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If anyone is interested, I have put together a google doc that shows part sources I used for my PC to uBitx "Easy Digi" interface, and the document includes a few tips.? It works and looks good, and I made my first PSK31 using fldigi from here in Ohio to New Mexico last Sunday night.? Works great, all for under $20, including cables.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JUxKDvOQzJ4ja1zwS6CGjcqXBUi8U1jlZPhJaSRtLTs/edit?usp=sharing
Allen
KC8VRI
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Nice job, thanks for sharing
I was fortunate to have a Signalink USB I had been using for my very
old Yaesu so I have been using that.
Good stuff
73
Laurence , KB1HKO
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On Tue, Mar 19, 2019 at 11:45 AM <howellubeen@...> wrote:
If anyone is interested, I have put together a google doc that shows part sources I used for my PC to uBitx "Easy Digi" interface, and the document includes a few tips. It works and looks good, and I made my first PSK31 using fldigi from here in Ohio to New Mexico last Sunday night. Works great, all for under $20, including cables.
Allen
KC8VRI
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Allen, thank you very much for taking the time to put this together. It's the very thing I need to help and old fart like me understand how to get into "Digi"! Know I just need to figure out if I can use the native audio and mic ports on my laptop it if I have to get and use a USB soundcard dongle with this.
Roy WA0YMH
If anyone is interested, I have put together a google doc that shows part sources I used for my PC to uBitx "Easy Digi" interface, and the document includes a few tips.? It works and looks good, and I made my first PSK31 using fldigi from here in Ohio to New Mexico last Sunday night.? Works great, all for under $20, including cables.
Allen
KC8VRI
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Hi Roy,
Thanks for the kind words.? I would think you can use the "native" audio and mic jacks on your laptop.? These are what I used on two of my PC's with the Easy-Digi, and pretty much the point of using Easy-Digi!
I'm no expert, but don't hesitate to ask if you have any add'l questions.? I'm kind of a newbie stumbling along myself, but having lots of fun and learning a lot!
Allen
KC8VRI
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I do have a quick question for you. I didn't see any link to a PDF file for the Easy-Digi associated with the eBay listing?
Roy WA0YMH
Hi Roy,
Thanks for the kind words.? I would think you can use the "native" audio and mic jacks on your laptop.? These are what I used on two of my PC's with the Easy-Digi, and pretty much the point of using Easy-Digi!
I'm no expert, but don't hesitate to ask if you have any add'l questions.? I'm kind of a newbie stumbling along myself, but having lots of fun and learning a lot!
Allen
KC8VRI
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Allen,
That is a nice, clean looking solution.? If you are so inclined, your doc would make a nice addition to the wiki page.? You could just paste the whole thing in to show another option /g/BITX20/wiki/Digital-Setup
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Here's one of undoubtedly many Easy-Digi writeups out on the interwebs:
? ??
Basically, it's 1:1 transformers for audio in and audio out,
Either RTS or DTR from a PC serial port can assert PTT via an optocoupler (DTR got mispelled as DTS).
The transformers and optocoupler give complete galvanic isolation between PC and transceiver.
That may or may not be necessary in your particular case, some get by with a direct connection.
Jerry, KE7ER
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On Tue, Mar 19, 2019 at 10:18 AM, Roy Appleton wrote:
I do have a quick question for you. I didn't see any link to a PDF file for the Easy-Digi associated with the eBay listing?
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The seller will send you a 3 page instructions in color along with wiring diagram with the parts.? After a quick check, I couldn't find an Internet PDF of it except for this:
The first two pages of this are the same as the seller's, but the seller's add'l pages contains more assembly details.? You shouldn't have any trouble.
Allen
KC8VRI
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Ha ha!? I just now realized I referenced the same PDF as Jerry, KE7ER.? Doh!
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OK Doug, I added mine to the wiki.? Somehow, I feel I'm violating the original author's space!
KC8VRI
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On Tue, Mar 19, 2019 at 03:11 PM, <howellubeen@...> wrote:
Somehow, I feel I'm violating the original author's space!
Not at all.? That is the spirit of the wiki.? Now those adverse to having hot glued spider looking contraptions hanging off the back of their rigs have another idea. ? --
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The seller will send you a 3 page instructions in color along with wiring diagram with the parts.? After a quick check, I couldn't find an Internet PDF of it except for this:
The first two pages of this are the same as the seller's, but the seller's add'l pages contains more assembly details.? You shouldn't have any trouble.
Allen
KC8VRI
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Here¡¯s my contribution to the easydigi build.?
Mine Specs? 2.5x4 box Easydigi Usb TTL serial? Usb sound fob?
Usb TTL has a 6 pin din wired for CAT control for my Yaesu FT-840. RTS is also wired for PTT at mic plug for Yaesu.?
2 usb cords come out of box to hook up to PC. I¡¯m looking for a 2 port usb hub that I can shove in the little box.
The trick with using a USB TTL serial is you have to invert the signal of the RTS line because when the usb activates in the computer the RTS line goes high.?
Joe Kd2nfc
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On Mar 19, 2019, at 2:37 PM, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io < jgaffke@...> wrote: Here's one of undoubtedly many Easy-Digi writeups out on the interwebs: ? ?? Basically, it's 1:1 transformers for audio in and audio out, Either RTS or DTR from a PC serial port can assert PTT via an optocoupler (DTR got mispelled as DTS). The transformers and optocoupler give complete galvanic isolation between PC and transceiver. That may or may not be necessary in your particular case, some get by with a direct connection. Jerry, KE7ER
On Tue, Mar 19, 2019 at 10:18 AM, Roy Appleton wrote:
I do have a quick question for you. I didn't see any link to a PDF file for the Easy-Digi associated with the eBay listing?
