It's best to turn off mic bias if you can. But it won't actually matter to
the Softrock because it has blocking capacitors on its I/Q outputs, so that
bias won't reach the rest of the circuit. If you use a fancy interface with
phantom voltage support, turn that off; it's a much higher voltage,
nominally 48V, that could cause issues. If you have an interface with combo
XLR/TS input jacks use TS connections for line input (those bypass the mic
preamps), not XLR.
The I/Q inputs for transmitting also have blocking capacitors, so again DC
bias shouldn't matter. Those blocking capacitors are only rated for 16V so
a large DC bias could be an issue, but you're unlikely to encounter that
problem.
I haven't seen a recent laptop with a stereo audio input. Most of them have
given up the separate input and output jacks, and instead use a combined
headphone/microphone jack like the ones used on cell phones for using wired
earbuds. That connector only supports a mono microphone input.
High end audio interfaces with 24 bit support and low noise inputs will
give you slightly more receiver dynamic range when used with a SoftRock,
especially if you modify your SoftRock to fully exploit its capability.
(Past posts in the group have addressed that.) Support for higher
sample rates like 96 or 192 kHz is nice because it lets you see more of the
band, but again you might not want to spend a lot to get that. It's hard to
justify the purchase of a high end interface just for use with the
SoftRock, as they can cost considerably more than the rig does, but if you
already have one for other purposes like audio work you can go ahead and
use it.
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On Tue, Aug 1, 2023 at 4:21?AM Alan G4ZFQ <alan4alan@...> wrote: On 01/08/2023 08:00, Roland Turner via groups.io wrote:
Is the "mic bias" issue written up somewhere? Roland,
I'm sure it is written somewhere but you simply avoid any mic input that
has a polarising voltage on one contact.
I'm not sure about stereo on current laptops but older ones I've used
can have dual mic or line inputs on one socket, controlled by the
installed sound settings.
Always the problem is finding the settings, most manuals do not help.
73 Alan G4ZFQ
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On 01/08/2023 08:00, Roland Turner via groups.io wrote: Is the "mic bias" issue written up somewhere? Roland, I'm sure it is written somewhere but you simply avoid any mic input that has a polarising voltage on one contact. I'm not sure about stereo on current laptops but older ones I've used can have dual mic or line inputs on one socket, controlled by the installed sound settings. Always the problem is finding the settings, most manuals do not help. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Hi Evan, On 22/6/23 04:10, Evan Hand wrote: Remember that SoftRock puts out a stereo audio signal to allow for separate I and Q channels. Very few laptops have stereo inputs. There are USB dongles with stereo inputs. Those do not have the mic bias that is not needed for SoftRock. They also have separate in and out jacks. Is the "mic bias" issue written up somewhere? (Or, can you provide a precis?) Thanks, - Roland 9V1RT
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A design of mine can be found here. It also has the Openscad files so you can modify things.to your liking. Designed this when I was first learning Openscad. So I could probably do better now.
David KB9GPM
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Good Work! Thanks for all you do.
Dave, K4TO
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On Thu, Jul 6, 2023 at 10:58?AM Ben Cherry <satman39@...> wrote: back up
www.softrockrx.com
www.softrock40.com
I'll be adding to the site as I get the opportunity
Ben Cherry
ad8aw
73
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back up
www.softrockrx.com
www.softrock40.com
I'll be adding to the site as I get the opportunity
Ben Cherry
ad8aw
73
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Ben Cherry <satman39@...> added folder */3d printer files for cases*
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Sorry, the softrockrx.com and softrock40.com website is temporarily down. it came up for annual renewal and the price more than doubled. I am in the process of transfering the domains to a new provider, but it could take 7 days. We will have them back online as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience, we will be back online as quickly as possible.
Ben Cherry
Softrockrx.com
73
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Re: 3 Softrocks with cases for sale.
transceiver still for sale?
73
David
ac9xh
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Re: 3 Softrocks with cases for sale.
Is the rxiii available ?
Paul K2DB
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On Fri, Jun 30, 2023, 4:58 PM George Rybicki <atomant@...> wrote: I have 3 Tony Parks SDR's with cases FS. I built the rcvrs and got the
transceiver at a hamfest.
RXII receiver built for LF $40
RXIII receiver, HF $40
Transceiver, suspected to be the 40/30/20 $50
$100 for all 3, + shipping.
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3 Softrocks with cases for sale.
I have 3 Tony Parks SDR's with cases FS. I built the rcvrs and got the transceiver at a hamfest.
RXII receiver built for LF $40
RXIII receiver, HF $40
Transceiver, suspected to be the 40/30/20 $50
$100 for all 3, + shipping.
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Here it is.
73 ... Sid.
