765HPRWH&RQWUROOHU
8VHUPDQXDO
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 1
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
7DEOHRI&RQWHQWV
1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 3
1.1 Scope of the program and working criteria ......................................................................... 3
1.2 Disclaimer............................................................................................................................ 3
1.3 Hardware requirements........................................................................................................ 3
1.4 Working and development environment.............................................................................. 4
2 The program: graphic interface and features ............................................................................... 6
2.1 Working criteria................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Menus, Controls and Groups of Controls ............................................................................ 7
2.2.1 Menus........................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.2 Frame “Function” ........................................................................................................ 7
2.2.3 Frame “VFO”............................................................................................................... 8
2.2.4 Frame “Mode” ............................................................................................................. 9
2.2.5 Frame “Memory”......................................................................................................... 9
2.2.6 Frame “RIT” .............................................................................................................. 10
2.2.7 Frame “Others” .......................................................................................................... 10
2.2.8 Frame “Lock” ............................................................................................................ 10
2.2.9 Frame “Split” ............................................................................................................. 11
2.2.10 Frame “XIT” .............................................................................................................. 11
2.2.11 Frame “Monitor”........................................................................................................ 11
2.2.12 PTT key...................................................................................................................... 12
2.2.13 Numeric keypad......................................................................................................... 12
)LJXUHV
figure 1 - Development and testing conditions.................................................................................... 4
figure 2 - ACC1 pin layout .................................................................................................................. 4
figure 3 - Graphic User Interface......................................................................................................... 6
figure 4 - Frame "Function"................................................................................................................. 7
figure 5 - Frame "VFO" ....................................................................................................................... 8
figure 6 - Frame "Mode"...................................................................................................................... 9
figure 7 - Frame "Memory" ................................................................................................................. 9
figure 8 - Frame "RIT"....................................................................................................................... 10
figure 9 - Frame "Others" .................................................................................................................. 10
figure 10 - Frame "Lock"................................................................................................................... 10
figure 11 - Frame "Split" ................................................................................................................... 11
figure 12 - Frame "XIT" .................................................................................................................... 11
figure 13 – Frame "Monitor" ............................................................................................................. 11
figure 14 – Example of exchanged strings......................................................................................... 11
figure 15 - PTT key............................................................................................................................ 12
figure 16 - Numeric keypad ............................................................................................................... 12
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 2
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
,QWURGXFWLRQ
76 5HPRWH &RQWUROOHU is a software designed to remotely control the Kenwood TS-440 by
means of a Personal Computer. This user manual explains working criteria of the program.
6FRSHRIWKHSURJUDPDQGZRUNLQJFULWHULD
It is important to underline the “philosophy” behind the program. The main scope was the
implementation of a robust and reliable tool to manage the transceiver, without the physical
presence close to it. A typical application could be the installation of the transceiver and a dedicated
PC in a room immediately under the roof, with the possibility to fully control it from a first-floor
room.
For this reason the program has been designed in order to make it as robust and reliable as possible:
after have sent any command to the transceiver, the program typically asks the TS-440 in order to
have confirmation about the real execution of the command just sent. Moreover a monitor window
has been included, in order to keep an eye on strings coming from the transceiver and sent from the
Personal Computer.
There are no advanced tool for memory channel management. (e.g. the possibility to keep stored on
the HD a set of memory banks to be loaded onto the 100 memories bank in the TS-440).
'LVFODLPHU
The 765HPRWH&RQWUROOHU program has been designed and implemented for amateur purposes
only. It is distributed for free, with the inclusion of the source code. The author thanks in advance
any people suggesting or proposing any fix or any improvement in general.
It is understood that users will use this software at their own risk. The author cannot guarantee the
correctness of the program and cannot be kept responsible for any kind of problem or loss or any
kind of damages to user’s devices.
+DUGZDUHUHTXLUHPHQWV
The communication between Personal Computer and TS-440 needs:
• The installation of a Kenwood kit named IC-10 (two integrated circuits P3'$)& and
7&%3) needed to enable the serial data transmission through the $&& port on the
rear panel of the TS-440. It is possible to find those ICs on the market without buying the
IC-10 kit, and install them following directions included in the User Guide of the Kenwood
TS-440 transceiver.
