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howto:packet [2019/02/13 18:37] – created ve7hzfhowto:signalink [2023/11/09 15:53] (current) va7fi
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-~~NOTOC~~+====== SignaLink USB ======
  
-====== Icom ID-5100, SignaLink USBWinlink, Windows 10 ======+This page shows how to configure a //SignaLink USB// unit using an //Icom ID-5100////KT-8900//and //IC-207// radios.  The instructions can easily be adapted for other radios.  You will still need to use the instructions that come with the SignaLink to complement.
  
-It turns out that using //Winlink// with an //Icom ID-5100// and a //SignaLink USB// unit is pretty straightforward.  In this guidewe begin with a quick operational checklist to switch from voice to Winlink, followed by a more detailed description of the initial setup You will still need to use the instructions that come with the SignaLink to complement.+Once the SignaLink is workingit can be used to run Winlink, APRS, Packet, SSTV, ...
  
  
-===== Voice to Winlink Checklist =====+===== Initial Hardware Configuration =====
  
-|100% >| +<WRAP round important box center 80%> 
-|<fc #ff0000>**Important**: If you haven't completed the initial setup yet, skip to the [[#Initial_Hardware_Configuration |Initial Hardware Configuration]] section.</fc>|+=== Important ===
  
-Follow these steps in order to use SignaLink once the initial setup has been complete.+Read and follow the {{http://www.tigertronics.com/files/slusbmanual_win7810.pdf |instructions}} that come with the SignaLink unit carefully.  This page skips over some important details. 
 +</WRAP>
  
-  - Make sure the SignaLink unit is off. +If your radio requires the "RG45" cable (like the IC ID-5100), you should purchase a [[http://www.tigertronics.com/ |SignaLink USB]] that comes with different cable (such as the "6PM") since regular Ethernet patch cords are easy to come by.
-  - Tune the radio to a simplex frequency not in use. +
-  - Connect the radio's speaker jack to the SignaLink's ''SPKR'' jack using the audio cable included. +
-  - Connect the radio's mic jack to the SignaLink's ''RADIO'' jack using a short Ethernet patch cord (RG45). +
-  - Connect USB cable between SignaLink to computer. +
-  - Power on SignaLink unit. +
-  - Open SoundModem program monitor. +
-    - Clap your hands.  The water fall should not pick up sounds through the computer microphone.  If so, check that in the ''Settings'' -> ''Devices'', the Output and Input devices are set to ''USB AUDIO CODEC'' +
-    - Turn off the squelch on the radio, you should hear the sound through the computer speakers and see the waterfall running. +
-  - Open Winlink and: +
-    - Open a "Packet Winlinksession. +
-    - Click "Channel Selection", "Update Table Via Internet", and select a station. +
-  - Dial Radio to same packet frequency as the one selected in Winlink. +
-  - Make sure the radio is on Low power. +
-  - Ensure the correct transmitter is selected on the radio using the touch screen. +
-  - Press the <key>START</key> button in Winlink+
  
 +  * Remove the four Allen screws at the **front** of the SignaLink and slide the case off.
 +  * Install the jumpers using this [[http://www.tigertronics.com/sl_wirebm.htm#ICOM |wiring page]].  Here we scroll down to "RJ-45 Mic Connector" and confirm that "ID-5100A/E" is in the "radio model" column.  For quick reference:
  
-===== Initial Hardware Configuration =====+<WRAP half column> 
 +^  Left Side  ^  Right Side  ^^^ 
 +^             ^ IC ID-5100 ^ KT-8900 ^ IC-207((Using the 6-pin mini DIN data port instead of the mic jack.)) ^ 
 +|  ''G''  |none |none |none | 
 +|  ''G''  |-> 7 |-> 6 |none | 
 +|  ''G''  |-> 5 |-> 4 |-> 2 | 
 +|  ''-''''-''''-''  |none|none|none| 
 +|  ''PWR''((The Signalink power is drawn from computer's USB port, not from the radio's mic jack))   |none |none |none | 
 +|  ''PTT''  |-> 4 |-> 5|-> 3| 
 +|  ''MIC''  |-> 6 |-> 3|-> 1| 
 +|  ''SPKR''((If the mic jack doesn't have audio out, the audio is taken from the speaker jack at the back of the radio using a regular 1/8" audio cable instead))  |none|none |-> 5 or 4 ((5 is for 1200 Baud, 4 is for 9600 Baud))| 
 +</WRAP>
  
-|<100 % >| +<WRAP half column
-|<fc #ff0000>**Important** Read and follow the [[http://www.tigertronics.com/files/slusbmanual_win7810.pdf |instructions]] that come with the SignaLink unit carefully.  My notes are missing some important details.</fc>|+{{:howto:signalink:jumpers.jpg?330}} \\ 
 +Picture of the jumpers for the IC-ID5100 
 +</WRAP>
  
