Are you interested in operating PSK31 - Echolink - RTTY - SSTV etc ??? 
Do you want CAT control to remotely operate your transceiver from your PC ?
Do you need high performance with transformer isolated Tx/Rx audio and Opto-Coupled PTT ?

The XGGCOMMS USB-Digimode-1

Yaesu version for transceivers with 8 Pin Mini Din CAT and 6 pin Mini Din Data connectors


Item description

This interface offers full USB CAT Control and Full Tx/Rx Audio plus PTT Interfacing of your Icom, Yaesu or Kenwood Transceiver. It allows you to fully utilise software such as Ham Radio Deluxe, Fldigi, Echolink, DM780, N1MM Logger, MixW, Digipan and many more.

Interface Key Features

  • CAT Control. Full USB CAT Control of your transceiver. CAT control allows your PC to control the frequency and mode of your transceiver and obtain the current operational state for automatic logging etc.
  • PSK31 etc. Full transmit and receive interfacing between your PC soundcard and transceiver to allow you to operate afsk digital modes such as PSK31, RTTY, Throb, Echolink, MCW, SSTV and many more.
  • Fully isolated audio. Full galvanic isolation of Tx and Rx audio signals using Bourns 600:600 Ohm transformers.
  • Opto-Isolated PTT. Hardware PTT keying available over USB port using RTS signal which is opto-isolated from the transceiver.
  • Plug and Play. No additional cables required. Plugs into your PC on a USB port and to the headphone out and mic input 3.5mm jacks. At the transceiver, connects into CAT port and Data port.
  • Software Compatibility. Ham Radio Deluxe - Fldigi - Digipan - Echolink - MixW - N1MM and many more.
  • Simple to use. Simple audio level adjustment via operating systems Speaker and Mic level control sliders.
  • Very compact. Interface box is only 80mm x 40mm x 20mm. Sit it behind the radio and forget about it.
  • Compatibility. Suitable for use Yaesu transceivers with the 8 pin Mini Din CAT and 6 Pin Mini Din Data connectors.
  • FTDI Chipset. Highly reliable FTDI USB Chipset is used in the interface for the CAT control of your transceiver and the hardware PTT keying.
  • Cable lengths. From PC to interface box is 1.8m and from interface box to transceiver 0.6m. (Total length 2.4m). This will allow the interface to sit out of sight using up less desk space.
  • Instruction Manual. We will send the instruction manual to you in PDF format. There is a quick "get you going" guide below.

Transceiver Compatibility List


Yaesu
FT-100, FT-817, FT-857, FT-897, FT-991


A Quick Start Guide (a detailed PDF instruction sheet will be sent to you when you purchase)

  • Plug USB plug into a spare port on your PC. Download the FTDI drivers and see which comm port it picks up in Windows device manager. Make a note of this.
  • Plug the green coded jack into PC headphone/line out jack. Plug the blue coded jack into PC mic input jack. If your PC has a 4 pole combined headset jack, buy a TRRS headset splitter from eBay.
  • Plug Din plug into packet/data/accessory port on your transceiver.
  • Plug CAT plug into the CAT/Remote port of your transceiver.
  • Run up your favourite CAT control program such as Ham Radio Deluxe. Set CAT software to use the comm port you noted from the driver installation section.
  • Set the CAT software radio type and baud rate to match those set in your transceiver.
  • If needed, set your CAT software to PTT key via the comm port RTS signal. Most PTT via CAT commands these days anyway.
  • Set your Digital Mode/PSK31 software to PTT key on comm port RTS signal if your are using it stand-alone
  • You can use the Windows sound level sliders for line out and record in to optimize the drive levels to your transceiver and in receive
  • Make sure you keep your transmitter out of ALC for optimum PSK31 operation. Keeping your output stage nice and linear is the name of the game when working digital modes.

Who are XGGCOMMS?

We are a small company formed by Steve (G8XGG) and have been trading on eBay since 2006. We sell a large selection of Ham Radio CAT control and Digital mode products for the main ham radio equipment manufacturers. All of our products are assembled and tested in the workshop in The UK. We offer full support on our products and so if you need any set-up help, you only need to send us an eBay message and we will be glad to help out. For our full range of products visit our eBay Shop                

Shipping Policy and expected delivery times

We are based in The UK and use UK Royal Mail Small Packets for all shipments. Our order processing time is no longer than 2 days. The postal service used does not come with any tracking but is generally highly reliable. International shipments are highly dependant on customs delays, holiday periods and local postal services and so can take anywhere from 5 to 23 business days once shipped. If there is no arrival at 28 days, please contact me so we can resolve the issue and re-ship if required. 

Warrantee Terms

All of my products come with a full 30 day satisfaction guarantee and 12 Month warrantee against material failure. If you are unhappy with the product for whatever reason within the first 30 days, I will offer you a full refund of monies paid as long as the interface is returned to me in "As New" condition. In the unlikely event of the product failing in the first 12 months, ship it back to me and we will check and repair the item and send it back to you as new.