[Lowfer] ICOM SoundCrd Interface ...

[Peter Barick]

LowFERS,
Re: Sound Card Interface For ICOM Rigs And Telescoping Shields

For ICOM rig owners, the March QST [p. 31] shows a construction project
for a connector hub for controlled interconnecting between the rig and
the PC via its sound card. It offers flexibility for many of the newer
modes of service, PSK31, MFSK16, RTTY and SSTV. I won't elaborate on the
details as I don't use ICOM but thought I'd mention it for the ICOM'ers
here.

What I especially liked of that article was a half-page sidebar on
"telescoping shields" for noise control. I think the article is clearly
written and extols a good method for prevention of ground currents,
hence noise. [I think John A., here, extolled similar information for
use with transmission lines for a remote loop.] Anyway, the importance
of one common signal ground is stressed and found a home with this
reader--at last I'm settled with it now.

Now a big question. The author suggests breaking a potential
noise-inducing ground loop by, 1) output the rig's audio into a
transformer, and 2) coupling the xfrmr to the PC via shielded cable
that's grounded only at the rig. I suppose this cable is a two-conductor
type, but wonder if two separately shielded one-conductor cables [more
common] could also be used?

Yes, I'm sure it would work, but is it as effective as the pair inside
one shield.?

Anyone tried this scheme for the PC hookup?

Peter