Kenwood CAT control for TM-D710G and TM-V71A

VERSION 20230827c

This script allows the user to control various parameters on the Kenwood TM-V71A and TM-D710G radios via the PC serial port on the back of the radio main unit (not the control panel). Kenwood does not officially support CAT on these radios, but the commands have been extensively documented by LA3QMA.

Among the CAT commands available are TX and RX, which activate and deactivate TX on whatever side of the radio is currently set to PTT. Note that these commands transmit mic audio and not audio coming in via the radio's 6-pin miniDIN DATA port. This is not the behavior most operators want. When PTT is activated via the DATA port by bringing the PTT pin to ground, the DATA port audio is transmitted and the mic audio is muted. This activation of PTT is independent of whether the radio's displayed PTT indicator is on that same side of the radio designated as the data side. This is the behavior that most operators want. It is convenient when you want to simultaneously use, for example, the left side of the radio for voice comms and the right for digital without having to constantly move PTT between the A and B sides when you want to transmit voice or data.

This application implements an XML-RPC server, making the application appear as if Flrig is running to clients such as Fldigi or Hamlib's rigctld (using the Hamlib "flrig" rig ). Keeping the above PTT behaviors in mind, this application is specifically designed for use in conjunction with the DATA port in certain scenarios by offering the ability to simultaneously use the DATA port for PTT and use the PC port for CAT control of other radio functions.

When an XML-RPC client sends the RPC command to activate PTT, the script can optionally (using the --ptt <GPIO-pin> argument) control a GPIO pin on a Pi to activate, via a circuit driven by that GPIO pin, PTT in the radio's 6-pin MiniDIN DATA connector.

If --ptt digirig[@digirig-serial-port] is used and the application receives an RPC-XML command to activate PTT, it will assert RTS on the serial port to the DigiRig. In the DigiRig device, when the computer asserts RTS, the DigiRig activates a circuit that turns on PTT in the radio's DATA connector; RTS is not asserted on the radio's PC port in this case. The special DigiRig-to-radio-PC-port cable has RTS looped back to CTS so CAT control functions work. See the PTT Control section for more information. If you are using a separate serial cable for the 710 script and the digirig for audio, then append @digirig-serial-port to --ptt digirig to tell the script to assert RTS on digirig-serial-port.

If --ptt cm108[@index][:1-8] is used and the application receives an RPC command to activate PTT, it will activate a GPIO pin on a CM108/CM119 sound card such as found in the Masters Communications DRA series products. The GPIO pin used can be specified (--rig com108:4, for example, will use GPIO 4). If not specified, GPIO 3 will be used as it is the most common pin for PTT control in these sound devices, including the DRA products. If multiple CM108/CM119 devices are connected to the computer, the last one the application finds will be used unless you specify an index (@index). For example: --cm108@2. You can see a list of the CM1xx sound cards, and associated index attached to the computer by running 710.py --cm108_devices or 710.exe --cm108_devices.

Releases

The releases include the following files:

• tar.gz of the .py files
• Windows 11 (probably works on 10 as well) self-contained .exe (does not require Python installation)

The Windows .exe might be problematic to run on your PC since they are unsigned apps. YMMV.

Installation

As Python scripts

Linux (including Raspberry Pi)

1. Python3 (3.8 or later) should already installed. Install it using your package manager if it isn't.

2. Install supporting packages (apt installation commands shown; use your distribution's package manager):

    sudo apt install libusb-dev python3-hid
   

3. Create a file /etc/udev/rules.d/99-cmedia-gpio.rules (root privileges needed) with these lines:

    SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0d8c", GROUP="audio", MODE="0660"
    SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0d8c", GROUP="audio", MODE="0660"
   

   then run:

    sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
    sudo udevadm trigger
   

Windows

1. Download and Install Python 3.8 or later if it is not already installed. The easiest way is to install it from the Microsoft Store.

2. Set up a virtual environment (venv) as desired.

3. Install modules using pip:

    pip install pyserial hidapi
   

4. Download the source zip file into your venv, or clone this repository (git clone https://github.com/AG7GN/kenwood) into your venv.

