== Configuring the BobCAT SDR Console for use with a Perseus ==

==== de Jay W5JAY ====

The current version of [[http://www.woodboxradio.com/uk/bobcat.html|BobCAT]] expects to control an Icom transceiver using a configuration like this:

{{http://www.dxlabsuite.com/Wiki/Graphics/Commander/BobCAT1.jpg}}

In the above configuration, BobCAT controls the transceiver's frequency and mode as well as the Perseus' frequency and mode, serving as a panadaptor. Because the transceiver's CAT port is exclusively used by the BobCAT, this configuration precludes traditional transceiver control -- and its interoperation with logging, spotting, digital mode, and propagation prediction/monitoring applications. This configuration is also limited to Icom transceivers

Commander's secondary CAT port can be configured to accept frequency and mode CAT commands from BobCAT and convey them to the transceiver; this configuration provides simultaneous panadaptor and transceiver control functionality, and eliminates the ''Icom-only'' restriction:

{{http://www.dxlabsuite.com/Wiki/Graphics/Commander/BobCAT2.jpg}}

To configure Commander to accept frequency and mode CAT commands received from [[http://www.woodboxradio.com/freeware.html|BobCAT]], 

 1. if you have

   * an Icom transceiver, follow your BobCAT's documentation to get it working with your transceiver and Perseus, as depicted in the first of the two configurations shown above; this will entail setting up a [[ConnectedVirtualSerialPortPairs| connected pair of virtual serial ports]] using a product like [[SetupConfigureVSPManager| VSP Manager]] or [[SetupConfigurecom0com| com0com]] to create ports ''X'' and ''X+1'' (e.g. ''10'' and ''11'').

   * a non-Icom transceiver,

     a. set up a [[ConnectedVirtualSerialPortPairs| connected pair of virtual serial ports]] using [[SetupConfigureVSPManager| VSP Manager]] or [[SetupConfigurecom0com| com0com]] to create ports ''X'' and ''X+1'' (e.g. ''10'' and ''11'').

     a. in BobCAT's '''Setup''' menu, select the '''CAT''' tab. In the '''CAT1''' panel,

        i. set the the '''Serial port (COM)''' to ''COM X''

        i. set '''To Cat''' to ''$E0''

        i. set '''From Cat''' to ''$E1'' 

     a. start the '''Perseus Software Settings''' application, open its '''Software Settings''' window, and set the '''Virtual COM Port''' to ''X+1''

 1. establish a second [[ConnectedVirtualSerialPortPairs| connected pair of virtual serial ports]] using an instance of the same product (e.g. [[SetupConfigureVSPManager| VSP Manager]] or [[SetupConfigurecom0com| com0com]]) you used in step 1; these instructions assume that connected virtual ports ''N'' and ''N+1'' are created (e.g. ''1'' and ''2'')

 1. in BobCAT's '''Setup''' menu, select the '''CAT''' tab. In the '''CAT2''' panel, 

  a. change the '''Serial port (COM)''' from the physical COM port attached to your transceiver to ''COM N+1''

  a. note the baud rate, data bits, stop bits, and parity configured for CAT2

  a. verify that the '''Model name''' selector specifies your transceiver model

  a. verify that the '''To CAT''' setting is set to $ followed by your transceiver's CI-V address in hexadecimal; if your transceiver isn't an Icom, set '''To CAT''' to ''$74''

  a. verify that the '''From CAT''' setting is set to ''$E1''

 1. configure Commander to control your [[TranceiverControlAlinco|Alinco]], [[TransceiverControlElecraft|Elecraft]], [[TransceiverControlFlexradio|FlexRadio]], [[TranceiverControlIcom|Icom]], [[TranceiverControlKachina|Kachina]], [[TranceiverControlKenwood|Kenwood]], [[TranceiverControlTenTec|TenTec]], or [[TranceiverControlYaesu|Yaesu]]  transceiver via Commander's Primary CAT Port
 
 1. configure Commander's '''Secondary CAT Serial Port''' panel on its '''Configuration''' window's '''Ports''' tab

  a. set the '''CAT protocol''' selector to ''BobCAT''

  a. set the '''CI-V Address''' to your transceiver's CI-V address in hexadecimal; if your transceiver isn't an Icom, set the '''CI-V Address''' to ''74''

  a. click the ''Follow and Lead Primary'' button

  a. set the '''Port#''' to ''Com N''

  a. the '''Baud''' selector, the '''Word''' selector, the '''Parity''' selector, and the '''Stop''' selector to the settings you noted in step 3b above

  a. check the '''Enable''' box


{{http://www.dxlabsuite.com/Wiki/Graphics/Commander/BobCAT3.jpg}}




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[[PerseusSuggestions| Perseus Notes]]

[[SDRInteroperation|Interoperating with a Software Defined Radio Console using connected virtual serial ports]]

[[TransceiverControl|Transceiver Control]]

[[GettingStarted|Getting Started with DXLab]]