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Hi Joe,
I originally considered using a TTL adapter but opted for?a FTDI cable as the author cautioned against using a cheap TTL adaptor stating: "they do not put out high enough voltage for the opto coupler on the Easy Digi" I see several US suppliers of TTL adapters at reasonable prices on eBay. I would like to eliminate the bulky cable and this seems like a great solution. I take it that you had no problem with "not enough voltage". I plan to put the module inside the uBitx case with just one or two cables to the PC. I like your idea of using an internal usb hub.
Additionally, could you provide a quick sketch of how you connected the 6 pins?
Kind Regards,
73, Dennis
W7DRW
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Hi Dennis,
I can¡¯t confirm what you heard but there is also another problem. When the usb serial is initialized on the computer it causes the RTS to go high. The mic will key, it has on mine, the opto-coupler powered up no problem. ?It does not stay low like a USB to Serial or a regular serial port until you use program that needs the serial port and then the RTS will go low. that¡¯s gonna be a problem. I use a transistor to flip the signal and pass 5v from the USB to power the octo-coupler . Both problems solved I guess.?
I used the circuit on the right
For my yaesu ft-840 I used this wiring.?
Heres another good reference?
Joe KD2NFC
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On Mar 20, 2019, at 2:50 PM, Dennis < dennis@...> wrote:
Hi Joe,
I originally considered using a TTL adapter but opted for?a FTDI cable as the author cautioned against using a cheap TTL adaptor stating: "they do not put out high enough voltage for the opto coupler on the Easy Digi" I see several US suppliers of TTL adapters at reasonable prices on eBay. I would like to eliminate the bulky cable and this seems like a great solution. I take it that you had no problem with "not enough voltage". I plan to put the module inside the uBitx case with just one or two cables to the PC. I like your idea of using an internal usb hub.
Additionally, could you provide a quick sketch of how you connected the 6 pins?
Kind Regards,
73, Dennis
W7DRW
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All the signals coming out of a 9pin RS232 port on an old PC will flip between
approximately -12v on mark, +12v on space, driven by inverting RS232 level buffers:
? ??https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAX232
Your USB-to-5v-UART cable wont have those inverting RS232 buffers, and
and may or may not power up into the same state as an old 16550 UART chip.
If the USB-to-5v-UART cable consistently powers up into the wrong state, perhaps you can
tell the software on the host to use the opposite polarity of RTS to key the rig.
Jerry, KE7ER
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On Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 01:20 PM, Joe Puma wrote:
I can¡¯t confirm what you heard but there is also another problem. When the usb serial is initialized on the computer it causes the RTS to go high. The mic will key, it has on mine, the opto-coupler powered up no problem. ?It does not stay low like a USB to Serial or a regular serial port until you use program that needs the serial port and then the RTS will go low. that¡¯s gonna be a problem. I use a transistor to flip the signal and pass 5v from the USB to power the octo-coupler . Both problems solved I guess.?
?
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Hi Joe,
Thank you.
73, Dennis
W7DRW
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Thanks Jerry. I just stumbled on this while building the interface and my first guess was to flip the signaling ?to show low on power up of the usb device to the octo-coupler of the easydigi. Seems to be doing the job for me, its been fun working out these basic challenges. ? My bigger issues now are trying to stop the 100 watt radio from shutting down the audio dongle from RF at 14mhz and higher. Ferrites on the wires help. ? Joe Kd2nfc ? Sent from for Windows 10 ?
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From: Jerry Gaffke via Groups.IoSent: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 5:55 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [BITX20] My uBitx Easy-Digi interface for under $20 ? All the signals coming out of a 9pin RS232 port on an old PC will flip between
approximately -12v on mark, +12v on space, driven by inverting RS232 level buffers:
? ??https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAX232
Your USB-to-5v-UART cable wont have those inverting RS232 buffers, and
and may or may not power up into the same state as an old 16550 UART chip.
If the USB-to-5v-UART cable consistently powers up into the wrong state, perhaps you can
tell the software on the host to use the opposite polarity of RTS to key the rig.
Jerry, KE7ER
On Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 01:20 PM, Joe Puma wrote: I can¡¯t confirm what you heard but there is also another problem. When the usb serial is initialized on the computer it causes the RTS to go high. The mic will key, it has on mine, the opto-coupler powered up no problem. ?It does not stay low like a USB to Serial or a regular serial port until you use program that needs the serial port and then the RTS will go low. that¡¯s gonna be a problem. I use a transistor to flip the signal and pass 5v from the USB to power the octo-coupler . Both problems solved I guess.?
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Dear OM,
I am interested for buying it.? Please inform in details.
73s. Balsun, VU2UYC.? From KERALA STATE, INDIA.
If anyone is interested, I have put together a google doc that shows part sources I used for my PC to uBitx "Easy Digi" interface, and the document includes a few tips.? It works and looks good, and I made my first PSK31 using fldigi from here in Ohio to New Mexico last Sunday night.? Works great, all for under $20, including cables.
Allen
KC8VRI
|
UPDATE: Being a digital mode newbie, I didn't realize the CP2102 UART I originally started with would force DTR and CTS high (on) when in RX mode, and low (off) when in TX mode.? This is opposite what most software wants (i.e. WSJT-X, Winlink).? So I have replaced the UART module with the "USB to Serial Cable" which defaults the DTR and CTS signals in the normal manner (low on RX, high on TX).? Cost is about the same, and is a cleaner, more professional look/setup.
Now it works with the aforementioned software (fldigi works either way).? Here's the link to the updated document:
KC8VRI
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