I recently became an owner of a Yeasu ft-890, see that it is CAT compatible. My query is, what cable would I need to purchase to be able to use this function. I am basically wanting to use HRD for rig control. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 73 de Bryan, K8BEC
The original Yaesu Computer Aided Tuning (CAT) accessory for this Yaesu radio model was the FIF-232C (discontinued). The FIF-232C converts TTL levels required by the radio to the RS-232C levels required by the computer. There is an input jack on the front and a PTT input jack on the right side. The front panel also has a power On/Off switch and a power LED. The rear panel has a RS-232C DB-25F connector. The FIF232C includes the required cable to most applicable Yaesu radios. === You have to decide upon RS-232 serial (DE-9 connector) OR a USB connector. http://www.n3fjp.com/hardware.htm IF you desire a USB conection for CAT ... there are numerous third-party resellers (G4ZLP, HRD Forum, eBay, etc.) http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/unified/YaesuCAT.shtml ZLP Electronics - Digital Master Pro+ (with CAT) http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/unified/DM_PRO_PLUS_complete.shtml You can DIY Build your own FIF-232C (serial interface) using DK7IN notes (May 1999) who also owned the Yaesu FT-890. http://www.qsl.net/d/dk7in/CAT_e.html w9gb
I have a FT 890 for the past 7 years and have been using CAT on MixW and HRD, initially with a home brewed CAT and PSK interface. I got the idea from this link: http://www.eham.net/articles/2800 The MAX232 IC is key to building CAT interfaces. You can use any old PS2 mouse cable for linking the FT890 to the CAT interface. This homebrew interface will work only if you have a COM port on your PC, or rather you can use a USB to COM port adaptor. I have even modified the cable of a SB-1000 interface ( a USB interface) from cg-antenna to work with the FT-890. It works well with Mixw as well as HRD. best 73's Rajesh ak4ec / a92gk / vu3voc