-I purchased the [[http://www.tigertronics.com/ |SignaLink USB]] that came with the "6PM" cable instead of the "RG45" cable because regular Ethernet patch cords are easy to come by and if I decide to use the SignaLink with another radio later on, I'll have the "6PM" cable. 
- 
-  * Remove the four Allen screws at the **front** of the SignaLink and slide the case off. 
-  * Install the jumpers using this [[http://www.tigertronics.com/sl_wirebm.htm#ICOM |wiring page]] (scroll down to "RJ-45 Mic Connector" and make sure that "ID-5100A/E" is in the "radio model" column and secure the case back on).  For quick reference: 
- 
-{{ :ham:jumpers.jpg?330}} 
-|  ''G''  |no jumper | 
-|  ''G''  |-> 7 | 
-|  ''G''  |-> 5 | 
-|  ''-''''-''''-''  |no jumper| 
-|  ''PWR''  |no jumper ((The Signalink power is drawn from computer's USB port, not from the radio's mic jack)) | 
-|  ''PTT''  |-> 4 | 
-|  ''MIC''  |-> 6 | 
-|  ''SPKR''  |no jumper ((The mic jack on this radio doesn't have audio out so the audio is taken from the speaker jack at the back of the radio using a regular 1/8" audio cable instead)) | 
  
 Connect the Signalink to the computer in this order: Connect the Signalink to the computer in this order:
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   * Right click on the speaker icon (near the clock)   * Right click on the speaker icon (near the clock)
-  * Select "Playback Devices" +  * Additional steps for Windows 10: Select ''Open Sound Settings'' -> ''Sound Control Panel'' 
-    * Select "Speakerand click on "Set Defaultat the bottom of the window.  This will ensure that any windows generated sounds are played through the speakers instead of being transmitted on the air. +  * Select ''Playback Devices'' 
-    * Select "USB AUDIO CODEC"((Note that the icons themselves might be different.  Look for the words "USB AUDIO CODEC")) and click on "Default Communication Device"+    * Select ''Speaker'' and click on ''Set Default'' at the bottom of the window.  This will ensure that any Windows generated sounds are played through the speakers instead of being transmitted on the air. 
-{{  :ham:playback.png  }} +    * Select ''USB AUDIO CODEC''((Note that the icons themselves might be different.  Look for the words ''USB AUDIO CODEC'')) and click on ''Default Communication Device''
-  * Select the "Recordingtab +    * At this point, you might as well double click on the device and rename it "Signalink" This will be useful if you ever connect multiple sound cards to the computer. 
-    * Select "Microphoneand click on "Set Defaultat the bottom of the window. +    * Click on ''Properties'' 
-    * Select "USB AUDIO CODECand click on "Default Communication Device" +      * Under ''Levels'': Set the levels to 0dB or 100% 
-{{  :ham:recording.png  }}+      * Under ''Enhancements'': check ''Disable all enhancements'' 
 +      * Under ''Spatial sound'': Turn Spacial sound format OFF 
 +{{  :howto:signalink:playback.png  }} 
 +  * Select the ''Recording'' tab 
 +    * Select ''Microphone'' and click on ''Set Default'' at the bottom of the window. 
 +    * Select ''USB AUDIO CODEC'' and click on ''Default Communication Device'' 
 +    * Rename it "Signalink" also. 
 +{{  :howto:signalink:recording.png  }}
  
 There should be a green check mark beside the speaker/Microphone (general computer sounds), and a green telephone beside the USB AUDIO CODEC (Default for communication sounds) There should be a green check mark beside the speaker/Microphone (general computer sounds), and a green telephone beside the USB AUDIO CODEC (Default for communication sounds)
  
-  * Optionally, double click on the "USB AUDIO CODECand select the "Listentab and check the "Listen to this devicebox to hear the radio through the computer'"Default Playback Device"+  * Select the ''Sounds'' tab 
-{{  :ham:lineproperties.png  }} +    * Select the ''No Sounds'' scheme and do not Play Windows Startup sound.  This will ensure that Windows sounds don't get transmitted over the air. 
-  * Select the "Levels" tab and set the volume to 50%+ 
 +  * Optionally, double click on the ''USB AUDIO CODEC'' and select the ''Listen'' tab and check the ''Listen to this device'' box to hear the radio through the computer'''Default Playback Device''
 +{{  :howto:signalink:lineproperties.png  }}
  
