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Larger/brighter Display option

 

Hi, my non ND 817 display is fine, but 2 color backlighting isn’t very helpful in low light. I see a $42.88 external CAT display device, 12864 on Ali Express, but very little info. I’m not skilled enough to do any mods, but a plug and play, inexpensive option would be nice. For now, I’m experimenting with an external, soft white, pico LED to illuminate the screen from the front. Kind of like a reading book light. Anyone using this or other device? Thanks
 

I've not used that particular product, but I don't think there's much more to know about it.  Connect it to the radio and get the two to talking.  The device just loops through fetching the parameters, displaying the information on the screen.  You probably want to cobble some sort of case for it, to protect the electronics.

I built something similar from a Raspberry Pi 3B.  I have the radio in my car, and as you can imagine it's impossible to read the display while driving.  But the car's in-dash radio display has an input for a back-up camera, so I wired the Pi's video out into that and wrote a short Python script to read the radio's frequency, mode, and such, displaying them on the screen.  The car's display is FAR more visible, and with the Pi I can run other radio-related apps such as YAAC for an APRS map.

Greg  KO6TH



Michael Davis via groups.io wrote:

Hi, my non ND 817 display is fine, but 2 color backlighting isn’t very helpful in low light. I see a $42.88 external CAT display device, 12864 on Ali Express, but very little info. I’m not skilled enough to do any mods, but a plug and play, inexpensive option would be nice. For now, I’m experimenting with an external, soft white, pico LED to illuminate the screen from the front. Kind of like a reading book light. Anyone using this or other device? Thanks
 

Thanks Greg. I’m nowhere as talented as you in understanding  the options. I do have a spare backup camera kit…hmmm. My other concern is that I’m using the CAT connection for the Z817 LDG tuner. So unless there is a way to use both devices together or an A-B switch, assuming baud rate etc are the same, it just complicates the radio. Maybe my pico LED front illumination idea is the easiest, if not very elegant.
Mike Davis WA1MAD

On Dec 21, 2024, at 1:27 PM, Greg D via groups.io <ko6th.greg@...> wrote:

 I've not used that particular product, but I don't think there's much more to know about it.  Connect it to the radio and get the two to talking.  The device just loops through fetching the parameters, displaying the information on the screen.  You probably want to cobble some sort of case for it, to protect the electronics.

I built something similar from a Raspberry Pi 3B.  I have the radio in my car, and as you can imagine it's impossible to read the display while driving.  But the car's in-dash radio display has an input for a back-up camera, so I wired the Pi's video out into that and wrote a short Python script to read the radio's frequency, mode, and such, displaying them on the screen.  The car's display is FAR more visible, and with the Pi I can run other radio-related apps such as YAAC for an APRS map.

Greg  KO6TH



Michael Davis via groups.io wrote:
Hi, my non ND 817 display is fine, but 2 color backlighting isn’t very helpful in low light. I see a $42.88 external CAT display device, 12864 on Ali Express, but very little info. I’m not skilled enough to do any mods, but a plug and play, inexpensive option would be nice. For now, I’m experimenting with an external, soft white, pico LED to illuminate the screen from the front. Kind of like a reading book light. Anyone using this or other device? Thanks
 

Ah, the tuner.  Yes, that can complicate things, but looking at the Z817 tuner manual the tuner has a "pass through" CAT port on the back.  You should be able to connect the display to that port - it looks like a computer to the tuner - with the tuner connected directly to the radio.  Just make sure all the BAUD rates line up - display, tuner, and radio.

Good luck!

Greg  KO6TH


Mike Davis via groups.io wrote:

Thanks Greg. I’m nowhere as talented as you in understanding  the options. I do have a spare backup camera kit…hmmm. My other concern is that I’m using the CAT connection for the Z817 LDG tuner. So unless there is a way to use both devices together or an A-B switch, assuming baud rate etc are the same, it just complicates the radio. Maybe my pico LED front illumination idea is the easiest, if not very elegant.
Mike Davis WA1MAD

On Dec 21, 2024, at 1:27 PM, Greg D via groups.io <ko6th.greg@...> wrote:

 I've not used that particular product, but I don't think there's much more to know about it.  Connect it to the radio and get the two to talking.  The device just loops through fetching the parameters, displaying the information on the screen.  You probably want to cobble some sort of case for it, to protect the electronics.

I built something similar from a Raspberry Pi 3B.  I have the radio in my car, and as you can imagine it's impossible to read the display while driving.  But the car's in-dash radio display has an input for a back-up camera, so I wired the Pi's video out into that and wrote a short Python script to read the radio's frequency, mode, and such, displaying them on the screen.  The car's display is FAR more visible, and with the Pi I can run other radio-related apps such as YAAC for an APRS map.