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On 27/06/2023 10:34, G8DQX list wrote: Tryg, Mike,
the Ensemble uses an Si570 frequency synthesizer, driven by a microprocessor plus firmware. (I had to look it up to check, it's been a long time!) Under Linux the necessary software to control that arrangement is *usbsoftrock*, and one should set up *udev rules* to make it simple.
Back a decade or so ago a write-up came out of a project for a friend. Write-up's now in the files section. (/g/softrock40/files/Installing%20and%20using%20usbsoftrock%20on%20Ubuntu.pdf)
HTH, 73, Stay Safe,
Robin, G8DQX
PS: Sadly I have no current access to test Si570 hardware.
On 20/06/2023 20:44, W0BTU wrote:
I am unaware of any*need*? for an Ensemble driver.
Maybe for a sound card, yes. But*not*? for any Softrock.
Of course, SDR software is necessary, such as Linrad.
73 Mike
W0BTU
-- Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks
--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks
|
Tryg, Mike, the Ensemble uses an Si570 frequency synthesizer, driven by a microprocessor plus firmware. (I had to look it up to check, it's been a long time!) Under Linux the necessary software to control that arrangement is *usbsoftrock*, and one should set up *udev rules* to make it simple. Back a decade or so ago a write-up came out of a project for a friend. Write-up's now in the files section. ( /g/softrock40/files/Installing%20and%20using%20usbsoftrock%20on%20Ubuntu.pdf) HTH, 73, Stay Safe, Robin, G8DQX PS: Sadly I have no current access to test Si570 hardware.
On 20/06/2023 20:44, W0BTU wrote: I am unaware of any*need* for an Ensemble driver.
Maybe for a sound card, yes. But*not* for any Softrock.
Of course, SDR software is necessary, such as Linrad.
73 Mike
W0BTU
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File /Installing and using usbsoftrock on Ubuntu.pdf uploaded
#file-notice
The following files and folders have been uploaded to the Files area of the [email protected] group. * /Installing and using usbsoftrock on Ubuntu.pdf ( /g/softrock40/files/Installing%20and%20using%20usbsoftrock%20on%20Ubuntu.pdf ) *By:* G8DQX list <list@...> *Description:* Installation of Ubuntu GNU/Linux Si570 usbsoftrock drivers and configuration of udev rules. Originally written & tested with Ubuntu 12.04 (2012), but should be applicable to later versions. Now notes archive code sources. Provides inspiration for other Linux distros.
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kit building info can be found at: www.wb5rvz.org
73
Ben
softrockrx.com
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Remember that SoftRock puts out a stereo audio signal to allow for separate I and Q channels. Very few laptops have stereo inputs. There are USB dongles with stereo inputs. Those do not have the mic bias that is not needed for SoftRock. They also have separate in and out jacks.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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I believe Quisk can run a Softrock on a Linux computer.
John
KC9OJV
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On Jun 20, 2023, at 2:45 PM, W0BTU <mikewate@...> wrote:
?
I am unaware of any Linux driver for controlling an Ensemble.
I am unaware of any *need* for an Ensemble driver.
Maybe for a sound card, yes. But *not* for any Softrock.
Of course, SDR software is necessary, such as Linrad.
73 Mike
W0BTU
--
73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
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Thanks to all who have replied. I really want to use the Softrock as it was a present from my late Mother and has been in the box since I got it. Cheers, Tryg
--
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On 20/06/2023 19:45, AB8WU wrote: Quisk also has a USB soft rock driver. It's a nice front end which can
decode/encode I/Q to audio and share rig control with wstjx/z via hamlib. Yes, I woke up this morning thinking Quisk:-) 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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runs on Windows and Linux.
Quisk was originally designed for N2ADR's own transceiver design.
I was looking for Linux software for my Softrock and got Jim to support it in quisk.
It's kept up to date as Jim also tests on a RX/TX Ensemble and Softrock is the default rig supported.
73 ... Sid.
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On 20/06/2023 20:45, AB8WU wrote: Quisk also has a USB soft rock driver. It's a nice front end which can
decode/encode I/Q to audio and share rig control with wstjx/z via hamlib.
73,
Jon AB8WU
On Tue, Jun 20, 2023, 3:38 PM glenoverby <gpoverby@...> wrote:
On Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 2:40?PM Alan G4ZFQ <alan4alan@...> wrote:
On 20/06/2023 16:24, EI7CLB wrote:
I want to run the machine under Linux but if it is vitally necessary I
can use Windows.
Tryg,
I am unaware of any Linux driver for controlling an Ensemble.
usbsoftrock does:
(says it has bug fixes)
73,
Glen, kc0iyt
-- Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks
--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks
|
Shirley Dulcey KE1L
K2DB Paul Mackanos
EI7CLB