Packet: SignaLink USB on Windows 7 netbook

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Gil

(resource links at the bottom)

My primary objective in getting the netbook (HP Mini 210 HD)was to move all of my ham radio programs to it for (a) the (mostly) ham dedicated computer and (b) the portability. It has the DXlabs suite with rig control, logging, psk31 and all that DXlabs has. It also has EchoLink (www.echolink.org) and the programs related to the TinyTrak4 TNC ).

Next was to make the psk31 work through the SignaLink USB device (SL) ), and then Winlink using the AGW Packet Engine and Paclink from Winlink.org . Psk31 was easy. In DXlabs WinWarbler I just picked the SL soundcard and it immediately worked.

Next for AGWPE. I had used it on the other computer so was quite familiar with setting it up and creating a “port” for the soundcard. I referenced the additional instructions from Ralph Milnes relative to the SL. Then I set up Paclink that I had used often and voila! Nothing. I could receive and decode packets, but could not transmit. The PTT on the SL was never triggered.

Then I installed the (free) AGW Terminal program (tcp version at which generates a packet directly to AGWPE.

"Ask QRA" icon

Diagnosis was done by using the AGW Terminal program. Clicking on the “Ask QRA” icon (it’s the little tower ?) generates a packet to AGWPE each time you click it.

Using it, I could see the packet generated on the AGWPE monitor screen, and the little AGWPE modem icon in the system tray transmit indicator would light up. So I knew a signal was going somewhere.

Audio Playback

So (this is a Windows 7 computer) I opened the audio playback devices page where I could see all of the audio devices.

When I clicked “Ask QRA” I saw where the packet was going — to TotalRecorder! As I clicked “Ask QRA” in AGW Terminal I could see full bars on the TotalRecorder device.

TotalRecorder is a fantastic audio program that has its own drivers that apparently can intercept playback audio for processing. It was catching the Packet and not letting it get to the SignaLink. I merely disabled those drivers, deleted and redid the AGWPE port and, it works!

An oddity is that my psk31 program did not have that problem (WinWarbler from DXlabs). My guess is that it addresses the SL directly and AGWPE addresses it in some fashion that allowed this interception.

Interesting, frustrating, and mildly educational problem. The solution probably would never apply to anyone else, but maybe the diagnostic steps will.

Bottom line is that the SignaLink USB works great. For about $100 you can do everything digital and need only one USB connection to your computer. It has it’s own soundcard so you offload that processing from your computer.

SignaLink USB

From all of my research, it appears that having TX at 9 o’clock and RX at 12 o’clock with delay (DLY) full counterclockwise works well as a starter.

In psk31 you have full, gradual control on power output with the TX adjustment right on the front of the device — no more messing with Windows sliders.

APRS tracks – an example from the Austin Marathon

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Gil

APRS, the Automated Packet Reporting System is a mystery to many — hams and “civilians” alike — and continues to be to me as well. It is often used for community events such as marathons and I thought this set of tracks from the 2010 Austin Marathon was interesting:

APRS tracks at the 2010 Austin Marathon

You can see several APRS units having been tracked here. This view was captured about 1pm with a 6 hour window looking backwards so what you see is virtually the entire APRS support for the marathon. I’m not sure what the AMDOWN-1 tracker was, but I’m suspecting it was a mobile digipeater to give better access into the APRS-IS system, i.e. feed the tracks into the internet.

These type events are done as a public service and also to drill the skills that may be needed for emergency communications.

Welcome to the radio page

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Posted on February 8, 2010 by Gil

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ham radio is a great hobby. There is an unlimited array of interests in which to be involved. My endeavor here is to share what I’m doing and learning in the hopes that others will discover the joys of “hamming.” My main blogging is over at Musings of Captain Justice.

Also known formally as the Amateur Radio Service, ham radio is the ultimate geek hobby. From the days of Marconi, Western Union telegraph and other primitive forms of communication, amateur radio now melds radio, computers and space satellites; and in addition to voice and morse code communications, includes digital modes of email over the airwaves and the equivalent of instant messaging.

I was a ham years as (WB5IUT) and had let my license lapse. I am now (thanks to the ‘vanity’ callsign program) KA5GIL.

My present equipment includes a mobile VHF/UHF rig (which is what hams call their radio — a Yaesu FTM-350) and a base/portable/mobile HF/VHF/UHF rig (Icom IC-7000). My antennas at the base station include for HF, a 20/40 meter trap dipole and a G5RV, each suspended at about 35 feet. The base VHF/UHF antenna is a simple J-Pole.

The antennas for the mobile include a 5/8 whip for VHF/UHF and Hustler center-loaded antennas for the HF rig. That setup is under construction at the moment but is just around the corner.

So what do hams actually ‘do’ with the hobby? The answer is too voluminous for a single website and these answers will be forthcoming.

http://captainjustice.net/2010/02/11/solve-all-the-pathology-in-america-today/

Ham Radio in Hollywood: Amateur Radio Makes Its Debut on Last Man Standing (arrl.org)
Ham Radio Hits All Time High (foxnews.com)
Amateur Radio Emergency Services Simulate Tornado Response (ka5gil.captainjustice.net)

Gil – KA5GIL

the world — just a few electrons away . . .

Author Archives: Gil

Packet: SignaLink USB on Windows 7 netbook

Links

SignaLink USB / Win 7 issues specifically

Soundcards generally

Packet-specific