• The use of a RS232-TTL converter to be installed between the serial COM of the Personal
Computer and the serial ACC1 on the TS-440. Such device translates RS232 logical levels
used by the serial port of the personal Computer in TTL logical levels, understood by the
ACC port and vice versa. Kenwood puts on the market a product called ,)&, however it
is possible to find a scheme to home-made such device using, for instance, a MAX232 or a
couple of MC1488/MC1489. Please note that it is suggested to use opto-electronic devices
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 3
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
for the translation, in order to physically separate the PC from the RTX, with the aim of
avoiding problems of RF feedbacks.
:RUNLQJDQGGHYHORSPHQWHQYLURQPHQW
Please refer to the following picture for working environment:
IF
Personal Computer
Pentium II
64 Mbyte RAM
ILJXUH'HYHORSPHQWDQGWHVWLQJFRQGLWLRQV
• Personal Computer
Processor Pentium II
Operative System Microsoft Windows 98
RAM Memory 64Mbyte
1 Serial Port COM 1, 9 pin connector
Screen 1024x768
• Home made interface converter (IF in picture)
IF converter based on MC1488/MC1489
External dual power +12V GND –12V
• RTX Kenwood TS-440S-AT
Equipped with µPD8251AFC e TC4040BP
Parameters of ACC1 serial port: Full Duplex, 4800bps, Start-Stop (Asynchronous), 1
Start bit, 8 Character bits, 2 Stop bits, parity None.
3,1 6HJQDOH 'HVFUL]LRQH
1 *1' Signal Ground
2 7;' Transmit Data (logically denied)
3 5;' Receive Data (logically denied)
4 &76 Transmit Enable
5 576 Receive Enable Rear view
6 1& Not connected
ILJXUH$&&SLQOD\RXW
1RWHV
• In the above mentioned environment, I experienced no problems when the transceiver was
in RX, on the other hand I found very heavy RF feedbacks when the transceiver was in TX
mode. It is therefore mandatory to use a good quality interface converter.
• The program has been developed for the Kenwood model TS 440. However is not excluded
that it may work, even partially, with other transceivers/receivers of the same brand.
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 4
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
• The program is based on the Kenwood proprietary serial protocol whose parameters are
described in the Kenwood IC-10 kit instruction manual.
• The Personal Computer used in program development and testing was equipped with a
single serial port, named COM1. The program allows the user to select the desired
communication port among COM1, 2, 3, 4. However such features have not been tested.
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 5
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
7KHSURJUDP JUDSKLFLQWHUIDFHDQGIHDWXUHV
The graphic user interface (GUI) is shown below. For a world-wide use, menus and commands are
in English language. Two user manual versions have been prepared, the present one , in English and
a further version in author’s mother tongue: Italian.
ILJXUH*UDSKLF8VHU,QWHUIDFH
The figure 3 shows the main panel. It is the only window of the program.
:RUNLQJFULWHULD
Once launched the program, the working logic is:
• 3& 76 OLQN HQDEOLQJ: first of all it is needed to enable the desired serial
communication port. Please refer to menu File. After the port has been open, the program
asks the transceiver for all needed parameters to set-up the panel. In a second, all needed
parameters are loaded and the user may begin to use the program.
• 5HJXODUZRUNLQJ: Once linked, it is possible to perform a large set of commands onto the
transceiver, without touch it. Please refer to section 2.2 for a detailed view of possible
features.
• /LQNFORVLQJ: After the regular use, it is suggested to close the serial link with the TS-440.
• ([LW: The menu )LOH([LW exits the program. Before exiting, the software automatically
closes the serial communication port, if open.
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 6
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
0HQXV&RQWUROVDQG*URXSVRI&RQWUROV
Please refer to the following sections for a detailed explanation of menus, controls and groups of
controls onto the main program panel.
0HQXV
The menu )LOH allows the following actions:
• 2SHQ&20: Enables the serial port COM 1 to connect with the TS-440 and loads from
the transceiver the needed parameters to set-up the panel.
• 2SHQ&20: Enables the serial port COM 2 to connect with the TS-440 and loads from
the transceiver the needed parameters to set-up the panel.
• 2SHQ&20: Enables the serial port COM 3 to connect with the TS-440 and loads from
the transceiver the needed parameters to set-up the panel.
• 2SHQ&20: Enables the serial port COM 4 to connect with the TS-440 and loads from
the transceiver the needed parameters to set-up the panel.
• &ORVH6HULDO3RUW: Disables the currently used serial port.
• ([LW: Exits the program. If the serial port currently used for the link to the transceiver is still
open, it closes it.
The menu $ERXW shows an “info” window. If the users attempts to open a serial port already open,
a warning message is shown.
