HFU HF Underground

Technical Topics => Equipment => Topic started by: Roykirk on November 30, 2019, 0234 UTC

Title: Connecting computer soundcard to older model Icoms
Post by: Roykirk on November 30, 2019, 0234 UTC

Looking for some recommendations on adapters that would allow connecting a computer sound card (through a simple 3.5 mm audio out cable) to an older model Icom radio, like the IC-735.  I used one years ago from MFJ:

https://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1263

Worked good, but overpriced (as far as I'm concerned) and it takes up a lot of space.  Not to mention that they rarely have it in stock.  Today I was browsing around and found the Signalink:

https://www.gigaparts.com/tigertronics-slusb4r.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoIPvBRDgARIsAHsCw089mVrp9yx86sgjz3OOcwKOI3eErKbwtZabNQ2zASLB45ieeHYLZ1saAheXEALw_wcB

Seems like it might do the trick, but only slightly better in price.  Any other options out there I'm not thinking of? 

Title: Re: Connecting computer soundcard to older model Icoms
Post by: Josh on November 30, 2019, 2316 UTC

The signalink's a great piece of gear, but all one really needs is a audio cable and some audio transformers and the requisite connectors for each end. Just plumb the audio ins and outs, passing each via a xformer to isolate the circuit and then employ vox to do the tx/rx switching. You can go in via the mic or the 8 or 13 pin din common to almost every icom, even the mic has audio out.

Title: Re: Connecting computer soundcard to older model Icoms
Post by: Roykirk on November 30, 2019, 2344 UTC

Thanks for the tip.  Yeah, I figured it's probably an easy project for most people, but I was looking for a turn-key option.  With the way my eyesight and hand control is (for things like soldering), I'm preferring to find something I don't have to fiddle with.  Good to know the Signalink is a good option.