This is the error that I am getting. When I hit the “TEST CAT” button the radio starts to transmit, or at least the red light comes on. Then after 10-15 seconds I get this error. I have tried all the combinations of the serial ports and I have the radio set up as follows:
08-01 Data Mode: others
08-02 PSK Tone: 1500
08-03 Other Disp: 1500
08-04 Other Shift: 1500
08-06 Data LCUT Freq: 300
08-07 Data HCUT Freq: 2800
08-09 Data In Select: Rear
08-10 Data PTT Select: DAKY
08-11 Data Out Level: 50
08-12 Data BFO: USB
16-03 HF PWR: 30
16-10 Data Mic Gain: 50
I do not have your radio, or use a Mac, but I do not want your question to go too long without an answer.
Since you have PTT method set to CAT, you are mixing both CAT and PTT when you test CAT. Have you tried setting PTT to another method and then testing CAT separately?
FWIW, many operators use CAT to control VFO and mode, and use COM port for hardware PTT.
The peculiarities of FT-891 are described in this post.
The bottom line is that you’ll either have Digirig connected alone or Digirig and also a direct USB cable from transceiver to the USB. In former case you’ll see the COM port from Digirig, in latter you’ll see Digirig’s COM port and also radio’s own COM port. Use Digirig’s COM port number for PTT by RTS, if you have CAT connection then use radio’s COM port for CAT control. If direct cable to radio is not connected then disable everything in CAT section of the software configuration (rig=NONE).
I have the same issue. I have Macbook Air and Mac Mini M processors.
Mac version of WSJTX will not see FT-891. Icom-7300 and IC-705 work like a charm.
It is not a problem with WSJTX or Digirig. It is FT-891 connection. RT programming sofrware can program the radio but not WSTX
Thanks Denis,
I did watch a lot of his videos since I’m mostly Mac user unless there is a software requiring Windows OS.
Mac hardware is not all the same.
I guess I’ll check more thoroughly FT-891 settings again.
I love both - Digirig and FT-891 and I do want to keep both.
Best regards,
Serhiy
I am having the same difficulty getting CAT to work on my MacBook Pro (M3) with the DigiRig 891, wsjtx, and my FT-891. No problems getting the audio portion to work with manually controlling the radio, but I thought the whole point of the DR 891 was full simple integration. I have tried many different versions of radio deep menu configurations and wsjtx preferences, checked and rechecked lots of settings like the CAT baud rate settings, swapped cables, swapped in my DigiRig Mobile, etc. etc. and cannot get CAT to work. Most recently I reset the FT-891 to factory settings and reconfigured everything to no avail. The Ham Radio Tube video makes it look so plug-and-play, but his recommendations are not working for me. One clue is that I am not getting the same serial port items listed in wsjtx that he is, I only get “USB” as one of the options and two Bluetooth listed options. None of these work, but I suspect that may be a clue to where my issue lies. Screenshots of some of my settings attached.
The device description for Digirig’s serial port will certainly not have any mention of Bluetooth. There may be other reasons, but the incorrect selected port is enough reason for CAT control not to work.
To simplify the troubleshooting of rig control I would suggest temporarily removing Digirig from the equitation and connecting your FT-891 directly to the computer via USB. See in system’s “about” section what USB devices are detected and how they are called. You are looking for references of Silicon Labs - device should disappear when radio us unplugged.
Advanced troubleshooting for when you exhausted the obvious stuff:
…or any other rabbit holes you can find by searching for MacOS and Silicon Labs.
