CQ CQ K7AGE DE KC8YTO - Dude, ever since you showed us the "mic on the speaker thingy"...I'm hooked! -lol. I went a step further for a first contact test and held the radio mic up to the PC speaker...and it friggin' worked! Made my first contact with a guy in Texas (from Huntington, WV using a badly tuned wet noodle and around 40 watts!) - Now, of course, this is a spit-in-the-eye to modern technology and probably spurious as it can get, but exciting nonetheless! - THANK YOU!!! '73
Randy, I have been a shortwave listener since the 1980s and recently got my ham ticket. I work in broadcast radio and run a part 15/web station for fun. I have watched your videos and have enjoyed them. The psk31 got me interested and I am having fun with Digipan. Keep up informative videos. Thanks!
I use the TIgertronics SL-1+ which doesn't use USB, it has a built in PTT circuit and uses the audio direct from the computer sound card. It takes some twiddling with the settings to get it working, but it has worked well for me. It just connects to the sound card headphone out/microphone in jacks, so no need to worry about it needing its own device driver. I use it with my Kenwood TS140S and it works great!
@3:50 The best way to prevent windows sounds from using the second sound card is to set the "default" audio device. Then the only sound on the second sound card will be from the programs that you set to use that card.
Excellent tutorial, for what it is worth being a cheapskate I have run some of these modes using just the attenuation and cables to the PC, some rigs allow you to use VOX even on phone patch inputs or similar. 600ohm line transformers can often be rescued from old PMR base stations although a variety of stockists here in the UK do sell transformers suitable for avoiding ground loops in this application. 73 and thanks for investing the time in making the video.
Do you have a video explaining how to connect up older radios for RTTY, PSK31, that do not have USB connections, and in some cases no RS232? For example I have a JRC-135 which is quite rare. It does have a utility socket but the manual terminology has more to do with ( I think) printers rather than interfacing with computers! So a video on this specifically would be handy!
I don't have a video about your issue. First, you may not need RS-232 for your interface. That gives you rig control and maybe PTT. You need to google around for the older sound card psk interface. Before all the modern USB interface guys built their own interface. Google K7AGE PSK31 and you will find many of my videos on this subject.
Randy, use TeamViewer you won't need to log in just keep software running on home pc and have the ID and Password written down, then run the same software on your laptop, type in ID and Password and it works pretty well, no registrations needed
Correct, sometimes you need a USB to Serial adapter. Or, the newer USB interfaces, that also include the sound card are an alternative. On desktop computers, I like to install extra RS232 ports. I think I have 4 on my computer now, and I bought a couple 4 port modules in case I needed to add more ports in the future. Randy
Hi Randy Just discovered your videos here on You Tube. I used to be a fellow TS2000 but had to sell due to financial reasons. All I do now is listen using a FRG100 but you are seriously getting me thinking of getting back on the air. More into data modes myself though but your interface video etc were great. Keep up the good work with the videos, i have just subscribed! Maybe work you oneday! 73's Neil, M0CJM
Thanks! I think I will utilize the little surplus Baluns I have been using, with a buffered op amp preamps/amps going both going ways. That way I can preset an auto controlled level out to the TX, and use a fully optoisolated MOSFET or relay control circuit for the TX/RX controls. This way there should be no ground coupling to cause any ground loops at all. I use a lot of Deutsche Industrie Normal (DIN) cords anyway. Those can be maddening to work with, at first. Not a big fan of tape, where I live. It is hot here and the tape winds up a sticky gooey mess covered in dirt. Heat shrink works really well. I used lacquered flax cord with a cloth guitar patch cord on my Vibrolex semi-auto standard key, for CW, & It really looks 1930s period correct. I am probably going to go get an older Kenwood this week. That volatile memory in the new radios is just a pain in the neck. I suppose I could make a dual battery connector, so I can hot swap the dying batteries out, without losing the memory. I don't know why they did that. It just seems dumb for any maker of a $1200-$5500 transceiver to do that & use volatile memory in the RAM, without a good good backup system.
I'm not familiar with the PC-1A, but I don't think that would work very well without some modifications. It interfaces the one telephone line connection to mic and speaker. You need to interface the two connections from the computer to the radio. Randy
Unplug the MFJ from the computer and check that you can hear the audio from the computer. Make sure the radio is set for USB. Double check the jumpers. Randy
K7AGE Your videos are great. I have learned more from your videos than anywhere. Your are the Master of Elmers all around. Thank you sir for all your hard work 73 and Happy Holidays KI4QFL Frank Austin
uh, that tigertronics device is awesome, but will they work in unix like operating systems? such as mac or linux? i have vista but i rarely use it as i find linux to me more stable.
hi i've started watching your and david's video's. i hope to get on echolink in the near future and hope to set up a echolink simplex node. what computer do you use for echolink and what sound card do you use i've been looking at the rigblaster nomic and all-so the advanced repeater systems they make a echolink interface with a cable made to fit my radio. i enjoy the videos 73 frank kd0hgi
Michael Miller Naw, won't work. The audio from the computer is routed through the interface which has a very small internal speaker. I have something in the configuration setup wrong and was hoping to find out what it was. Guess I'll keep clicking and reading. . .
