I2BRT
Ham Radio Site
BRT-101-CWKA
Purpose
BRT-101 CW Keyer Assistant is a Windows 10/11 application created to help radio amateurs manage and operate the internal CW keyer of Yaesu FTdx101MP and FTdx101D transceivers.
The utility connects to the radio through CAT control using a standard serial COM port or USB interface. Once connected, it can read and update the radio’s CW memories, manage CW keyer parameters, send stored messages, transmit live text through the keyer, and organize multiple banks of predefined CW messages.
The program is intended to provide a more comfortable and flexible PC-based interface for preparing, storing, recalling, and sending CW messages, reducing the need to manage these functions directly from the radio front panel.
It is especially useful for operators who use CW regularly and want quick access to message memories, macros, contest-style variables, memory banks, keyer settings, and direct CAT-based control of the FTdx101 internal keyer.
Usage
Install BRT-101 CW Keyer Assistant using the setup program, then start the application from the Windows Start Menu or from the desktop shortcut, if created during installation.
Connect the Yaesu FTdx101MP or FTdx101D to the PC using the appropriate USB CAT interface or serial COM port.
Start the program and press the List COM button to enumerate the available serial ports. Select the COM port associated with the radio and choose the correct CAT baud rate according to the radio configuration.
Press Connect to open the serial connection with the transceiver. Once connected, the program identifies the radio and enables the CW keyer control functions.
The application can read the current CW keyer memories and settings from the radio, allowing you to review, edit, and update them directly from the PC.
Use the memory bank section to prepare and store up to 20 banks of CW messages. Each bank can contain five CW memory messages and a custom bank name. Banks can be recalled and loaded into the radio when needed.
Use the macro section to create predefined CW messages with replaceable fields such as callsign, name, QTH, locator, report, serial number, frequency, band, and other operator-defined information.
Use the live CW text area to type and immediately transmit a CW message through the radio internal keyer.
The keyer settings panel allows you to read and adjust several CW-related parameters, including CW speed, pitch, break-in, break-in delay, QSK delay, wave shape, weight, monitor level, keyer status, CW mode, and memory type.
The program also provides import and export functions for memory banks and macros, so presets can be saved, backed up, restored, or moved to another installation.
Before using the program on air, verify that the selected COM port, baud rate, radio CAT settings, and keyer configuration are correct.
Note
Install BRT-101 CW Keyer Assistant using the provided setup program.
During installation, you may choose to create a desktop shortcut. After installation, the program can be started from the Windows Start Menu or from the desktop shortcut, if selected.
A small user manual is installed together with the application. You can open it from the Help button inside the program, or directly from the installation folder.
Connect your Yaesu FTdx101MP or FTdx101D transceiver to the PC using the USB CAT interface or a suitable serial COM port connection.
Start the program and click List COM to refresh the list of available serial ports. Select the COM port associated with the radio and choose the correct CAT baud rate according to the radio CAT configuration.
Press Connect to open the serial connection with the transceiver. Once connected, the utility identifies the radio and enables the CW keyer control functions.
The program allows you to read, edit, store, recall, and transmit the internal CW keyer memories of the radio. It also provides functions to manage up to 20 CW memory banks, create and use custom macros, send live CW text, and adjust keyer-related parameters such as speed, pitch, break-in, QSK delay, wave shape, weight, monitor level, CW mode, and memory type.
Memory banks and macro presets can be imported and exported, allowing you to back up your configuration or move it to another installation.
Before using the program on air, always verify that the selected COM port, baud rate, radio CAT settings, and CW keyer configuration are correct.
If you no longer want to use the application, uninstall it using the standard Windows uninstall procedure, from Windows Settings / Apps or from the uninstall shortcut created in the Start Menu.