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Hello to all,
I have an RX/TX Ensemble that I got from Five Dash some years ago. It is still boxed with the hard case. I am quite keen to get started using this little radio. Is there a starting point or users guide that I should have a look at? I want to run the machine under Linux but if it is vitally necessary I can use Windows. I am really in the dark with this, any help gratefully accepted.
73,
Tryg
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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. For Windows I have many pages here I note the driver link has changed, others may well have also, it is a long time since I wrote them, new users are rare. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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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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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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
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73, Mike
www.w0btu.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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kit building info can be found at: www.wb5rvz.org
73
Ben
softrockrx.com
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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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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
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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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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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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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Alan,
You are correct that some laptops (most?) can configure the 3.5mm jack. You need 4 connections (two input and two output) if you want a transceiver. The TRRS 3.5mm jack only has three connections. Here is a USB dongle that meets the requirements:
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I've been using a Creative Soundblaster 1085. This works great with the Softrocks. 73, Zack W9SZ On Tue, Aug 1, 2023 at 3:00?AM Roland Turner via groups.io <roland= [email protected]> wrote: 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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Alan, On 1/8/23 16:20, Alan G4ZFQ 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. Thanks. It appears that I misread Evan's message, in particular he was simply pointing out that while the dongles in question are missing the bias voltage required by some microphones, Softrocks don't require a bias voltage so its absence is *not* a problem. (I misread it as indicating that it is a problem.) With respect to those sound cards which *do* provide mic bias, it would appear that it's a non-issue for Softrocks anyway; the blocking capacitor in the Softrock I/Q output path would appear to mean that it makes no difference at all whether a bias voltage is present or not. Quite apart from concerns about finding the setting, or whether there is one, or whether there is one but it doesn't work, is there any particular reason to avoid mic bias on a sound card used with a Softrock? Surely that's just one of dozens/hundreds of settings that can be safely ignored? - Roland 9V1RT
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On 1/8/23 17:13, Shirley Dulcey KE1L wrote: 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. So... why bother? 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. Sure. This is comparable to Power-over-Ethernet, which a friend learned the expensive way when connecting a cable tracing aid to a socket which had a PoE-enabled switch behind it. - Roland 9V1RT
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EI7CLB
W0BTU
Shirley Dulcey KE1L