Now why on earth would one go back to a ZS1I Soundcard Interface that was designed in 2007. One could say it is nostalgia but there is a very good reason to once again use one of the simple serial soundcard interface today. Firstly the ZS1I Soundcard Interfaces work and they are reliable but apart from using them for digital modes it can also be used for VOIP and in this case I am going to use it as a Sysop RF Radio Linking Interface using Echolink to assist newcomers in setting up remote or normal connections to a repeater. Hopefully I will also be successful in altering the Echolink settings to minimize or prevent the "Ping Pong" effect and also in reducing the latency experience as well as other hick-ups when using Echolink on the GRHub Network. This topic will be divided into two parts. In the first part we will be learning about soundcard interfaces and also looking at the ZS1I Soundcard Interface II and how to setup the interface to work digital modes. In the second part we will be looking at the ZS1I Budget Soundcard Interface that I will be using to hopefully curb the issues mentioned supra. In part three I will be looking at a redesigned ZS1I Budget Echolink Interface Kit.
DOWN MEMORY LANE: ZS1I SOUNDCARD INTERFACE II PROJECT
INTERESTED IN DIGITAL MODES?……READ ON!
TNC's and Modems ruled the world of digital communications until recently. With the advent of high speed computing and digital signal processing (DSP) all this has changed. If you own a home computer (PC) with a sound card, all you need to do is download software and obtain an interface between the PC and your radio.
Soundcard interfaces are not data controllers, TNCs, decoders or signal processors. A good Soundcard Interface minimize computer noise entering the sensitive radio section, while isolating DC and AC paths of the audio generated to and from the soundcard.
They merely:
· Couple audio from the radio receiver to the computer sound input.
· Couple computer-generated audio from the soundcard output to the radio transmitter.
· Provide some way for the computer to key the transmitter (PTT)
Due to lack of locally available interfaces in the past many radio amateurs imported them for large sums of money. No longer necessary……….the ready build ZS1I SOUNDCARD INTERFACE was locally available at a very reasonable price. This project is used extensively in the Southern Cape Region by Gizmo Amateur Radio Forum members. Some radio amateurs might consider this project to be simple and straightforward without the necessary bells and whistles. You're right.....that was the intention when I planned this project. Something simple but yet effective. I am not going to discuss the working of the soundcard here as the Internet is “infested” with information regarding the working of soundcard interface projects. I have used this soundcard effectively with various digital modes, even in contests. If you want a no fuzz no frill interface that delivers, than this one is for you.
IMPORTANT:
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY A MICROPHONE CONNECTOR FOR THE SPECIFIC RADIO YOU INTEND USING. THE PTT/MIC AUDIO LINE IS MARKED ON THE SCREENED CABLE AND MUST BE SOLDERED AS ILLUSTRATED IN YOUR RADIO’S INSTRUCTION HANDBOOK.
There are a number of interfaces on the market, listed in ads in Amateur Radio Magazines and on the Internet. The recommended unit however to use is the “ZS1I Soundcard Interface”. This Soundcard Interface is available already assembled and tested, from ZS1I ELECTRONIC PROJECTS at a substantial saving. (Unfortunately not available anymore.)
There are several reasons why you should use the ZS1I SOUNDCARD INTERFACE II. While using a simple patch cord between the mic/speaker
connections will work, there are many reasons why this is not desirable or even safe for your computer and radio.
1. RF isolation - Nothing will kill your computer faster.
2. This interface has a keying circuit built in.
3. Many sound cards have 5 volts DC on the output, not good for your mic jack.
4. This interface has level controls built in, set 'em and forget 'em.
5. The interface provides isolation for all signal paths.
6. This interface do not use the VOX function to avoid embarrassing situations.
7. This interface has positive control of the transmit function.
8. This interface works with all operating systems. ( As long as your operating system has good software and soundcards, serial port support, the interface couldn't care less which operating system you prefer.)
9. This interface is equipment independent and will work with almost all radios.
10. This interface will give you hours of pleasure in working digital modes successfully.
The ZS1I SOUNDCARD INTERFACE II has been tested successfully with the following software:
DIGIPAN, HAMSCOPE, HELLESCHREIBER, ECHOLINK, UIVIEW, WINPACK, AGW, MMSSTV, MMTTY, MIXW, STREAM, WINPSK, WIN WARBLE, WSJT, WIN APRSM, CWGET, AGW TRACKER, DTMF, ECHOSTATION, HAMDREAM, HAMSCOPE, MT63, SPECTRAN AND
W95SSTV.
I am sure that there is room for improvement but the intention with this project is to make a soundcard interface available to radio amateurs who wish to work digital modes. I do not claim originality for the design of this project. The writing of manuals, articles, drawing of the schematic diagrams, new layout of the printed circuit board, list of components and photographs were however compiled by ZS1I.
COMMENTS ABOUT THE ZS1I SOUNDCARD INTERFACE II:
Eddie ZS6BNE writes:
I must compliment you on your digital modes sound card interface!
I wired it up to my Icom 706 mkiig and initially could not get any signal from the rig to the PC. Connecting a COM port cable powered the unit and it works great! (No separate power supply nescessary) Clean signal to the PC's sound card and a clean signal from the PC to the rig and thus a clean transmitted signal.
Well done!
Nico ZS4N and Stephan ZS3S:
Successfully connected the ZS1I SOUNDCARD INTERFACE to Stephan's Kenwood TS2000 during the past week. Several Digital Modes and stations were worked without any problems and from reports received we had a "blast" on the HF bands working digital modes.
Johan ZS2I:
Johan is using a Yaesu FT1000MP with the ZS1I SOUNDCARD INTERFACE and is currently working PSK31 DX around the Globe. The Souncard Interface needed a small modification as Johan wanted to use theDVS-2 connector of the Yaesu FT1000MP instead of the microphone connector.
Now lets look at how to setup the ZS1I Soundcard Interface II. To prevent a long posting I have decided to compile a PDF file that explain the setup of this interface. However this setup and test manual can today still be used to test and setup other Soundcard Interfaces.
Download: ZS1I SOUNDCARD INTERFACE II SETUP AND TEST MANUAL (PDF)
Finally: In part two I will be looking at how to use the ZS1I Budget Soundcard Interface today in setting up Echolink using an RF Link Radio. (ZS1I-L) If the experiments and tests are successful I will consider to make a redesigned ZS1I Budget Echolink Interface Kit available. More on this in a future posting.
