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<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:scott@opentrac.org">scott@opentrac.org</a> wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid005b01c54072$c9546d50$eacd0184@vandenberg.afspc.ds.af.mil" type="cite">
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">yeah but, a TNC-X goes for $45. The only reason I would want to do
sound card is to do packet on the cheap.
</pre>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap=""><!---->
Well, the real power in soundcard-based modes is flexibility. You can run
all sorts of different modes with the same hardware.
I just can't believe how expensive these Rigblasters and things are. $105
for the standard model? For some audio isolation and connectors in a pretty
box? $290 for the 'pro' model.
</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
And completely worthless since they DON'T provide ground loop
isolation between the computer ground system and the radio ground
system. [The main reason for a "soundcard interface" instead of just
using patch cords.] RigBlasters transfomer-isolate the TX audio, and
then completely defeat this by having a hardwired common ground return
between the radio and computer by virtue of using an open-collector
transistor instead of an opto-isolator or relay for PTT!<br>
<blockquote cite="mid005b01c54072$c9546d50$eacd0184@vandenberg.afspc.ds.af.mil" type="cite">
<pre wrap="">For that price, I'd expect a peripheral that actually contained a USB
soundcard chipset of its own, and drivers to avoid having to use the PC's
existing serial ports.
</pre>
</blockquote>
There is such a device! <br>
<br>
The MixW "RigExpert" is a cigarette-pack-sized external USB-interfaced
device that includes essentially a soundcard AND a serial port AND
various single bit outputs for PTT, FSK keying and CW keying. It
operates directly with the MixW multimode soundcard software to provide
both PTT/CW/FSK and CAT (Computer Aided Tuning) radio frequency and
mode control/logging. (Normally this requires TWO serial ports - one
for the bit-fiddled handshaking lines for PTT/CW/FSK and a second one
for the CAT control data stream.) An additional driver makes it look
like a normal WDM soundcard for other non-Mix soundcard apps. And the
whole thing is self-powered via the USB port. <br>
<br>
<br>
Info at:<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.mixw.net/RigExpert/index.html">http://www.mixw.net/RigExpert/index.html</a> <br>
<br>
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<br>
Stephen H. Smith wa8lmf (at) aol.com <br>
<br>
Home Page: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wa8lmf.com">http://wa8lmf.com</a><br>
<br>
New/Updated "Rev G" APRS <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://webs.lanset.com/wa8lmf/aprs">http://webs.lanset.com/wa8lmf/aprs</a><br>
Symbols Set for UI-View, <br>
UIpoint and APRSplus:<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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