The CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) System in the
FT-450 provides control of frequency, VFO, memory, and
other settings such as dual-channel memories and diversity reception using an external personal computer. This
allows multiple control operations to be fully automated
as single mouse clicks or keystroke operations on the computer keyboard.
The FT-450 has a built-in level converter, allowing direct connection from the rear-panel CAT jack to the serial
port of your computer without the need of any external
boxes. You will need a serial cable for connection to the
RS-232C (serial or COM port) connector on your computer. Purchase a standard serial cable (not the so-called
“null modem” type), ensuring it has the correct gender
and number of pins (some serial COM port connectors
use a 9-pin rather than 25-pin configuration). If your computer uses a custom connector, you may have to construct
the cable. In this case, refer to the technical documentation supplied with your computer for correct data connection.
Vertex Standard does not produce CAT System operating
software due to the wide variety of personal computers
and operating systems in use today. However, the information provided in this chapter explains the serial data
structure and opcodes used by the CAT system. This information, along with the short programming examples,
is intended to help you start writing programs on your
own. As you become more familiar with CAT operation,
you can customize programs later on for your operating
needs and discover the true operating potential of this system.
PIN NO.
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
PIN NAME
N/A
SERIAL OUT
SERIAL IN
N/A
GND
N/A
RTS
CTS
N/A
CAT JACK
I/O
--Outputs the Serial Data from the
Output
transceiver to the computer.
Inputs the Serial Data from the
Input
computer to the transceiver.
---
---
--When the computer is not ready
Input
to receive data, this port goes “L”
to inhibit transmit data from the
transceiver.
When the transceiver is not ready
Output
to receive data, this port goes “L”
to inhibit the transmit data from
the computer.
---
FUNCTION
---
---
Signal Ground
---
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Page 1
INPUT
DC 13.8V
22A
COM
ANT
EXT
GND
SPKR
CATLINEARTUNERDATA
CAT
RS-232C “Straight” Cable
FT-450 CAT OPERATION REFERENCE BOOK
Page 3
CAT
(
COMPUTER AIDED TRANSCEIVER
CONTROL COMMAND
)
OPERATION
A computer control command is composed of an alphabetical command, various parameters, and the terminator
that signals the end of the control command.
Example: Set the VFO-A frequency to 14.250000 MHz.
FA14250000;
KKK
CommandParameterTerminator
There are three types of commands for the FT-450 as shown
below:
Set command: Set a particular condition
(to the FT-450)
Read command: Reads an answer
(from the FT-450)
Answer command: Transmits a condition
(from the FT-450)
For example, note the following in the case of the FA command (Set the VFO-A frequency):
To set the VFO-A frequency to 14.250000 MHz, the
following command is sent from the computer to the
transceiver:
“FA14250000;” (Set command)
To read the VFO-A frequency, 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:
“FA14250000;” (Answer command)
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” on the following pages.
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 “Control Command List” and the “Control Command Tables” to configure the appropriate parameters.
When configuring parameters, be careful not to make the
following mistakes.
For example, when correct parameter is “IS0+1000” (IF
SHIFT):
IS01000;
Not enough parameters specified (No direction (+)
given for the IF shift)
IS0+100;
Not enough digits (Only three frequency digits
given)
IS0_+_1000;
Unnecessary characters between parameters
IS0+10000;
Too many digits (Five frequency digits given)
Note: If a particular parameter is not applicable to the FT450, the parameter digits should be filled using any char-
acter 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.
--0: 1 Hz1: 10 Hz2: 20 Hz3: 100 Hz4: 200 Hz
000 (OFF) ~ 100
0: OFF1: ON
0: 0.5 sec1: 1.0 sec2: 1.5 sec3: 2.0 sec
0: FREQ1: PANEL2: ALL
0: OFF1: ON
0: OFF1: ON
0: TAG-OFF 1: TAG NAME
0 ~ 9
0: LOW1: NOR2: HIGH
0: OFF1: ON
See Table 3
See Table 4
See Table 5
See Table 5
See Table 5
0: OFF1: ON
See Table 5
-20 (kHz) ~ +00 (kHz) ~ +20 (kHz)
005 ~ 100
0: SIMPLEX 1: +SHIFT2: - SHIFT
000 (0 MHz) ~ 999 (99.9 MHz)
1: 170 Hz2: 200 Hz3: 425 Hz4: 850 Hz
1: 1275 Hz2: 2125 Hz
0: NORMAL 1: REVERSE
0: NORMAL 1: REVERSE
00: BUSY01 (TIME: 1 sec) ~ 10 (TIME: 10 sec)
0: CW Sidetone Level 1: CW KEYER Speed2: 100KHz Step 3: 1MHz Step 4: MIC GAIN Set 5: RF Power Set
0: OFF1: ENC 2: ENC DEC
0: SQL1: RF GAIN
0: OFF1: ON
See Table 6
00 (OFF) ~ 01 (minute) ~ 20 (minute)
0: ATAS1: EXT ATU2: INT ATU3: INTRATU4: F TRANS
01 (100 msec) ~ 30 (300 msec)
001 ~ 255
**
**
P1 001-064 (MENU Number)
P2 Parameter (See Table 2)
01MONIActivates the Monitor function.
