YAESU FT-100 CAT CONTROL AND MORE

Yaesu FT-100 CAT control using CT-62 cable, and interacting with external autotuner using homebrewed interface cables

[@KD4YHE]

This is exactly what I would like to do with my FT100D. Are you using an IF tap for the SDR or an adapter like the mfj-1708SDR? If IF tap i would like info on how you did it. Great setup.

[@va3be_radio]

Hello Dennis Thanks for watching my video and leaving nice comments here. I'm using MFJ-1708B which I believe is the previous version of 1708 SDR, but basically the same. I've used G4HUP 70MHz IF tapping board on my old IC-746 long before and used RTL-SDR DONGLE successfully. I don't know the details about FT-100 IF tapping, but you might want to use fine soldering iron tip with magnifying glasses. Nowadays there are many SDR dongles capable of directing sampling, so I started to use MFJ-1708B. One little benefit of using this SDR switch is that sometimes you just turn on your computer start monitoring QSO without the radio, which I do frequently. Whichever way you go, it will make FT-100 much nicer. I hope you get great success with your FT-100 Thanks and 73

[@icandy1969]

I’d be very interested to hear what you have running the interface with the waterfall. Is there a separate SDR involved?

[@va3be_radio]

I'm using a SDR dongle (MSI.SDR dongle from ebay) with HDSDR software as a SDR receiver/Waterfall display. A software called Omnirig is used too, to sync HDSDR with the radio Obviously CT-62 Cable is needed to interface my computer and radio Thanks

[@natanbaron7203]

What the your settings CAT speed?

[@va3be_radio]

I have FT-100 (Not 100D) and I use Baud rate 4800 which I believe is the maximum for this radio

[@natanbaron7203]

@@va3be_radio Are you running transvert in ft8? I have ft817 without problems. And in ft100, when I turn on the digi mode, the sound spectrum seems to be cut off. what settings do you make for digital operation on this transceiver?

[@va3be_radio]

Unfortunately I haven't used ft8 or any other digital mode

[@MrCofresipirate]

Nice video. Can you power on FT100 via cat cable without the faceplate?

[@va3be_radio]

Thanks for watching my video. According to FT-100 opcode command chart on the manual, it seems it's not possible to turn the power on via CAT control. I am not sure whether those opcode commands on the manual are all that's available for FT-100 or there are more command that's not written on the manual. You may want to send an email to Yaesu to confirm this matter. Thanks again 73

[@kennybayram]

its need pan adapter or only cat control ? TA4HQ 73

[@va3be_radio]

I'm sorry but I don't clearly get what you need to know. As my answer to your question, which I hope it helps, I'm using a SDR dongle (MSI.SDR dongle from ebay) with HDSDR software as a SDR receiver/Waterfall display. A software called Omnirig is used too, to sync HDSDR with the radio Obviously CT-62 Cable is needed to interface my computer and radio Thanks

[@cathyjohnson7199]

Where can I get the details on your home-brewed interface cables? I have, as I said I think, the same radio and a nearly identical tuner and would love the same functions you have. DO you even still monitor the comments on this video? 73

[@va3be_radio]

Hello Cathy Thanks for watching my video. As I use my FT-100 mainly for 2M SSB, I don't use the HF autotuner interface cable anymore, but use CAT control cable only. I built a Transportable ham shack in a rack case, which you can watch on my other videos, and it's tough to put everything in that compact case. Especially managing all the cables in a confined case was a huge challenge. BUT I might be able to dig out the old FT-100 interface cable from one of my ham stuff box and try to remember how I homebrewed that cable. As I'm a casual KZbinr, please give me a couple weeks or more, and I will try to make a video about what you are interested. I will do my best, but I will only be able to work on it on weekends, so please be patient. Thanks

[@cathyjohnson7199]

@@va3be_radio That is incredibly considerate of you. Thanks. Take your time of course, this is a fun hobby, not ELE solutions! Do you still have your FT-100? I have decided mine is a lifetime radio. So flexible and a good performer. You can help to give mine a whole new life and functionality.

[@va3be_radio]

Hello Cathy I have uploaded a video on my channel explaining CAT & Autotuner interface cable that was used for FT-100 It was not possible to show you how I connected these interface cables with actual FT-100 radio, as it's secured inside the rack case and it's too difficult to take it out and put it back Instead, I put these cables on the desk and tried to explain how it's built and connected as much as I can. As I noted at the end of the video, soldering 8pin and 6pin mini DIN connector is very challenging, so if you are not good at soldering, please find someone to help you. I wish my new video gives you a good starting point and a better interface than mine. Thanks

[@cathyjohnson7199]

@@va3be_radio Thank you. I think I can manage most of what I see. At 1:51 you say the LDG cable Y-ACC DOESN'T work with the FT100, so then, is it being used by you? this has me confused. ( Note: LDG made a tuner specifically for the FT100/857 that has a cable that sets the mode, drops the power, does the tune, then resets it all. I guess that's actually the tuner doing the work. ) After I build the cables and install it all I may ask questions about the SDR interfacing. One thing at a time though.

[@va3be_radio]

@@cathyjohnson7199I tried Y-ACC (Homebrewed) cable first and it didn't work. I believe it's the Firmware on FT-100 that doesn't respond with Y-ACC. If you have FT-100 D model, please try Y-ACC first, which may give you a lot easier and better solution. After the first try with Y-ACC cable, I came up with current interface as an alternative which is not perfect. Yes you can ask me about SDR interfacing, but there may be some hurdles to communicate, as everyone's pc is not the same. But I will answer your questions as much as I can Thank you

[@klshaytube]

100 WATTS FOR VHF 145.000 ????

[@va3be_radio]

Not sure what you're questioning about, but On FT-100 Spec, 100W HF, 50W VHF, 20W UHF The actual output is a little higher on my FT-100 I use KLM140 VHF linear amp, which I modified to use VHF FM and SSB I use this amp mostly for VHF SSB, and I can go up to 180W when needed Your question answered? 73