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[AL7ID]

I am trying to connect a Kenwood TS-570S to my PC's DB9 com port using a straight through cable.  I think this is correct.  WSJT-X does not like it.  I am familiar with the settings that can be changed, BPS, stop, parity, and the hardware/software handshaking methods.  But I was looking for some other software besides WSJT-X to test this connection.  I did a search and found a reference to some old Kenwood remote control software RCP-2, but I can't find that software to download.
What would you recommend as some simple software to troubleshoot the connectivity here?
John AL7ID

[KF7MBM]

I've used RCP-2 with my TS-570D but I don't think it's compatible with 64 bit OS's, it failed to install on my 64 bit Win10 machine.

You can download it here,
https://www.iw5edi.com/ham-radio/4050/kenwood-ts-570d-rcp-2-software?kenwood-ts-570d-rcp-2-software,103

I use DXLab's commander with a either a USB to serial or an actual serial port card to control my radio when not using WSJT-X or FLdigi.  I've switched back and forth on the serial vs USB thing as my USB ports don't always work and I tend to tinker with stuff.  I just now installed the RCP-2 software on a virtual 32 Win7 machine running on my desktop that I keep around as my lasers drivers have not been updated to 64 bit.  The software does install and run but since I'm currently running a serial port card rather than a USB to serial adapter, the VM can't see the radio so I can't test it.  VirtualBox cannot use hardware level parallel and serial ports but can use USB serial and parallel adapters.

In the meantime, my port settings in DXLab's Commander are as follows.
General tab,
Radio:Kenwood
Interrogation:checked
Command interval:75 ms
Scan dwell:1

Ports tab,
Port:2 (this will of course depend on which port you are using)
Baud:57600 (this is set in menu 35 on the radio, the default is 9600, displayed as 96-1.  My radio is set to 57600, displayed as 576-1)
Word:8
Parity:None
Stop:1
DTR:Off
RTS:On

The manual states the cable for PC control is straight through, it's twisted for radio to radio data transfer so you have that part correct.

Michael KF7MBM

[VE3WMB]

I agree that the straight through cable should be fine as the computer is considered DTE (data terminal equipment) and the rig DCE (data communications equipment) thus serial data communications conventions would dictate a straight through cable. If it is a straight through cable then pin 2 should be connected to pin 2 and pin 3 to pin 3. If it isn't then pins 2 and 3 will be cross connected.

I have always had good luck with FLRIG (part of the FLDIGI suite) for Rig control. In fact I use it as a go-between for controlling my Rig (TS-590SG) when using WSJT-X as I have found it to be more reliable than the build-in hamlib.  It offers pretty good control as a standalone application as well so I would recommend it as an option if you are still trying to get CAT working.  In WSJT-X you use FLRIG by specifying "Flrig Flrig" as the rig type in the CAT control configuration section of WSJT-X.

Best of luck

Michael VE3WMB 

[AF5CC]

If you have to change the baud rate on the Kenwood, make sure you turn off the radio, and then turn it back on to accept the new baud rate before changing it in WSJT.  At least for some of the newer Kenwoods like the TS2000 and TS590 you have to do that to accept the baud rate change.  I hope your lack of communication is something simple like that.  It about drove me crazy trying to get a TS2000 to work with WSJT before I found that out on the internet.

73 John AF5CC

[KF7MBM]

One of the drawbacks to posting way past my bed time is forgetting I have WSJT-X on my PC and it does control the radio correctly!

On the Radio tab, I'm using the following settings.

Rig: Kenwood TS-570D
Poll Interval: 1 S
Serial Port: COM2
Baud Rate: 57600
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 8
Handshake: Hardware
Force Control Lines: blank for both
Mode: USB
Split Operation: None
I'm using a SignaLink so PTT Method is VOX

The speed and COM port caveats still apply.  I don't think there would be a control difference between the 570D and the 570S, the only difference I'm aware of is that the S has 6 meters while the D does not.

Michael KF7MBM

[AL7ID]

Update:  I got this working. 

Part of the problem was between the radio and the chair   Me. 

I have not previously used CAT control but am now embracing the idea.  But my radio was fully programmed with memories including the ‘VFO-like’ ones (90-99) for the bands I like to operate.  So the radio was in the memory mode when I was trying to get the CAT to work.  Upon re-reading someone’s comment in one of the many postings I made on Facebook, QRZ, eHam I realized this.

So I put the radio in VFO mode and “shazam” it worked.  (cue embarrassment)

I got other useful suggestions along the way that I want to share back.

Power cycle the radio after making any data rate changes. (who knew?)

The RS-232 DB9 serial connection is really straight through and is NOT a crossover.  Kenwood should have used a Female connector on the radio if was going to be the DCE.

[KF7MBM]

Glad to hear you got it working and interesting to hear that it won't work when in memory mode.  I would have thought it would just work no matter which mode it was in.

Michael KF7MBM

[K0UA]

Glad to hear you got it working and interesting to hear that it won't work when in memory mode.  I would have thought it would just work no matter which mode it was in.

Michael KF7MBM

Icom to WSJT-x radio interfaces won't work in memory mode either. Not sure about Yaesu.

[AF5CC]

Same for Yaesu.  Kind of a problem for those radios that store the 60 meter channels in memories.  Have to do the MARS mod to run FT8 on 60.

73 John AF5CC