Yaesu: How do you hook up a Yaesu FT-100D to a computer?

[KI5NBN]

I just got a Yaesu FT-100D radio and would like to hook it up to my computer. What cable is needed and do I need software to communicate with the radio?
What can I expect to see if I am connected to the computer? Will this radio work with Windows 11 or Linux?
I have the Yaesu manual but it is written a long time go, computers have changed since then.
Thank you for any helpful info.
73.

 

[AK9R]

Looks like you need an adapter that Yaesu called a CT-62. The CT-62 was intended to connect to an RS-232 serial port on a computer for computer control of the radio. I see that DX Engineering still carries the CT-62 ($36.99), but it still requires a serial port. There are aftermarket clones of the CT-62 that require a USB port. I've had good luck with cables from Valley Enterprises (Yaesu USB FTDI CT-62 CAT Cable FT-100, FT-817, FT-857, FT-897), but there are probably cheaper work-a-like cables available elsewhere.

As for software, the CT-62 only gives you the ability to control the radio with a computer. You'll still need radio control software such as Ham Radio Deluxe, DX Lab Suite, or others.

 

[KI5NBN]

Thank you for the reply and part numbers.
I ran the radio for several hours making POTA contacts and noticed I see no "S" signal strength displayed unless the station is blasting over a KW, is very close to me and the display may show a S2. Sound is very loud and clear. My QTH antenna is 50 feet up and is a dipole. My station radio always shows a good signal displayed, S1 to S30, so its not my received signal.
My Watts out is clearly displayed. My reported Signals were 58 / 59 for most of my contacts today.
Do I have a setting wrong to show the Signal bar graph? Or is there a problem with the display panel?

 

[KI5NBN]

I downloaded some instructions on how to re calibrate the S-meter. It says to find a strong signal on 2 meters. I did and it shows S4 and it is so close to me it should be S9 plus for sure.
I shut the radio off and held down buttons A,B and C at the same time and turned the radio on. The FUNC menu is still the same. The radio is not going into the alignment mode.
Instructions wrong for the FT-100d?

 

[AK9R]

Is there an RF Gain control on that radio? If it's turned down, you might see lower S meter readings than you'd expect.

 

[wallythacker]

I hope I don't catch it for replying to this older thread, but since I have a FT-100 and I am working through the process of getting it under computer control.

So far all of the Bluetooth dongles I have tried have not allowed me to communicate with the radio. I can pair with the BT dongles but when I then run HRD or pkLite I can connect, and go no further. HRD usually freezes and pklite shows me controlling the ft100 but nothing changes. Does anyone else have anything to add to running a FT-100 with HRD or other progs?

 

[AJAT]

I hope I don't catch it for replying to this older thread, but since I have a FT-100 and I am working through the process of getting it under computer control.

So far all of the Bluetooth dongles I have tried have not allowed me to communicate with the radio. I can pair with the BT dongles but when I then run HRD or pkLite I can connect, and go no further. HRD usually freezes and pklite shows me controlling the ft100 but nothing changes. Does anyone else have anything to add to running a FT-100 with HRD or other progs?

I have a ft-100D and use this cable: FTDI USB CAT Programming Cable Yaesu FT-100 FT-100D CT-62 680599131493 | eBay
Running on a windows 10 machine

 

[wallythacker]

I have a ft-100D and use this cable: FTDI USB CAT Programming Cable Yaesu FT-100 FT-100D CT-62 680599131493 | eBay
Running on a windows 10 machine

Thanks for that link. I have heard the FTDI chipset is troublefree while the Prolific set can be a nightmare. I read that at one point early on Windows XP would look for something only found in genine Prolific and would disable the device if it was determined to be a clone.

Anyhow, enough history lesson, I will buy that cable and save myself much aggravation. Just look at what can be done with a FT-100, automatic tuner and a $40 SDR dongle and some freeware for both the SDR dongle and the FT-100.

Makes a 23 year old $500 radio appear to operate like a modern $1200 rig.