MacOS

1. Python 3 should already be installed. If it's not, download and install it.

2. Set up a virtual environment (venv) as desired.

3. Install Homebrew, then run:

    brew install hidapi libusb
    pip3 install pyserial hidapi
   

As binaries

The releases include 710.exe, which was built using pyinstaller and Python 3.11. Since these binaries are not signed, Microsoft doesn't recognize it as a "safe" app, so your ability to use it may vary.

• You can make your own binary for your OS by following the instructions in the previous As Python Scripts section, then doing the following:

  • Install the pyinstaller package:

      pip3 install pyinstaller
    

  • Note the output of the installation process. It will tell you where the pyinstaller binary was installed. Add that directory to your PATH or write it down somewhere.

  • Change directories to the location where the downloaded 710 python files are stored (from your git clone or unzip).

  • Run:

      pyinstaller --onefile 710.py
    

    Note that if you didn't add pyinstaller's location to your path, you might have to use the full path to pyinstaller in order for this to work.

    pyinstaller will create a dist folder and in that folder will be the binary for whatever OS you are using. For example, it will create 710.exe if run on Windows or 710.app if run on MacOS.

  • Copy that binary to your applications folder or wherever you store your applications.

Recent significant changes

1. Supports PTT using CM108/CM119 sound cards with GPIO (DRA series sound cards, for example). Use --ptt cm108.

2. GUI looks more uniform across Linux, MacOS and Windows.

3. Improvements to the way serial ports are discovered in Windows.

4. Supports DigiRig.

5. Ability to set shift (simplex, negative or positive).

6. Changing the frequency, modulation, step, tone, tone frequency, reverse or shift in the GUI while in memory mode will now prompt the user to modify the memory or copy the memory contents to VFO and then make the modifications. If the user attempts to change the frequency to one that is not in the band currently set to that side of the radio, the user will be prompted to either modify the memory or abort the change.

7. User can select any Raspberry Pi GPIO pin for PTT, not just the 'left' and 'right' radios for the Nexus DR-X. 'left' and 'right' are still available and will map to GPIO 12 and GPIO23 respectively. digirig and cat rig options are also available now.

8. Clicking 'Up' or 'Down' when in VFO mode now more closely mimics turning the tuning knob on the radio in terms of what parameters are kept from frequency to frequency. For example, the shift setting will automatically change as frequencies traverse the ranges described in the TM-D710GA manual:

   • VHF

     Under 145.100 MHz: No offset (Simplex operation)

     145.100 ~ 145.499 MHz: – 600 kHz offset

     145.500 ~ 145.999 MHz: No offset (Simplex operation)

     146.000 ~ 146.399 MHz: + 600 kHz offset

     146.400 ~ 146.599 MHz: No offset (Simplex operation)

     146.600 ~ 146.999 MHz: – 600 kHz offset

     147.000 ~ 147.399 MHz: + 600 kHz offset

     147.400 ~ 147.599 MHz: No offset (Simplex operation)

     147.600 ~ 147.999 MHz: – 600 kHz offset

     148.000 MHz and higher: No offset (Simplex operation)

   • UHF

     Under 442.000 MHz: No offset (Simplex operation)

     442.000 ~ 444.999 MHz: + 5 MHz offset

     445.000 ~ 446.999 MHz: No offset (Simplex operation)

     447.000 ~ 449.999 MHz: – 5 MHz offset

     450.000 MHz and higher: No offset (Simplex operation)

9. 710.py has a multithreaded XML-RPC server. This allows Fldigi (for example) to communicate with 710.py as if 710.py were Flrig. Apps using Hamlib can also use 710.py by selecting the flrig rig in Hamlib rigctld. Details below.

10. 710.sh can interact with 710.py as it always has, by calling it and passing commands via 710.py -c COMMAND. Now, it can also interact via XML-RPC. This means that 710.sh can be used while 710.py is running.

