CAT Radio Control for Yaesu FT-8800?

[KR1CKM]

I have a Yaesu FT-8800 that I use as my "base" radio in the shack. I also use Ham Radio Deluxe to do PSK and perform radio control on my HF rig (a Kenwood).

Is it possible to use something like HRD to control the FT-8800? I've got the packet data cable for the radio, but am reasonably sure that this can't be used for radio control.

Since the 8800 has a removable face plate which can be remotely mounted, I wonder if it would be possible to get (or write?) an emulator for a computer to make it behave like the faceplate, thereby controlling the radio.

Any thoughts? Anyone have any experience?

Thanks.

[W9GB]

You need to understand the DIFFERENCE between:

COMPUTER CONTROL (remote control of a radio internal uProcessor) referred to by Yaesu as Computer Assisted Tuning (CAT) and
Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) uses the Yaesu CAT; Icom CI-V and Kenwood remote computer/RS-232 connections -- for it operation (magic).
This does NOT exist on analog radios (no uProcessor inside) before 1980s.

DIGITAL MODES that use external hardware modems (TNCs, MultiMode Controllers with Digital Signal Processing [DSP] ICs) or
the DSP IC in the sound card inside most modern PCs since 1990s -- to operate digital modes (RTTY, PSK, SSTV, etc.)
That is what your Packet option Connector on rear panel of the radio is for.

ANY radio with a MIC and SPEAKER connection can be connected for Digital Modes.
Some pre-1980s models (e.g. Swan) will not be stable enough (frequency) for some digital modes!
==
G4HFQ provides FTB8800, which permits you to program the memories via computer (instead of radio's front panel).
Yaesu FT-8800 programming software to manage memories in the dual band FM mobile transceiver.
http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/ftb8800.htm

FT-8800R User Group on Yahoo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FT-8800R
==
What you describe may be possible -- and Amateur Radio is a Technical hobby where you can experiment with this idea --
BUT it is up to YOU and YOUR ABILITIES to develop the solution. I am not aware of an "off shelf" commercial product.

As far as Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD), you need to have a readily available CAT connection from the radio mfg. -- and then get HRD to support it.

w9gb