Using the Open Collector DB9F connector for CAT control

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W4NNG
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Using the Open Collector DB9F connector for CAT control

Postby W4NNG » Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:35 pm

I would like to use a USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable to connect from the subject Anan port to the USB CAT control port on an amp. (Amp is a RF-Kit that supports Kenwood CAT protocal)

What do I need to configure in Thetis to use the 9-pin for CAT ?

A bit lost so tnx's for any help or advice.

Bob W4NNG
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Using the Open Collector DB9F connector for CAT control

Postby w-u-2-o » Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:43 pm

Bob,

The 9 pin connector on the back of the ANAN hardware is not a serial port or USB port. It carries the open collector outputs which, with appropriate external circuitry, and be used to control things like switches. If you attach that port to something like another serial port or attach a USB-to-serial adapter to it things are likely to become broken.

All CAT type communications are performed via Thetis and an appropriate RS-232 serial COM port installed in your PC. That can be a real, old-fashioned serial port built into the PC, or a card, or a USB-to-Serial adapter.

73,

Scott
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W4NNG
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Re: Using the Open Collector DB9F connector for CAT control

Postby W4NNG » Tue Jan 19, 2021 9:24 pm

Thanks Scott - was I ever off base on how CAT control made it from the transceiver to the amp. SDR's really do run the radio in the PC.

Trying to avoid the 'no good deed goes unpunished', before asking I'll try research how one makes a virtual CAT connection from Thetis to one of my PC USB ports.

Cheers,

Bob W4NNG
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Re: Using the Open Collector DB9F connector for CAT control

Postby NC3Z » Tue Jan 19, 2021 9:33 pm

Before I dumped my RF-Kits I had it fully CAT enabled with Thetis using a FTDI USB-USB cross over cable.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... 5M/2441364
Gary NC3Z
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Using the Open Collector DB9F connector for CAT control

Postby w-u-2-o » Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:42 pm

Gents: going to move this thread to the amplifier sub-forum...

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