Kenwood TS-480SAT Reference Guide

PC CONTROL COMMAND
REFERENCE FOR THE
TS-480HX/ SAT TRANSCEIVER

© 2003/11/28
09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00

PC CONTROL COMMAND

ABOUT THIS REFERENCE

All descriptions in this PC CONTROL COMMAND
reference are for the users convenience only.
KENWOOD will not support or warrantee this
documentation in any way.

HARDWARE DESCRIPTION

The TS-480 transceiver uses a full-duplex,
asynchronous, serial interface for communicating
through the male 9-pin D-sub connector. Each data
is constructed with 1 start bit, 8 data bits, and 1 stop
bit (4800 bps must be configured as 2 stop bits). No
parity is used. The pinout and the pin functions of the
COM connector on the transceiver are shown below:

Front view

12345

9876

COM

COM

Pin No.

RXD: Transmit data is serial data transferred from
the transceiver to the computer.

TXD: Receive data is serial data transferred from
the computer to the transceiver.

GND: Signal ground pin
RTS: This signal is applied to the transceiver. It is

used to inhibit transmit data from the transceiver
when the computer is not ready to receive data.
Transmit data is inhibited when the level is low.

CTS: This signal is applied from the transceiver. It
is used to inhibit transmit data from the computer
when the transceiver is not ready to receive data.
Transmit data is stopped when the level is low.

COM Pin Name

(Ref.: Computer)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

NC
RXD
TXD

NC
GND

NC
RTS
CTS

NC

Function

(Ref.: Transceiver)

—

Transmit data

Receive data

—

Signal ground

—

Receive enable

Transmit enable

—

I/O

—

Output

Input

—

—

Input

Output

—

CONTROL OPERATION

Most computers handle data in the form of “bits” and
“bytes”. A bit is the smallest piece of information that
a computer can handle. A byte is composed of eight
bits. This is the most convenient form for most
computer data. This data may be sent in the form of
either serial or parallel data strings. The parallel
method is faster but more complicated, while the
serial method is slower and requires less complicated
equipment. The serial form is, therefore, a less
expensive alternative.

Serial data transmission uses time-division methods
over a single line. Using a single line also offers the
advantage of reducing the number of errors due to
line noise.

Only 3 lines are required theoretically for control of
the transceiver via the computer:

• Transmit data

• Receive data

• Ground
From a practical standpoint, it is also necessary to

incorporate some means of controlling when this data
transfer will occur. The computer and transceiver
cannot be allowed to send data at the same time!
The required control is achieved by using the RTS
and CTS lines. To interface between the TS-480
transceiver and a PC, use a commercially available
cable with a DB-9 female connector at each end.
Each connector pin must be connected to the same
pin number at the other end (a straight cable).

To control the transceiver from a PC, utilize the
general purpose terminal program to send
commands to the tranceiver. The transceiver
responds the command accordingly.

For example, the transceiver is placed into the
transmit mode whenever the character string “TX;” is
sent from the computer. The character string “TX;” is
called a PC control command.

You can further develop or create a script of the
commands using a macro function of the terminal
program. Kenwood also provides the remote control
program, ARCP-480 at our Web site. You can
download the program for free and try it out on your
PC. Access http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/
amateur.html and follow the instructions.

1

PC CONTROL COMMAND

Error

Message

Reason for Error

• Command syntax was incorrect.

• Command was not executed due to
the current status of the transceiver
(even though the command syntax
was correct).

A communication error occurred such
as an overrun or framing error during a
serial data transmission.

Receive data was sent but processing
was not completed.

?;

E;

O;

Note: Occasionally this message may not
appear due to microprocessor transients in the
transceiver.

COMPUTER CONTROL COMMANDS

A computer control command is composed of an
alphabetical command, various parameters, and the
terminator that signals the end of the control
command.