)UDPH³)XQFWLRQ´
ILJXUH)UDPH)XQFWLRQ
The IUDPH³)XQFWLRQ´contains a button VFO/M to be used to switch the status of the transceiver
from the mode VFO to the mode MEMORY and vice versa. The label immediately above the
button shows the current status of the TS-440. When the transceiver is in VFO mode, the IUDPH
0HPRU\ is disabled (see 2.2.5). On the other hand, when the transceiver is in Memory Mode the
IUDPH9)2 (see 2.2.3) is disabled, as well as further features (e.g. the possibility to input a desired
frequency by means of the numeric keypad (see 2.2.13)).
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 7
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
)UDPH³9)2´
ILJXUH)UDPH9)2
The )UDPH³9)2´includes:
• )RXU RSWLRQ EXWWRQV to select the desired frequency increment (or decrement) step by
means of UP/DN buttons (see bullet below);
• Two '183EXWWRQV to increment (UP) or decrement (DN) the current frequency shown on
the main VFO panel (VFO A or VFO B).
• $PDLQ9)2SDQHOindicating the frequency of the VFO currently set-up as main VFO on
the Kenwood TS-440. The label immediately below the main panel shows which VFO is
currently set as main VFO on the transceiver. It is not possible to input digits in the panel
(the panel is writing disabled), but the user may input the desired frequency by means of the
numeric keypad (2.2.13).
• A VHFRQGDU\SDQHO indicating the frequency of the VFO currently set-up as SUB VFO on
the Kenwood TS-440. The label immediately below the secondary panel shows which VFO
is currently set as SUB VFO on the transceiver. Please note that the TS-440 does not
indicate the SUB frequency on its embedded display. It is not possible to input digits in the
secondary panel (the panel is writing disabled).
• An $%EXWWRQ to switch the status of the TS-440 relating to Main/Sub VFO. This software
button has the same function of the A/B key on the front panel of the TS-440.
• An $ % EXWWRQ to make the SUB VFO frequency equal to the main one. This software
button has the same function of the A=B key on the front panel of the TS-440.
The sample above (figure 5) shows:
• On the TS-440, the main VFO is VFO B. The transceiver’s display indicates 14.201.14
MHz);
• On the TS-440, the SUB VFO is VFO A (There are no indications on SUB VFO frequency
on the TS-440);
• Pushing software button “UP” (or “DN”), the main VFO frequency will be incremented (or
decremented) of 100Hz;
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 8
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
)UDPH³0RGH´
ILJXUH)UDPH0RGH
The IUDPH³0RGH´ contains a set of option buttons to select the desired mode. Please note that this
frame may be affected by the use of other buttons/commands of the program. For instance,
switching from VFO A to VFO B (please see A/B button in section 2.2.3) shall change the current
mode if VFO B (the new main VFO) has a different mode from VFO A.
)UDPH³0HPRU\´
ILJXUH)UDPH0HPRU\
The IUDPH³0HPRU\´ contains:
• A SDQHO indicating the current memory channel on the TS-440. The panel is writing
disabled;
• A SDQHOindicating the frequency of the current channel on the TS-440. The panel is writing
disabled;
• Two '183EXWWRQV to increment (UP) or decrement (DN) the memory channel;
• A &RPER %R[ with a 00-99 list to have direct access to the desired channel memory,
avoiding the multiple use of UP/DN buttons.
When the user asks for an empty memory (by means of the DN/UP keys or the Combo box tool) a
warning windows is proposed. Empty memories cannot be accessed. If the program is launched
while the TS-440 is set in Memory Mode and the current memory channel is empty, the relevant
memory frequency panel is set to 0,00. The memory channel panel remains empty.
In the sample pictures above (figure 3 and figure 7) the TS-440 is set on VFO mode. For this reason
the Memory panel is disabled. However the current channel memory (23) and the relevant
frequency (27.255,00 khz) are shown. However there is no indication about the channel memory
mode.
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 9
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
)UDPH³5,7´
ILJXUH)UDPH5,7
The IUDPH³5,7´ contains:
• A &KHFN %R[ named “ON” by means of which the user may enable or disable the RIT
function on the transceiver.
• A SDQHOindicating the current RIT frequency in kHz on the TS-440. The panel is writing
disabled;
• Two '183 EXWWRQV to increment (UP) or decrement (DN) the RIT frequency. The
increment (decrement) step is fixed and set to 0,01 kHz;
• A 5(6(7EXWWRQ to be used to cancel (set to 0) the RIT frequency.