Operation

Prepare your radio

1. Set your radio's PC port speed:

   Radio	Menu #	Description	Value
   TM-D710G	920	PC PORT BAUDRATE	57600*
   TM-V71A	519	PC.SPD	57600*

   The script uses 57600 as the default*, but you can change it using the -b <speed> argument. The speed must match the radio's setting.

2. Connect a serial cable between the radio's Mini-DIN8 PC port and your PC. An RT Systems programming cable will work, as will a Kenwood PG-5G cable or equivalent.

   If using the DigiRig's SERIAL port for CAT control, then connect the special serial cable between the radio's 8-pin MiniDIN PC port and the DigiRig's SERIAL port. This special cable has the RTS pin looped back to the CTS pin on the radio side of the cable. If you are using this special cable and the DigiRig, you must also use the --norts option to disable RTS.

3. The script will use the first serial port it finds by default. Override this behavior by using the -p <port> argument.

Display the help screen

Change to the folder containing the 710 scripts and run (Linux and MacOS):

710.py -h

or, on Windows:

python3 710.py -h

or, if using the binary on Windows:

710.exe -h 

The output will be similar to this:

usage: 710.exe [-h] [-v] [-p {COM4}] [--norts] [-b {300,1200,2400,4800,9600,19200,38400,57600}] [-s] [--cm108_devices]
               [-l x:y] [-x {1024-65535}]
               [-r {none,digirig,cm108,cm108:1,cm108:2,cm108:3,cm108:4,cm108:5,cm108:6,cm108:7,cm108:8}] [-c COMMAND]

CAT control for Kenwood TM-D710G/TM-V71A

options:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -v, --version         show program's version number and exit
  -p {COM4}, --port {COM4}
                        Serial port connected to radio (default: COM4)
  --norts               Disable RTS on serial port. Required when
                        DigiRig serial port is connected to radio. (default: False)
  -b {300,1200,2400,4800,9600,19200,38400,57600}, --baudrate {300,1200,2400,4800,9600,19200,38400,57600}
                        Serial port speed (must match radio!) (default: 57600)
  -s, --small           Smaller GUI window (default: False)
  --cm108_devices       List attached C-Media CM1xx devices. (default: False)
  -l x:y, --location x:y
                        x:y: Initial x and y position (in pixels)
                        of upper left corner of GUI. (default: None)
  -x {1024-65535}, --xmlport {1024-65535}
                        TCP port on which to listen for XML-RPC
                        rig control calls from clients such as
                        Fldigi or Hamlib rigctl[d]. (default: 12345)
  -r {none,digirig,cm108,cm108:1,cm108:2,cm108:3,cm108:4,cm108:5,cm108:6,cm108:7,cm108:8}, --ptt {none,digirig,cm108,cm108:1,cm108:2,cm108:3,cm108:4,cm108:5,cm108:6,cm108:7,cm108:8}
                        How to handle XML-RPC 'rig.set_ptt' calls.

                        Raspberry Pi users can specify the BCM GPIO pin
                        number driving your PTT circuit. Nexus DR-X Pi users:
                        Use 'left' or 'right'. This will map to GPIO
                        pin 12 for the left radio and pin 23 for the right.

                        'none' (the default) means that 'rig.set_ptt' calls
                        will be ignored (meaning you'll control PTT by
                        some other means).

                        'digirig[@digirig-serial-port]':
                        'digirig' is for use with the DigiRig sound card
                        and (optionally) the associated special serial cable
                        between the radio and the DigiRig serial port.
                        'digirig@<digirig-serial-port>' is for use when the
                        controller is connected via a different serial port
                        than the DigiRig. In that case when an XML-RPC
                        'rig.set_ptt' call is received, the controller
                        activates RTS on <digirig-serial-port>, which
                        triggers PTT through the 6-pin minDIN connector.

                        'cm108[@index][:1-8]' will activate a GPIO pin on
                        CM108/CM119 sound interfaces for PTT. Masters
                        Communications DRA series of sound cards use this
                        chip and PTT mechanism.

