Yaesu FT-857 it is among the most widespread compact transceivers for both portable and home operation. However, its small display and deeply nested menu make everyday operation less convenient than it could be. Program FT-857 CAT control od talianskeho rádioamatéra IW5CI moves the entire transceiver panel to the computer screen - with large controls, instant response and access to functions that CAT protokol štandardne nepokrýva.
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What the program offers
The interface faithfully copies the FT-857 display: sedemsegmentová frekvencia, S-meter s držaním špičiek, stavové ikony a päť farieb podsvietenia vrátane nočného režimu. Ladenie it is solved by a virtual button with acceleration, a mouse wheel on the individual digits of the frequency and direct input from the keyboard. Tuning steps cover the range from 10 Hz to 100 kHz, while the response remains smooth even at 4800 baud. Prepínanie pásiem od 160 m po 70 cm a módov LSB, USB, CW, CWR, AM, FM, FM-N, DIG a PKT je riešené jedným kliknutím, rovnako ako práca s VFO A/B, funkcie swap, split a clarifier.
An interesting function is the bandscope - the program uses the radio station's S-meter to step around the current frequency and plot the spectrum of activity. the operator sees where the traffic is and clicks to tune into it. Hold-to-talk or latch PTT is available for transmission with adjustable TOT and automatic release when radio link is lost. The TUNE button sends out a 5 W FM carrier signal and when released restores the original mode and power – handy when tuning an antenna tuner. The program also plots the SWR graph across the band.
Beyond standard CAT
The standard CAT protocol of the FT-857 does not allow controlling all parameters of the transceiver. FT-857 CAT Control pushes this limit by reading and writing to the EEPROM of the radio station with verification of each write. This provides access to AGC, Noise blanker, IPO, Attenuator, DSP, RF power setting (at KV 5-100 W), meter selection (PWR, ALC, SWR, MOD), CW break-in, electronic keyer and DIG mode. The FM Repeaters tab allows complete setting of offset, CTCSS and DCS codes, including independent TX and RX tones. Memory management is not limited by the number of slots in the radio - the program supports unlimited memories with names, searches, exports and imports, and can load existing memories directly from the FT-857 without changing the data in the radio.
Installation and configuration
The program requires Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), CAT cable (original CT-62 or USB interface) and Edge or Chrome browser. The installer is 8 MB, does not require administrative rights and contains everything you need - no external dependencies. On the side of the radio station, it is necessary to set Menu 019 (CAT RATE) to one of the supported speeds – 4,800, 9,600 or 38,400 baud – and Menu 020 (CAT/LIN/TUN) to the CAT value. In the program, it is enough to select the COM port and the same communication speed. For testing without a connected transceiver, the FT-857D simulator is part of the installation, which allows you to explore all the functions of the interface.
The interface adapts to the size of the screen and is also accessible from a tablet or phone in the home network, which allows the control of the radio station from another room. The program is available in six languages (Italian, English, Japanese, French, Russian, Spanish), is free, without ads and without registration. The current version is 1.5.0 as of October 19, 2026.