"C.M. Christensen" wrote:
>
> Don Hill AA5AU wrote:
> >
> > Jack et al,
> >
> > With only one serial port on the laptop, you will be forced to use
> > the USB port one way or the other in order to run FSK.
> >
> > I've been studying this USB thing all day today. From what I can
> > gather, you will need to get a USB-to-Serial adapter. And that may or
> > may not be easier said than done.
> >
> > It has been documented that not all USB-to-Serial adapters will run
> > FSK. Some will and some won't. However, it has also been documented
> > that most USB-to-Serial adapters can be used for radio control, but
> > not all of them.
> >
> > So the problem is knowing which USB-to-Serial adapters to buy. It
> > may be more beneficial to use the USB-to-Serial adapters for radio
> > control and use the serial port on the laptop for FSK (I am assuming
> > you will be running FSK and not AFSK for RTTY).
> >
> > Since you mentioned PSK31, perhaps you are thinking of using
> > only AFSK. In this case, you don't need a USB-to-Serial adapter at all
> > since AFSK is strictly using the soundcard to generate the RTTY & PSK31
> > audio
> > tones and you would use radio control via your COM to key PTT.
> >
> > However, I cannot imagine anyone with a radio that has FSK not using
> > it for RTTY.
> >
> > Your laptop must have a sound card in order to use WinRTTY, which is
> > the WriteLog RTTY "program" and is installed when WriteLog is installed.
> > WinRTTY uses the "WriteLog RTTY Receiver" to decode signals received
> > from a sound card and has it's own on screen tuning indicator (which I might
> > add is the best on screen tuning indicator I've ever used).
> >
> > If your laptop does not have a sound card, then you could still get on
> > RTTY using an external TNC such as a PK232 or HAL DXP-38. But again,
> > you would need an extra serial port and would need a USB-to-Serial adapter
> > if you want to run an external TNC and still have radio control. It is
> > recommended
> > not giving up rig control even if you have to buy a USB-to-Serial adapter in
> > order to have it. Radio control will give you PTT.
> >
> > Since you mentioned that you were running Win2000, I am guessing your
> > laptop has a sound card. In this case, by all means, get RTTY up and
> > running
> > using the WriteLog RTTY Receiver. Once you get comfortable with that, you
> > might consider using the MMTTY Plug-in for WriteLog which is available
> > from the WriteLog website. Support for the MMTTY Plug-in for WriteLog
> > can be found at www.geocities.com/writelog which is a support site that
> > I maintain and not to be confused with the official WriteLog website at
> > www.writelog.com.
> >
> > Getting back to your questions about cables. Yes, you will need cables one
> > way or the other. For information on what cables may be needed for either
> > AFSK or FSK, PTT, etc. refer to "Getting Started on RTTY" at
> > www.aa5au.com/rtty. The discussion is geared toward MMTTY, but the
> > hardware connections are the same.
> >
> > If you are in a hurry to get up and running you could always buy one of the
> > 3 RIGblaster models which put isolations transformers and opto-isolators
> > for the various required interface cables and circuits all in a neatly made
> > package
> > but for a pretty price. Only the RIGblaster Plus will run FSK.
> >
> > Now getting back to the main reason I replied (other than trying to help
> > Jack),
> > I was wondering if those out there using USB-to-Serial adapters could
> > comment
> > on the specific brand, make and model of the one(s) they are using and if
> > they
> > know if they run FSK, radio control on a certain radio, and/or PTT.
> >
> > I would like to start a list of different USB-to-Serial adapters and what
> > they will
> > or will not do and put them on the "Getting Started on RTTY" web pages.
> >
> > Thanks and sorry for the long reply, but hey, he asked for answers! hi
> > 73, Don AA5AU
>
> Hi All,
>
> pccables.com has a USB to DB9-M converter cable for $24.95 -- look for
> Part #70607. I am presently using one on a PK-900 and it works fine.
> Also have one running the Rigblaster and have used it to control several
> radios in the past but am presently using the serial port in the
> computer to control the Mark V Field.
>
> --
> 73, Chris ACØM
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