                        If more than one CM108/CM119 sound card is attached,
                        the last one found will be used unless you specify
                        '@index'. You can determine the index by running this
                        program one time with only the '--cm108_devices' argument
                        to see a list of attached and compatible cm1xx devices.

                        You can specify the CM108 GPIO pin by appending ':x'
                        where x is 1 through 8 inclusive. 'cm108' by itself
                        will use GPIO 3, the most commonly used CM1xx GPIO pin.

                        'cat' will send the 'TX' or 'RX' CAT command to the
                        radio to control PTT. Note that this will transmit
                        on the side on which 'PTT' is set and will transmit
                        mic audio, *not* DATA port audio!

                         (default: none)
  -c COMMAND, --command COMMAND
                        CAT command to send to radio (no GUI) (default: None)

The script will attempt to identify all of the serial ports on your computer and those will be listed as options as shown above. From the above example:

  -p {/dev/gps0,/dev/kenwoodTM-D710G,/dev/ttyUSB0,/dev/serial0,/dev/serial1,/dev/ttyS0,/dev/ttyAMA0}, --port {/dev/gps0,/dev/kenwoodTM-D710G,/dev/ttyUSB0,/dev/serial0,/dev/serial1,/dev/ttyS0,/dev/ttyAMA0}
                        Serial port connected to radio (default: /dev/gps0)

You can only specify a port from this list. By default, it'll use the first port it finds.

The script will listen on port 12345 for XML-RPC calls from a client program such as Fldigi or Hamlib rigctl or rigctld. You can change the listen port using the -x <port> argument.

PTT control

When an RPC (Remote Procedure Call) to control PTT is received from a client application such as Fldigi, 710 will handle PTT as directed by the -r <ptt> option. By default, the script will ignore RPC requests to control PTT (-r none), meaning you'll need to control PTT by some other means.

On some Linux hosts, particularly Raspberry Pis, you can select a BCM GPIO pin number (-r <pin>) as described in the help output above. This feature is handy if you have configured a GPIO pin to drive an external circuit that controls PTT on the radio's 6-pin MiniDIN DATA connector. When an RPC call to control PTT comes from a client application, the script will then set the configured GPIO pin to high to activate the PTT circuit and low to deactivate the PTT curcuit.

If you're using the DigiRig and associated special serial cable between the DigiRig and radio for CAT control, use the --ptt digirig setting. This will allow simultanenous CAT control of the radio via the DigiRig's SERIAL port and PTT control of the radio via the DigiRig's AUDIO port connected to the radio's DATA port. If you are using the DigiRig for audio and PTT only and using a separate serial connection from your computer to the radio for CAT control, you can specify the DigiRig's serial port for PTT purposes by appending @<digirig-serial-port> to --ptt digirig. For example, say your radio is connected to your computer for CAT control using a serial to USB adapter on /dev/ttyUSB0 and your DigiRig appears on your computer as /dev/ttyUSB1. Start 710 something like in this example:

710.py --ptt digirig@/dev/ttyUSB1 -p /tty/USB0

or in Windows (for example):

710.exe --ptt digirig@COM2 -p COM1

When 710 is run that way and receives an RPC command from Fldigi (for example) to activate PTT, 710 will assert RTS on /dev/ttyUSB1 (COM2 in a Windows example) which will activate PTT on the DigiRig's AUDIO port through to the radio on radio's 6-pin miniDIN data port.

If --ptt cm108[:1-8] is used, when the application receives an RPC to activate PTT it will activate a GPIO pin on a CM108/CM119 sound card such as found in the Masters Communications DRA series of products. The GPIO pin used can be specified (--ptt com108:4, for example, will use GPIO 4). If not specified, GPIO 3 will be used as it is the most common pin for PTT control in these sound devices. If multiple CM108/CM119 devices are connected to the computer, the first one the application finds will be used.

If you use the --ptt cat argument, the script will send the Kenwood TX and RX commands to the radio when RPC calls to control PTT are received from a client application. IMPORTANT: TX will activate on whatever side of the radio currently has PTT and mic audio will be transmitted, not audio from the radio's DATA port!

