Using your computer’s sound card to do digital modes over ham radio, you will need an Audio Interface Unit. Here you will see my design goals for my new interface unit. I will include a schematic and other documentation as the project progresses.
Audio Interface Unit
Johnny McCown
27 July 2013
Bob, W5BOB helped me build my first Audio Interface Unit for my ham radio when I was first starting off in radio. Bellow you will see a photo of the Audio Interface Unit’s schematic. The unit did what it needed to do at the time. Throughout the years, I have built different interface cables, so I could get on the air with digital communications such as PSK-31. My last interface was of poor craftsmanship, and did not do the job as good as it should have. It turns out that the audio transformer between the radio and the computer was not an isolation transformer as I thought it was. Now, it is time to do it right.
Most of the software that I have been using, the software keys the radio through the CAT control, but other software is not as sophisticated. Rather the software requires you to use a Serial port on your computer to activate the PTT. Most computers no longer include RS-232 (serial ports). It would be best to control your radio via USB.
Desired features from most important to least important:
- Isolation between radio and computer. This will be done through the use of optical couplers for control signals and isolation transformers for audio.
- Audio level will be adjustable going to the radio, so that the radio is not over driven.
- There will be in/out ports to connect 2 x headsets, with audio control/amps. Will make audio ports stereo so that one radio’s audio can be heard on one audio channel and a different radio can be heard on the other channel. Default setting will be the same radio’s audio on both speaker/headphone channels.
- Include audio in/out audio ports for aux equipment such as phone patch.
- Ability to record audio for playback during contest.
- Audio DSP filter
- Ability to connect to more than one radio, so radios can cross communicate or be used separately.