[Lowfer] Re: Soundcard question

[Alberto I2PHD]

"Richard Goodman" <wa3usg at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> 	I recently purchased a Gateway laptop. As well as using it for business
> purposes, I was hoping to take it out in the boonies with my SDR-IQ and do
> some listening to LF frequencies from really noise free locations. Alas ...
> It doesn't have a full duplex soundcard. 
----- snip -----

  Dick,

    first of all let's agree with the terminology. Your card *is* full duplex, because from what you say I understand 
that you can route the line out to the microphone input, and the card works simultaneously in both directions, input and 
output, so it is full duplex. The problem that you mention is just caused by the specific implementation of that card, 
probably at the driver level, where the feature that you need was not considered important or useful, and so not 
implemented.

The usual solution is similar cases is to make use of a software package (not free, but neither terribly expensive), 
called VAC (Virtual Audio Cable). It simulates in software a second sound card. You set the SDR-IQ so that its audio 
output is sent to the sound card simulated by the VAC, and set the other program (Multipsk, etc.) so to have VAC as 
input sound card. Using this method you don't need any kludges or external cables. I use VAC routinely to send the 
output of Winrad to DreaM, for reception of DRM stations.

You can find VAC e.g. here :  http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/

73  Alberto  I2PHD