[RTTY] Need to change GU0SUP setup

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Phil, 

If you want conventional ports and have open slots (either 
PCI or PCI-Express) look at port cards from Syba or StarTech 
(www.newegg.com).  The cards based on the MosChip chipsets 
seem to be fairly reliable in both Windows XP and Vista.  

Stay away from the SIIG cards as their own chipsets seem to 
have issues.  

You will probably want two soundcards - and will need to 
disable any motherboard soundcard based on Realtek chipset.  
Realtek's drivers create separate output and input mixers 
which confuses many amateur software that expects the mixers 
to be the same (including N1MM Logger).  Look for at least 
one soundcard that has separate microphone and line inputs 
if you plan to do both phone and digital contesting. 

> maybe it is time to get a MicroHam interface? 

Contact me directly with any questions ... I won't do a sales 
pitch here <G>. 

>  Which one would suit my needs? 

Single radio or SO2R? 

> And will it cover Com 2  to 4 above all via one USB port?

All microHAM interfaces allow creating multiple (virtual) serial 
ports using a single USB connection. 

> Is there a built-in soundcard in any of the MicroHam interfaces? 
 
Yes, USB Interface III (entry level), DigiKeyer, microKEYER II 
and MK2R+:  http://www.microHAM-USA.com/compare.html

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: rtty-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Phil Cooper
> Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 2:57 PM
> To: RTTY; MMTTTY Group
> Cc: DXLab
> Subject: [RTTY] Need to change GU0SUP setup
> 
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I need to get a new PC for the shack. The current PC has a 
> problem, in that it keeps freezing. I suspect a hardware 
> issue, rather than a software issue, as there is nothing in 
> the Event Viewer that points to a software problem. Also, it 
> kind of depends on where the PC box is sat. If I move it a 
> little, it just freezes. I have already had to replace the 
> soundcard, as my old SB PCI128 seems to have failed, but the 
> replacement SB Live 5.1 just won't behave with PSK31, and 
> other AFSK modes.
> 
> So, I am looking to get a new PC - probably a self-build job, 
> and will opt to run WinXP + Service Pack 2.
> 
> As most new PC's don't have COM ports, I need to find a way 
> to cover the 4 COM ports I currently have installed. They are 
> used for: Com 1 is RF packet (via a TNC - backup to my 
> internet connection) Com 2 is FSK Keying (via a Buxcomm 
> Rascal) Com 3 is PTT Com 4 is CW for Writelog.
> 
> So, what do others use? I've ruled out the Tigertronics 
> Signalink, as it doesn't do FSK, so maybe it is time to get a 
> MicroHam interface? I've looked at their website, and got a 
> little confused! Which one would suit my needs? And will it 
> cover Com 2  to 4 above all via one USB port?
> 
> I may also need a new soundcard, so which are better, and 
> more freely available? The plan would be to use one soundcard 
> for RTTY/PSK31 etc, and the on-board card for Windows sounds. 
> Again, what do others use? Is there a built-in soundcard in 
> any of the MicroHam interfaces? If so, that would be an 
> advantage over the newer USB Buxcomm Rascal.
> 
> I could possibly do without the RF packet connection 
> (currently on Com 1) as this is only used on occasions when a 
> bit of RF gets into the wireless dongle used to connect to my Wi Fi.
> 
> The main software in use here is MMTTY, both alone for 
> non-contest work, and Writelog for contests. I also use 
> Digipan and other digi-mode softwares for those odd occasions 
> when I chase DX on PSK if there is no RTTY. My shack logging 
> system is the DX Lab Suite, for which I use most components 
> apart from WinWarbler, as I prefer the basics of MMTTY. My 
> rig is an Icom IC756Pro, but I keep looking at the IC7600 or 
> even the IC7800 for the future. What should I look for in an 
> interface? Will the MicroHam do all this?
> 
> Any thoughts/ideas would be most welcome by emailing me 
> direct to pcooper
> (at) guernsey.net
> 
> I will try to be active in the ARRL RTTY Roundup, but if I 
> just stop mid-exchange, it is because the PC has frozen! But, 
> I'll get back as soon as I can get the PC re-booted!
> 
> 73 all and a very Happy New Year 2010 to everyone!
> 
> Phil GU0SUP
> 
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