[Ham-Mac] PSK - Problems with fidigi and signalink USB

[Dick Kriss]

On Jul 24, 2011, at 1:25 PM, Richard Hemingway wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> I'm wondering if any of  you have had the problem I am running into. 
> I have a MAC PRO computer running fidigi software and hooked to a 
> SignaLink USB and the then into my Icom IC-7410 rig.
> 
> The problem I have is that when I am just receiving programs, 
> something is keying the SL and a Transmit signal of some kind is 
> being produced.  The red light blinks off and on the SL and on the 
> 7410 as well, but no output is detected on the meter. However, it 
> does interrupt the signal I am receiving.
> 
> It also does the same thing when I am on the CocaModem software. Any ideas??
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Dick, N5XRD
> ______________________________________________________________
> Ham-Mac mailing list

Dick N5XRD,

Sounds like weak or marginal audio drive level from the Mac Pro to the IC-7410 to 
me. The blinking LED you mentioned is clue that the audio input to the SignalLink 
may be too low to properly key the Auto-PTT circuit in the SL to drive the rig. 

Try the following:

- Have Icom's S-Meter set to display ALC

- Have the SignaLink USB's TX control set to mid way

- Open the OS X System Preferences/Sound/Output and select the USB Audio CODED
and set Output volume level slider to about 50%. 

- Open the fldigi Configure/Sound Card/Audio/TX Level and set the slider to -0 db. The
reason for setting it to zero is you are using a SiganLink that has a TX control and you 
do not need both.

While transmitting into a dummy load, adjust (balance) the OS X Output volume slider 
and the SignaLink's TX knob until you get the desired power with no ALC showing on the 
meter.

Once you have the audio drive level to the rig adjusted, be sure you go back to the OS X
Sound control panel and select Internal Speakers to prevent the transmission of OSX 
system beeps.

I don't understand why you still using the SignaLink USB with the Icom IC-7410?  The 
IC-7410 supports a direct USB connection for both audio and rig control. Fldigi has a TX 
Attenuator to help you balance the output to the rig.  Once you make the initial adjustment, 
you can make fine tuning ALC adjustments on-the-fly using the the fldigi keyboard shortcuts 
[Cmd - and Cmd =].

If you want to switch back and forth between fldigi and cocoaModem, you may have to 
adjust the OS X Sound Output volume after the switch.  

Good luck with the setup

73 Dick AA5VU