[OKDXA] FT8 Setup: Conclusion

[Kim Elmore]

On 1/5/2023 11:36 AM, Peter Laws N5UWY wrote:
> On Thu, Jan 5, 2023 at 12:12 AM Kim Elmore <cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> As I know you've all been sitting on pins and needles about this...
> A little ...
>
>> I finally got a USB sound card interface that works! And it is truly
>> nice to have a sound card dedicated to the particular radio. I may also
>> use one for my TS930S, just so I don't need to reset anything when
>> switching between radios.
> What did you get, finally?
A CableCreation CD0285: $14.19. It works fine. I also got a JSAUX 
External USB sound card $11.99), a Kepulu external USB sound card (24 
bit, $6.99), a Andapa USB sound card ($5.99), and a JXMOX USB sound card 
$5.99). I'll ultimately try them all.
> I did the RigBlaster to PC Soundcard thing for years and even had the
> West Mountain ACC(1) cable for my IC-746Pro that had the separate line
> for FSK (in order to remain *pure* ...).
My RigBlaster Plus works so I figure "If it ain't broke..." Like you, I 
used to do "pure" FSK with my Orion II and, like you, I decided that the 
signal I create that way is way, way too wide and that I'd have a much 
cleaner signal using AFSK that switched tones at the zero-crossing. But, 
I probably haven't been on RTTY for 4-5 y.
> I noodled around about a different interface cable for the RigBlaster
> for a long time and then decided that I would instead build a
> breakout-box for the ACC(1) and run it to a different audio chip (no
> doubt after reading about someone else's adventure).  Finally did that
> a few years back and now run it into the cheap USB dongle thing we
> talked about.  Two of mine are branded "VIA USB" ... or I assume
> that's the brand showing up in Windows because it *is* connected "via
> USB" ...
>
> I run audio through an isolator card first, though, just to eliminate
> any ground loop issues.  The boards are in the $10 range on eBay or
> were when I bought them.  Purpose-built by hams, probably in small
> quantities, but usually available.

I'm not doing that as I haven't seen the need. I do, though, have a 
MORTTY to build! Of course, I also have a K1EL Winkeyer 2,but I wanted a 
backup and the MORTTY seems just the thing while being a lot less 
expensive.

So far, I'm merely piddling with the digital modes as I wait for the 
next Super-Duoer digital mode. I can barely make the time for turning on 
the radio, much less diddling with the diddle modes!

73 & CU in the Pileups,

Kim N5OP