  
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   * [[http://n4ser.org/2016/soundcard-winlink-2-uz7ho-replaces-agwpe/ |Configure]] the ''Settings'' -> ''Devices'' and ''Modems'' as follow:   * [[http://n4ser.org/2016/soundcard-winlink-2-uz7ho-replaces-agwpe/ |Configure]] the ''Settings'' -> ''Devices'' and ''Modems'' as follow:
  
-{{ :ham:modemdevices.png }}{{ :ham:modemsettings.png }}+{{  :howto:signalink:modemdevices.png  }}  
 + 
 +For the ''Device Settings'' 
 +  * The values of -27 for the ''TX corr. PPM'' and ''RX corr. PPM'' are device specific and were measured using the CheckSR program (see below). 
 +  * ''AGWPE Server Port 8000'' is enabled for EasyTerm by UZ7HO 
 + 
 +For the ''Modem settings'': 
 +  * ''Kiss Optimization'' is needed for Winlink 
 +  * Other stations were having issues decoding my transmissions so I increased the ''TXDelay'' from 250 msec to 500 msec 
 + 
 + 
 +==== CheckSR ==== 
 +{{ :howto:signalink:checksr.png  }} 
 + 
 +>[[https://www.jeffreykopcak.com/2015/10/19/nbemsfldigi-sound-card-calibration/ |CheckSR]] is a small, standalone, application that consist of a single exe file. When you double click on it, once it’s saved to your desktop, it provides the capability of analyzing your sound card offsets and gives you the corrections in parts per million (ppm) 
 + 
 +This offset (in my case -27 PPM and -27 PPM) can be entered in the SoundModem settings (see above). 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Signalink Sound Levels ====
  
   * Make sure that all three nobs on the SignaLink are turned to "0"((I added the numbers on the picture for easy reference only.))   * Make sure that all three nobs on the SignaLink are turned to "0"((I added the numbers on the picture for easy reference only.))
  
-{{ :ham:signalinkfront.jpg }}+{{ :howto:signalink:signalinkfront.jpg }}
  
   * Output volume calibration.  The idea here is that you want to transmit the loudest volume possible without over driving and distorting the signal.  In general, there's three different volumes to adjust: the computer's output, the radio's microphone gain, and the SignaLink Tx Volume.   * Output volume calibration.  The idea here is that you want to transmit the loudest volume possible without over driving and distorting the signal.  In general, there's three different volumes to adjust: the computer's output, the radio's microphone gain, and the SignaLink Tx Volume.
-    * Start by setting the Windows output volume to 50%.  FIXME +    * Start by setting the Windows output volume to 50% (''Open Sound settings'' -> ''Sound Control Panel'' -> ''Recording'' -> double click on ''Signalink'' -> ''Levels'' 
-    * and the Radio's microphone gain to 2 (''Settings'' -> FIXME)+    * and the Radio's microphone gain to 2
     * To adjust the Signalink Tx Volume:     * To adjust the Signalink Tx Volume:
       * Select a simplex frequency not in use, and identify using your microphone to let other potential operators know of your intention to conduct a brief test.       * Select a simplex frequency not in use, and identify using your microphone to let other potential operators know of your intention to conduct a brief test.
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       * In the "Calibration" menu, click on "Both Tones" and slowly move the TX dial back and forth until you find the spot where the two tones are the clearest with the least inter modulation.       * In the "Calibration" menu, click on "Both Tones" and slowly move the TX dial back and forth until you find the spot where the two tones are the clearest with the least inter modulation.
  
-{{ :ham:calibration.png }}+{{ :howto:signalink:calibration.png }}
 {{ youtube>jZ2edKzkQaY }} {{ youtube>jZ2edKzkQaY }}
  
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   * Download [[https://www.winlink.org/WinlinkExpress |WinlinkExpress]], install, and register your callsign (not included in this guide).   * Download [[https://www.winlink.org/WinlinkExpress |WinlinkExpress]], install, and register your callsign (not included in this guide).
 +  * [[winlink |Send and receive]] messages.
  
 +===== Other Resources =====
 +  * [[https://www.jeffreykopcak.com/2015/10/19/nbemsfldigi-sound-card-calibration/ |CheckSR]]
 +  * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G1DBs-04MM |Setting Up SignaLink USB (Youtube)]]
  
  
  
-===== My Setup ===== 
- 
-{{ :ham:packetradio.jpg }} 
-I use a short audio cable extension so that I don't have to reach behind the radio to connect and disconnect the speaker or SignaLink cable, and I ziptied the SignaLink patch cord (white) to the mic cord (black) so that they're easy to swap.  Next, I'd like to get some sort of an A/B switch to easily select the Signalink or the external speaker. 
  
howto/signalink.1550111872.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/02/13 18:37 by ve7hzf