SWL for Yaesu FRG-8800 User manual

Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005 by swl-remotes.com,
All rights reserved.
Operating Manual
SWL IR Remote Control for Yaesu FRG-8800
For
Firmware Version 1.43
Web Site: http://www.swl-remotes.com/
Support email: [email protected]
May 30, 2005
Revision 2.51

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Overview
Thank you for purchasing the SWL IR Remote. We are confident that you will get many hours of
listening pleasure from your FRG-8800 using the remote. Don’t hesitate to contact us at
[email protected] if you have any problems or questions. We want your experience
with our products to be as positive and enjoyable as possible. We also appreciate any comments
on how we can make our products better.
The SWL IR Remote is a microcontroller-based device that decodes the Infrared pulse stream
from a Universal Remote control and converts it into the remote commands for shortwave
receivers and transceivers. Several versions of the SWL IR Remote are available for different
models of Receivers and Transceivers.
The SWL IR Remote is connected to the FRG-8800 receiver using a 1/8in (3.5 mm) audio type
cable with a 6-pin DIN male connector connected from the SWL IR Remote to the 6-pin DIN
CAT port on the receiver.
Power for the SWL IR Remote is provided by the included wall power supply. Alternatively, 9-
12Volts DC at 100ma max can be supplied to the power connector. The center pin of the coax
power connector is positive. There is a blocking diode in the circuit, so reverse polarity will not
harm the SWL IR Remote control unit. Customers in Europe receive a DC cable that connects to
the coax power jack on the SWL IR Remote control unit and has pig tail leads on the other end
for connecting to a DC power supply.
All keys on the Universal Remote are indicated in this manual with bold type. The keys used for
radio control are the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Mute, Power, Enter, and Last or Previous.
All references to the Last key also refers to the Previous key on the remotes that have that key.
Any Universal Remote control should operate the SWL IR Remote. Follow the instructions in
the remote manual to set the remote to operate a Sony TV. The remote needs digit keys, Power,
Enter, and Last or Previous buttons. The remote should be in TV mode to operate properly.
Make sure you do not have Cable or VCR modes selected. The codes from the keys when in
Cable or VCR mode are different and will not operate the SWL IR Remote.
None of the settings are changed in the radio with the exception of memories that you write with
the remote. All settings are temporary in the remote control. You can go back at any time to
using your radio from the front panel.
Keep a copy of the Quick Commands Reference sheet by your remote as reference on the SWL
IR Remote operation.

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Connection to Radio
Connect the 1/8in (3.5mm) audio type plug on the cable into the back of the SWL IR Remote and
the 6-pin DIN connector on the radio jack marked CAT. You do not need to use a FIF-RS-232C
Level Converter with the SWL IR Remote. The baud rate is fixed at 4800 and cannot be
changed.
Plug in the wall power supply and plug into the back of the SWL IR Remote control box. The
power connector is located on the back left hand side of the control unit. The SWL IR Remote
draws very little power and does not include or need a power switch.
Note: Turn off the FRG-8800 and then power the receiver from the Universal Remote. If the
FRG-8800 is turned on with the remote, it must be turned off with the remote. The front panel of
the FRG-8800 is disabled when the CAT interface is enabled; e.g. when the receiver has been
turned on with the remote. To restore front panel operation, turn off the FRG-8800 with the
remote and power back on with the power button.
Level Converter Option
Plug the DB9 cable from your computer into the back of the SWL IR Remote if you have the
SWL IR Remote version with the Level Converter option. The default baud rate for the Level
Converter option is 4800.

