I second Ken's suggestions, including the preference for a sound card interface to a dedicated TNC (outside of mobile where simplicity is preferred).
I actually prefer the Digirig to the SignaLink for most applications since it can also do CAT for supported rigs and it doesn't use vox which needs a little (1 time to be fair) adjustment. It's also half the price.
I also use quite a few easy-digi boards for some applications. They can get to be a bit more homebrew but in some cases like on a Raspberry Pi or other single board computer it's convenient to use the GPIO pins to drive PTT. On a PC, if you have to buy a USB serial adapter for PTT, and a USB sound card, plus an easy-digi boards you are most of the way to a Digirig in terms of price.
73,
Ben KU0HN
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-------- Original Message --------
On Oct 15, 2023, 9:04?PM, Gettuit < gettuit@...> wrote:
Interesting, Mark¡ªthanks for info.?
I got to thinking that maybe I had a SignaLink around here somewhere, that I got through W0STV, but can¡¯t put my fingers on it tonight. ?I¡¯m afraid that maybe it got sold again. ?If anyone has a used TNC that works, I will consider buying it from you; good, clean equipment only, please. ?Reply to: ? robert.andre@...?
It looks like I can then order a quality cable for my VHF radio, for about $20.
-Bob KE0EXE?
On Oct 15, 2023, at 13:44, Mark Kelm via groups.io <gmarkkelm@...> wrote:
?
The VARA HF gateway I use on 40m is in Rockford, IL. ?
Mark
G. Mark Kelm de?K?GMK
On Oct 15, 2023, at 13:23, W9GM, Ken <ken@...> wrote:
?
Hi Bob,
To connect your radio to the computer you will need to add one more item to the mix.? You'll need either a TNC or? an external sound card device between the computer and radio.? You will also need the appropriate cables to connect things up.
I currently use a TNC for packet when I'm portable, but at the home station I use an external sound card with my VHF rig.
Two of the more popular sound card devices are the digirig and the SignaLink USB, but there are others.
https://tigertronics.com/
Both digirig and Tigertronics (SignaLink) offer a variety of cables.? You can of course make up your own.
One benefit to using a sound card over a TNC is that you can run VARA FM.? Of course you will need to have a local RMS Gateway that has VARA FM available.
Ben, or one of the other Group members may have something they would like to add.
73, Ken
W9GM
