SkyCAT 1.0

[Alex VE3NEA]

I have just released the first beta version of SkyCAT, a new CAT engine to be used with SkyRoof instead of rigctld.exe. Please help me by testing this program with your radio. More information is available here:

https://ve3nea.github.io/SkyRoof/users_guide/skycat.html

73 Alex VE3NEA

[Marcel VE3UKW]

Hi Alex,

not much luck....

20:00:16.688 [INF] Setting up radio 'FT-847' (Simplex)
20:00:16.693 [ERR] Setup command failed: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
   at SkyCat.CatCommandSender.<>c.<ListAvailableCommands>b__24_0(KeyValuePair`2 kv)
   at System.Linq.Enumerable.IEnumerableWhereSelectIterator`2.ToArray()
   at System.Linq.Enumerable.ToArray[TSource](IEnumerable`1 source)
   at SkyCat.CatCommandSender.ListAvailableCommands()
   at SkyCat.CatCommandSender.SetupRadio(OperatingMode operatingMode)
   at skycatd.CommandInterpreter.Setup(OperatingMode mode)
20:00:16.701 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT -1' (invalid parameter)

Logfile attached

Thanks

Marcel

[Alex VE3NEA]

Beta testers, please download v.1.1, it fixes the bug reported by Marcel. Same URL.

[Thomas Schuessler]

I had not installed 1.17 but when you emailed about SkyCAT, I decided that it would be good to do so with running the new dameon.  Unfortunately, this is what I get.

If I abort, the program closes.  If RETRY or Ignore, I get the main window but no Soapy SDR display and no side windows.

Actually, I could open up all the windows manually, but anytime I clicked on the waterfall, I get this same error.  

Once I re-opened them up, and then I restarted the program and then the program kept the alignment of the windows.  It is like the program had no configuration defaults coming up first time.  As I opened and closed several times most things began to work as they should.  Now the error seems to have gone away.

I am not sure where to find the log file for SkyRoof???  anyway, that was an interesting ride.

Tom, N5HYP

[Thomas Schuessler]

I had the same issue with 1.0 of Skycat as Marcell with my FT847..  I opened up the skycatd.exe after re-installing to 1.1

I got this.

C:\Skycat>skycatd.exe -m 1001 -r com3 -s 57600 -vvv -f

skycatd v.1.1 started.

Log level: Verbose

Press Ctrl-C to exit.

Log file created at: C:\Skycat\Logs\skycatd_2025-08-13_215454.log

21:54:54.388 [INF] skycatd sv.1.1.0.0.

21:54:54.570 [INF] Radio model: 'FT-847' (1001)

21:54:54.574 [INF] Opening serial port com3 at 57600 Baud...

21:54:54.635 [INF] Serial port opened.

21:54:54.635 [INF] Starting TCP server on port 4532...

21:54:54.677 [INF] TCP server started.

Initially setting "TX CAT button" light went black but I realized I had not set a prop mode.  When I did, I got log entries like this unitl I stopped TX CAT.

22:06:42.558 [INF] Setting up radio 'FT-847' (Simplex)

22:06:42.558 [INF]   Sending command: setup

22:06:42.558 [INF]   Sending bytes: 89-00-00-00-09 (Repeater Shift = Simplex)

22:06:43.567 [INF]   Bytes received:

22:06:43.568 [ERR] Setup command failed: Received only 0 bytes, expected 1 bytes.

22:06:43.568 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT -1' (invalid parameter)

22:06:44.582 [INF] Client connected: 127.0.0.1:50947

22:06:44.582 [DBG] Received from client: 'U SATMODE 0'

22:06:44.582 [VRB]   Command ignored

22:06:44.582 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT 0' (OK)

22:06:44.582 [DBG] Received from client: 'U DUAL_WATCH 0'

22:06:44.582 [VRB]   Command ignored

22:06:44.583 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT 0' (OK)

22:06:44.583 [DBG] Received from client: 'V VFOA'

22:06:44.583 [VRB]   Command ignored

22:06:44.583 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT 0' (OK)

22:06:44.583 [DBG] Received from client: 'S 0 VFOB'

22:06:44.583 [INF] Setting up radio 'FT-847' (Simplex)

22:06:44.584 [INF]   Sending command: setup

22:06:44.584 [INF]   Sending bytes: 89-00-00-00-09 (Repeater Shift = Simplex)

22:06:45.590 [INF]   Bytes received:

22:06:45.591 [ERR] Setup command failed: Received only 0 bytes, expected 1 bytes.