Linux and Mac: 710.py and 710.sh

• 710.sh is a shell script that you use in the Terminal.
• 710.py is the Python application. 710.sh does not work with the 710 binary, only with 710.py.

The 710.sh script requires 710.py to talk to the radio. It does not start the 710.py GUI in this case. 710.py uses the Python serial library to communicate with the radio.

Operating 710.sh

• Open a terminal and run:

    710.sh -h
  

  and follow the instructions.

• 710.sh will attempt to communicate with the radio via 710.py in one of 2 ways:

  1. If 710.py IS ALREADY running: 710.sh will use XML-RPC to send the command to 710.py, which will in turn send the command to the radio. This is the slower of the 2 ways to communicate with the radio, but has the advantage that 710.py can be running when you send your commands.

  2. If 710.py IS NOT running: 710.sh will attempt to start 710.py in non-GUI "one shot" mode. No GUI will open, but 710.py will send the command passed to it by 710.sh, return the results to 710.sh, and then exit. This is the way that 710.sh operated in previous versions and returns data faster than the first method.

     If you use the second method, the script will look for USB-serial cables (represented as files) in /dev/serial/by-id unless you specify the serial port with -p. If any of the devices listed have filenames that contain any of these strings, then the script will automatically select and use that cable to communicate with the radio:

     • USB-Serial
     • RT_Systems
     • usb-FTDI

     If more than one cable matches, it'll use the last matching file name alphabetically.

     To view the list of files that represent the USB-serial cables, open a terminal and run this command:

      ls -al /dev/serial/by-id
     

CAVEATS

• Kenwood does not provide a CAT command to change the frequency band on a given side of the radio. You can only change the frequency band on the radio itself. This omission causes the following behaviors:

  1. When in VFO mode, you cannot select a frequency outside the frequency band set for that side.

  2. Changing the frequency, modulation, step, tone, tone frequency, reverse or shift in the GUI while in memory mode will prompt the user to modify the memory or copy the memory contents to VFO and then make the modifications. While in VFO mode, if the user attempts to change the frequency to one that is not in the band currently set on that side of the radio, the user will be prompted to either modify the memory or abort the change.

  3. If you use the shell script (710.sh) on Linux/MacOS to change the frequency, the script will first change the mode to VFO (if it's not already in that mode) and attempt to set the desired frequency. If the desired frequency is not in the currently set frequency band for that side, the frequency will not be changed.

  The workaround for the inability to use CAT to change the frequency band is to set your commonly used frequencies in memory locations and use the scripts to put the radio in MR mode and set a certain memory channel. One easy way to program the radio's memories is to use chirp. chirp uses the same serial/USB cable as the 710 scripts.

  Here are some tips for using chirp:

  1. Close the 710 application while running chirp. Only one program can access the serial port at a time.
  2. For the TM-D710G: Select TM-D710G and not TM-D710G_CloneMode. Select TM-V71 for that radio.
  3. All changes you make in chirp are immediately sent to the radio. There is no "update" or "send to radio" action to take.

• Unlike the radio's display, the application's GUI will not display the TX frequency while PTT is active.

OPTIONAL (Linux only): Add a udev rule for your USB-serial cable

This is optional but recommended and will ensure that your radio's cable always is identified as the same serial port name on your computer.

1. With your USB-serial cable for your radio unplugged from the computer, run this command in the Terminal:

    lsusb
   

   For example:

    pi@nexuspi4b-ag7gn:~ $ lsusb
    Bus 002 Device 002: ID 0bda:0316 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. Card Reader
    Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
    Bus 001 Device 010: ID 067b:2303 Prolific Technology, Inc. PL2303 Serial Port / Mobile Action MA-8910P
    Bus 001 Device 002: ID 2109:3431 VIA Labs, Inc. Hub
    Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
   