EXAMPLE: Command to set VFO A to 7 MHz

00007000000FA

Parameters

Alphabetical command

Commands can be classified as shown below:

Input
command
(Input to the

transceiver)
Computer
control
commands

Output
command
(From the

Answer command
(Transmits a condition)

transceiver)

For example, note the following in the case of the FA
command (Frequency of VFO A):

• To set the frequency to 7 MHz, the following

command is sent from the computer to the
transceiver:

“FA00007000000;” (Set command)

• To read the frequency of VFO A, the following

command is sent from the computer to the
transceiver:

“FA;” (Read command)

• When the Read command above has been sent,

the following command is returned to the
computer:

“FA00007000000;” (Answer command)

Note:

◆

Do not use the control characters 00 to 1Fh since they are either
ignored or cause a “?” answer.

◆

Program execution may be delayed while turning the
control rapidly.

;

Terminator

Set command
(Sets a
particular condition)

Read command
(Reads an answer)

Tuning

■ Alphabetical Commands

A command consists of 2 alphabetical characters.
You may use either lower or upper case
characters. The commands available for this
transceiver are listed in the PC Control Command
Tables from page 3.

■ Parameters

Parameters are used to specify information
necessary to implement the desired command.
The parameters to be used for each command are
predetermined. The number of digits assigned to
each parameter is also predetermined. Refer to
the Computer Control Commands and the PC
Control Command Tables to configure the
appropriate parameters.

When configuring parameters, be careful not to
make the following mistakes.

(correct parameter: “IS+1000”)
IS1000; Not enough parameters specified

(No direction given for the IF shift)

IS+100; Not enough digits

(Only three frequency digits given)

IS + 1000; Unnecessary characters between

parameters

IS+10000; Too many digits

(Five frequency digits given)

Note:

If a particular parameter is not applicable to this
transceiver, the parameter digits should be filled using any
character except the ASCII control codes (00 to 1Fh) and the
terminator (;).

■ Terminator

To signal the end of a command, it is necessary to
use a semicolon (;). The digit where this special
character must appear differs depending on the
command used.

■ Error Messages

In addition to the Answer command, the
transceiver can send the following error
messages.

2

PC CONTROL COMMAND TABLES

PC CONTROL COMMAND

CA

123456789 01

teS

AC

123456789 01

daeR

AC

123456789 01

rewsnA

AC

GA

123456789 01

teS

AG

123456789 01

daeR

AG

123456789 01

rewsnA

AG

1P2P3P;

;

1P2P3P;

.niagFAehtsdaerrosteS :sretemaraP

1P2P2P2P;

1P;

1P2P2P2P;

IA

123456789 01

teS

AI

123456789 01

daeR

AI

123456789 01

rewsnA

AI

1P;

;

1P;

.sutatsrenutannetnalanretniehtsdaerrosteS :sretemaraP

1P

URHTTA-XR:0

NITA-XR:1

2P

URHTTA-XT:0

NITA-XT:1

3P

)rewsnA(deppotssigninuT/)teS(gninutpotS:0

)rewsnA(evitcasigninuT/)teS(gninuttratS:1

1P

.084-STehtrof0syawlA:0

2P

).xam(552~).nim(000

.FFO/NOnoitcnuf)IA(noitamrofnIotuAehtsdaerrosteS :sretemaraP

1P

FFOIA:0

NOsitamrofIAdloylnO:1

NOsitamrofIAdednetxeylnO:2

NOerastamrofhtoB:3

reviecsnarteht,detcelessitamrofIAdednetxeehtnehW

.sretemarapehtsdnesyllacitamotua

eht,egnahcsretemarapFIehtdnaNOsiIAdloehtnehW

.sdnoces5.1yrevednammocFIehtsdnesreviecsnart

retemarapIAeht,FFOdenrutsireviecsnartehtnehW

.0semoceb

NA

123456789 01

teS

AN

123456789 01

daeR

AN

123456789 01

rewsnA

AN

1P;

;

1P;

SA

123456789 01

AS

teS

11213141516171819102
3P3P3P3P3P3P4P;

123456789 01

daeR

AS

123456789 01

AS

rewsnA

11213141516171819102
3P3P3P3P3P3P4P;

1P2P2P3P3P3P3P3P

1P2P2P;

