Digi-modes are attractive to me as they enable long-distance
contacts with my low power and limited antennas. There are numerous computer
programmes for the different modes and many multi-mode programmes. They all
have one thing in common, it is necessary to make multiple connections from
your computer to your radio
.
- Audio out of the computer,
- Audio into your computer,
- ‘Press to talk’ to control when the radio listens or transmits.
This would require several cables and level settings to get
satisfactory operation. To make matters worse, my old computer gave up the
ghost and my new computer has no microphone socket, so I have to use an
external sound card – more wires and more things to configure.
I use my computer for many things, not just amateur radio,
so I cannot leave the amateur setup permanently configured. This meant the
setup time was too long and too error prone for a quick go on digmodes. Then,
my life changed! I came across the ‘SignaLink USB’ interface unit which has its
own internal sound card and only requires two cables. (plus a couple of
optional connections that I don’t use).
Signalink Front and Back
First thing to say is that it’s small 80w X 100d X 40h (mm,
in case you are wondering) which is entirely consistent with my station design
philosophy. It only requires two cables:
- · From the unit to a computer USB port (supplied with the unit)
- · From the unit to your radio. These are bespoke cables that you buy when you order the unit if you do not want to make your own.
The SignaLink USB comes with comprehensive instructions and
more help is available on the www.tigertronics.com web site if
you need it. Documentation is good.
Setup is very easy. Internal adjustments are necessary to
match the SignLink unit to your radio. This requires the unit to be opened by
removing the four Allen bolts on the front of the unit and sliding the
innards out. There are two ways to configure the unit:
- · Use the supplied jumper wires using the diagrams available on the supplied CD or from the www.tigertronics.com web site. This is the best option if you will want to change radios often.
- · Fit a ‘plug and play’ jumper module for your radio that can be bought as an extra. This is the best option if you only want to use the SignaLink with one radio.
The process is very straight forward, but do read the
instructions before you start.
This brings me to the only criticism I have – the Allen bolts
are not metric size. If you are
in Europe, this is a real pain because the old Imperial size Allen Keys (Wrench) are
very hard to find here. One is supplied so don’t lose it! In my
professional life, I would never buy equipment that used non-metric bolts etc.
for use outside USA. This would cause
maintenance issues because the imperial tools, which were usually supplied, would
invariably get lost or stolen.
Signalink Inside
Once the internal unit is back in the case and the Allen
bolts fitted you can begin setup. This is very clearly described in the
supplied documentation. This does involve messing around with the Windows sound
controls, to set up the SignaLink internal sound card, but once this is done you seldom need to go there again. This is because the SignaLink has analogue volume
control knobs on the front for transmit and receive so adjusting levels while
operating is very easy.
That’s it, you are almost ready to go. I leave the SignaLink
connected to my radio so all I have to do is connect the SignaLink to my
computer and switch it on. The SignaLink is powered from the USB port so no
need for an external sound card or power supply.
Start your digi programme and select “USB Audio Codec” for
the input and output. Check the receive signal level and adjust the RX control
on the front of the SignaLink. Send a tune signal and adjust the TX control on
the front of the SignaLink for the correct level (then back it off a fraction of
a turn!).
I have tested the Signalink with the following software:
- · MultiPSK – the Swiss Army knife of digimodes.
- · WSJT (FT-8, WSPR etc.).
- · SeaTTY – for receiving weather reports etc.
- · WinWabler.
It works fine with these applications, and I don’t doubt,
with many others as well. It is now very easy to get on the air and so I am
able to do digital sessions even when time is limited.
As the Signalink unit is small and simple to set up,
portable digital operation such as a SOTA expedition, with a tablet for
example, is quite feasible. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, UK is in
lockdown for the CV-19 pandemic so I have not tried this yet.