2. Connect your USB-serial cable to a USB port on your computer. Your radio does not have to be powered on.

3. Run lsusb again.

   For example:

    pi@nexuspi4b-ag7gn:~ $ lsusb
    Bus 002 Device 002: ID 0bda:0316 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. Card Reader
    Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
    Bus 001 Device 010: ID 067b:2303 Prolific Technology, Inc. PL2303 Serial Port / Mobile Action MA-8910P
    Bus 001 Device 011: ID 0403:6001 Future Technology Devices International, Ltd FT232 Serial (UART) IC
    Bus 001 Device 002: ID 2109:3431 VIA Labs, Inc. Hub
    Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
   

4. Note the differences between the outputs of the two runs. In this example, the second run of lsusb has one additional line:

    Bus 001 Device 011: ID 0403:6001 Future Technology Devices International, Ltd FT232 Serial (UART) IC
   

   That's the cable you just plugged in. We'll create a udev rule so that this serial port has a consistent name, which we'll call kenwoodTM-V71A. You can use whatever name you like. Don't use any spaces in your name and keep it simple and memorable.

5. The rule will use the ID information to identify that particular cable. In this example, the ID is 0403:6001. Your cable will likely have a different ID. The ID consists of 2 parts: The part before the : is the idVendor and the part after the : is the idProduct.

6. The rule is defined in a file in /etc/udev/rules.d. To make the rule file, enter these commands in the Terminal using the ATTR values for your cable and whatever name you've decided to use (Note that after the 1st two commands, you'll get a > prompt):

    cat >99-kenwood.rules <<EOF
    SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0403", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6001", SYMLINK+="kenwoodTM-V71A"
    EOF
    sudo mv 99-kenwood.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
    sudo udevadm control --reload
   

   For example:

    pi@nexuspi4b-ag7gn:~ $ cat >99-kenwood.rules <<EOF
    > SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0403", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6001", SYMLINK+="kenwoodTM-V71A"
    > EOF
    
    pi@nexuspi4b-ag7gn:~ $ sudo mv 99-kenwood.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
    pi@nexuspi4b-ag7gn:~ $ sudo udevadm control --reload
    pi@nexuspi4b-ag7gn:~ $ sudo udevadm trigger
   

7. For good measure, unplug your USB-serial cable from your computer and plug it back in.

8. Now you'll see your serial port in /dev/. Run ls -al /dev/ken* to see it.

   For example:

    pi@nexuspi4b-ag7gn:~ $ ls -al /dev/ken*
    lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 7 Jan 30 16:15 /dev/kenwoodTM-V71A -> ttyUSB1
   

9. From now on, your serial port will be called /dev/kenwoodTM-V71A even if you disconnect/reconnect the cable or reboot the computer.

Distinguishing between cables of the same make/model

IMPORTANT: If you have 2 USB-Serial cables of the same make and model attached to your computer, they'll both have the same idVendor and idProduct value. In that case you'll need to use additional or alternate criteria to tell them apart. These devices have a lot of attribute (ATTRS) values, so you might find that one of the ATTRS is a serial number of some sort. Here's how:

1. Make sure your cable is plugged in to your computer

2. Identify the port you want to query (ex. /dev/ttyUSB0, /dev/ttyUSB1). In this example, we'll use the one we just set up: /dev/KenwoodTM-V71A:

    pi@nexuspi4b-ag7gn:~ $ udevadm info -q property -n /dev/kenwoodTM-V71A
    
    DEVPATH=/devices/platform/scb/fd500000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.1/1-1.1:1.0/ttyUSB1/tty/ttyUSB1
    DEVNAME=/dev/ttyUSB1
    MAJOR=188
    MINOR=1
    SUBSYSTEM=tty
    USEC_INITIALIZED=270367968798
    ID_BUS=usb
    ID_VENDOR_ID=0403
    ID_MODEL_ID=6001
    ID_PCI_CLASS_FROM_DATABASE=Serial bus controller
    ID_PCI_SUBCLASS_FROM_DATABASE=USB controller
    ID_PCI_INTERFACE_FROM_DATABASE=XHCI
    ID_VENDOR_FROM_DATABASE=VIA Technologies, Inc.
    ID_MODEL_FROM_DATABASE=VL805 USB 3.0 Host Controller
    ID_PATH=platform-fd500000.pcie-pci-0000:01:00.0-usb-0:1.1:1.0
    ID_PATH_TAG=platform-fd500000_pcie-pci-0000_01_00_0-usb-0_1_1_1_0
    ID_VENDOR=FTDI
    ID_VENDOR_ENC=FTDI
    ID_MODEL=FT232R_USB_UART
    ID_MODEL_ENC=FT232R\x20USB\x20UART
    ID_REVISION=0600
    ID_SERIAL=FTDI_FT232R_USB_UART_AI05SMCB
    ID_SERIAL_SHORT=AI05SMCB
    ID_TYPE=generic
    ID_USB_INTERFACES=:ffffff:
    ID_USB_INTERFACE_NUM=00
    ID_USB_DRIVER=ftdi_sio
    DEVLINKS=/dev/serial/by-id/usb-FTDI_FT232R_USB_UART_AI05SMCB-if00-port0 /dev/kenwoodTM-V71A /dev/serial/by-path/platform-fd500000.pcie-pci-0000:01:00.0-usb-0:1.1:1.0-port0
    TAGS=:systemd:
    CURRENT_TAGS=:systemd:
   

3. Note that there are 2 serial number items in the property list:

    ID_SERIAL=FTDI_FT232R_USB_UART_AI05SMCB
    ID_SERIAL_SHORT=AI05SMCB
   

   NOTE: Not all USB-serial cables have serial numbers or another way to distinguish one cable from another of the same make/model. In that case, you'll have to use a cable from a different vendor so you can tell them apart.

4. Now, find out the actual ATTRS name for the serial number. We'll use the ID_SERIAL_SHORT item, which is AI05SMCB in this example. Run udevadm info -q property -n /dev/kenwoodTM-V71A --attribute-walk | grep AI05SMCB:

    pi@nexuspi4b-ag7gn:~ $ udevadm info -q property -n /dev/kenwoodTM-V71A --attribute-walk | grep AI05SMCB
    
    ATTRS{serial}=="AI05SMCB"
   

5. Now we can use that ATTR to distinguish between cables with the same make/model. Our current /etc/udev/rules.d/99-kenwood.rules looks like this:

    SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0403", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6001", SYMLINK+="kenwoodTM-V71A"
   

   Modify that file (open it in a text editor as sudo) and add our new serial attribute so it looks like this:

    SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0403", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6001", ATTRS{serial}=="AI05SMCB", SYMLINK+="kenwoodTM-V71A"
   

6. Save the file, exit your editor and run:

    sudo udevadm control --reload
   

7. Unplug and re-plug in your cable.

Make a Hamradio menu selection (Pi)

Installing these scripts as per the directions above does not automatically create a Hamradio menu item because it is not possible to know in advance your system's serial port that will be used to communicate with the radio. You can make your own Hamradio menu item as described here. Some sleuthing might be needed to identify your radio's serial port if you haven't already done so.

1. If you haven't already determined the serial port name for your radio's cable, here's one way to do it:

   • Unplug your USB-serial cable from your Pi.

   • Open a Terminal on your Pi and run this command:

       dmesg -w -H 
     

     You'll see lots of output and then it'll pause and wait for some event to happen (like plugging in a USB device).

   • Plug your USB-serial cable into your Pi (the radio does not have to be on).

   • You should see some dmesg output appear in your Terminal. It'll look something like this:

       [Jan28 15:00] usb 1-1.4: new full-speed USB device number 4 using xhci_hcd
       [  +0.134526] usb 1-1.4: New USB device found, idVendor=067b, idProduct=2303, bcdDevice= 4.00
       [  +0.000009] usb 1-1.4: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
       [  +0.000006] usb 1-1.4: Product: USB-Serial Controller D
       [  +0.000006] usb 1-1.4: Manufacturer: Prolific Technology Inc. 
       [  +0.002693] pl2303 1-1.4:1.0: pl2303 converter detected
       [  +0.009797] usb 1-1.4: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB1
     

   • In this example, that last line tells you that the USB-Serial cable you plugged in is "...now attached to ttyUSB1". So, the serial port in this example is /dev/ttyUSB1. Yours may be different. With that information, you can now make a desktop file. Note that this example desktop file will launch 710.py in "small" mode so it doesn't occupy so much screen real estate.