22:06:45.591 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT -1' (invalid parameter)

22:06:46.565 [INF] Client connected: 127.0.0.1:50948

22:06:46.565 [DBG] Received from client: 'U SATMODE 0'

22:06:46.565 [VRB]   Command ignored

22:06:46.566 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT 0' (OK)

22:06:46.567 [DBG] Received from client: 'U DUAL_WATCH 0'

22:06:46.567 [VRB]   Command ignored

22:06:46.567 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT 0' (OK)

22:06:46.567 [DBG] Received from client: 'V VFOA'

22:06:46.567 [VRB]   Command ignored

22:06:46.567 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT 0' (OK)

22:06:46.567 [DBG] Received from client: 'S 0 VFOB'

22:06:46.568 [INF] Setting up radio 'FT-847' (Simplex)

22:06:46.568 [INF]   Sending command: setup

22:06:46.568 [INF]   Sending bytes: 89-00-00-00-09 (Repeater Shift = Simplex)

22:06:47.579 [INF]   Bytes received:

22:06:47.579 [ERR] Setup command failed: Received only 0 bytes, expected 1 bytes.

22:06:47.579 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT -1' (invalid parameter)

and have settings like this;

Thoughts?  At least with RigCat, I get some feedback I can send you.

Tom, N5HYP

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[Alex VE3NEA]

Tom, here is the cure: https://groups.google.com/g/skyroof/c/rSU3sm4swFM/m/HnN8McZRCQAJ

[Alex VE3NEA]

Thank you for testing SkyCat, and for the log. Writing code for the hardware that the developer does not have is difficult and slow, it will take us several iterations to make it work. I will see tomorrow how to fix the error that appears in the log.

Please do further tests with SkyRoof 1.18, it has a number of improvements in the CAT code.

[Thomas Schuessler]

We have too many threads going.  The link you gave on the forum related to the settings fo the program and windows layout.  Yes, I did delete the settings file and the windows work as expected.  Starting from scratch but that is fine.  Still having issues with the Skycatd.exe program.  as stated in the earlier email below.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/skyroof/60cdfba7-1a20-4ecf-981e-40c7f1d5adf5n%40googlegroups.com.

[Alex VE3NEA]

Please replace the FT-847.json file with the attached one, this should fix the error in the log.

[Marcel VE3UKW]

Good morning all,

downloaded 1.1 and also updated the ft847.json

Skycat starts but starts throwing errors once skyroof tries to connect.

Logs attached

Skyroof shows this error:
2025-08-14 08:48:38.813 -04:00 [ERR] Failed to set up radio Duplex
System.Net.Sockets.SocketException (10060): A connection attempt failed because the connected party did not properly respond after a period of time, or established connection failed because connected host has failed to respond.
   at System.Net.Sockets.Socket.Receive(Byte[] buffer)
   at SkyRoof.ControlEngine.SendCommand(String command) in D:\a\SkyRoof\SkyRoof\SkyRoof\CAT\ControlEngine.cs:line 209
   at SkyRoof.ControlEngine.SendWriteCommand(String command) in D:\a\SkyRoof\SkyRoof\SkyRoof\CAT\ControlEngine.cs:line 170
   at SkyRoof.ControlEngine.SendWriteCommands(String[] commands) in D:\a\SkyRoof\SkyRoof\SkyRoof\CAT\ControlEngine.cs:line 163
   at SkyRoof.CatControlEngine.Setup() in D:\a\SkyRoof\SkyRoof\SkyRoof\CAT\CatControlEngine.cs:line 159

