are set correctly. (it is the main reason for errors) The program is only sending data to OutPut Ports 15 to 20 = 6 ports as "pair". The OutPut Ports List is including all Ports available. Add this ports to comOcom virtual Ports. <<< You can add less ports. >>> You need Port 15+16, 17+18, 19+20, 21+22, 23+24, 25+26 "as pair" if you use them all. The OUTPUT is using Ports: 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25. InCome Port - OutPut Port - OmniRig Port - If OmniRig is "off" and you can't connect then ... A) This program is including the complete OmniRig 'Class' code. B) close your Radio + Re-Open the Radio C) If you think that the "Off" is not depending on wrong OmniRig settings then * First take off the USB to Serial Port and Re-insert. Wait about 5 seconds. Re-insert the USB. Repeat 2/3 times. Now open the OmniRig DIALOG and confirm your selections with "OK". If not resolved you should do a "Reboot". * The reason could be: Internal Windows matter. * 'CAT Commands Converter' is always closing the Ports when you close it with the " X ". Never close the program on the Windows Status Bar using the "right" MouseClick! * It must be also said that Windows is not very friendly with the COM-Ports. End