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CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) Control allows World Radio League to communicate directly with your radio — enabling automated frequency tracking, live S-meter readings, and smoother logging. With CAT Control enabled, your logger stays synchronized with your radio in real time.

This guide walks you through setting up CAT Control using the World Radio League desktop application.

Requirements #

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Installed the WRL CAT Control application

• A compatible radio with CAT support

• A USB or serial cable connecting your radio to your computer

• Install a USB Driver for your radio! 
  • You can search your radio model and USB driver, like “ICOM 7300 USB Driver” in order to find it online

• Important Notes (For Windows Users):

  • Go to ‘Device Manager’ –> ‘Ports (COM & LPT)’ and right click on your COM port for your radio, then click ‘Properties’
  • Under the ‘Port Settings’ Tab, make sure you have set the baud rate under the ‘Bits Per Second’ drop down that you’ve set inside your radio settings (do this for both COM ports for your radio, if you have more than 1).
  • If you have a ‘Power Management’ Tab make sure to uncheck/disable the two options here that say “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” & “Allow this device to wake the computer”

• FTdx101D/MP | FTdx10 | FT710 Radio Settings:
  • In your radio settings in the “Operation Settings” menu –> “General” make sure to set the ‘CAT RATE” to “38400” (or whatever you’ve set in the ‘Port Settings’ tab in device manager above)
  • In your radio settings in the “Operation Settings” menu –> “General” make sure to set the ‘CAT TIME OUT TIMER” to “100msec” (10msec is too fast and will cause time-out errors)

• FT991A Radio Settings:
  • 031 CAT RATE: Set to 9600 bps  / 38400 (recommended for compatibility and stability with Hamlib).
  • 032 CAT TIME OUT TIMER: 100msec
  • 033 CAT RTS: Set to ENABLE (this enables hardware flow control via RTS).
  • 062 DATA MODE: Set to OTHERS (required for proper digital mode and CAT operation).
  • 064 OTHER DISP (SSB): Set to 1500 Hz (centers the audio filter for data modes).
  • 065 OTHER SHIFT (SSB): Set to 1500 Hz (widens the effective audio bandwidth).
  • 071 DATA PTT SELECT: Set to RTS (ensures proper PTT control via the USB interface).
  • 072 DATA PORT SELECT: Set to USB (uses the USB data port for communication).

• Icom 7300 Radio Settings (may have to turn CI-V USB Echo Back: On):
  • CI-V Baud rate: Auto
  • CI-V address: 94h
  • CI-V Transceive: ON
  • CI-V USB Port: Unlink from remote
  • CI-V USB Baud Rate: 9600  ** IMPORTANT **
  • CI-V USB Echo Back: OFF
  • USB Send: off
  • USB Keying: off

• For Proper FT8 Settings (for FTDx101D/MP, FTdx10, FT710):
  • In your radio settings in the “Radio Settings” menu -> “MODE PSK/DATA” set the “DATA MOD SOURCE” to “REAR”
  • In your radio settings in the “Radio Settings” menu -> “MODE PSK/DATA” set the “REAR SELECT” to “USB”
  • In your radio settings in the “Radio Settings” menu -> “MODE PSK/DATA” set the “RPORT GAIN” to “12”
  • In your radio settings in the “Radio Settings” menu -> “MODE PSK/DATA” set the “RPTT SELECT” to “RTS”
  • In your radio settings in the “Operation Settings” menu –> “General” set the ‘CAT RTS” to “OFF”

• Your World Radio League login credentials

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Step-by-Step Setup #

1. Launch CAT Control #

Open the CAT Control app on your computer.

2. Sign In #

• Click the Sign In button.

• A browser popup will appear — authorize with your World Radio League account.

• The app will redirect you back automatically, confirming you’re signed in.

3. Connect to Your Radio #

Click the Settings (gear icon) and configure your connection:

• Radio Model: Select your radio from the dropdown list.

• Serial Port: Choose the port your radio is connected to (e.g., COM3, /dev/ttyUSB0).

  • If you don’t see a Serial Port, you might have forgotten to add a USB Driver for your radio! Please search for the USB driver for your radio and download it.

• Baud Rate: Match your radio’s CAT baud rate setting.

Once everything is set, click Start Connection.

A confirmation popup will appear once your radio is successfully connected.

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Features Once Connected #

Live Frequency Sync #

• When you adjust the dial on your radio, the frequency in WRL logging updates automatically.

• You can also change frequency from the app, and your radio will respond in real time.

Dual VFO Support #

• If your radio supports dual VFOs, you’ll see both active frequencies displayed within the CAT Control interface.

S-Meter Readings #

• The S-Meter display shows real-time signal strength.

• You’ll see the needle rise and fall as your radio receives transmissions — helpful for verifying reception and tuning during operation.

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Example: FT8 Monitoring #

Let’s say you tune your radio to 14.074 MHz, a common FT8 frequency:

• CAT Control reflects the frequency instantly in your logbook.

• The S-meter will begin to show activity as FT8 signals are received.

• When the band is quiet, the needle drops accordingly — a great visual indicator of live reception.

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Summary #

With just a few clicks, CAT Control links your radio and World Radio League for seamless logging and real-time frequency tracking. It’s ideal for digital modes, contesting, and casual operating alike.

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