[Dx4win] TNC FTDX 5000 MP

[Jim Reisert AD1C]

On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 12:39 PM, W4PV <w4pv at comcast.net> wrote:

> What is the groups choice of a TNC for the FTDX 5000MP to use for RTTY,
> etc.?

Hi Patrick,

TNCs are so last-century.

:-)

Many people now use a PC sound card interface to their radio.
microHAM, West Mountain Radio and MFJ (SignalLink?) make them, among
others.  The "traditional" models have a USB interface to your PC, and
audio cables between the interface, your radio, and the PC sound card.
Newer models have a sound card built into the interface, so there's
only a USB cable between the interface and your radio, and a couple of
audio connections between the cable and the interface.

The interfaces will always let you run AFSK (audio keying), such as
AFSK RTTY or PSK-31, for example.  Some add a FSK interface for RTTY
(keys a RTTY modulator inside your radio).  Some contain a WinKey or
equivalent chip to send perfect CW (i.e. independent of what your PC
is also doing).  Some units have a CAT interface so DX4WIN and other
software can read the frequency, mode, etc. from your radio.  Of
course, the more you want, the more you pay.

Software is the other choice, many are using MMTTY (RTTY), MMVARI,
fldigi, MixW, Digipan (PSK), WSJT, etc.

I have the original microKEYER from microHAM.  Were I to start today,
I'd buy the MKII with the built-in sound interface.

So decide what modes you want to operate, what (optional) features you
want (like CAT or FSK), and how much you are willing to spend.

73 - Jim AD1C

-- 
Jim Reisert AD1C, <jjreisert at alum.mit.edu>, http://www.ad1c.us