2. Create your desktop file

   • Using your favorite text editor, create a file called $HOME/.local/share/applications/kenwoodtm.desktop. Here's one way to do that:

     • Click Raspberry > Run

     • In the Run window, enter:

         mousepad $HOME/.local/share/applications/kenwoodtm.desktop
       

       That will open a text editor similar to Notepad on Windows.

   • Enter this text in the file:

       [Desktop Entry]
       Name=TM-D710G/TM-V71A Controller
       Comment=Kenwood TM-D710G/TM-V71A Controller
       Exec=sh -c "710.py -p /dev/kenwoodTM-V71A -r right --small >/dev/null 2>&1"
       Icon=hamradio.png
       StartupNotify=true
       Terminal=false
       Type=Application
       Categories=HamRadio
       Keywords=Ham Radio;Rig Control
     

   • Change the Exec= line to add/remove/modify arguments for your particular serial port/speed. If you're just using the dmesg output to determine the serial port name, then you'd use -p /dev/ttyUSB1 in the example above and using the dmesg example output above. Again, your port names may be different. Omit the --small if you want to run the GUI in regular size.

     If you want GPIO PTT control via XML-RPC, also specify -r left or -r right for the left or right radios respectively (those map to BCM GPIO pins 12 and 23 respectively on the Nexus DR-X). This is only needed if you want to control PTT via XML-RPC.

   • Change the Name= line to suit. This is how it will appear in the Hamradio menu.

   • Save the file and close your editor. The new menu item should appear at the bottom of your Raspberry > Hamradio menu.

Usage with Fldigi

710.py runs an XML-RPC server on port 12345 by default. You can change the port using the -x <port-number> argument when you launch 710.py. Port 12345 is the default XML-RPC port for Fldigi (on the Nexus DR-X: Left Radio. It is 12346 for the right radio).

1. Launch 710.py either from the command line or via your new menu item.

2. In Fldigi, select Configure > Rig Control > flrig. Assuming you're using the default port of 12345, configure these settings:

   

   If you used the -x <port-number> option to change the port, you must use that same port in the configuration above.

3. Click the Reconnect button to tell Fldigi to set up a new XML-RPC connection to 710.py.

4. Click Save, then Close.

5. You should now be able to change the frequency from Fldigi's frequency field, from 710.py by clicking on the frequency or by adjusting the frequency on the radio itself.

   NOTE: Setting the frequency in Fldigi will only change the frequency on the side of the radio set for Digital. This is regardless of what side has CTRL set.

Using 710.py with Hamlib

Hamlib can send commands and receive state information from Flrig. 710.py can be used as a substitute for Flrig.

Nexus DR-X users can use the Hamlib Rig Control GUI to manage Hamlib.

• Start the 710.py script.

  • Be sure to use the default port of 12345 (in other words, don't specify a different port with the -x option). Hamlib will only work over port 12345.
  • If you want Hamlib to control PTT, then run 710.py with -r <option> to control the left or right radio. This is needed for apps that cannot control GPIO PTT directly and so must rely on Hamlib for PTT. Fldigi and Direwolf can control GPIO PTT directly.

• Run Raspberry > Hamradio > Hamlib Rig Control GUI

• Enter flrig in the Select Rig field, then select FLRig FLRig from the list.

  

• Set the Serial Port and Speed fields to Not Applicable.

• Click _[Re]start rigctld.

• You should now see that rigctld is running in the text box above the Close button.

  

• Applications that use Hamlib for rig control (and PTT if you launched 710.py with -r <option>) should now work with the Kenwood radio.

IMPORTANT: If you close 710.py while rigctld is running, you might have to restart rigctld again once 710.py is running.