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Related wiki pages: [[Transceivers]], [[Software]], [[Modes]], [[SSTV]], [[SSTV software]]
Related wiki pages: [[Transceivers]], [[Software]], [[Modes]], [[SSTV]], [[SSTV software]]


There are many brands of interface available to connect a PC to an amateur radio transceiver. They all do essentially the same thing. They key the radio to transmit, pass a signal based on the mode of operation from the PC to the radio, then un-key to go back into receive mode. Some automatically bypass the microphone during transmission but allow the operator to override the computer simply by keying the mike. Links to suppliers of some some interfaces are below. They generally work with any PC soundcard based software, digital or analogue.
There are many brands of interface available to connect a PC to an amateur radio transceiver. Often home-brew interfaces are used. They all do essentially the same thing. They key the radio to transmit, pass a signal based on the mode of operation from the PC to the radio, then un-key to go back into receive mode. Some automatically bypass the microphone during transmission but allow the operator to override the computer simply by keying the mike. Links to suppliers of some interfaces are below. They generally work with any PC soundcard based software, digital or analogue.


==Sites about soundcard interfacing==
* [http://www.sparetimegizmos.com/Hardware/SoundBuddy.htm Sound Card Buddy]
* [http://www.qsl.net/wm2u/interface.html Understanding soundcard interfacing] By Ernie Mills WM2U
==Manufacturers==
* [http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/index.shtml Digimaster] from ZLP Electronics. A variety of interfaces and connecting cables are available.
* [http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/index.shtml Digimaster] from ZLP Electronics. A variety of interfaces and connecting cables are available.
* [http://home.att.net/~n8st/DDI-index.html Donners] digital interfaces. Various models available for specific rig manufacturers.
* [http://home.att.net/~n8st/DDI-index.html Donners] digital interfaces. Various models available for specific rig manufacturers.
* [http://home.att.net/~n8st/DDI-index.html KK7UQ] interface. Available in kit form.
* [http://home.att.net/~n8st/DDI-index.html KK7UQ] interface. Available in kit form.
* [http://www.microham.com/ Microkeyer] USB interface from Microham. Other models available.
* [http://www.microham.com/ Microkeyer] USB interface from Microham. Other models available.
* [http://www.pcinterfaces.co.uk/ PCInterfaces] In both kit and pre-constructed form.
* [http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~richarda/QDG/SCI-010.htm QDG Kit] Construction project from the Queensland Digital Group [http://qdg.sorbs.net/qdgmes.html]
* [http://www.packetradio.com/ Rascal GLX] from Bux CommCo. Avalaible in kit or constructed form.  A variety of cable options are also available from the site.
* [http://www.westmountainradio.com/RIGblaster.htm Rigblaster] from West Mountain Radio. Has  interface models with both USB and RS232 DB9 connections. Includes inbuilt rig control capability.
* [http://www.rigexpert.com/ RigExpert] USB interfaces and MixW software.
* [http://www.tigertronics.com/index.htm SignaLink] from Tigertronics. Two models available, one that used the computer soundcard and DB9 connection, the second has a built in soundcard and connects via USB
* [http://www.HamStationUltra.com W9KFB] PSK Software, Interface, and cable specifically designed for operation with HamStationUltra software and a Kenwood TS-2000/TS-B2000 transceiver for a one stop PSK solution.
* [http://home.cogeco.ca/~hduff/Echo_Main.htm VA3TO] linking interface. Operates under EchoLink software and doubles as a soundcard interface for various digital modes.


