[RTTY] will a USB-Serial converter work for FSK and MMTTY

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

That depends on whether you also require a CAT/CI-V interface to the
transceiver, a sound card for decoding RTTY, and are willing to settle
for FSK only (ignoring any digital mode except FSK RTTY).  If one
already has an available serial port with the necessary TTL/inverted 
TTL/CI-V/RS-232 level converters and an available sound card, a simple
USB-Serial converter with resistor and transistor or optoisolator
drivers will work.

However, if one does not already have the necessary hardware, all the
parts will cost anywhere from $100 - $200 or more (two USB-Serial
converters, a sound card, project boxes, isolation transformers,
transistors, resistors, pots, connectors, etc.).  You will end up with 
three devices, three project boxes (CAT driver, FSK/PTT/CW driver,
sound interface) and and a rat's nest of cables ... and not have
all the capabilities of an entry level commercial product.

Sure, one can build their own interface ... but what is your time
worth?

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV



On 8/23/2011 1:05 AM, rjohnson wrote:
> Yes,  the simple interface would  FB for a lot less money !!!
> 73
> Bob, K1VU
>
> At 09:37 PM 8/22/2011, WW3S wrote:
>> I've seen conflicting info whether a usb-serial converter will work for
>> FSK...some say they baud rate isn't right, nor will it support 5
>> bits....planning on building a simple interface and trying one....will the
>> ones with the FTDI chipset work? I imagine I'd need both FSK and PTT so
>> maybe a dual opto-isolator in a DB9 shell would work?
>>
>