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CAT PORT & 2
nd
CAT PORT
The CAT channel is used by application software to control transceiver frequency, mode, T/R switching and
many other parameters using a serial (CAT) protocol. Most modern radios implement some form of CAT but
almost every radio implementation is different. The functions controlled by the computer depend on the
particular application and radio.
NOTE: The port number assigned in Router MUST match the port number assigned in the host
application. First configure the virtual COM ports in Router then configure the application.
When a COM port is assigned in the Router but not
in the application (or the application is not running)
Router will indicate the channel is closed.
When an application opens the COM port assigned for control (usually at start-up), Router shows the
channel as open and displays baud rate, data bits, parity and number of stop bits used by the application.
For example, 4800 8N2 means: 4800 baud, 8 bits data length, parity = none, and two stop bits.
Data flowing through the CAT channel is indicated by two arrows. A green arrow indicates data flow from the
application to the radio and a red arrow indicates data flow from the radio to the application.
TIP: If the application provides for PTT (T/R) keying by radio control (CAT) turn this function OFF.
PTT by CAT is not reliable because RFI can prevent the radio from switching back to receive. There
is a dedicated T/R switching channel for this purpose called PTT.
NOTE: If your radio does not support handshake (most do not). Configure DTR and RTS settings
in your application program (logger) for Always On or Always Off. Do not select “Handshake.”
For Router to determine the operating frequency
and mode, it must know what radio (CAT protocol)
being used. To select the radio, click the Set
button, choose your radio in the Radio combo box,
select communication speed in the Baud rate box,
and set the CI-V address for Icom and some
TenTec radios.
TIP: Disable the Autobaud function in any Icom Radio used with Router. Configure the radio,
Router, and your application software to operate at 9600 or 19200 baud.
Disable router queries – When this box checked, Router will not poll the radio for frequency and mode
when that information is not available from the communication between the application and radio.
NOTE: "Disable router queries" disables Router polling only when the port has been opened
by an application program. When the virtual port is closed, Router always polls the radio to
support the automatic switching functions
of DIGI KEYER II.
If it is necessary to disable all
polling, select one of the "none" options in the Radio box.
WARNING: DO NOT select "Disable Router queries" unless you have a specific reason to do so. Router
only polls for information that is not requested by the logger and does not interfere with logger polling.
Disabling Router queries may result in incorrect frequency and/or mode decoding and can have a serious
impact on overall operation.
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