Skycat

09:00:37.841 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT -9' (command rejected by the radio)
09:00:38.341 [INF] Client connected: 127.0.0.1:50881
09:00:38.341 [DBG] Received from client: 'U SATMODE 0'
09:00:38.343 [VRB]   Command ignored
09:00:38.343 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT 0' (OK)
09:00:38.344 [DBG] Received from client: 'U DUAL_WATCH 0'
09:00:38.344 [VRB]   Command ignored
09:00:38.344 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT 0' (OK)
09:00:38.345 [DBG] Received from client: 'V VFOA'
09:00:38.345 [VRB]   Command ignored
09:00:38.346 [DBG]   Sending to client: 'RPRT 0' (OK)
09:00:38.346 [DBG] Received from client: 'S 0 VFOB'
09:00:38.347 [INF] Setting up radio 'FT-847' (Simplex)
09:00:38.347 [INF]   Sending command: setup
09:00:38.347 [INF]   Sending bytes: 89-00-00-00-09 (Repeater Shift = Simplex)
09:00:38.348 [INF]   Sending bytes: 00-00-00-00-8E (Satellite mode OFF)
09:00:38.348 [INF]   Command setup returned 'OK'

In Skyroof CAT toggles from green to red to green to red....

The radio doesn't enter Sat mode  nor does it set any frequencies

Hope this helps

Marcel

[Alex VE3NEA]

OK, please try this one:

[Alex VE3NEA]

Sorry this one:

[Marcel VE3UKW]

wow - much progress!

Radio (FT-847) is set to SAT mode and both VFOs are updating.

Looks like it is working. Now I just need to get the rotor going and I'll be in business.

Thanks for your help, patience and efforts. Much appreciated. 

Marcel

[Marcel VE3UKW]

also seems to work

[Alex VE3NEA]

Thank you for testing, Marcel! Please send me the log. Have you tried all functions?

[Marcel VE3UKW]

Hi Alex,

I'm poking around! So far, picked a few Sats from the list and checked the different Frequencies.

U/V, V/U, H/V, or simplex in case of Telemetry.

Seems to work as expected. In the case of simplex, TX CAT goes Black and the Radio sets VFOA accordingly

Thanks

Marcel

[Marcel - VE3UKW]

nvm - found the buttons above the frequency - that works.

Marcel

On Thursday, August 14th, 2025 at 12:28 PM, Marcel VE3UKW <mar...@ve3ukw.ca> wrote:

Found one issue: Mode is not set. Frequency works but FM/USB etc. is not set. Always reverts to SSB

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[Alex VE3NEA]

Another bug fixed, TNX to Hugo VE3KTN. Please use the attached file for IC-705:

[Thomas Schuessler]

Alex.

Well I had a level of success, and then things kind of fell apart with CAT control for the FT847.

Pasted in the rig file into the SkyCat definition folder.  Opened up Skycatd.exe with appropriate arguments and that seemed to work.  I started SkyRoof and was able to get both TX and RX to go green and when both green, the radio flipped into "Satellite mode.  Dopper correction on the displays in the program were reflected on the radio as well as mode changes made on the program.  I was able to affect the radios's frequency by using the manual tune on the program.  I did find though that if I moved the dial on the radio, SkyRoof imediately snapped back to what it wanted.

Suddenly, and I do not know what I did, the TX CAT indicator would never go green, but black when I turned it on.  Now the radio would not go into Satellite mode and so no control of the radio from the program.  I stopped Skyroof and restarted with no change.  I stopped SkyCat command window and restarted the SkyCat shortcut and still TXCATin black.  I restarted the computer thinking maybe the serial port got hosed, but that did not fix.  

So a promising start went bust at the end.  There is hope though.

Attached, please find attached both SkyRoof and Skycat logs for today, 8/14/2025.  I do not have an exact time, but I lost the TX CAT capability around 21:15 or so.

Tom, N5HYP

[Marcel VE3UKW]

Hi Thomas,

I ran into a similar issue - looks like the com port locks up. You should see com port busy messages in the logs if this is the case.

To fix this, I had to unplug the CAT cable on the computer end to reset the port. Unplugging on the radio side doesn't help.

My cable uses a Prolific PL2303GT chip - not sure if that's related or not.

Marcel

[Joe Spears AF1E]

Skycat with IC-705 error

Joe AF1E

On Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 7:04:16 PM UTC-4 Alex VE3NEA wrote:

[Joe Spears AF1E]

Fixed my error.  Had to change connectors CIC settings.  No Tranceive off and echo back off.

Joe

[Mike Wogden]

Joe

Please can you expand more on your fix. Still getting the same error.

Mike G4KXQ

[Alex VE3NEA]

You are using an old version of SkyCAT, Mike. Get v.1.3.