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Remote Control Operation
Description
The following describes the operation of the remote control. Refer to the Universal Remote
Commands tables, or the Commands Quick Reference guides for specific features.
Once you begin to use the remote you will get very comfortable with the operation. There is a lot
of functionality achieved by just a few remote buttons. The biggest problem you will have in the
operation of the remote is the Enter key. If you do not enter the codes exactly you will end up
trying to enter a direct frequency. Direct frequency entry can occur in either VFO or memory
modes.
Power
The front panel on the FRG-8800 will not operate while the CAT interface is active, i.e. when the
radio is powered from the remote. The Volume, Attenuator, Memory, NB, and AGC controls are
operable during remote operation. Turn the power off with the remote to return to normal front
panel operation. You can also remove power from the FRG-8800 to return to normal front panel
operation.
When the radio is turned off with the remote, certain status is saved to non-volatile memory and
restored when power is turned back on with the remote. The current tuning step is stored in non-
volatile memory. The last frequency entered is kept in volatile memory and will be lost when
power is removed from the control unit. The current tuned frequency on the FRG-8800 will be
reset to 10kHz when power is removed from the remote control unit.
Direct Frequency Entry
When entering frequencies directly, be sure to press a digit key before the first decimal point.
The Mute button functions to mute the radio, as a decimal point when entering frequencies, and
as a clear to abort any key entry to that point. When using the Mute button as a clear, be sure to
press it enough times to get the LED to blink twice. This is confirmation that the clear command
has been accepted. When entering frequencies directly, the Mute key will operate as a decimal
point only after a digit key has been pressed before the first decimal point. As an example, you
can enter 0 Mute 3 Enter for 300KHz. Pressing the Mute a second time during direct frequency
entry will then enter 100Hz values. To enter 15.235.500 you would enter 1 5 Mute 2 3 5 Mute 5
Enter. Zeroes are assumed when not entered. You can enter 15.235.500 by pressing 15235
Mute 5 Enter. You can enter the frequency without any decimal places, but you need to enter all
the zeros so the frequency is not misunderstood. To enter 15.235.500 without using the decimal
key, enter 1 5 2 3 5 5 0 0 Enter.
The SWL IR Remote assumes that you are entering frequencies in kHz. Any frequency in kHz
can be entered directly. 9565kHz would be entered as 9 5 6 5 Enter. The decimal place (Mute)
is not necessary in this case. The decimal place is only needed to save zero entries or optionally
when entering a frequency less than 1MHz. When entering frequencies below 1MHz, press a
leading zero before the frequency and then Enter. For example: 0 7 0 0 Enter for 700kHz. Or
use the Mute key as a decimal place before or after the frequency entry. For example: 700
Mute Enter for 700kHz or 0 Mute 7 Enter for 700 kHz.

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After a frequency has been entered, you can then use the CH+/- to step the frequency in the VFO
mode. Frequency steps of 10Hz, 100Hz, 1kHz, 5kHz, 9kHz, 10kHz, 100kHz, and 1MHz can be
used to adjust an entered frequency very quickly or step through stations with set frequency
spacing. The frequency resolution on the Yaesu FRG-8800 is 10Hz (frequency changes by
25Hz). Press a numeric key corresponding to the frequency step desired (see commands below),
and then the CH+/- and the step frequency will be used. The step frequency is kept and used
again the next time the CH+/- keys are used. The step is permanently kept when the radio is
powered off and back on with the remote Power button. The CH+/- keys will change the
frequency when in the VFO mode, and change memories up and down when in memory mode.
Frequency pacing is the rate at which the frequency is increased or decreased when the CH+/-
keys are held down. The pacing is a configurable parameter that can be set by the user. You can
speed up or slow down the rate at which the frequency changes by setting the frequency pacing.
The CH+/- keys are used to step the frequency up and down when in VFO mode. The first press
of the CH+/- in this mode will be slightly delayed. If the key is held down it will then begin
stepping the frequency at the current slewing rate. Use single presses of the CH+/- keys to move
slowly up or down in frequency. Hold the keys down continuously to step the frequency very
quickly.
If the FRV-8800 VHF Converter installed in the FRG-8800, you will be able to enter frequencies
in the range of 118MHz to 173MHz. You must first enable the VHF Converter operation with
the 096 configuration command.
Direct frequency entry is the same for the VHF converter as in HF operation. You will need to
enter one more Mute for the additional decimal point when entering frequencies above 100 MHz.
The FRG-8800 interface is unidirectional. Because of this the remote has no way of knowing the
current frequency setting on the display. When the SWL IR Remote control unit is first powered,
it sets the frequency to 10MHz. You can then move around from there and the remote tracks the
frequency. The current frequency is kept as long as the remote control unit is powered. If the
power is removed, the frequency goes back to 10MHz.
Last Frequency Recall
The last directly entered frequency can be recalled. Use this when looking for other frequencies
being used by a shortwave broadcaster. You can set a frequency directly, enter another
frequency, and return to the original frequency. You can then enter another frequency and return,
etc. The last frequency entered is lost if power is removed from the remote control unit. It is kept
if the radio is powered off.
Tuning Steps
Pre-set Tuning Steps can be selected by entering a single digit before using the CH+/- keys on the
remote. The tuning step stays until changed again by the user.
Five User Tuning Steps can be defined for special tuning requirements. Set these tuning steps to
half the value of your filters. Tuning off frequency by half the filter bandwidth will improve
audio response without degrading the signal or losing synch lock. For example if you have a
2.4kHz filter, set User Tuning Step 1 to 1.2kHz and then tune off frequency when the 2.4kHz
filter is selected. This procedure is similar to using a PBT control, but you can see on the display

