Module: ft991utility.py Introduction ------------ The ft991 utility is an interactive tool for backing up and restoring both the memory settings and menu settings of the Yaesu FT991 transceiver. Individual memory locations store information about frequency, repeater offset, signaling, tags, modulation, and clarifier. Menu settings store configuration information about current menu options and parameters. The utility also has a pass through mode for sending CAT commands directly to the transceiver. This feature is useful for future code development and debugging. The ft991.py module encapsulates the FT991 CAT commands and handles low level serial communication to and from the FT991 usb port. CAT commands are encapsulated according to object oriented methodology, that is, 'set' to send parameters and settings to the FT991, and 'get' to receive status information back from the FT991. Additionally ft991.py contains helper functions for parsing data read from backup files. The 'set' functions also handle formatting of CAT commands and their associated parameters, while 'get' functions handle parsing of data returned from CAT commands that return status information. Email bug reports and comments to: ka7jlo@gmail.com Notes ----- 1. The files ft991utility.py and ft991.py should be downloaded from the github repository and placed in the same folder. 2. *IMPORTANT* Before running the utility you may need to edit line 39 or line 40 in the "environment setup" section of the file "ft991utility.py". Be sure the com port is correct. This will depend on whether you are running Linux or Windows and on the default serial port assigned to the FT991. 3. *IMPORTANT* Edit line 41 to match the baud rate setting in your FT991. From the FT991 front panel select "Menu" and scroll to item #031 "CAT RATE". The baud rate should be the same as line 41. 4. To run the utility, open a terminal session in directory containing the ft991utility.py and ft991.py files. Then simply type the utility file name after the command line prompt, e.g., ~$ ./ft991utility.py If necessary, change the permissions on ft991utility.py to allow the file to be run as an executable. To change the permissions on Linux run the command ~$ chmod +x ft991utility.py 5. Windows users will need to have the python 3.8 framework installed. Probably, the easiest way to get the framework is to install the Windows Subsystem for Linux Ubuntu platform. Note that the utility has not been tested on Windows and the developer makes no guarantees. 6. While it is possible to run the utility completely from the command line using command line options, beginning users are encouraged to use the interactive mode. To use the interactive mode simply type the file name of the utility with no command line arguments, e.g., ./ft991utility.py 7. The utility saves memory settings in a comma-delimited file that can be imported into a spreadsheet application for ease in viewing and editing. 8. The verbose mode, available both as a command line option and in interactive mode, echos raw commands sent to the FT991, as well as raw status returned by the FT991. This feature is useful for development and debugging purposes. 9. If you already have repeater frequencies and such programmed in memory, you should first run the 'bm' command in interactive mode to back up your current memory settings. Unless you change the default file name, this file should appear in your current working directory as 'ft991mem.csv'. Change this file name to something else such as 'ft991mem_todaysDate.csv so that you can restore from this file at a later date if necessary. 10. By the same token you should immediately back up your menu settings using the 'bu' command in interactive mode. The default file name is 'ft991menu.cfg'. Likewise change this file name to something else. 11. The example file 'example.csv' shows how a memory settings file should appear. To load these settings in your FT991, run the 'rm' command in interactive mode. When prompted to enter a file name type 'example.csv'. For example, Enter file name or <CR> for default: example.csv 12. Backup and restore of VHF/UHF split frequency repeater settings is not supported by the FT991. 13. Please do not edit the menu settings file unless you absolutely know what you are doing. There should rarely be a need to edit this file. Menu changes should be made on the FT991, itself, and then backed up.