Greg  KO6TH



Michael Davis via groups.io wrote:
Hi, my non ND 817 display is fine, but 2 color backlighting isn’t very helpful in low light. I see a $42.88 external CAT display device, 12864 on Ali Express, but very little info. I’m not skilled enough to do any mods, but a plug and play, inexpensive option would be nice. For now, I’m experimenting with an external, soft white, pico LED to illuminate the screen from the front. Kind of like a reading book light. Anyone using this or other device? Thanks
 

Hi Mike,
 
I have used the FT817 commander android app with an old android tablet and an OTG cable.  It also works on the Z-817 tuner pass through.  
 
73 de KA1DBE 
 
https://ft-817-commander.updatestar.com/en
 

I just watched a YouTube video on the 12864 display on an FT857, then an FT817. It worked on the 857 but not the 817. I should have watched the video before ordering yesterday. Grrrrr
 

I've got a Bluetooth cat dongle plugs into 817. Like Jeff, can use 817 commander wireless for screen display and direct entry etc etc. Good for digimodes ptt too.
Toby MM0TOB 
 

The listings I see for 12864 displays list the three FT-8x7 radios as compatible, not just FT-857 or FT-817...

Ken, N2VIP

On Dec 23, 2024, at 11:13 AM, Mike Davis via groups.io <maddmd818@...> wrote:

12864
 

It will hopefully work. The guy on YouTube couldn't get it to work. 857 and 897 worked. I also just ordered a bluetooth CAT device that works with the Android rx/tx app. Obviously, I'm out of control...lol Merry Christmas

Mike WA1MAD

On Dec 23, 2024 12:24 PM, Ken N2VIP <ken@...> wrote:

The listings I see for 12864 displays list the three FT-8x7 radios as compatible, not just FT-857 or FT-817...

Ken, N2VIP

> On Dec 23, 2024, at 11:13 AM, Mike Davis via groups.io <maddmd818@...> wrote:
>
> 12864






 

I ordered one too and will try it. After it comes in We can get together and figure something out. I have both a 857 and 817 radios. dont  open yours till we see if it works as you may be able to return it. Steve kb1chu
 

Thanks Steve, I may not get it, since I keep getting messages that my order needs to be completed, yet another message that it’s o n it’s way. I think it’s a PayPal thing and really has been or is in process of being shipped. I also bought a mini din bluetooth CAT device to transmit to my Android device. I can then use RxTx app or the other one mentioned. I’m obviously totally out of control. My New Years resolution…”do nothing different”
Mike Davis WA1MAD

On Dec 24, 2024, at 10:09 AM, Steve Black KB1CHU via groups.io <kb1chu@...> wrote:


I ordered one too and will try it. After it comes in We can get together and figure something out. I have both a 857 and 817 radios. dont  open yours till we see if it works as you may be able to return it. Steve kb1chu
 

I also bought a mini din bluetooth CAT device. It works well with RXTX and even with other PC applications. But I encountered a problem: when you turn off the FT-817ND the bluetooth device does not turn off, checked because its blue LED does not turn off, and continues to consume the equipment's battery. If you forget to disconnect it, you may find an irrecoverable battery.
--
Jose - EA7GAH
 

Julio EB4CUV and me designed a nice CAT display for FT817 which looks like an Icom705
Still some units available. But it is intended for V-UHF and microwaves use (along with the proper transverter)
Not for HF and also making exclusive use of the CAT port
 
For more details check my QRZ.com page
 
73 de Luis
EA5DOM
 

 

Well, when you ask a question on this group, you sure get some very interesting and helpful answers. I now have a CAT cable coming, an older Android phone repurposed with pocket RX TX loaded and awaiting the cable, AND a display on order from Ali Express. All this should keep me busy and confused for awhile. My only concern is that on a YouTube video, the display worked on an 857, and 897 but not the 817. We’ll see. Steve, KB1CHU, a nearby ham, has offered support to see what we will see. I’ve even thought that just maybe, my unused backup automotive camera might work. Thanks to all, for your suggestions.
Mike Davis WA1MAD
 

Is 817 Commander a better option than Pocket RxTx lite? Has anyone tried/used both?
Mike Davis WA1MAD

On Dec 23, 2024, at 12:22 PM, Toby Burnett via groups.io <ruffdog272@...> wrote:


I've got a Bluetooth cat dongle plugs into 817. Like Jeff, can use 817 commander wireless for screen display and direct entry etc etc. Good for digimodes ptt too.
Toby MM0TOB 

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