[Elecraft] OT- sound cards

[Erik Basilier]

Hi Jim VE3CI, and thanks for your comments.

I think it was a D-44 that I used years ago for a music computer setup. It
was a card connected to a big external dongle.

AFAI remember I had no problem with noise, but I didn't use any microphone
level signals. I could obviously dig it up and put it in my current main
computer if there is a Win 7 driver for it. I freely admit to trying to
benefit from others' experience before expending my own elbow grease ...

-Erik K7TV

 

Hi,

 

My observation of built in sound cards both desktop (also an HP) and laptop
(Asus netbook) is that they are not very good from a noise point of view.  I
have acquired an M-Audio D-44 which i use in my station desktop computer.
It is a PCI card with an external breakout box .... making it very
convenient from a radio shack point of view.  The radio can be almost 5'
away from the computer.

 

I have compared it to built in sound cards for recording and digital
operations.  The D-44 is clearly superior.  When operating digital modes I
have compared it to the built in sound cards as well as the external units
such as the Signalink. The waterfall on the screen is best with the D-44 ...
by a long shot ... even when compared to the external units like the
Signalink.  The M-Audio was originally used by me for music recording ...
then it was recruited for my early SDR experiments ... and now it is used
for digital mode radio operations.  The only shortcoming is that it is far
from portable hi.  The little Signalink works well with my laptop for
portable work ... but not quite as clean as my D-44.

 

M-audio still makes good sound cards (the D-44 is now obsolete).

 

Jim, VE3CI