Posted: 12/2/2012 6:09:34 PM EDT
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I'm just starting to dabble in some digital modes and have Digipan installed for PSK31. I have a Donner interface and am 99% sure everything is hooked up correctly. I have the serial cable plugged in, with the input cord to my mic jack and the output cord to my speaker jack.
Here's my question. When I booted up the laptop for the first time after hooking it up, my Icom 718 showed it was transmitting. I'm guessing it was "transmitting" the Windows XP startup tune and whatnot? I obviously don't want it to transmit anything until I start up Digipan and send a message to the waterfall. So what do I do now? Thanks for any help you can offer. |
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Good Day,
If it's the Windows start up, simply turn the VOX off. I have seen the interfaces them selves go into TX mode as the computer checks out the Serial ports but that didn't mean the rig was in TX. If the computer is keying the TX via the audio one solution is to set the VOX on the rig to off and/ or turn off the computer sounds. HTH 73, Rob ETA, Yes, the computer will key the rig; though, if there is no audio present, nothing will be transmitted. As said below, best to turn the Windows sounds off. |
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I don't have a Donner interface, but a quick look at the (rather weak) documentation on their website shows that the PTT function is provided by the serial port RTS line, not VOX.
It may be that the RTS line is in an asserted state for a moment while your laptop boots. To confirm this is the case, merely disconnect the serial cable from the Donner and repeat the experiment. If that is the case (and it probably is) then you'll have to leave the radio off when you boot your attached computer. That said, with an interface like the Donner, which uses the normal computer sound device, it is certainly important to disable Windows sounds lest they get transmitted on the air. This does not mean you can turn down the volume in the sound control panel or mute the audio because both of those things will also prevent whatever digital software you are using from working. Instead (in Windows 7) go to the Sounds tab in the Sound Control Panel and select "No sounds" (can't remember how to do it in XP or Vista). |
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Quoted:
go into you control panel and sounds, and turn your windows sounds off. Yep Many times those type of interfaces will key the PTT line on Computer start up. You could also mod the Interface and put a switch to disable the PTT line until you actually want it. |