ICOM 706 MkIIG Configuration for PSK31 - Digital Forum at eHam.net

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ICOM 706 MkIIG Configuration for PSK31	Reply
by KC0JVZ on January 20, 2002	Mail this to a friend!
Greetings. I'm attempting to isolate a PSK31 transmit problem with my 706. The manual doesn't specifically address configuration for PSK31, so I'm not sure if I'm overlooking something. Question: What's the configuration for PSK31 into an ICOM 706 MkIIG using the accessory port as an interface? Does the radio need to be in VOX mode? If so, what VOX gain setting should be used? Should the microphone be plugged in or unplugged (as I've seen recommended)? The receive function works fine on all bands. I've found the appropriate slider bars and have adjusted them for the correct level for receiving PSK31 signals. For transmitting, I can get the software to generate a tone which can be heard through the PC speakers (when the sound card output is unplugged), so up to that point, the software and sound card works fine. When I click the CQ button, the tone changes as if the signal is being modulated to transmit the characters. The Wave output bar on the software shows a near-full scale signal. But when I switch the software to transmit, the radio doesn't key. I would assume the Tx light on the panel would light up. Configuration details: PSK31 Interface into the Accessory jack. Digipan 1.6 and Hamscope (tried both, same problem). Software in BPSK mode. Radio set at lowest transmit power. Audio gain set to 9 o'clock position. USB selected. Thanks. 73. Mike KC0JVZ

RE: ICOM 706 MkIIG Configuration for PSK31	Reply
by K0HZI on January 20, 2002	Mail this to a friend!
Are you using a interface? Take a look at this page: http://www.packetradio.com/00rascal/R-706-13.gif The PTT pin on the acc jack will key the rig if you have the ptt circuit built in the interface. You do not have to unplug the microphone to use PSK, the microphone is muted when using the acc jack. The microphone gain has no effect when using the acc jack. You set the power output using the volume control on the sound card. Set the Icom output power setting for high, compression off, USB, adjust output to 20 watts using the volume control on the sound card. You can get out on PSK with 20 watts or even lower power well. Note the power out drops as you go higher on the bands so you need to nudge the volume control a little as you go from a lower band to a higher band, and reverse when going down.

RE: ICOM 706 MkIIG Configuration for PSK31	Reply
by KC0JVZ on January 20, 2002	Mail this to a friend!
Thanks for your reply. I checked the link you gave and the interface on my rig looks to be the same. The compression was off, so that setting was correct. I'll try the other settings to see if they make a difference. If that doesn't work, I'd begin to suspect it's a serial port problem with the computer (but it's worked before in other applications). Not sure how to test that since Windows says both COM ports are operating with no conflicts. Appreciate the help. Hope to be on the air soon. Mike

RE: ICOM 706 MkIIG Configuration for PSK31	Reply
by NB6Z on January 22, 2002	Mail this to a friend!
So as I understand it, you are using the RS232 connector on the PC for the PTT output to the radio. That is a normal/common configuration for Digipan. Make sure you have the comport set up in Digipan corectly. If that does not work, you could use the VOX feature (if it responds to AUX input) but that method is problematic... GL

RE: ICOM 706 MkIIG Configuration for PSK31	Reply
by KL7IPV on January 25, 2002	Mail this to a friend!
Mike, I use the IC-706MkII for PSK31. I run a HP laptop and an IBM laptop here. I turn the output of my sound card all the way up. I use the output of the soundcard to drive the 706 in VOX mode in USB or LSB as required. Adjust the VOX to transmit while you send a solid tone to the radio from the computer. Do not leave the mic connected as the background noises will be heard and may not allow the VOX to drop after you are done sending the PSK 31. For some reason, my HP reduces the audio output after some time and I have to reboot to get the audio volume where it will drive the VOX. I use the front spkr output into the soundcard for audio in. I use the RigBlaster interface and it works just great. I put a tiny off/on switch for DC power in the front of the RigBlaster because I didn't like having the thing on all the time whether I was using it or not. For me, I tried many PSK31 programs and always came back to the Digipan. I now run only the Digipan 1.6 and just erased all the others from my laptops. Good luck. Maybe I'll catch on the air sometime. 73 Frank KL7IPV

RE: ICOM 706 MkIIG Configuration for PSK31	Reply
by KC0JVZ on January 25, 2002	Mail this to a friend!
Frank and others, Thanks to all for your help and suggestions. The "saga" continues, but at least I've eliminated many potential causes. At this point, it appears that it's either a serial port that doesn't work, or the interface cable is wired incorrectly. From what I can tell, everything works fine (software, sound card, volume settings, port configuration, radio settings, etc.) except that the RTS doesn't key the radio. A friend of mine has a serial port tester which he's loaning me tomorrow. That will tell me whether or not the COM 1 port is sending data to the correct pins (if it's sending at all). That would leave the cable as the culprit. If that's not it, then I suppose it's back to the top of the troubleshooting chart. Maybe it will all be ready by Field Day! Again, thanks for everyone's help and comments. It's good to know that help is just a question away. Hope to see you on the air soon. 73. Mike

RE: ICOM 706 MkIIG Configuration for PSK31	Reply
by KC0JVZ on January 26, 2002	Mail this to a friend!
IT WORKS! Turns out, the answer was none of the above.... I hooked up the breakout box, and the RTS LED worked as advertised. So, it wasn't the serial port. Turns out, it wasn't the interface cable either. In the ICOM 706 MkIIG, the default pin for 2M RTS is number 7. HF is number 4. The cable is wired for number 4. So, one has to go into the startup menu (#30--VSEND Select) and change it from the default of ON to the OFF value. Works like a champ. If I'd tried to transmit on HF, it would have worked all along. Now to find someone to talk to up on the 2M end of the spectrum. Hope to see you on HF after the 22nd. Thanks to all for the advice and help. If nothing else, I learned a lot about my rig in the process. 73. Mike

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