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Anyone that has a Yaesu G800-DXA rotor controller been able to connect to an 8000 USB port?

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David43
David43 Member ✭✭
in Peripherals & Station Integration

I am looking to find a solution to have my 8600M recognize the USB cable that plugs into the rear of the radio. I have tried the following solution which doesn't recognize the USB cable:

I connected my Yaesu G-800-DX A rotor controller to one of the USB ports on the back of my 8600M as follow:  On back of the Rotor controller there is a 6 pin mini-DIN connector that I used to connect a Vibroplex ERC MINI DX AUTOMATED ROTOR CONTROL 9-0038.  From the USB port on the ERC MINI DX I connected the supplied USB cable to the 8600M USB port.  When I select the USB Cables menu option to setup Passthrough, the cable interface is not recognized, even though the ERC MINI DX has a genuine FDTI FT230x USB to serial interface.  Please note that when I connect the USB connector to my Laptop USB port, I am able to control the rotator via PstRotatorAz software.  Any help would be greatly appreciated in helping me use Passthrough, so that with PstRotatorAZ on my remote Laptop I can control the rotator when I use my Flex Maestro.

David, K1MT

Best Answers

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin
    edited July 2025 Answer ✓
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    I tested the ERC Mini as a USB connection via the rear of the radio and it was not recognized by the SmartSDR in the radio.

    The radio USB connector only recognizes a USB/RS232 device hardware.

  • David43
    David43 Member ✭✭
    Answer ✓
    Options

    Thanks Mike and is there any chance this issue with the ERC Mini could be fixed with a software update to SmartSDR?

    On another issue, how long is the,

    Replacement GNSS / GPSDO Antenna cable?

    The one that came with my 8600M is too short.

  • Ken Wells
    Ken Wells Community Manager admin
    Answer ✓
    Options

    I have an early E.R.C Mini V1.3 purchased: January 8, 2015.

    My Radio (8600) recognizes the controller using the Black USB A to USB B cable that came with the E.R.C. Controller.

    I connected the E.R.C. to my G800DXA Controller with the 6-Pin DIN cable, but I do not have any cable between the G800 controller and the rotor (My 200 Feet of controller cable was stolen while waiting for the tower crew to take the tower down after I moved 6 years ago.)

    However, I could configure and enter commands in PST Rotator and the relay in the G800DXA controller would click. No other action happened in the controller because there was no cable to give it any positioning or other control feedback.

    So I can verify that at least this model is being recognized by the radio's USB port, to the extent that I could test it.

  • Ken Wells
    Ken Wells Community Manager admin
    Answer ✓
    Options

    It may be that ERC is using a different chipset in later versions that is not compatible?

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin
    Answer ✓
    Options

    I have made a request for that chipset to be supported. It might take some time.

  • David43
    David43 Member ✭✭
    Answer ✓
    Options

    Mike,

    On another issue, how long is the,

    Replacement GNSS / GPSDO Antenna cable?

    The one that came with my 8600M is too short.

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin
    Answer ✓
    Options

    We have never tested anything. I run a 40' Amazon cable for my GPSDO and it works fine.

    All I can say is order one from Amazon, test it and see if it works. If it does, let us know. It should work just fine.

    Mike

Answers

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