My understanding is that CAT, in this context, stands for “Computer Aided Transceiver” control.
It is different than Category 5 Ethernet cable, often referred to as “CAT 5” cable. I also had issues when I tried to use an eBay serial/USB cable with the FT-450. It would work with some software but not other software. Of course it would not work with the logging software I use. I ended up getting the RT-Systems cable for the FT-450. It has worked for me using windows 10 PC’s. https://www.rtsystemsinc.com/FT-450-programming-software-and-USB-cable-s/1926.htm Drivers are required to get these cables working correctly. The baud rate setting on the PC for the com port you use must match the baud rate setting on your FT-450. To do FT-8, I needed two connections to the radio. One for CAT control, and one for what I’ll call audio. The audio connection could be to the sound card in the PC, an external USB sound card or something like a RIGblaster. In my case I used an external USB sound card. Get the CAT control working first, then work on the audio connection. Good Luck, Larry KB5WWW From: BVARC <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rod Neumann via BVARC Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2020 1:05 AM To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]>; Martin Blaise <[email protected]> Cc: Rod Neumann <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [BVARC] $30 cat cable still does not work I probably shouldn't be replying because I really don't know about FT450 or FT8. But this question totally is befuddling to me as it doesn't say what's the problem. Maybe I can say one or two things that are helpful. Here's an RS232/USB cable for $9 from Amazon. <https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Serial-Adapter-RS232/dp/B00J4N9T9C> It has a male DB9 plug on one end and a USB connector on the other. If your radio has a female DB9 port, then you're good, otherwise buy a DB9 gender changer. Googling about the FT450, it says the RS232 Port on the radio is male also, so you'll need a female/female DB9 gender changer... like this gender change for $5 on Amazon. <https://www.amazon.com/WOVTE-Changer-Coupler-Adapter-Connector/dp/B00W7BZ31G/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=female+to+female+db9&qid=1579070518&sr=8-3> Then you'll need to install the driver software. This can all get confusing with the fact that the computer will see this interface as a serial COM port, so you need to set up the right COM port after you plug in the cable to your USB on the computer. Or maybe you got a disc with the radio and it has all the software needed? And reading further about the FT450.... this Yaesu radio actually labels the DB9 port "CAT". Huh? Can anybody explain what CAT stands for where it applies to an RS232 serial communications port? AFAIK the term CAT is about a cable of multi twisted pair. In other words CAT cable is like saying COAX cable -- it's not about the signals going through it or what its used for, it is about the physical conductor construction of the cable itself. Or is this something merely lost in the Japanese/USA translation and now we have this confusing term CAT being misapplied. Is it a misnomer? Or have I been Rip Van Winkle and this word CAT is now standard and has a reasonable place in the vernacular, in application to what this is used for? Rod Neumann cell: (832)444-0192 ALLogic Inc. / AdorStore PO Box 217 New Ulm, TX 78950 On Tue, Jan 14, 2020 at 6:10 PM Martin Blaise via BVARC <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: I just purchased a $30 cat cable from Mouser and first of all they sent me the wrong thing. The end has male pins, not female. I did have a male to female adapter and I then plugged that into the rs 232 port on the back of the Yaesu 450d. However that still did not work. I plugged the cable into the USB port and heard click click click and the radio was stuck on transmit and I had to unplug the cable to get it unstuck. I got multiple com port errors. Same problem as before. Cannot control radio with cat cable. Everyone - I cannot fix this problem by myself. I guess now I need to send the cable back to Mouser and tell them its the wrong thing. Also, I have done everything in my power to try and figure this out. I need help. Either by teamviewer or in person. I am at a dead end. I cannot operate ft8 with a stuck transmitter. My phone number is 713-305-2148. Sorry to keep bringing this up, but it is really getting frustrating. Thanks. Marty, AG5T ________________________________________________ Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club Get on the air - 146.94 Repeater Volunteer now for the Houston Hamfest BVARC mailing list [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
________________________________________________ Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club Get on the air - 146.94 Repeater Volunteer now for the Houston Hamfest BVARC mailing list [email protected] http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
