Re: [Hamlib-developer] Question about detecting manual changes on the transceiver via Hamlib

[Dave B. <g8k...@go...>]

Richard.

Some can report "live" changes to the remote control port (Many Kenwood 
and Icom HF radios for example, but the protocol is vastly different 
between makes.)

Those two, in particular, can pair with another compatible (same make) 
radio, and one can follow the other if desired.

Else, yes you need to poll the radio for it's status.  It's easier with 
some, where one response (Kenwood HF sets in particular) contains most 
of what you might need, re frequency, mode, bandwidth and so on.

Sadly, it's very much a case of RTFM.  Some online manuals might be 
mangled too much for a screen reader to cope well, and of course the 
devil is in the detail.

For polling, run the CAT link as fast as it will go.  With regards for 
the CPU in the radio, many older rigs are limited to 4800bd or 9600bd by 
design.   My Kenwood TS-870s will run happily at 57600bd, but does need 
RTS/CTS handshaking for reliability.   I also use the DTR line to key 
the TX, using the same USB-serial port.

The Icom IC-R9000 RX, implies it will run at 9600bd, but in practice it 
is much happier at 4800bd.

The old FT-736R (for one) is stuck at 4800bd, with no other choices.  It 
also is unable to report it's operating state, other than if the squelch 
is open/closed, and an arbitrary value relating (somehow) to what the S 
meter is showing.   Absolutely impossible to read frequency, mode or 
other settings.  Mind you, when CAT is working, most front panel 
controls are locked out.

Hamlib has some functionality now, to remember what it was set to, 
frequency and I think mode, thanks to Bill G4WJS (SK) allowing gpredict 
to work with it.  (It "Needs" to read from the rig, to tell if the rig 
is actually present!)

As above, never assume anything, and sadly much of the information you 
may need might not be in a form easily usable by you, especially for 
rigs that are not current production items. The three rigs mentioned 
above, I do have the original paper manuals, and for the Kenwood, some 
half decent pdf files.

73 Richard.

Dave G8KBV.


On 14/04/2025 01:27, Richard Emling wrote:
> Dear Hamlib community,
>
> I have a question regarding the detection of manual changes made directly on a transceiver while using Hamlib.
>
> Is there a way to immediately react to such changes—like someone turning a knob to change the operating mode or adjusting the VFO frequency—without having to continuously poll the device? Do transceivers actively notify the host about such changes via the CAT interface, or is polling required to detect them?
>
> If polling is indeed necessary, what would be a good interval to use? Would 500 milliseconds be acceptable, or would one second be more appropriate to avoid overloading the interface?
>
> I’d greatly appreciate any clarification on how to best approach this.
>
> Best regards and 73,
> Richard
> DO9RE
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