1P2P2P3P3P3P3P3P

.2TNA/1TNArotcennocannetnaehtstceleS :sretemaraP

1P

1TNAstceleS:1
2TNAstceleS:2

.sretemarapnoitcnufedoMotuAehtsdaerrosteS :sretemaraP

1P

.084-STehtrof0syawlA:0

2P

)stniop23(dnabzHM05~FH:13~00

3P

.0ebtsum)s(tigiddesunU.)tigid-11(zHniycneuqerF

4P

devreseR:0

BSL:1

BSU:2

WC:3
MF:4
MA:5

KSF:6

)esreveRWC(RWC:7

devreseR:8

)esreveRKSF(RSF:9

3

PC CONTROL COMMAND

CB

123456789 01

teS

BC

123456789 01

daeR

BC

123456789 01

rewsnA

BC

DB

123456789 01

teS

BD

123456789 01

daeR

123456789 01

rewsnA

UB

123456789 01

teS

BU

123456789 01

daeR

1P;

;

1P;

.dnabycneuqerfehtnwodsevoM :sretemaraP

;

.dnabycneuqerfehtpusevoM :sretemaraP

;

.sutatsnoitcnufrellecnaCtaeBehtsdaerrosteS :sretemaraP

1P

FFOrellecnaCtaeB:0

NO)1CB(1rellecnaCtaeB:1
NO)2CB(2rellecnaCtaeB:2

enoN

enoN

123456789 01

rewsnA

YB

123456789 01

teS

123456789 01

daeR

BY

123456789 01

rewsnA

BY

;

1P2P;

.sutatslangisysubehtsdaeR :sretemaraP

AC

123456789 01

teS

CA

123456789 01

daeR

CA

123456789 01

rewsnA

CA

1P;

;

1P;

1P

sutatsreviecsnarT

ysubtoN:0

ysuB:1

2P

)084-STehtrofelbacilppatoN(sutatsreviecer-buS

.084-STrof0syawlA:0

.sutatsnoitcnuftaeb-oreZotuAWCehtsdaerdnasteS :sretemaraP

1P

evitcatoN/noitcnuftaeb-oreZotuAWCslecnaC:0

evitcA/noitcnuftaeb-oreZotuAWCsetavitcA:1

4

PC CONTROL COMMAND

HC

teS

daeR

rewsnA

NC

teS

daeR

rewsnA

TC

teS

daeR

rewsnA

.lortnoc

123456789 01

CH

123456789 01

123456789 01

123456789 01

CN

123456789 01

CN

123456789 01

CN

123456789 01

CT

123456789 01

CT

123456789 01

CT

1P;

.rebmunenotSSCTCehtsdaerdnasteS :sretemaraP

1P1P;

;

1P1P;

.sutatsnoitcnufSSCTCehtsdaerdnasteS :sretemaraP

1P;

;

1P;

ITLUMehtgnisu,pupets1ycneuqnerfOFVtnerrucehtevoM

1P

1P

1P

:sretemaraP

pupets1lortnocITLUMehtevoM:0

nwodpets1lortnocITLUMehtevoM:1

nwoD/pUzHMehtsedirrevodnammocHC,edomOFVnI

.reviecsnart084-STehtfoedom

14~00

ehtroflaunamnoitcurtsni084-STehtfo33egapotrefeR

.seicneuqerfdnasrebmunenotSSCTC

FFOnoitcnufSSCTC:0

NOnoitcnufSSCTC:1

LD

123456789 01

teS

DL

123456789 01

daeR

DL

123456789 01

rewsnA

DL

ND

123456789 01

teS

DN

123456789 01

daeR

123456789 01

rewsnA

1P2P2P;

;

1P2P2P;

.yekNWDenohporcimehtsetalumE :sretemaraP

1P1P;

.sutatsnoitcnuf)LND(retimiLesioNlatigiDehtsdaerdnasteS :sretemaraP

1P

FFOnoitcnufLND:0

NOnoitcnufLND:1

2P

1leveLLND:00
2leveLLND:10
3leveLLND:20

1P

99~00

deterpretnisidnammoceht,deificepssiretemarap1PonfI

.nwodpets1sa

dnammoceht,edomyromeMkciuQdnaedomyromeMnI

nwodlennahcyromeMasadetaertsiretemarapatuohtiw
ycneuqerfehtsadetaertsiti,sretemaraphtiW.dnammoc