My RigBlaster was similar to that. I had to right click on the speaker icon (Volume Icon in the bottom right-hand corner) and edit the sound properties. From there, I could select which device I wanted Windows to use as the Audio output. I had to manually select, "speaker" or something like that to get the sound to work. But, later when I wanted to use the RigBlaster, I had to undo those steps to get the audio to go through the RigBlaster.
Michael Miller Wow! That worked! I never right clicked that icon before. Did not know that was possible. Thanks. The audio is working perfectly. I'll check it when I switch back to PSK-31. I did not know you had a RigBlaster. Which model?
CQ CQ K7AGE DE KC8YTO - Dude, ever since you showed us the "mic on the speaker thingy"...I'm hooked! -lol.
I went a step further for a first contact test and held the radio mic up to the PC speaker...and it friggin' worked! Made my first contact with a guy in Texas (from Huntington, WV using a badly tuned wet noodle and around 40 watts!) - Now, of course, this is a spit-in-the-eye to modern technology and probably spurious as it can get, but exciting nonetheless! - THANK YOU!!! '73
Randy, I have been a shortwave listener since the 1980s and recently got my ham ticket. I work in broadcast radio and run a part 15/web station for fun. I have watched your videos and have enjoyed them. The psk31 got me interested and I am having fun with Digipan. Keep up informative videos.
Thanks!
I use the TIgertronics SL-1+ which doesn't use USB, it has a built in PTT circuit and uses the audio direct from the computer sound card. It takes some twiddling with the settings to get it working, but it has worked well for me. It just connects to the sound card headphone out/microphone in jacks, so no need to worry about it needing its own device driver. I use it with my Kenwood TS140S and it works great!
@3:50 The best way to prevent windows sounds from using the second sound card is to set the "default" audio device. Then the only sound on the second sound card will be from the programs that you set to use that card.
Excellent tutorial, for what it is worth being a cheapskate I have run some of these modes using just the attenuation and cables to the PC, some rigs allow you to use VOX even on phone patch inputs or similar.
600ohm line transformers can often be rescued from old PMR base stations although a variety of stockists here in the UK do sell transformers suitable for avoiding ground loops in this application.
73 and thanks for investing the time in making the video.
Neil, glad to hear that you found my videos. Hope you get back on the air soon. Randy
Do you have a video explaining how to connect up older radios for RTTY, PSK31, that do not have USB connections, and in some cases no RS232? For example I have a JRC-135 which is quite rare. It does have a utility socket but the manual terminology has more to do with ( I think) printers rather than interfacing with computers! So a video on this specifically would be handy!
I don't have a video about your issue. First, you may not need RS-232 for your interface. That gives you rig control and maybe PTT. You need to google around for the older sound card psk interface. Before all the modern USB interface guys built their own interface. Google K7AGE PSK31 and you will find many of my videos on this subject.
Thanks Randy,
Just purchased my HF Rig after passing my Extra, and purchased a signalink USB..
Shack building now.
73
Dave, KJ6GLX
Good job on the PSK 31 videos. You have sparked my interest. My only problem is I don't type.I just pick and peck.
Randy, use TeamViewer you won't need to log in just keep software running on home pc and have the ID and Password written down, then run the same software on your laptop, type in ID and Password and it works pretty well, no registrations needed
For a sound card interface, I built the Unified Microsystems SCI-6 which is available (in the USA) for about $25, including shipping.
Correct, sometimes you need a USB to Serial adapter. Or, the newer USB interfaces, that also include the sound card are an alternative. On desktop computers, I like to install extra RS232 ports. I think I have 4 on my computer now, and I bought a couple 4 port modules in case I needed to add more ports in the future. Randy
The kit looks pretty straight forward. Price is right, and you get to have some soldering fun. They have some other interesting kits too.
Hi Randy
Just discovered your videos here on You Tube. I used to be a fellow TS2000 but had to sell due to financial reasons. All I do now is listen using a FRG100 but you are seriously getting me thinking of getting back on the air. More into data modes myself though but your interface video etc were great.
Keep up the good work with the videos, i have just subscribed!
Maybe work you oneday!
