Re: [digitalvoice] Digest for digitalvoice@googlegroups.com - 7 updates in 4 topics

30 views
Skip to first unread message

Neal Pollack

unread,
May 30, 2026, 12:30:35 PM (11 days ago) May 30
to digita...@googlegroups.com
I would like to correct a statement made about the FT-710 and PTT.
The FT-710 accepts CAT commands over both the USB CAT port and the
TUNER/LINEAR Pins 4 (TXD) and 5 (RXD) serial CAT Port.  It does not have 
a traditional 9-pin D-connector serial port. 

While the USB CAT port(s) clearly accepts PTT as both a CAT command or
a serial signal line, the TUNER/LINEAR port will accept serial data "TX1:"
CAT command for PTT and "TX0;" CAT command to stop TX and return to 
Receive mode.  The Tuner/Linear PinOut with pin numbers is specified better
in the CAT Reference Manual than it is in the User Manual.  See page 3 of the
CAT reference manual.  Serial data for RX, TX, and Ground are pins 3, 4, & 5:

FT-710_Tuner_Linear_PinOut.png

In order for CAT commands to be accepted and work, the port needs to be set first:
Set it to "CAT-3" in the settings menu [OPERATION SETTINGS] -> [GENERAL] ->
[TUN/LIN PORT SELECT].  The factory default is set to [EXT-TUNER].

IMPORTANT CAUTION:
As specified in the Yaesu FT-710 CAT Operation Reference Manual, 
these lines operate strictly on 5V TTL logic. If you map a standard PC's DB9 
RS-232 serial port (which outputs up to ±12V) directly to Pins 3, 4, and 5 without 
an inline TTL-to-RS232 level converter, you will likely fry the radio's serial interface chip.

If FreeDV is really using an old HAMLIB,  it would make sense to integrate the current
2026 version of HAMLIB, or even build in UPDATE functionality like WSJT-X has,
so that the user can simply click UPDATE to download/install the latest version of
HAMLIB.

Cheers,
Neal


On Fri, May 29, 2026 at 9:31 PM <digita...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Rick, W4XA <myr...@gmail.com>: May 29 05:29PM -0700

Mooneer,
 
I have noticed that FreeDV will control my ICOM marine IC-M802 quite
nicely!!
 
It is unique I think, because of the NMEA control set, when "Start Modem"
is pressed, it will actually power the radio ON if it's initially off and
then when "Stop Modem" is pressed, it will power the radio OFF.
 
In addition, if the radio was already ON to begin with, it will NOT power
it off when stopping the modem (however it does leave it in the "REMOTE"
mode) I suspect that's a left over from the Hamlib NMEA command set. In
that case, I have to simply "power cycle" the radio to get back to local
control.
 
I am using a SignaLink USB audio interface and a generic FTDI USB-A to
RS-232C cable and mid 2012 Macbook Pro running (Ubuntu based) KDE Neon
 
I also have a fairly new ACER Win11 Core -i7 laptop and I use a similar
FTDI USB-C to RS-232C cable interface and the SignaLink.
 
Both operating systems act the same. I am using ver 2.3.1 on both.
 
It's pretty cool.
 
One irritating feature though is when it actually powers the radio on, it
immediately tries to communicate with the radio via the serial connection
but I suspect because the radio is not fully "booted" up, I get all the
Hamlib errors in a popup that clears every time when I press "Ok" etc.
 
It of course does not do this if the radio was already on.
 
Would it be possible to add a few milliseconds after pressing "Start
Modem" to get a response for those radios that might need a couple of extra
"moments" to get their $hit together?
 
I suspect that maybe the M710 and a probably few others could fall into
this category
 
Otherwise it works VERY well with my circa 2003 IC-M802
 
Cheers,
 
Rick
Mooneer Salem <moo...@gmail.com>: May 29 02:08PM -0700

Hi all,
 
I was made aware today that there is a net close to the FreeDV calling
frequency of 14.236 MHz between 11:30 and 13:30 UTC and that FreeDV users
may be interfering with that net. This is just a reminder that we should be
listening before transmitting, just like with regular SSB voice (or really,
any other mode for that matter). The FreeDV application itself makes this
simple--just push the "Switch to Analog" button to allow the audio coming
from the radio to stream directly to your speakers or headset.
 
Additionally, thanks to FreeDV Reporter, others are able to see what
frequency you're on, so it's not strictly needed to be on the calling
frequency unless you happen to not have internet access. Some bands also
have alternate calling frequencies as well (for example, 14.240 MHz on 20
meters).
 
Anyway, thanks for your attention and your efforts at being a courteous
user of the bands :)
 
Thanks,
 
-Mooneer K6AQ
Rick, W4XA <myr...@gmail.com>: May 29 01:08PM -0700

Stan,
 
It's very simple and you have total control here
 
Just go to "My membership settings" (left) and click either "Leave
Group" or "Select "NO EMAIL"
 
At this point, most of us would probably suggest clicking "LEAVE GROUP"
 
 
On Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 5:45:02 PM UTC-7 Stan DeGroff wrote:
 
Ray Butler <kf5...@gmail.com>: May 29 09:08AM -0700

A fellow operator on our FreeDV net is having trouble getting it to work.
here is his report. Any ideas?
 
