AnyTone578 Winlink Setup and Configuration

[@AI5HV]

Greg AI5HV here. I was able to make both the AnyTone 578 audio only cable and the AnyTone 578 CAT and audio cable work. Tests were performed with the following equipment: AnyTone 578UVIIIPro Digirig Rev 1.9 AnyTone 578 audio only cable AnyTone 578 CAT and audio cable Windows 11 laptop With the audio only cable the user MUST do the following: Radio setting changes · Set the squelch to 0: Menu / Settings / 1. Radio Set / Other Func / 6. Ana Sq Level / 1. Ana SQ OFF was set to 1. It will work if there is a lot of background noise that you set the Ana SQ Level to 1. · Change the audio to mic: Menu / Settings / 1. Radio Set / Voice Func / 7. Speaker Mode / 1. Mic Spk was set to 3. Both · Change the mic type from serial to voltage detection for PTT to work: Menu / Settings / 1. Radio Set / 4. Other Func / 28. Hand Type / 2. Volt-Det. (Note: Don’t forget to change it back to 1. Uart-Det for normal hand mic operations.) In WSJTX, PTT works fine with the audio only cable for testing. In VARA FM the PTT setting MUST be as follows (the COM port will vary from one computer to the next depending on what COM port is assigned in Device Manager) PTT Via COM Port is COM3 and PTT Pin RTS With the CAT and audio only cable the user can leave the settings as follows: Radio setting changes · Set the squelch to 0: Menu / Settings / 1. Radio Set / Other Func / 6. Ana Sq Level / 1. Ana SQ OFF was set to 1. It will work if there is a lot of background noise that you set the Ana SQ Level to 1. · Change the audio to mic: Menu / Settings / 1. Radio Set / Voice Func / 7. Speaker Mode / 1. Mic Spk was set to 3. Both (This setting can be left set to Both but the user will hear the data transmit tones on the radio speaker). · Change the mic type from serial to voltage detection for PTT to work: Menu / Settings / 1. Radio Set / 4. Other Func / 28. Hand Type / 1. Uart-Det. DOES NOT NEED TO BE CHANGED. In VARA FM the PTT setting MUST be as follows (the COM port will vary from one computer to the next depending on what COM port is assigned in Device Manager) PTT Via CAT Brand: Anytone Port: COM3 Model: AT-D578UV Bauds: 115200 RTS I even tested unplugging the CAT cable from the Digirig in this configuration and confirmed that PTT DOES NOT WORK without the CAT cable plugged in. In WSJTX, PTT works fine with the audio only cable for testing, but it does not appear to work using the CAT and audio cable. There is no entry to select a radio type of AnyTone 578 within this software. Using the CAT and audio cable appeals to me because I can leave the radio settings alone and not have to change anything.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for posting this.

[@ericwilliams1687]

Thanks so much… I would have loved to have seen in the video the CAT control actually controlling the radio. It seems you showed both cables working but not the advantage of one cable over the other. But thank you for taking the time to verify settings. I have the exact setup and just got it working - of course the day BEFORE I watched this video. But this will allow me to go back in and double check my settings. Thnx!!! W5HIM

[@theoilykrafter]

You are welcome. I had several things I was trying to display at the same time. I like the one with CAT control so I do not have to change any settings on the actual radio. Only unplug the microphone and plug in the Digirig cable.

[@ericwilliams1687]

@@theoilykrafter So does CAT on the 578 only control PTT? Does it change the radio frequency? I am very new at Winlink and my only radio experience is on a 578 and 878.

[@theoilykrafter]

It does trigger PTT. I will have to test to see if it will change the frequency. I will be starting testing for the AnyTone 878 and Winlink.

[@CaryCERT-EMER-Radio-Net]

Great video. What did you program in the channel freq, is the 145.030 one that you use the most?

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you. Most of the VHF Winlink nodes in my area use 145.030. That is why I programmed it into my radio. I could have also just used VFO mode since it does not use an offset or a PL Tone.