Posted: 11/11/2015 11:32:50 PM EDT
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I was comfortable with the idea of spending the money for a USB SignalLink, but then my enthusiasm was dampened by the MS driver issues where you have to go back and re-tweak your sound card every time you reboot to get your levels right. IamOgre brought up the Easy Digi -- a nice and cheap option, particularly if you can drive a soldering iron. It looks like I need a serial cable to key transmit with one option, and I'm guessing the simpler one is VOX controlled? Are there any other reasonably priced, simple options for trying out Digital on an 857d? Is VOX control a good, reliable way to work an Easy Digi? If so, would an extra USB sound card be a good idea to keep radio signals separate from system sounds & music, or am I running back into the driver issue that took the shine off the SignalLink? Thanks, AB |
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Also consider the MicroHam USB Interface III :
- No driver issues - Includes rig control - One USB cable does everything There is no "Easy Button" for HF digital. You can DIY on the cheap, but you'll be fighting with unknown and unsupported quantities with Serial to USB issues, a mess of cabling, and unknown sound card qualities. Yes, if you go the KF5INZ "Easy Digi" route, you can still get all the separate, discrete components for less money. Yes, it makes sense to get an external USB sound card with this setup for lots of great reasons. Some USB-Serial adapters work better than others, lots of good write-ups out there. |
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I'm in the process of building 4 Easy Digi interefaces. I found some great little extruded aluminum boxes that
are perfect for this, very professional looking. I am placing pots in line, both ways, to control audio level. This will fix the audio level issue once and for all. Hams in other countries generally use homebrew interfaces of this type, with 1:1 600 ohm audio transformers taken from old phones, a few diodes, etc. They think we are nuts for spending so much money on Rigblaster, Signalinks, etc. |
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In the past I have always used Donner digital interfaces. However I recently was involved with a project and decided to use signalinks. They have worked out great. The vox simplified the keying side of things and opened up a USB port.
They are a little pricey but I now believe it is worth it. |
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Quoted:
The Signalink will work just fine. Its a much more user friendly solution for digital than the EasyDigi.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwFUUMrPazA&wide&hd=1
If you have any concerns about the so called Windows bug watch this. I beleive this is the video referenced above - hopefully this one works. 
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I run an Easy-digi interface for my 857D. I found the VOX stuf troublesome, and since I had the programming cable for the 857D already, I just use it and hamlib from fldigi for PTO. Doing so gets me PC freq control also. It's in a grape gum container IIRC, I can take a pic if you like. The digi gain setting for the 857 always freaks me out...16 dots of ALC?!?!?! |
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I use a Rigblaster Plug & Play with my FT-817. Very easy to set up and use. Can usually be found used for $60-$100. Just adjust the volume on your computer to achieve the output level you want and you're good to go. Once you find the level that works just put it back there next time you use it. For example I know offhand that WSJT-X uses 53% volume, WSPR 28%, and FLDIGI 100%. Minimal cables, no external sound cards to screw with etc. ETA: When I run digital I'm usually not messing around with any other programs, so system sounds and music aren't ever an issue, and therefor don't need an external sound card to keep things separated. Different strokes for different folks... |
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These are the boxes I am using. Mine are silver.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-14476 silver 1.18"(H) x 2.5" (W) x 3.15" (D) http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-14466 gold 1.18"(H) x 2.5" (W) x 3.15" (D) http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-14482 red 1.18"(H) x 2.5" (W) x 3.15" (D) http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-14486 blue 1.18"(H) x 2.5" (W) x 3.15" (D) http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-14492 green 1.18"(H) x 2.5" (W) x 3.15" (D) Pots are 5K audio taper, and I got red (for TX) and green (for RX) knobs to set levels. |
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Quoted: Has anyone done the mod to their Signalink that was mentioned in the QST, Aug. 2014, pg. 61? Nevah Been Done Befohr...  |
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Quoted:
Has anyone done the mod to their Signalink that was mentioned in the QST, Aug. 2014, pg. 61? 
Yes and it significantly reduces the noise generated by the USB power source. All you do is add a 1/4 watt 470 ohm resistor to the circuit . It took me about 10 minutes to complete. |
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Quoted:
I was comfortable with the idea of spending the money for a USB SignalLink, but then my enthusiasm was dampened by the MS driver issues where you have to go back and re-tweak your sound card every time you reboot to get your levels right. Never heard of this bug. Its its own soundcard which was one of the reasons I got one. I never had to screw with the computer's card. I loved my SL USB. |
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This is what I use, cost 25 bucks or so.
Works fine for casual digi modes. I use it with FLdigi, and HRD, and winlink. If you want cat control you need another cable though. Its also small and weighs nothing, so thats a major plus for portable ops. |
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Quoted:
I'm in the process of building 4 Easy Digi interefaces. I found some great little extruded aluminum boxes that are perfect for this, very professional looking. I am placing pots in line, both ways, to control audio level. This will fix the audio level issue once and for all. Hams in other countries generally use homebrew interfaces of this type, with 1:1 600 ohm audio transformers taken from old phones, a few diodes, etc. They think we are nuts for spending so much money on Rigblaster, Signalinks, etc. You wanna make me two that interface with a clansman audio interface, and U229 interface  ?
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