[K3PZN-List] Connecting an IC-T7H to PC

[Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-568.0)]

Hi Sean,

May I chime in?  Ka-chink, here's my $0.02, ...

There is hope in interfacing your HT to a 
computer or TNC or other interface.  I went to 
http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/handheld/t7h/default.aspx
and found the IC-T7H manual and the page that 
shows the mic and speaker ports.  You will need 
a 3.5 mm stereo plug and 2.5 mm stereo plug to 
make a cable at the HT end.  

On packet radio, I hope you don't find your HT 
"underpowered" (under 20W) for packet connections.  
You will want to use a good antenna to avoid 
Connect frustration.  On the receive side, the 
APRS traffic is quite strong on 144.390 MHz, so 
You are bound to hear and copy stations well on a 
wet noodle there.  

Another mode you might consider is SSTV.  VHF 
FM is a fun band to exchange images.  There are 
several good SSTV software packages out there.  
Even MixW does a fair job at supporting SSTV 
for it being known mainly as a "digital" 
communications package, http://www.MixW.net/ 
(a Windows app, although it may or may not be 
available for Linux too).  MixW does packet.  

Yet another activity is fox hunting and/or small 
balloon chasing.  For fun, see either page: 
http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/aprs/balloon-n8pk.html
or http://www.laurelamateurradio.org/FoxChronicles.html

GL es hpe to C U on the air.

Cheers,

Pat
N8PK


-----Original Message-----
From: Curt Milton [mailto:wb8yyy at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 7:06 PM
To: Carroll County Amateur Radio Club
Subject: RE: [K3PZN-List] Connecting an IC-T7H to PC

Sean

FB.  sounds like Joe has some expertise you can
leverage.  now that some folk hear you are seeking a
tnc something may materialize.  a used vintage tnc
should be much much less than $200 Joe mentioned that
likely is something very modern.  the essence of
packet is very simple - so you merely are looking for
a hardware interface as something to check out the
mode.  

i am not on the education committee.  my
recommendation for the quickest way to general is to
read the study book and find a tutor or 2 to help you
in those areas where you need a boost.  as you get
started let me know how you are progressing.  

73, curt

--- Sean Shaffer <kb3imt at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> Thanks Curt,
> 
> I can use the same TNC for both packet and APRS
> (right the only difference would be software)
> 
> I look for a TNC
> 
> Are you still on the education commitee ?
> I may try for my general license soon ?
> 
> Sean KB3IMT
> 
> ----------------------------------------
> > Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:05:00 -0700
> > From: wb8yyy at yahoo.com
> > Subject: Re: [K3PZN-List] Connecting an IC-T7H to
> PC
> > To: k3pzn-list at mailman.qth.net
> > 
> > Sean
> > 
> > I have used a soundcard with HF digital modes but
> i
> > dont have any experience with using it with
> VHF/FM.  
> > 
> > Perhaps someone is doing packet with a soundcard
> > interface ?
> > 
> > The most popular digital mode on vhf is packet. 
> It
> > was extremely popular before the internet became
> > widely available.  Today it is used for APRS
> tracking
> > and a few other functions.  In comparison to the
> > 1980's, there is much less packet activity.  
> > 
> > My own packet experience is using a hardware
> interface
> > known as a TNC.  Maybe you can find a packet-only
> TNC
> > cheaply, then all you need is to cable between it
> and
> > the rig.  I did all of my packet using a HT.  
> > 
> > Do try to make time to operate some at field day
> this
> > June - you will get to try some HF digital modes
> and
> > also operate SSB voice.  
> > 
> > Curt
> > 
> > --- Sean Shaffer  wrote:
> > 
> >> 
> >> I've been interested in getting my HT connected
> to
> >> my laptop (xubuntu linux).
> >> I haven't much on the internet on how to with an
> >> IC-T7H.
> >> A couple sites said they have hooked it up to a
> TNC
> >> but that was it, they had no more information.
> >> Closest I found was a sound card interface.
> >>