I'm looking to get a Yaesu FT-8900r hooked up for 2m packet, and looking for a sanity check on my thoughts.

My current plan is to get an Easy Digi Universal, which if I read it right, contains the sound card, and will hook up directly to the 9-pin mini-DIN on my radio.? Then Direwolf can be configured to talk via USB to the Easy Digi, can be setup to control PTT, and will send/rcv using the Easy Digi's sound card.? Computer-wise, I would either be using a Win10 laptop or a RasPi 3B+ running Raspbian; I'd like to be able to switch between the two, as I see fit.

I do have a question into Clifford at Easy Digi, as his main listing appears to be for the 6-pin DIN, and I might need a different model.? Any feedback on that?? Anybody needed to go that route?

Thanks,
Dave KC3LZY

Double check my radio, or maybe my eyes.? Sure enough.? This is why I ask for a sanity check :).

Does everything else in my post check out?

Thanks,
Dave

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Hello Dave,

I'm looking to get a Yaesu FT-8900r hooked up for 2m packet, and looking for a sanity check on my thoughts.? My current plan is to get an Easy Digi Universal, which if I read it right, contains the sound card, and will hook up directly to the 9-pin mini-DIN on my radio

It's not 100% clear which "Easy Digi" device you want to use (maybe it's this one: ) but most EasyDigi devices do NOT include a soundcard.? Please note that with the EasyDigi unit, it's isolation transformers will ONLY allow for 1200bps packet.? This is fine for common 2m packet but if you want to use 9600bps FSK support, you'll need to bypass the transformers as they limit the audio bandwidth in/out the radio too much.

Then Direwolf can be configured to talk via USB to the Easy Digi, can be setup to control PTT, and will send/rcv using the Easy Digi's sound card.? Computer-wise, I would either be using a Win10 laptop or a RasPi 3B+ running Raspbian; I'd like to be able to switch between the two, as I see fit.

Yes, it's possible to move the setup between both computer types assuming you use an external USB based soundcard.? Per the Direwolf documentation, the Syba SD-CM-UAUD is a recommended unit.? Btw, while optional, I would also recommend to place VHF rated ferrite chokes on each *end* of each cable (audio and USB) if possible to avoid any RFI issues.

I do have a question into Clifford at Easy Digi, as his main listing appears to be for the 6-pin DIN, and I might need a different model.? Any feedback on that?? Anybody needed to go that route?

Your FT8900 uses a common 6pin connection on the rear of the radio, not 9pin.

--David
KI6ZHD

> Your FT8900 uses a common 6pin connection on the rear of the radio, not 9pin.

Yeah, that was my mistake, I see that now.

> It's not 100% clear which "Easy Digi" device you want to use (maybe it's this one:??) but most EasyDigi devices do NOT include a soundcard.

Yep, I misread that as well.? It provides cables, and apparently connects to my existing (USB) soundcard.? Which is okay, I guess.

> Please note that with the EasyDigi unit, it's isolation transformers will ONLY allow for 1200bps packet.? This is fine for common 2m packet but if you want to use 9600bps FSK support, you'll need to bypass the transformers as they limit the audio bandwidth in/out the radio too much.

I'll only be doing 2m packet to my club's BBS, but I suppose I should figure out if I'm ever going to want 9600bps for anything else, then.

Thanks,
Dave KC3LZY

Have a look here:


Its 20 bucks and I use it on VHF packet.

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Here’s yet another, which I use for packet Winlink: ? ??

Jim, back in 2019 I fried the motherboard of my laptop when I was switching radios TM V-71a to FT-891. At that moment I was using a USB soundcard and all I did was switch USB printer able from radio to radio and switch 6-pin din from radio to radio. As I recal thinngs went sour when I replugged the soundcard and my screen went dark and I heard a loud click from my laptop.

That was the moment I decided to buy a Signalink.

John - K5GT

50/50 chance it had NOTHING to do wit the EasyDigi.
Been using homebrew sound card interfaces for over
20 years and never killed a computer.. I did plug a 13 pin
Kenwood connector into a Icom once, that cost me !! :)