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

Mon Apr 28 14:12:24 EDT 2008

Pat

You have nailed the hardware side of the interface
(the cable).  

Do you have experience using the PC/sound card on
packet?  What software should Sean use ?

With a simple outdoor antenna (vertical) Sean should
be ok with 5 watts on packet.  

Can we do SSTV with FM radios ?  I am thinking that
SSTV would be nice demo-to-the-public mode for field
day!  

Sean

Once you have sufficient answers (on how to do packet
with a PC soundcard) and the connectors, keep us
informed on your progress and any issues/needs.  

73, curt

--- "Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-568.0)"
<patrick.l.kilroy at nasa.gov> wrote:

> 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.
> > >> 
> 
>
-----------------------------------------------------
> BREAK
> -----------------------------------------------
> 
> Next CCARC meeting Monday May 12, 7:30 PM at the
> Emergency Services Training Center in Westminster.
> 
>
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