[Yaesu] Contest Operating with FT-1000D and (Write Log) Software Program

[Jon Ogden]

on 1/25/03 9:53 PM, Jim Dunbar at jdunbar28@mchsi.com wrote:

> I was wondering if anyone had any experience with setting up an FT-1000D
> with the Write-Log Contest Software program and what specific cables were
> necessary to interconnect between the radio and the computer.
> 

You will need an RS-232 to TTL level converter.  You can buy a FIF-232C from
Yaesu for nearly $100.  Or you can buy one from Hosenose.com for about $50.
I also have a schematic on my website for home brewing one, but for some
reason, I couldn't get that circuit to properly read the data.  Not sure
why.

> I have a Toshiba Tecra Laptop with a built in sound card, and I also have a
> DB-9 serial connection available on Com 1.

That's fine.

> 
> If I was to have the computer generate the CW via the DB-9 serial port,
> would I need another serial port to run the radio control from the computer
> to the CAT Din jack on the radio?

No.  Here's how I do it.  I have take the CW pin (which I think is the RTS
pin) and added an opto-isolator and run it to the CW port.  I have the Yaesu
FIF-232 and there's enough room in there to add the circuit.  And the RTS
line is not used.  It works well with Writelog and the opto-isolator circuit
schematic is in the manual.

Now, I'll warn you that while this seems to work with Writelog, I cannot get
it work work with any other rig control program.  K5DJ did a good job with
that interface, but other programs like Logic and TRX-Manager want the CW on
a separate port.

A lot of guys run CW over the parallel port.  Writelog doesn't support this
in Win2000, but there's some software like User I/O or something like that
which will (see the Writelog home page under tech support I think).  Most
guys use the parallel port to send CW.
> 
> What other audio cables would I need to run between the Radio and the
> computer's sound card for voice keying?

Do your PTT over Cat.  So that's all set up.  And then just audio in and out
lines.  You will likely need isolation transformers on them.  Rat Shack
sells audio cables with the transformers in them.  Stops ground loop hum.
You may also need to add some ferrite torroids to the lines for RFI if you
plan on running QRO.

It works great.

73,

Jon
NA9D

-------------------------------------
Jon Ogden
NA9D (ex: KE9NA)

Citizen of the People's Democratic Republik of Illinois

Life Member: ARRL, NRA
Member:  AMSAT, DXCC

http://www.qsl.net/na9d   <- Updated on 1/22/03!!!

"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."