In trying to get FreeDV to work and after much research it appears that
FreeDV uses an old version of HamLib for cat control which has a bug when
trying to activate the PTT on the Yaesu FT-710. None of the recommended
work arounds seemed to work for me and continued to cause the app to crash
when I would activate the PTT.
 
 
Appreciate any ideas or tips
Ray
KB2BYU
Mooneer Salem <moo...@gmail.com>: May 29 09:14AM -0700

Which version of FreeDV are they using? 2.3.1 has Hamlib 4.7.1 which should
be the most recent IIRC.
 
-Mooneer K6AQ
 
Rick, W4XA <myr...@gmail.com>: May 29 12:34PM -0700

The interface for ICOM marine radios is slightly different because it uses
A slightly different instruction set (NMEA control commands etc)
 
I am using the most current FreeDV version with Linux and my ICOM IC-M802
with virtually no problems.
 
The only "problem" I can report is because of the unique ability of FreeDV
to actually "Turn the radio on" (if it's powered off) ....so when clicking
Start Modem, FreeDV immediately tries to control (freq/mode/etc) the radio
before it's fully "booted-up" .....so I initially get all the Hamlib
control errors.
 
It's really a nuisance error because once I close the "error box"
everything works just fine.
 
Then because FreeDV can control on/off, if I click "Stop Modem" it shuts
the radio OFF! What could be cooler than that?
 
Mooneer, should I send a "Bug-Report" and could that be "fixed" by simply
having the software "wait" several ms before "talking" to the radio after
"Start Modem"?
 
 
Cheers,
 
Rick
 
 
 
 
On Friday, May 29, 2026 at 9:15:13 AM UTC-7 Mooneer Salem wrote:
 
Rick, W4XA <myr...@gmail.com>: May 29 12:59PM -0700

Let me specifically address "PTT" issue.
 
FreeDV cannot activate PTT with the IC-M802 (and I presume M710) because
neither has PTT control via the serial port.
 
The serial port can only control MODE and frequency and it does it well
with the M802.
 
PTT for my IC-M802 is accomplished using the SignaLink USB device. There
is no path to PTT using the FTDI USB/Serial convertor I am using.
 
I have to control the PTT via the ACCY port and the SignaLink USB audio
interface device does that quite well.
 
This was the same way I did it back around 2012 or so using the SignaLink
USB with the ICOM IC-736
 
 
On Friday, May 29, 2026 at 12:34:12 PM UTC-7 Rick, W4XA wrote:
 
You received this digest because you're subscribed to updates for this group. You can change your settings on the group membership page.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it send an email to digitalvoice...@googlegroups.com.

Rick, W4XA

unread,
May 30, 2026, 4:23:39 PM (10 days ago) May 30
to digitalvoice
Neal, 

I didn't say the M710 couldn't accept serial CAT PTT commands, I just said I couldn't do it with the M802 with the present setup I have (and maybe the M710 couldn't either) .  I am glad you have clarified this!

 There is no native USB/serial audio connection for either so a SignaLink USB  (or similar)  audio interface device is required to make it a simple hook-up

Tigertronics knew this too so they incorporated a working PTT capability in the SignaLink USB device.  Why would I jump through other hoops to get the serial port on the M802 to do it? (and maybe it's possible it will work on the M802.........ICOM is pretty tight-lipped with any control stuff on marine radios for liability I suppose they're no real help with obsolete radios!

 ICOM evidently used the same NMEA instruction set on both as evidenced by the fact that the Winblows based M710 software will control the M802 (in the M710 mode)  quite well....EXCEPT, it also leaves the radio in the "REMOTE" mode if it was ON to begin with.

If I remember correctly, the guy that wrote the WIN 7 M710 software is deceased so anyone wanting changes to it (and probably the corresponding hamlib files) will probably have to "pick up the torch"

Here's some links to stuff below you are probably aware of:


It would be nice if it was all updated but how many people are there that are actually using these radios?  I suspect not very many so someone with developer skills will have to have a personal interest in changing this stuff!

73/Rick

Rick, W4XA

unread,
May 30, 2026, 4:31:14 PM (10 days ago) May 30
to digitalvoice
Neal, 

I found a little more info (below) on the TTL logic voltage levels FTDI level converting USB-RS-232 cables/adapters.

It would appear that they also use 5V levels so if one is used with these ICOM marine radios, there won't be a problem? 
(good thing too because I have been using an FTDI device for quite some time now!!) 



FTDI USB to RS-232C adapters typically operate with TTL logic levels of 0-5V, while RS-232 signals range from -10V to +10V. This means that additional circuitry, like a level converter, is often needed to interface between these two standards.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages