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Hello everyone.
I would like to hear from anyone who has been able to hook the 817 up
to a Sound Card RTTY program. I would like to use the 817 and my
laptop in my travels. The software I plan to use is MMTTY.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Serge VA3SB
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Serge VA3SB wrote:
I would like to hear from anyone who has been able to hook the 817 up to a Sound Card RTTY program. I would like to use the 817 and my
laptop in my travels. The software I plan to use is MMTTY.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
I am using a RIGblaster nomic for my FT-817 to sound card interface. I use the FT-817's rear panel DATA connector rather than the MIC connector. The RIBblaster manuals are very explicit and the nomic manual is available in PDF format from The software I use at present is the demo version of MixW. MixW has many modes including RTTY. I have not used MMTTY but no doubt it would work fine with the same setup. I operate MFSK16 and PSK31 mostly but have also operated a bit of RTTY. There is no doubt the digital modes are great for QRP. Hope this helps some. Bryan, ZL1CDN
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I use my FT-817 on PSK31. The software that I use is DigiPan v. 1.6, which is sound card based. My interface is homebrew, based on the documentation provided with DigiPan, and is basically two audio patch cables plus a 2N2222 keying transistor driven from the COM port. I connect directly to the 6-pin mini-DIN jack on the rig for audio in, audio out, and keying. I run the '817 in the DIGital mode, and have the digital menu selection set to PSK-U (upper sideband). I run the software on a Toshiba laptop. Everything works fine, and the only operational adjustment required is the laptop audio output volume, which I adjust for two or three bars on the ALC display. The only problem I have encountered is RF getting into the computer via the mouse, which I solved by winding the mouse cord throug a big toroid three or four times. Please let me know if you need additional information. 73 de Bill, KR8L/7 --- In FT817@y..., smbertuzzo@h... wrote: Hello everyone.
I would like to hear from anyone who has been able to hook the 817 up to a Sound Card RTTY program. I would like to use the 817 and my
laptop in my travels. The software I plan to use is MMTTY.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Serge VA3SB
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kr8l@... wrote: I run the '817 in the DIGital mode, and have
the digital menu selection set to PSK-U (upper sideband). And with this setup you get consistent PSK31 QSO's? I tried and never got an answer to any CQ's. The ALC was running 3 to 4 bars on the meter. Tones sounded good on transmit. Any other tips appreciated.... 73 Nick WB4SQI
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zl1cdn@... wrote: I am using a RIGblaster nomic for my FT-817 to sound card interface. I use the FT-817's rear panel DATA connector rather than the MIC
connector. How do you connect the nomic to the data connector? Nick WB4SQI
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Nick wrote:
How do you connect the nomic to the data connector?
I purchased a Cat5 patch cable and a 6-pin Mini DIN (PS/2) plug. I cut the RJ45 connector off one end of the Cat5 cable and attached the Mini DIN plug in it's place. There was some figuring out what wires went where. However with the nomic schematic and the FT-817 manual this wasn't too difficult. The Cat5 cable was not shielded. I would have preferred it was from an RF shielding perspective but it doesn't seem to be a problem. Hope this helps. Bryan, ZL1CDN
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zl1cdn@... wrote:
Nick wrote:
How do you connect the nomic to the data connector?
I purchased a Cat5 patch cable and a 6-pin Mini DIN (PS/2) plug.
Hope this helps.
Bryan, ZL1CDN
Thanks Bryan, This was indeed helpful. I already have 1/2 of a CaT 5 patch cable from a headset/mic project (as yet uncompleted) and I'll pick up a Mini Din today and try this. I think the FT817 expects to see transmit audio at the data connector, not the mic connector when in digital mode. Do you use PSK-U when running PSK? thanks again, Nick WB4SQI
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Yes. I've only been doing PSK31 for about three weeks, but have had good success. No DX yet, but several CONUS QSOs. A few have even been with my outdoor "Every Day is Field Day" setup in the back yard, running the '817 on the internal NiMH pack at 2.5 watts. I usually look for a CQ to answer, but have also had responses to my CQs. (I also discovered that 1700 mAH When I first set this up, I listened to my signal on a portable receiver, and it sounded OK. My first QSO was with an experienced operator (W3HF; see ), and he took a critical look at my signal and said it looked good, so I have stayed with the settings that I was using for that QSO. I think that if you are getting the proper output indications with regard to ALC, Power Out, and SWR, and that your signal sounds good locally, then you are probably getting out OK, and if you are able to copy other stations then you are receiving OK. Also, MAKE SURE that you are sending in BPSK and not QPSK. Finally, remember that QRP is kinda like Ruby Slippers: if you have faith, it will work! Really, the only problem that I have had was one evening when a family of skunks ran through the flower bed next to my operating position! (Which was horizontally polarized on a chaise lounge.) We ended up with a momma and five babies, and they stayed for a couple of days before moving on. 73 de Bill, KR8L/7 --- In FT817@y..., Nick Marsh <nmar@e...> wrote:
kr8l@a... wrote:
I run the '817 in the DIGital mode, and have
the digital menu selection set to PSK-U (upper sideband). And with this setup you get consistent PSK31 QSO's? I tried and
never got an answer to any CQ's. The ALC was
running 3 to 4 bars on the meter. Tones sounded good on transmit.
Any other tips appreciated....
73
Nick
WB4SQI
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--- In FT817@y..., Nick Marsh <nmar@e...> wrote: ... Any other tips appreciated.... By low, sell high. But seriously, folks -- one other thought: Where are you operating? If you go to 14070 USB, you should see somewhere between ten and 20 PSK31 signals in your passband. That would be a good place to start. 73 de Bill, KR8L/7
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I run the '817 in the DIGital mode, and have
the digital menu selection set to PSK-U (upper sideband).
In the DIG PSK-U mode there is an 30Hz offset between tx and rx. (Others have discovered this) The fix is ... Simply set the DIG mode to USER-U and all is well. BCNU DE N2LO~>
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Nick, I saw your post and thought I would respond. I was under the impression that if one used an interface like the Rigblaster etc that you did not have to use the acutal data connector for digital modes? I hooked mine up to a rigblaster yesterday evening but was not able to set the ALC properly (actually I was not able to get any output out at all ). Perhaps I did not set up the volume and related controls properly. Where did you see that the 817 expects ot see the tx audio at the data connector? Your feedback would be appreciated.. Thanks.. Serge VA3SB
Thanks Bryan,
This was indeed helpful. I already have 1/2 of a CaT 5 patch cable
from a headset/mic project (as yet uncompleted) and I'll pick up a Mini Din today and try this. I think the FT817 expects to see transmit audio at the data connector, not the mic connector when in digital mode.
Do you use PSK-U when running PSK?
thanks again,
Nick
WB4SQI
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--- In FT817@y..., Nick Marsh <nmar@e...> wrote:
zl1cdn@n... wrote:
Nick wrote:
How do you connect the nomic to the data connector?
I purchased a Cat5 patch cable and a 6-pin Mini DIN (PS/2) plug.
Hope this helps.
Bryan, ZL1CDN
Thanks Bryan,
This was indeed helpful. I already have 1/2 of a CaT 5 patch cable
from a headset/mic project (as yet uncompleted) and I'll pick up a Mini Din today and try this. I think the FT817 expects to see transmit audio at the data connector, not the mic connector when in digital mode.
Do you use PSK-U when running PSK?
thanks again,
Nick
WB4SQI
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He is, in fact, correct; in digital modes, the '817 expects the audio
at the rear DATA connector. I don't think this is explicitly stated
in the manual. You can run digimodes from the regular microphone &
headset jacks using USB/LSB, FM, etc. Can anyone elaborate on the
benfits of one vs. the other? I know you can (theoretically, anyway)
use the built-in VOX by using the microphone jack; anything else?
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One advantage of this is that any incidental "hootin' and hollerin'" that goes on in the shack is NOT transmitted, via SSB, on the CW/DATA portion of the band. (One hears this occasionally. Of course, for this to occur with the FT-817 you would have to have VOX turned on.) That is to say, in the DATA mode not only is the data connector selected for the audio input, but the mic input is disabled. (I assume everone has already had the experience of trying to call another station on SSB with the rig selected to CW or DATA. Everything SEEMS to be normal, except that you have NO output. This is real QRPppppp operating!) Although I have not tried it myself, it appears (based on comments by Steve and others) that you can connect your sound card output to the microphone input. I imagine that means that the headphone output has to be used for the sound card input, so that you can't hear the PSK31 audio from the rig's speaker (which you don't need to do anyway, and avoids listening to the above mentioned hootin' and hollerin' from another station, should it occur). One disadvantage of this might be that you have to fiddle with the volume knob on the rig every time you set up for PSK31 operation, and you have to do it "in the blind" since you can't hear the audio. With the data port, you set it once via the menus and probably don't have to touch it again. 73 de Bill, KR8L/7 --- In FT817@y..., "Steve Howell" <AB8JC@y...> wrote: He is, in fact, correct; in digital modes, the '817 expects the audio at the rear DATA connector. I don't think this is explicitly stated
in the manual. You can run digimodes from the regular microphone &
headset jacks using USB/LSB, FM, etc. Can anyone elaborate on the
benfits of one vs. the other? I know you can (theoretically, anyway) use the built-in VOX by using the microphone jack; anything else?
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Although I have not tried it myself, it appears (based on comments by Steve and others) that you can connect your sound card output to the microphone input. I imagine that means that the headphone output has to be used for the sound card input, so that you can't hear the PSK31 audio from the rig's speaker (which you don't need to do anyway, and avoids listening to the above mentioned hootin' and hollerin' from another station, should it occur). One disadvantage of this might be that you have to fiddle with the volume knob on the rig every time you set up for PSK31 operation, and you have to do it "in the blind" since you can't hear the audio. With the data port, you set it once via the menus and probably don't have to touch it again.
73 de Bill, KR8L/7
Hi Bill, thanks for your response. I've listened a few times via the headphone/spkr jack but never got around to buying the parts for a full-blown interface or even just patch cables w/audio attenuators. So, I checked out BuxComm's website, & decided to order their Rascal kit -- only $25, and I'd probably spend better'n half that on just the parts. Besides, I ABSOLUTELY HATE trying to solder to mini-DIN connectors & this way, I don't have to! FWIW, when listening to PSK with the 1/8" stereo patch cord, I can hear the rig's audio via my computer's speakers. I've probably got some screwy setting in my soundcard controls or the Windows audio mixer somewhere.... 72 de Steve AB8JC
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kr8l@... wrote: By low, sell high. But seriously, folks -- one other thought: Where
are you operating? If you go to 14070 USB, you should see somewhere
between ten and 20 PSK31 signals in your passband. That would be a
good place to start.
73 de Bill, KR8L/7 Bill, Thanks for all the info. I made my first PSK QSO with the SGC2020 and Rascal interface, made several after that. I then opened up the Nomic interface, arranged the jumpers and tried again on 20m, 14070. Yes, lots of signals there. I adjusted levels again (different computer, different interface and different radio). When things looked OK I tried the search and pounce method. Got a K6 to answer, then we lost the connection. So, I started looking thinking about the FT817 and went to the menu. I had started PSK on regular voice usb. I switched to digital and PSK-U. No output. After some reading it looked as if the digital modes need audio to come in from the rear connector, so, back to regular ssb. I had 3 to 4 bars of ALC, running through the Z11 tuner, no SWR to a zip cord inverted Vee up about 30', the same antenna I used on the SGC. Never did get another QSO going that evening (this was last Friday) so I finally gave up. Been out of town all week and having company this weekend so don't know when I'll get to try again. But, assuming I am doing things correctly in setup and tone levels then I know (via Ruby slipper intuition) that I will eventually have a QSO. thanks, Nick WB4SQI
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jrevans@... wrote:
I run the '817 in the DIGital mode, and have
the digital menu selection set to PSK-U (upper sideband).
In the DIG PSK-U mode there is an 30Hz offset between tx and rx.
(Others have discovered this)
The fix is ...
Simply set the DIG mode to USER-U and all is well.
BCNU DE N2LO~>
I tried to find this thread in the archives and never did. If using USER, are there any other adjustments to be made? What is the difference between USER-U and just using voice usb? I don't have a narrow filter yet, I'd really rather have the Collins SSB filter so I am in great hopes that I can get by without a narrow filter for PSK. thanks, Nick WB4SQI
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smbertuzzo@... wrote:
Nick, I saw your post and thought I would respond. I was under the
impression that if one used an interface like the Rigblaster etc that
you did not have to use the acutal data connector for digital modes? I
hooked mine up to a rigblaster yesterday evening but was not able to
set the ALC properly (actually I was not able to get any output out at
all ). Perhaps I did not set up the volume and related controls
properly.
Where did you see that the 817 expects ot see the tx audio at the data
connector? Your feedback would be appreciated..
Thanks..
Serge VA3SB
Actually Serge, I deduced this fact from the same problem you had. When the 817 is in digital mode, I had no PSK tones coming from the transmitter and no RF output. WHen I went back to usb, I had tones. I am using the Nomic with a cable from the Nomic to the mic jack and speaker jack to sound card. After re-reading the book and looking at the pin diagram for the rear digital connector I assumed that when in digital mode, it wants audio in that port, not the mic port. So, until I get my RJ-45 to mini din cable made, I'll continue to use the mic jack and usb. Someone posed the question in anther email and I hope to see the answer soon. What are the benefits of using the rear port and digital modes for PSK over the mic jack and usb mode? Hope this helps OM, 73 Nick WB4SQI
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Steve Howell wrote: FWIW, when listening to PSK with the 1/8" stereo patch cord, I can
hear the rig's audio via my computer's speakers. I've probably got
some screwy setting in my soundcard controls or the Windows audio
mixer somewhere....
72 de Steve AB8JC
Steve and others, This is the method I am using, listening via the laptop PC speaker. I can still control the rx audio without affecting the soundcard audio when the PC speaker is enabled in the mixer window. Nick WB4SQI
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Nick wrote:
Do you use PSK-U when running PSK?
I am using PSK-U here. I don't use the narrow filter so the frequency shift is not a problem. I guess I will change to user-u when the need arises to use the narrow filter. There are 2 reasons why I have used the FT-817 data connector. One is the receive audio level is independent of the volume control. Secondly, it avoids having to plug and unplug the microphone when switching from phone to digital mode. I also have a standard RIGblaster on my TS-570D for digital modes. The RIGblaster is connected to the MIC input of the TS-570D and I use USB mode. However, I have taken the receive audio from the TS-570D data connector so that the receive audio level is not dependent on the volume control. The standard RIGblaster has a connection for the microphone so that pluging and unpluging the microphone when switching from phone to digital mode is avoided. Bryan, ZL1CDN
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