73's
Neil, M0CJM
Thanks for the hints and watching. Randy
Thanks! I think I will utilize the little surplus Baluns I have been using, with a buffered op amp preamps/amps going both going ways. That way I can preset an auto controlled level out to the TX, and use a fully optoisolated MOSFET or relay control circuit for the TX/RX controls. This way there should be no ground coupling to cause any ground loops at all. I use a lot of Deutsche Industrie Normal (DIN) cords anyway. Those can be maddening to work with, at first. Not a big fan of tape, where I live. It is hot here and the tape winds up a sticky gooey mess covered in dirt. Heat shrink works really well. I used lacquered flax cord with a cloth guitar patch cord on my Vibrolex semi-auto standard key, for CW, & It really looks 1930s period correct. I am probably going to go get an older Kenwood this week. That volatile memory in the new radios is just a pain in the neck. I suppose I could make a dual battery connector, so I can hot swap the dying batteries out, without losing the memory. I don't know why they did that. It just seems dumb for any maker of a $1200-$5500 transceiver to do that & use volatile memory in the RAM, without a good good backup system.
I'm not familiar with the PC-1A, but I don't think that would work very well without some modifications. It interfaces the one telephone line connection to mic and speaker. You need to interface the two connections from the computer to the radio. Randy
Unplug the MFJ from the computer and check that you can hear the audio from the computer. Make sure the radio is set for USB. Double check the jumpers. Randy
Yup, that works. Plus a simple home built interface
K7AGE
Your videos are great. I have learned more from your videos than anywhere. Your are the Master of Elmers all around.
Thank you sir for all your hard work
73 and Happy Holidays
KI4QFL
Frank Austin
uh, that tigertronics device is awesome, but will they work in unix like operating systems? such as mac or linux? i have vista but i rarely use it as i find linux to me more stable.
Thanks for the sound scheme tip. Sorry to hear about your laptop. Randy
Another great video! Thanks for you time invested Randy.
I used a borrowed signalink USB under linux no problem. Used FLDigi for multimode tx/rx software (even better than mixW IMO, and FREE!).
You got me hooked :) Huge thanks and keep the videos coming.
Excellent video (as usual)
Thank you and 73 from Vancouver
Greg
hi i've started watching your and david's video's. i hope to get on echolink in the near future and hope to set up a echolink simplex node. what computer do you use for echolink and what sound card do you use i've been looking at the rigblaster nomic and all-so the advanced repeater systems they make a echolink interface with a cable made to fit my radio. i enjoy the videos 73 frank kd0hgi
Great video Randy. 73, Curtis
Thanks for all the videos from KF7QGM.
dear k7age
all clips from you are very informative and helped me a lot in setting my psk 31 setup. 73s vu3mes satyan
Excellent tutorial, Randy-san. VY 73, 7J1AWL
Cool, I'll have to check that our. Thanks for posting.
@RedStickHam HI, thanks. Another good interface. Randy
Excellent Video, hope to contact you on PSK, That is if I can find the way to interface my Rig Blaster Pro with the yaesu FT 2000. Best of 73
If you've just got the mic and speaker jacks of the rig and PC connected, couldn't you just use VOX to key the radio?
Yes you can. Some radios, may not allow VOX to work when audio is connected to other than the front mic jack.
Very cool. Randy
thanks
As always Randy great tutorial.
VK3W-W-W
I wish I could hear the audio. All computer audio now plays through my Navigator and is too low to be heard.
Plug you earphones into your computer's jack.
Michael Miller
Naw, won't work. The audio from the computer is routed through the interface which has a very small internal speaker. I have something in the configuration setup wrong and was hoping to find out what it was. Guess I'll keep clicking and reading. . .
My RigBlaster was similar to that. I had to right click on the speaker icon (Volume Icon in the bottom right-hand corner) and edit the sound properties. From there, I could select which device I wanted Windows to use as the Audio output. I had to manually select, "speaker" or something like that to get the sound to work. But, later when I wanted to use the RigBlaster, I had to undo those steps to get the audio to go through the RigBlaster.
Michael Miller
Wow! That worked! I never right clicked that icon before. Did not know that was possible. Thanks. The audio is working perfectly. I'll check it when I switch back to PSK-31. I did not know you had a RigBlaster. Which model?
Well, I meant to say "SignaLink USB" but it is a sound card interface device just the same.
Hey, it works.
Load up the macros! Randy
I don't know, send an email to Tigertronics. Randy
That should be too hard! Have fun. Randy
epic
ok, i found that they do, thanks anyway
you can buy a cheap $20 sound card at walmart. instead of these, and many radios have vox
great video. mni tks de OH8XAT