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Author Topic: IC-7200 built in sound card vs external soundcard for MARS nets  (Read 10883 times)

N4GFG

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Hello all. I am fairly new to MARS. Looking for any information that might be out there about sound card performance between the built in sound card on the IC-7200 versus an external type USB to Sound card to Radio interfaces (Signalink USB/ Rigblasters etc). I am not that savvy with all of the ins and outs, but basically looking for a general consensus if it is worth constantly switching between USB modulation and Microphone/ACC modulation on the IC-7200 with the internal sound card on a net or if there is not much difference performance wise if it would just be easier to get an external USB-Sound card-Radio type interface (Signalink USB/ Rigblasters etc). Comments?
« Last Edit: June 09, 2015, 05:59:35 PM by N4GFG »
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N3ZH

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RE: IC-7200 built in sound card vs external soundcard for MARS nets
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2015, 07:32:29 AM »

I have used both.  Both approaches work fine.  It is a matter of preference.

The advantage of a Signalink USB is handy volume control knobs.
The disadvantage of SIgnalink USB is PTT is via VOX implemented within the SIgnalink product.  Only Mars/Ale forums have complained that very fast was necessary.

The advantage of Rig Blaster Plug and Play is fast PTT not using VOX.  This really is not important except for Mars/Ale M110A mode - and I am not sure VOX-PTT is still an issue with this mode.

The advantage of connecting a more modern radio to the computer via USB cable is far less cables, providing power to an external box.  In the case of my Kenwood TS590s the USB only provides data VOX-PTT, and adjusting volume levels is done within the radio setup memory, or via Windows volume levels.

With my Kenwood TS590s, there is no radio button pressing to switch between microphone talking or USB data transmission.  I tell Fldigi to transmit and the radio uses VOX-PTT to start transmitting. 

So, as I said before all methods work and it is a matter of personal preference.
I prefer to use the radio internal USB.
« Last Edit: June 10, 2015, 07:34:32 AM by N3ZH »
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N4GFG

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RE: IC-7200 built in sound card vs external soundcard for MARS nets
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2015, 11:38:56 AM »

So it looks like you confirmed my suspicions/assumptions that as far a performance, there is no appreciable difference. All that is at stake is convenience. Think that I will have to pick one of those up.
 
The handy volume control knobs would also be a plus. I will have to look into the PTT circuit, and see what I have to do to get set up for ALE down the road. I did do some research and it looks like if you hook anything up to the ACC port on the back of the rig, then you don't have to constantly switch between USB Modulation and Microphone modulation every time you pass a digital message over the net. Not that it doesn't work that way, its is just a pain and creates a pause if you are not quick going through the menu to switch modes when someone is calling you for a fill. If I was smart enough, I hear that some programs let you create a macro or a file that can send the command to the rig and do some of those functions-maybe even a PTT function? Might be worth looking into from this end.

Thank you for the reply.
73,
Greg
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