)UDPH³2WKHUV´
ILJXUH )UDPH2WKHUV
The IUDPH2WKHUV contains:
• An ,'EXWWRQto ask the radio for an ID code. The string coming back from the connected
device is interpreted and the relevant label, immediately below the key is set to “TS-440” or
“R-5000”, depending on the device being asked. No tests have been made with different
Kenwood equipment;
• A 92,&( EXWWRQ to ask for voice confirmation. This software button has the same
function of the VOICE key on the front panel of the TS-440.
)UDPH³/RFN´
ILJXUH)UDPH/RFN
The IUDPH ³/RFN´ contains a Check Box to be used to enable or disable the “frequency lock”
function. This software button has the same function of the LOCK key on the front panel of the TS-
440. This Check Box is automatically set-up at the program launch on the basis of the current status
on the TS-440.
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 10
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
)UDPH³6SOLW´
ILJXUH)UDPH6SOLW
The IUDPH³6SOLW´ contains a Check Box to be used to enable or disable the “Split” function. This
software button has the same function of the SPLIT key on the front panel of the TS-440. This
Check Box is automatically set-up at the program launch on the basis of the current status on the
TS-440.
)UDPH³;,7´
ILJXUH)UDPH;,7
The IUDPH³;,7´ contains a Check Box to be used to enable or disable the “XIT” function. This
software button has the same function of the XIT key on the front panel of the TS-440. This Check
Box is automatically set-up at the program launch on the basis of the current status on the TS-440.
)UDPH³0RQLWRU´
The IUDPH³0RQLWRU´ contains a window reporting command strings coming from (presented with
the label )URP57;) and going to (presented with the label 7R57;) the transceiver. The scope of
the windows is to put the user in the condition to keep an eye on the strings exchanged between the
Personal Computer and the Transceiver.
ILJXUH±)UDPH0RQLWRU ILJXUH±([DPSOHRIH[FKDQJHGVWULQJV
The strings are intercepted on the serial port and are reported on the window, starting from above.
Old strings scroll below. Please refer to figure 14 for a typical program start-up sequence. In this
picture, highlighted commands, beginning from below (older commands) to above (newer
commands), are briefly explained below:
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 11
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
1. The PC asks the TS-440 sending the “IF” (Information)1 command. The TS-440 answers
back with a complex string with a lot of information, including the main VFO frequency in
Hz (00014201140), the RIT frequency in Hz (+0940) and several other info;
2. The PC asks the TS-440 sending the “MR” (Memory Read) command attaching several
parameters including the channel memori ID (23). The TS-440 answers back with a string
containing the channel 23 frequency in Hz (00027255000), the current channel mode (5
stands for AM) and other info;
3. The PC asks the TS-440 sending the “FA” (VFO A) command. In this case the VFO A is set
as SUB. The TS-440 answers back with a string containing the VFO A frequency in Hz
(00007200000);
Please refer to the Kenwood IC-10 Instruction Manual to have a deep understanding of the
proprietary serial communication protocol (commands/parameters).
377NH\
ILJXUH377NH\
The PTT key is used to put the transceiver in transmission. The PTT software key has to be pushed
with the left key of the mouse:
386+,1*WKHOHIWNH\RIWKHPRXVH:
• The user puts the TS-440 in transmission mode;
• The “ON AIR” label lights.
5(/($6,1*WKHOHIWNH\RIWKHPRXVH:
• The user puts the TS-440 in receiving mode;
• The “ON AIR” turns off.
A Check Box “Lock TX” prevents from an accidental pressing of the PTT key. The Check Box is
set to “ON” at the program launch.
1XPHULFNH\SDG
ILJXUH1XPHULFNH\SDG
1
The Kenwood proprietary communication protocol requires that all commands strings ends with “;”.
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 12
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
The QXPHULFNH\SDG is used to set on the main VFO the desired frequency. The keypad is enabled
only when the TS-440 is in VFO mode (please see 2.2.3). To use the keypad correctly:
• Push the 6(7 key. The main VFO panel empties;
• Insert the GHVLUHGIUHTXHQF\ by means of software, 0 to 9, keys. Please note that:
Inserting “0” as first digit does not have any effect;
It is possible to input few digits only, letting the program to complete the frequency
value, adding the needed number of zeros. Please note that:
o The program will complete figures starting with 1 or 2 in the range 10-19 e 20-29
MHz.
o The program will complete figures starting with 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 in the range 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9 MHz.
• Push the (17 key to load the frequency onto the TS-440.
76UHPRWH&RQWUROOHU 13
8VHU0DQXDOUHOHDVH