.dnammocnwod

5

PC CONTROL COMMAND

XE

123456789 01

EX

teS

11213141516171819102
5P

123456789 01

daeR

EX

123456789 01

EX

rewsnA

11213141516171819102
5P

1P1P1P2P2P3P4P5P

;

1P1P1P2P2P3P4P;

1P1P1P2P2P3P4P5P

;

.uneMnoisnetxEehtsdaerrosteS :sretemaraP

1P

.oNuneM:060~000

2P

084-STehtrof00syawlA:00

3P

084-STehtrof0syawlA:0

4P

084-STehtrof0syawlA:0

5P

)htgnelelbairaV(sretcarahcfognirtsA

.084-STehtroftigid-1yllamroN

.sretemaraptigid-2esu25~84dna53,23.oNuneM

:elpmaxednammoC

ssenthgirbyalpsiD

.)FFOnoitanimulliyalpsiD(;00000000XE

.)3levelssenthgirbyalpsiD(;30000000XE

6

PC CONTROL COMMAND

uneM

.oN

000ssenthgirbyalpsiDFFO 1234
100noitanimulliyeKFFONO
200noitarepoedoMotuAFFONO
300etartnemtsujdalortnocgninuT0520050001)zH(

400

edom

500

600

700
800dewolsyllaitrapnacsmargorPFFONO
900
010dlohnacsmargorPFFONO

110dohtememusernacSotoc
210leveltuptuopeeBFFO 123456789
310emulovenotedisXTFFO 123456789
410emulovkcabyalpegassem1-SGVFFO 123456789
510emulovtnemecnuonna1-SGVFFO 1234567
610deepstnemecnuonna1-SGVFFO 1234
710noitpecerBSSrofretlifFIWCesUFFONO
810rezilauqeXRPSDFFO1bH2bHPF1bb2bbcU
910rezilauqeXTPSDFFO1bH2bHPF1bb2bbcU

020

MA

120gninutrewopnoissimsnarteniFFFONO
220remittuo-emiTFFO35010203)setunim(
320yalpsidycneuqerfretrevsnarTFFONO

420

520
620gniviecerelihwTAenil-nIFFONO

720TAlanretxeehtrofdohtemlortnoC1tA2tA
820

dnab

920
030gnidrocertnatsnoCFFONO

130kcabyalpehttaepeRFFONO
230
330kcabyalprevoytiroirpgniyeKFFONO
430ycneuqerfenotedisXT/hctipXRWC004054005055006056007057008058

530oitarthgiewhsad,todgniyekWCOTUA5.26.27.28.29.20.31.32.33.3
630oitarthgiewotuagniyekWCesreveRFFONO

730noitcnufyekguBFFONO

nacsmargorP

retrevsnarT

gninut

dnabzHM

kcabyalp

noitcnuF

MFnilortnocgninuThtiwgninuT

seicneuqerfOFVffosdnuoR

ehtrofezispetsycneuqerfzHk9

ehtnoedomMAnilortnocITLUM

dnabtsacdaorbMA

seicneuqerflennahc

roftnemtsujdarewoptuptuO

ehtsetelpmocTAnehwdlohXT

ehtgnitaeperrofemitlavretnI

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 revO

FFONO

FFONO

lortnocITLUMehtgnisuybdegnahc

FFONO

yromem)FFO(dexifro)NO(elbanuT

FFONO

ehtrofegnarycneuqerfnwodwolS

05rofyaledlortnocreifilpmaraeniL

001002003004005)zH(

roBSSrofhtdiwdnabretlifXTPSD

0.24.2

FFONO

FFONO

FHrofyaledlortnocreifilpmaraeniL

FFO 123

FFO 123

0123456789

5PretemarapdnammocXE

06~

)s1fospetsni(

0001~

)05fospetsni(

0.4~
)1.0fospetsni(

7