* [http://www.pcinterfaces.co.uk/ PCInterfaces] In both kit and pre-constructed form.  
==Home Brewing==
Interfaces can be fairly simple and thus are easily home brewed. Here are 2 schematics. The first one is for PCs with a serial port being used for PTT, the second one for an Asus Eee netbook. It uses a VOX circuit for PTT.<br>


* [http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~richarda/QDG/SCI-010.htm QDG Kit] Construction project from the Queensland Digital Group [http://qdg.sorbs.net/qdgmes.html]


* [http://www.packetradio.com/ Rascal GLX] from Bux CommCo. Avalaible in kit or constructed form.  A variety of cable options are also available from the site.
<TABLE>
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<TD>[[Image:inface.png]]</TD><TD>[[Image:infacev.png]]</TD>
</TR>
<TABLE>


* [http://www.westmountainradio.com/RIGblaster.htm Rigblaster] from West Mountain Radio. Has  interface models with both USB and RS232 DB9 connections. Includes inbuilt rig control capability.
==Tips for using interfaces==


* [http://www.rigexpert.com/ RigExpert] USB interfaces and MixW software.
Using the signalink USB with and ACER Aspire ONE for WSPR and MMSSTV / MMVARI  [[Image:Signalink.pdf]]


* [http://www.tigertronics.com/index.htm SignaLink] from Tigertronics. Two models available, one that used the computer soundcard and DB9 connection, the second has a built in soundcard and connects via USB


* [http://home.cogeco.ca/~hduff/Echo_Main.htm VA3TO] linking interface. Operates under EchoLink software and doubles as a soundcard interface for various digital modes.
{{apparatus}}

Latest revision as of 11:11, 1 January 2012

Related wiki pages: Transceivers, Software, Modes, SSTV, SSTV software

There are many brands of interface available to connect a PC to an amateur radio transceiver. Often home-brew interfaces are used. They all do essentially the same thing. They key the radio to transmit, pass a signal based on the mode of operation from the PC to the radio, then un-key to go back into receive mode. Some automatically bypass the microphone during transmission but allow the operator to override the computer simply by keying the mike. Links to suppliers of some interfaces are below. They generally work with any PC soundcard based software, digital or analogue.

Sites about soundcard interfacing

Manufacturers

  • Digimaster from ZLP Electronics. A variety of interfaces and connecting cables are available.
  • Donners digital interfaces. Various models available for specific rig manufacturers.
  • KK7UQ interface. Available in kit form.
  • Microkeyer USB interface from Microham. Other models available.
  • PCInterfaces In both kit and pre-constructed form.
  • QDG Kit Construction project from the Queensland Digital Group [1]
  • Rascal GLX from Bux CommCo. Avalaible in kit or constructed form. A variety of cable options are also available from the site.
  • Rigblaster from West Mountain Radio. Has interface models with both USB and RS232 DB9 connections. Includes inbuilt rig control capability.
  • RigExpert USB interfaces and MixW software.
  • SignaLink from Tigertronics. Two models available, one that used the computer soundcard and DB9 connection, the second has a built in soundcard and connects via USB
  • W9KFB PSK Software, Interface, and cable specifically designed for operation with HamStationUltra software and a Kenwood TS-2000/TS-B2000 transceiver for a one stop PSK solution.
  • VA3TO linking interface. Operates under EchoLink software and doubles as a soundcard interface for various digital modes.

Home Brewing

Interfaces can be fairly simple and thus are easily home brewed. Here are 2 schematics. The first one is for PCs with a serial port being used for PTT, the second one for an Asus Eee netbook. It uses a VOX circuit for PTT.


Inface.pngInfacev.png

Tips for using interfaces

Using the signalink USB with and ACER Aspire ONE for WSPR and MMSSTV / MMVARI File:Signalink.pdf


Radio apparatus
Apparatus Keys - Morse * Kits * Radio/PC Interfaces * Receivers and transceivers * Software Defined Radio (SDR) * Vintage Radio
Manufacturers Alinco * Elecraft * Flex Radio Systems * MFJ * Icom * Kenwood * RF-Space * Ten Tec * Yaesu
Transceivers Alinco DX-70TH * Elecraft K1 * Elecraft K2 * Hendricks QRP Kits * Icom * Kenwood * Yaesu
Projects Build a simple 160 metre receiver * Powering a hand held transceiver from an AC power supply
See also Antennas
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