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how much off frequency you are tuned. You could also set a User Tuning Step to a small value
and use it to quickly zero-beat the frequency in SSB mode.
User tuning steps can also be used to enter additional steps for the Wideband converter. For
example, you may want to set a User Tuning step to 2.5kHz for tuning in the higher frequencies.
Memory Operation
The FRG-8800 memories are not available using the remote.
Mute Operation
There is a lot of functionality in the Mute key. The Mute key is used during frequency entry as a
decimal point. Any time a digit key is pressed before the Mute, the control unit then understands
the Mute to be a decimal point. At any time you can press the Mute key to clear any keys
pressed. The Mute may have to be pressed several times to get the LED to blink twice,
indicating that the keys have been cleared. If the radio mutes then you can be sure that the
sequence is cleared. The remote needs to know whether the Mute is being used for a decimal or
it is intended to be a clear. A clear function is interpreted by the remote control by multiple
presses of the Mute key.

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Universal Remote Commands
Radio Power
Power Radio power on /off.
Direct Entry of Frequencies (Examples)
0 8 3 0 Enter 830kHz
0 Mute 7 Enter 700kHz
5 0 0 Mute Enter 500kHz
3 Mute 2 5 9 Enter 3259kHz
1 5 Mute Enter 15000kHz
1 5 Mute 2 3 Mute 5 Enter 15230.5kHz
1 5 2 3 5 Enter 15235kHz
9 5 6 5 Enter 9565kHz
3 Mute 5 Enter 3500kHz
Mute (Mute) (Mute) Clear key entry during numeric entry. LED will blink twice.
Frequency and Memory Channel stepping
VFO Mode
CH+ Freq+ by tuning step
CH- Freq- by tuning step
Tuning Steps
xbefore CH+/- to set a tuning step. It stays until changed again.
2 10Hz
3 100Hz
4 1kHz
5 5kHz
6 10kHz
7 100kHz
8 1MHz
9 9kHz
User Tuning Steps
0 before CH+/- Last Used User Tuning Step
0 x before CH+/- User Tuning Step (x=1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Enter Commands – Toggles/Selects radio features
6 Enter FM mode.
7 Enter AM, AM/N modes.
8 Enter LSB, or USB modes.
9 Enter CW/CWN modes.
0 0 Last Recall last directly entered frequency.

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Configuration Parameters
0 9 4 Enter Set Frequency Pacing
x x Enter Value from 1 to 99 to control pacing. 1 is the fastest and
99 is the slowest.
0 9 5 Enter Set Configuration Parameters to Factory Defaults.
Enter Reset Configuration Parameters to Factory Default.
Frequency Pacing 30
VHF Operation Disabled
0 9 6 Enter Enable/Disable Optional Mode Selections
6 Enter Disable VHF operation (Factory default).
7 Enter Enable VHF operation (FRV-8800 option must be
installed).
0 9 7 Enter Define User Tuning Steps
x Mute f f f f Enter
The User Tuning step x (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) is defined as frequency ffff,
converted to f.fffkHz. You must enter all digits, even zeroes; e.g. define
Tuning Step 2 with a value of 1.4kHz would be 2 Mute 1 4 0 0 Enter.
The display on the radio will show the value as 2.140.000Hz when you
are done to confirm the entered value. It is best to set these tuning steps
with the receiver on and in the VFO mode. These steps are saved in non-
volatile memory and are never changed except using this configuration
mode.

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LED Operation
The LED provides feedback on the mode and operation of the SWL IR Remote.
Communications Error
Because the FRG-8800 communications is unidirectional, there is no status or response from the
receiver. The LED will never slow blink.
Clear Input
After the Mute is used to clear key entries the LED will blink twice.
Confirmation of Command
After a valid command has been issued the LED will blink once and go out. The LED will
appear to be on continuously when the CH+/- is held because the commands repeat and the LED
doesn’t always time out.
Configuration Mode
When you enter the parameter configuration mode, the LED will blink continuously at a fast rate
until the configuration operation is completed or canceled.

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RS-232C Level Converter
Description
The RS-232C Level Converter option connects to a computer through the DB9 connector on the
back of the SWL IR Remote unit. Just plug your computer into the SWL IR Remote and you can
use any software program that can communicate with your receiver. The FRG-8800 Level
Converter is fixed at 4800 baud and cannot be changed.
Operation
The Level Converter takes in characters from a computer and sends them on to the radio. Most
Level Converters just convert the electrical signals from RS-232C to TTL as required by the
radio. The SWL IR Remote has two serial channels (called a UART). One connects to the radio
using TTL level signals. The other channel is converted to RS-232C level signals and connects to
a computer.