Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Here we will discuss only topics related to Yaesu FT-8x7 DIY Bluetooth-CAT micro-miniature interface
rbeswick62
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Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by rbeswick62 »

The first dongle didn't go to smoothly for me. My perf board was to thick and I use a razor blade to thin it down. It did however work it just didn't look as good as the pictured on by YO3GGX... For 7 dollars I will now perfect it by building a second one. Way to cool to stand back while someone sees your radio running wild up and down the band. I plan on using this, when I and the wife go out front for coffee and I will be able to take the radio along, well at least my phone. Hi hi. KA6PSD Robert
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yo3ggx
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Re: Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by yo3ggx »

Hi Robert,

I'm working on a new CAT interface over WiFi (extended range, audio included) which will be supported in Pocket RXTX Android app. You will be able to connect your transceiver to the Internet without a PC. That interface will work with Ham Radio Deluxe too.
I will post here when ready to show it.

73 Dan YO3GGX
N1KK
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Re: Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by N1KK »

Is t possible to change the baud rate on the Bluetooth Cat converter buy using a USB to TTL CAT converter for the FT-817.

I have a USB CAT converter that works great with Ham Radio Deluxe. From my reading the Bluetooth
units have a fixed board rate but can be changed by programming it with a piece of hardware which
I think is a USB to TTL. Could I use my existing USB CAT Converter to program the Bluetooth CAT converter
to change the buad rate.

Thanks,
Ken
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yo3ggx
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Re: Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by yo3ggx »

Hello Ken.

Yes, is possible. You can follow the steps from my FT8x7 Bluetooth CAT interface here:
https://www.yo3ggx.ro/btcat/FT8x7_DIY_B ... ace_v1.pdf
at page 4.

73 Dan YO3GGX
N1KK
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Re: Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by N1KK »

I have read that article but I am still confused on power. The USB to TTL you mentioned in the article supplies 5v and 3.3 volts.
I don't believe my wired USB to TTL I currently use on my FT-817/857 supply those voltages. I have not measured all of the pins
yet but I would guess those voltages are not present at the 8 pin din and not needed for the radio.

The other question is would TX of my USB to TTL wired cable with 8 pin din for FT-817/857 go to TX on the Bluetooth CAT interface.
I seem to remember reading you do not do a cross over TX-->RX.

Ken
N1KK
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Re: Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by N1KK »

In the ariticle you say


Build a small cable like in the following picture in order to
connect RX,TX,GND and +5V from the USB/Serial module to
the RX,TX,GND and +13.8V from the Bluetooth
-


What type of round connector are you using on the end of the small cable.
One side goes to the USB--TTL and the other side is a round connector?
Can you describe that and how you use it.

Thanks,
Ken
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yo3ggx
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Re: Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by yo3ggx »

Hi Ken,

The BT interface has an internal voltage stabilizer, as it must be powered from the CAT connector (12V), so you can power from the +5V on the USB/Serial module. Do the wiring as following:

Image

miniDIN 8-pin *************** USB/Serial module
+13.8V *************************** +5V (out)
Tx ******************************** Tx
Rx ******************************** Rx
GND ***************************** GND

Hope this help.
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yo3ggx
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Re: Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by yo3ggx »

N1KK wrote: What type of round connector are you using on the end of the small cable.
Use a female miniDIN 8-pin connector, like the following:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Female-8- ... Swj0NUgSBb

73 Dan YO3GGX
N1KK
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Re: Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by N1KK »

I have attached a picture of my USB CAT interface. This works well with my FT-817/857 using Ham Radio Deluxe as well as CHIRP and other
programs.

Are you saying one of the pins on its 8 pin din contains 5 volts to feed the Bluetooth CAT interface?

The inline 8 pin din looks almost right but the second row of 3 pins should have a space between 2 of its pins
larger than the other. . . . It should look something like that.. The picture on ebay you pointed out doesn't appear
to have that space.

Ken
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yo3ggx
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Re: Blue tooth Dongle by KA6PSD

Post by yo3ggx »

Ooooooops!
Sorry!
You are talking about an USB CAT cable, not a standard USB/Serial module like this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-CH3 ... SweW5VJPBn

You can use that one too, but then you need to provide power (ex. +12V) to the Bluetooth module on the specified pin, from a separate power supply (ex the one used to power the transceiver). The USB CAT cable uses only Rx, Tx and GND.

You can use 2 miniDIN 8-pin female connectors wired as follows:

BT <--> USB
Rx <--> Tx
Tx <--> Rx
GND <-->GND
+13.8V <--> not connected to the USB/Serial cable, but to an external power supply.

Because the USB/Serial cable works with TTL levels (+5V) you can put some small resistors between the data connections, but from my experience the bluetooth module can handle +5V too.

Hope is clear now.

73 Dan YO3GGX
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