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QCX CAT setup guide? #cat #qcx

Mitch Winkle
 

GPIO keying via software/minimal hardware is pretty easy also.  I have the reTerminal (RPi CM4) keying my radio with GPIO21 with a small piece of UI software I wrote.  We have tested it OTA at 50+ WPM with successful decoding in FLDIGI on the receive end.  The software allows you to type in the text you receive by ear and add it to the conversation received from the other station.  That is optional and hide-able.  I have included macros with text substitutions (my call, other call, MH grid and Op name) and the ability to set the WPM in the software on the fly.

All that is required are the two header receptacle wires for the RPi header (pins 39/40) a 2N2222A and a 1000 Ohm resistor attached to the body of a 3.5mm stereo receptacle.  If any extraneous noise is encountered, then use of a 4n25 or 4n35 opto-isolation IC may be necessary.  Pictured, the resistor and transistor are inside the heat shrink around the receptacle.

If anyone is interested, I'll be writing that up at https://github.com/guitarpicva/RPiKeyerTerm.git soon.  The empty repository is there so you can follow it to see when the information arrives.
Carel PA0CMU
 

I have tried the method from Linas LY2H. That works but .... only slow speed, say 15wpm in MY setup. Actually I don't have a Winkeyer, Windows 10 is generating the CW sigs. That is fine with my Elecraft K2. The Lenovo T500 is still handling that but when it comes to generating the CAT sigs too, Windows timing becomes a problem.
Martin DK3UW
 

I have integrated one of these USB TTL converters and set N1MM to Kenwood slow. Works fine. I do use a Winkeyer with the QCX in straight key. Works well also.

All that makes the QCX itself the cheapest part of the station.

Martin
DK3UW
Peter
 

Hallo Julian,

first you need a cable for CAT (USB to TTL).

For the cable I build the GPS receiver QLG2 from QRP Lab with an inbuild Serial to USB Converter.
With this QLG2 you have an GPS Receiver or a Serial to USB Converter . All works fine. The main reason for me is to use the Serial to USB connector for contest. I use N1MM and I only need via CAT from my QCX Transceivers the exact frequency to N1MM and also use it to send my call.

If you decide to build the QLG2 here more infos from me:

I connect the QCX via CAT to the QLG2 and configure QLG with all the jumpers and all settings in the N1MM.
I use COM5 with following settings in N1MM:
Kenwood SLOW
8 bit
1 Stop Bit
38400
No parity
DTR, RTS always off
Radio Polling Rate = 100% Slower

In the manual of the QLG2 there is still a mistake:

In the manual Page 16 is decribed how to set the jumper to work CAT with QCX.
Not JP6 should changed to the lower Position. 
YOU SHOULD CHANGE JUMPER 10 TO THE LOWER POSITION !!!


Here a youtube from Linas LY2H where you can see how N1MM works with the QCX:

 
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you can use QCX with N1MM with the F-Keys via CAT with only one cable very easy.
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3hhDOMSR8Q
Linas from LY2H

also see some info from WB5BKL: http://wb5bkl.blogspot.com/2020/12/adding-cat-to-qcx.html
Just I primarily use N1MM+ for contesting and I use the "CATA1ASC KY" commands to communicate with the QCX directly - no additional electronics other than the TTL to USB cable are needed.  Below is a function key file I use for the weekly  CWTs  sponsored by  CWOPS  that you might use as a model (after editing, of course).

Just right click on a F-Key and change to CATA1ASC KY commands.

Here are my settings for copy

###################

#   RUN Messages 

###################

F1 Cq,{CATA1ASC KY cq test de * * test;}

F2 Exch,{CATA1ASC KY 5nn {exch} ;}

F3 Tu,{CATA1ASC KY tu *;}

F4 {MYCALL},{CATA1ASC KY *;}

F5 His Call?, {CATA1ASC KY ! ;}

F6 Repeat,{CATA1ASC KY {EXCH}{EXCH;};}

F7 Spare,

F8 Agn?,Agn?

F9 Nr?,Nr?

F10 Call?,Cl?

F11 Spare,

F12 Wipe,{WIPE}

#

###################

#   S&P Messages 

###################

F1 Qrl?,,{CATA1ASC KY qrl? de * k;}

F2 Exch,{CATA1ASC KY 5nn {exch} ;}

F3 Tu,Tu,{CATA1ASC KY tu * ;}

F4 {MYCALL},{CATA1ASC KY *;}

F5 His Call,{CATA1ASC KY ! ;}

F6 Repeat,{SENTRSTCUT} {EXCH} {EXCH}

F7 Spare,

F8 Agn?,Agn?

F9 Nr?,Nr?

F10 Call?,Cl?

F11 Spare,

F12 Wipe,{WIPE}


If you have further questions send me a e-mail. Contact is in QRZ.com

73 from Vienna - Austria

 

Peter OE1OPW

 
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since almost 2 weeks I tried to use the QLG2 GPS as an USB-TTL converter to CAT my QCX equipment with N1MM. It was only possible to send serial data to the QCX but never got the frequency back. Now I found the reason and now it works perfect.
In the manual Page 16 is decribed how to set the jumper to work CAT with QCX.
Not JP6 should changed to the lower Position. 
YOU SHOULD CHANGE JUMPER 10 TO THE LOWER POSITION !!!




--
Peter OE1OPW Vienna
Julian Forsey
 

Hello everyone. I’ve just had a great time with my QCX Mini, taking part in the CQWWDX contest. 116 QSOs, 35 countries with 5 watts into an ocf dipole.
But now I’m faced with entering all the QSO details manually, yuk! I use N1MM Logger on my laptop during the contest, but I’ve never dared to try and connect the QCX using the CAT system. So, has anyone produced a set of instructions on how to do it? Do I need my soldering iron to make an interface? If anyone can point me in the right direction, I shall be very grateful.
 Best wishes. 
Julian, G4ETS. 

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