Computer aided transceiver: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:04, 12 September 2022

Revision as of 12:58, 24 September 2022

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A '''computer aided transceiver (CAT)''' is a device used by [[radio amateurs]] for controlling a [[transceiver]] [[radio receiver]] using a [[computer]].

Conventional transmitters are manually controlled and used to transmit voice using buttons, dials, etc. However, advances in electronics have come to market devices that can be controlled by a computer and allowingallow digital modes such as [[packet radio]] and also the use of satellite tracking, because it can continuously change the device's frequency according to the [[Doppler effect]]. This is done by connecting a Radio receiver and a PC using a [[CAT interface]] and a [[CAT Program]]

A CAT interface is a piece of hardware that connects between the PC and a radio that provides a connection to allows the radio and the PC to communicate with each other. The CAT interface provides the signals to and fro via correct voltage levels and in the case of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) CAT interface it requires a "protocol" for communication but communication itself is down to the radio and the software on the PC.

Software that may be called a CAT program allows a radio to be controlled through the PC. Changes made on the radio through user interactions on the CAT Program is (generally) shown on the PC's screen.

FunctionalityThe functionality of CAT equipment (software & interface) depends on the radio and what features the software writers included in the CAT software. Modern radio systems do have more CAT functionality

If you run a logging program that supports CAT, then that software may take advantage of the CAT system by retrieving information from the radio to help fill in log details, such as the frequency that the contact was made on.