cat cable for SPE

Jamie WW3S

trying to connect my SPE 1.3KFA to my 6600. I have a FTDI usb to serial adapter, its enabled in the USB cable portion of the software. I built a simple cable, 9 pin end 2 (RXD), 3 (TXD) and 5 (GND) go the 15 pin on the amp, 2 goes to 9, 3 goes to 1 and 5 goes to 4. I set the amp CAT control for Flex 9600 8N1, to match the FTDI adapter, but not getting any freq info sent to the amp....what did I miss? 

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Jamie

In the USB document on the download site it does say:

1. Make sure to use thisCAT port and not the AUX port on the back panel of the amplifier. 

2. The connection from the DB9M FTDIUSB to serial cable to the DE15M CAT port on the SPE should be made in accordance to the “CAT 5V TTLInterface” or “CAT RS232 Interface” specification for the SPE amplifier, which depends on the voltage ofthe FTDI cable being used. 

3. Set the SPE amplifier mode to FLEX CAT. Set the com port parameters to9600 baud, No parity, 8 bit, and 1 stop bit. Also, set SPE Amps drive power per band and power level toensure that the amp is not overdriven. 

In Flex setup of the USB port, what do you have it set to track?

Mike

Thomas PA1M

In the DB9 you need also a wire between 7 (RTS) and 8 (CTS). Next to 2 to 9, 5 to 4 and 3 to 1

JohnSweeney

FTDI Pin 2 (RXD) goes to Pin 9 (TXD) on the 15 pin connector on the Expert.  FTDI Pin 3 (TXD) goes to Pin 1 (RXD) on the 15 pin connector on the Expert.   FTDI Pin 5 (GND) goes to Pin 4 (GND) on the 15 pin connector on the Expert.   I have a 6500 connected to an Expert 1.3 as stated here and it works great.

Larry _ NY8T

Jamie WW3S

thanks guys, got it working.....now on to the steppir connection.....

**NOTE TO SELF** remember when you turn the connector upside down to solder it, the pins are reversed.....