[Elecraft] Multiple PC sound cards...

[Steve Banks]

Hi Everyone-

This is a bit off the usual reflector topics, but I hope someone can offer
some comments.

Has anyone had any experience installing a second sound card in his/her PC
to enable multiple SSB rigs to operate (not simultaneously) in modes, such
as RTTY, BPSK, MFSK, etc. WITHOUT having to swap audio cables to/from the PC
sound card?

My K2 and Rigblaster I/F run very well in scrolling modes with the single
sound card I have, but I'd also like to put another QRP rig (a PSK 20) on
the air occasionally.  I have a spare serial port available, and the PSK 20
has its own built-in audio interface, so all I need is sound-card access to
connect the PSK 20.

An alternative would be to build an external switch to do the audio
changeover externally.  But it occurred to me that it might be possible to
simply add a second (already spare in my junk box) sound card to the PC, and
do whatever PC switching is necessary to tell it which card to use for which
rig is in use.

I've been told that the addition of a second sound card might not leave the
PC too happy, and I'm curious to know if any of you have any thoughts to
offer about that.

Feel free to reply offline if you like.

Tnx es 73...

Steve Banks
K0PQ
K2 S/N 1599