CatKnobz
Designed for Yaesu FTDX10
Operation
To control a setting, simply turn a knob left or right. The display indicates what setting you are changing & its value. The change is sent
to the transceiver when the knob is turned. The display continues to show the setting for a few seconds.
If a setting does not appear to change on the transceiver, like Contour (& others), check to make sure it has been turned on in the
transceivers' menu. Also, the setting must be valid for the current transceiver band or mode.
Customising a knob
To customise a knob:
1. Momentarily press in the knob
2. Turn the knob, left or right, and stop on the setting you want
When display again shows “CatKnobz.com”, the setting is now associated with that knob & the next time the knob is turned, that setting
will change. After a 2 minutes of no use, changes are saved to permanent memory & “Saved..” is displayed.
Changing CAT Baud Rate
CatKnobz is set to 19200bps by default. To change it, press the left knob in twice then turn it & stop on the baud rate you want. After a
few seconds delay the selected baud rate will be set.
• You will need to match the speed on your transceiver. The change effects both CAT port and pass through port. They cannot
be set differently. Changes are not permanent until the 2 minute timer is up & you see “Saved..” on the screen.
• 38400bps may cause interference with any device plugged into its pass through port. Reduce speed to correct.
Important !
• When a knob is turned, the display shows what is being changed for a few seconds. During this time, turning another knob
has no effect.
• When first turned on, CatKnobz checks the transceiver model. If “???” is displayed it means CatKnobz was turned on before
the transceiver or it cannot communicate with the transceiver. Make sure baud rate matches the transceiver setting, the
transceiver's CAT port is activated (if required) & CatKnobz has been turned on after or at the same time the transceiver.
• CatKnobz does not check the settings you make. It does not know things like C4FM does not support AGC. So unlike the
transceiver, it will let you change AGC while in C4FM mode but the change won't have an effect.
• For transceivers with a sub receiver, like FT-DX101, CatKnobz controls the main receiver only.
• On the CatKnobz CAT pass through port, both TXD & RXD are at RS232 levels and not suitable for connecting to devices
requiring TTL voltage levels.
• EEPROM memory typically has 100,000 save cycles. A 2 minute save delay is used to dramatically reduce save cycles &
corresponding EEPROM wear and tear. If power is removed from CatKnobz before a customisation has been saved, any
changes will be lost.
• When another serial device is plugged into the pass through DB9 RS232 connector (EG. CatDisplay232), serial data is cut off
while a CatKnobz knob is turned. Communication will resume when CatKnobz is idle again.
• CatKnobz contains biodegradable PLA which is not suitable for extreme temperature or direct sunlight environments.
• A noisy power supply or high RF field may cause interference or lock up. If the display or buttons become corrupted or
unresponsive, one of these will be the cause which you need to remedy.
• CatKnobz is a digital device that has an internal oscillator. Even though TDK EMI filters are used in its design, you may
experience interference when in close proximity to some transceiver installations. It can be particularly noticeable if the
transceiver has a poor earth, open line antenna feeders or is using a simple rubber-duck type antenna. In this instance, it may
be necessary to add further RFI suppression techniques. A good article on this is “A Ham's Guide to RFI, Ferrites, Baluns, and
Audio Interfacing” by Jim Brown K9YC.
CatKnobz is proudly designed, programmed and marketed for Amateur Radio use by ZL1CVD Chris Day, New Zealand. It was not
designed for commercial or life saving purposes.
Thank you for your custom...
...73s de Chris ZL1CVD
© 2022 – Chris Day – ZL1CVD - New Zealand. All rights reserved. Last updated 25/4/2022 Page 2 of 2
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