02N/ANo Function.
03P/BActivates the Digital Voice Recorder.
04PLAY1Send the CW message, which is memorized in BEACON TEXT 1.
05PLAY2Send the CW message, which is memorized in BEACON TEXT 2.
06PLAY3Send the CW message, which is memorized in BEACON TEXT 3.
07QSPLActivates Quick Split Operation
08SPOTGenerates a CW Spot Tone when using CW mode.
09SQLOFFOpens the noise squelch.
10SWRTransmits a 10 watts carrier (CW mode) to measure the SWR ratio.
11TXWMonitor the transmit frequency when Split Frequency operation is engaged.
12VCCDisplay the DC supply voltage.
13VOICE2Announces the current S-meter reading, operating frequency (with resolution to the displayed 100 Hz digit), and operating mode.
14VM1MONIPlay back the voice message, which is memorized in Voice Memory 1.
15VM1RECStore the voice message into Voice Memory 1.
16VM1TXSend the voice message, which is memorized in Voice Memory 1.
17VM2MONIPlay back the voice message, which is memorized in Voice Memory 2.
18VM2RECStore the voice message into Voice Memory 2.
19VM2TXSend the voice message, which is memorized in Voice Memory 2.
20DOWNDecreases the VFO frequency by one step or moves the memory channel to the next-lowest channel.
21FASTSet to the same function as the front panel’s [FAST] button.
22UPIncreases the VFO frequency by one step or moves the memory channel to the next-highest channel.
23DSPSet to the same function as the front panel’s [DSP] button.
24ATT/IPOSet to the same function as the front panel’s [ATT/IPO] button.
25NBSet to the same function as the front panel’s [NB] button.
26AGCSet to the same function as the front panel’s [AGC] button.
27MODEDNSet to the same function as the front panel’s [MODET] button.
28MODEUPSet to the same function as the front panel’s [MODES] button.
29DSP/SELSet to the same function as the front panel’s [DSP/SEL] button.
30KEYERSet to the same function as the front panel’s [KEYER] button.
31CLARSet to the same function as the front panel’s [CLAR] button.
32BANDDNSet to the same function as the front panel’s [BANDT] button.
33BANDUPSet to the same function as the front panel’s [BANDS] button.
34A=BSet to the same function as the front panel’s [A=B] button.
35A/BSet to the same function as the front panel’s [A/B] button.
36LOCKSet to the same function as the front panel’s [LOCK] button.
37TUNESet to the same function as the front panel’s [TUNE] button.
38VOICEAnnounce the current operating frequency (with resolution to the displayed 100 Hz digit) and operating mode.
39MWCopies the current operating data from the VFO into the currently selected memory channel.
40V/MToggles frequency control between VFO and memory system.
41HOMERecall the “Home” (favorite frequency) channel.
42RCLRecall the QMB (Quick Memory Bank) memory.
43VOXActivate the VOX (automatic voice-actuated transmitter switching) feature.
44STOCopies operating data into QMB (Quick Memory Bank) Memory.
45STEPEnables the setting of the frequency step of the [DSP/SEL] knob by the [DSP/SEL] knob.
46SPLITActivates split frequency operation between VFO-A and VFO-B.
47PMSEngages Programmable Memory Scan (PMS).
48SCANInitiates the upward scanning of VFO frequencies or memory channels.
49MENUEngage the “Menu” mode.
50DIMMEREnables adjustment of the display dimmer level by the [DSP/SEL] knob.
51MTRChange the meter function in the transmit mode.