FT736R Transceiver control program


The program is designed to allow simple manual control of the FT736R using
an IBM compatible computer. Memory requirements are 90K and the program 
is supplied in 2 forms depending on magnetic storage available.

FT736RD.exe is used on hard disk based systems and will select drive c:\
FT736RF.exe is used on floppy based systems and will select drive A:\

No subdirectory is specified and the file will be placed in the root 
directory. This can be changed if the source code is purchased.

The system on execution will request a communication port. Enter 1 or 2
for RS232 comm port 1 or 2 respectfully.

After selecting the communications port the system should turn on the CAT
interface if the Manual {M} option is selected. 

If the interface does not illuminate there is a fault between 
computer and the transceiver. The interface requires a TTL level and cannot 
be driven directly from the RS232 port without causing damage.

A suitable conversion interface can be built into the RS232 25 way case as 
shown below. This will allow you to use a standard PC RS232 interface to the 
transceiver and same on the cost of the Yaesu interface.

I cannot accept any problems with building this interface and provide the                                              
information for constructors who are capable of this type of work.

Please make sure you test the interface prior to plugging into the FT736R !!                                             
                                             
                                             C  /---->---SI SERIAL IN
                                              /                5volts
txd pin 2 -------------10K resistor------B---||     BC107       TTL
                                               \
                                                V
                                              E    \GND


   4     (10 VOLTS)
RTS----|
       |-------10K RESISTOR----|
CTS----|                       |
   5                           |
                               |
RXD----------------------------|
   3                           |C
                                \     B
                                  \||_______10 K RESISTOR---< SERIAL OUT
                                  /||                        5 volts TTL
25 pin RS232                   /     BC107
                              V
                            / E
   7                        |
GND ------------------------|------------------------0 VOLTS COMMON

The two menu options are {M} for manual control and {S} for satellite
control. The satellite control enables the user to pre-program up to 24 
time triggers for setting the transeiver to the required full duplex
settings prior to a satellite pass. The CAT interface is turned off
after setting the transceiver up so that any automatic Doppler frequency
changing devices can operate the transceiver. The transceiver must also
be set up correctly as shown in the menu or else the programming will
not work. If there is a problem try pressing the REV button and placing 
SAT switch to off. 

The EDIT menu allows the user to set up the satellite times. Please
note that some intelligence is assumed and that Uppercase only is used
for the input as instructed. The reason for this is that to test all
combinations thought up would increase the memory requirements.

The INIT file option clears out the data file to a default value in each
of the 24 satellite settings. The program can easily be increased to cater
for more satellites if the source code is purchased. The scan operation 
will scan around the 24 elements until a match with the computers real time
clock is reached. A set of instructions as per the settings input into the 
relevant array is then sent to the FT736R. The CAT is turned on and off
as this operation takes place. It is suggested that you try different 
settings and times near to the real time clock to test your inputs 
are correct.

To stop the scan and return to the menu the {S} stop key must be used. All
other keys are ignored until the scan is stopped.

The program is not meant to embrace all the FT functions and is provided
as a possible building block for development. 

By comparing the routines used against the settings in the manual it can 
be seen that all the values have been converted to a decimal value 
and sent to the interface.

For example Full Duplex ON requires a value of 4 non importnat values
followed by a value of 14 for ON and 142 for OFF which are 0EHex, 8EHex.

If you wish to purchase the QBASIC source code for further development
please send œ6 and state your disk type. All IBM formats supported.

Make the cheque made out to M W Mansfield and send to:

Little Ash, Street Lane, Lower Whitley, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 4EN

There is no support for this software unless the source code is purchased.
It is known to operate on a 386DX and on a XT with 640 K Ram.