A CAT command macro is a command that you define yourself, containing one CAT commands as describer in your radio’s handbook. The commands you enter must be supported by your radio.
Use CAT commands to add support not provided by the Ham Radio Deluxe interface.
Manager
To open the CAT Command macro manager do one of the following:
- Press Manager in the Macros> CAT Commands selection pane
- Select CAT Command Manager from the Macros menu
- 1. Press New to create a new command definition.
- In this example a Kenwood command is defined for the TS-2000. The mode is set to USB and the frequency to 50.150 MHz.
- 2. In the Title field enter [50.150 MHz USB].
- 3. In the CAT Command field enter the following commands:
- # Set mode to USB.
- MD2
- # Set frequency to 50.150 MHz
- FA00050150000
- 4. In the Description field enter [Change frequency to 50.150 MHz, mode to USB].
- 5. Click on OK. The new definition is added to the list in the Manager window.
Protocols Reference
Each brand of radio has a slightly different protocol for their CAT commands. Below is are examples of the differences. For complete information, please refer to the operating manual for your radio.
ELECRAFT AND KENWOOD
Each command consists of two alphabetical characters (lower or upper case) and optional parameters.
The terminating semicolon (;) is not necessary, it is added automatically.
TS-480, TS-2000
- Set mode to LSB .....: MD1
- Set mode to USB .....: MD2
- Set AF gain to 0 ....: AG0000
- Set AF gain to 100 ..: AG0100
- Select VFO-B ........: FT1
You can define more than one command; to do this start each command on a new line.
Special Commands
- Comment ..........: # Some interesting text.
- Pause of 250 ms ..: @ 250
ICOM ICOM radios use the CI-V format to communicate with the radio. Please read your operating manual for command information.
Each entry defined here consists of:
- [1] command,
- [2] optional sub-command and
- [3] optional data.
You must add a - between each byte (each byte is two hexadecimal characters).
IC-7800
- Set mode to LSB ..........: 06-00
- Set mode to USB ..........: 06-01
- Set AF to 0 ..............: 14-01-00
- Select preamp 2 ..........: 16-02-02
- MOD I/P (data off) MIC ...: 1A-05-00-31-00
- MOD I/P (data off) SPDIF .: 1A-05-00-31-07
You can define more than one command; to do this start each command on a new line.
Special Commands
- Comment ..........: # Some interesting text.
- Pause of 250 ms ..: @ 250
TEN-TEC
In general Ten-Tec commands are two character commands followed by data and a carriage return <cr> or <0x0d>. Do NOT add the carriage return - this is added automatically.
Some data must be sent in binary format, hexadecimal is used to represent binary data. To set Split mode on for the Argonaut the documented command is *O<0x01><0x0d> which is entered here as *Ox01, that is *O (Split mode) + x (switch to binary) + 01 (Split On). The carriage return <0x0d> is not added. Please read your operating manual for command information.
When you enter x the format switches to binary mode - two hexadecimal characters per byte. Only enter x once, even if entering more than one byte of data.
Argonaut
- Set mode to LSB .....: *M2
- Set mode to USB .....: *M1
- Set split mode on ...: *Ox01
- Set split mode off ..: *Ox00
Jupiter
- Set mode to LSB .....: *M2
- Set mode to USB .....: *M1
- Set AF gain to 32 ...: *Ux20
- Set filter to 450Hz .: *Wx1D
You can define more than one command; to do this start each command on a new line.
Special Commands
- Comment ..........: # Some interesting text.
- Pause of 250 ms ..: @ 250
YAESU
Starting with the FTDX-9000 Yaesu has changed the CAT protocol to one very similar to that used by Kenwood. So if you are fortunate enough to have the FTDX-9000 please use the Kenwood commands – See “ELECRAFT AND KENWOOD” in CAT Commands above.
Each Yaesu command consists of five bytes. The bytes are defined in the order in which they are sent to the radio. You must add a - between each byte.
Each command consists of four bytes of data and an OpCode. The order in which P1-P4 are shown in your operating manual does not matter here - there are difference between Yaesu radios, just remember that the bytes are defined in the order in which they are sent to the radio.
FT-817
- Set mode to LSB ..: 00-00-00-00-07
- Set mode to USB ..: 01-00-00-00-07
- Split on .........: 00-00-00-00-02
FT-1000MP
- Set mode to LSB ..: 00-00-00-00-0C
- Set mode to USB ..: 00-00-00-01-0C
- Split on .........: 00-00-00-01-01
You can define more than one command; to do this start each command on a new line.
Special Commands
- Comment ..........: # Some interesting text.
- Pause of 250 ms ..: @ 250