Build Your Own Sound Card Interfaces for Ham Radio
Connect your ham radio transceiver to a computer sound card for digital modes, voice keying, and advanced control functionalities.
Interfacing ham radio transceivers with computer sound cards is essential for operating many digital modes and for station control. Hams often build their own interfaces to connect a radio's audio input/output and PTT lines to a PC, enabling modes like FT8, PSK31, and RTTY. These DIY projects typically involve careful attention to audio levels, signal isolation, and preventing ground loops, which are common challenges when linking radio equipment to computer audio circuits. Operators also use these interfaces for voice keying during contests and for basic radio control functions.
This category provides schematics and technical guidance for building sound card interfaces, covering general electronic principles and specific designs for popular transceivers. You will find projects for radios like the Yaesu FT-817 and FT-1000MP, along with discussions on adapting interfaces for various models. Resources detail audio coupling circuits, transmit control integration, and solutions for issues like ground loops and impedance matching. There are also tips for modifying commercial interfaces, such as the Tigertronics Signalink, to optimize performance for different amateur radio activities.
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Amplifier keying buffer for ICOM radios & others. Suitable for IC-746 IC-756 PRO and PROII. ACC1 key interface by KK5DR -
Schematics and purchasing information for the Yaesu FT - 8x7 DIY Bluetooth CAT micro miniature interface done by YO3GGX -
Yaesu FT-2000 FT-2000D Cable connections -
Schematic for Data, power, CAT, Key and Mic connection interface cable -
YAESU FT-1000/MP/MARK V (filed) interface, this one of numerous RTX sound blaster interfaces you can find on the internet, but this one include: FSK KEYING to use with the RTTY port, DVS-2 to use the interface in AFSK mode, this include all digital modes + voice keyer, CW KEYING -
Pc sound card interface for PSK31 MFSK Baudot for the yaesu FT-817 -
HamRadioHomebrew Cat Interface for Yaesu FT-897 by PE1OPM -
The safe RS232 CAT interface and PA buffer for Yaesu FT-817, FT-857, FT897 and FT-100 rigs -
This domain is suspended due to an unverified registrant email address, as mandated by ICANN policy. It provides instructions for reactivation. -
Need to interface both a TNC and the computer soundcard? This is a ICOM 756PRO ACC1 audio/keying/FSK interface by WA0SXV -
If you want to interface the IC-746 Pro or any other Icom rig with a computer for rig control, an outboard CI-V CAT device is required. -
IC820H or other Icom Radios Soundcard interface for VHF EME use by DF9CY -
Here you can find a a selections of CAT interfaces for ICOM Yaesu Kenwood. -
Minimal interface circuits for receiver and transmitter audio, also for PSK31 -
PTT and souncard interface for the kenwood TM255 and TM455 -
General electronic topics on interfacing to PC soundcards by epanorama.net -
The safe RS232 CAT interface and PA buffer for Elecraft K2 -
Simple, low cost interface between Kenwood serial ports and contest logging programs by Bob Wolbert, K6XX -
A circuit that connects an IBM compatible personal computer, running TR Log or CT (etc.) contest logging software, and Kenwood transceivers equipped with serial control ports. CW keying is also provided in this RFI filtered interface unit. -
An optocoupled audio interface between PC and Transceiver for digital modes. The article includes full schematic of complete board and build instructions. -
Wiring schema to adapt a Kenwood PG-4S cable for use with TH-F6A, TH-F7E, or TH-G71 handheld transceivers, detailing pinouts. -
Build a PSK-31 PC interface for the yaesu FT-817 -
PTT and soundcard interface schematic by ON6MU -
Cat interface for Kenwood transceivers, tested with TS-850 and kenwood TS-50 but should work with all Kenwood rtx -
Make your own interface, two schematics for building an interface using the RTS line by N3UR -
Practival project that contains two isolation transformers, one for AF from the tranciever to the line in on a soundcard, and one from the audio out of the soundcard back to the mic / data input of the radio. Both of which are variable inside the interface via two preset resistors. -
"How to remove the so called ""ground loop"" and the reentry in the RTTY broadcast and make radio and PC happily coexist" -
Sound Card Interfacing for RTTY, PSK31, and SSTV -
Interface board was for connecting Yaesu FT-817ND transceiver to Android phone or tablet. The board was developed for experimenting with RTTY, SSTV and other digital modes using DroidRTTY, DroidSSTV and other software on an Android phone. -
Some modifications for the Tigertronics Signalink USB sound card radio interface -
Article on PC to radio interfacing by Paul Umbdenstock, WA1VOA -
Presented here is a transceiver to computer sound card interface complete with automated transmit key function. A sound card interface is simply the audio coupling of a computer soundcard and a transceiver to allow various computer applications that send and receive SSTV, RTTY, PSK31 and other similar modes based on soundcard generated signals. -
PC sound card interfacing for RTTY SSTV PSK31, collection of interface connections to choose from when having a desire to use the Soundboard -
Setting up and testing a sound card packet radio interface by KD5ZUG -
October 2003 QST article on working digital mondes with sound card interfaces -
This project describes how one USB port can provide all of the signals necessary to operate a transceiver in digital mode from a Windows XP laptop by KG4JJH -
Using the FT-857 Microphone Jack for Serial Control (CAT) -
Yaesu FT-100 Data (CAT) MiniDIN 8-Pin Connector -
FT857 and FT897 Interface PCB and schematic -
A DIY switchbox project by W3FPR for integrating a soundcard with an Elecraft K2 transceiver for digital modes like PSK31, featuring PTT automation and -
This project uses an inexpensive Teensy microcontroller as the core of a flexible interface that provides a high-fidelity sound card and VOX functions for controlling the radio.The interface firmware supports variable VOX delay, CW and RTTY keying via audio (such as is available from Fldigi), and RTS and DTR control of any keying function, all via a single USB connection to the PC. -
A tiny board, which allows a smartphone or similiar device to connect to the Baofeng UV5R radio via a TRRS audio connector. It allows for connecting the radio to a software TNC app such as APRSDroid or PocketPacket. Solder on the components, solder on the cables, then provide some stress relief, (I use solid-core wire and heat shrink tubing), and you can use your UV5R with your smartphone for APRS on the cheap. -
How to build a Bluetooth Radio Interface for Yaesu CAT standard or Icom CI-V system -
The use of an isolation interface between the radio and the pc is higly recommended,in order to avoid the problems that could be caused from ground loops. This project includes schematic and assembly instructions -
This interface is intended to be used with all the popular digital modes like PSK31, RTTY, Olivia, etc., which modulate a continuous carrier. -
A homemade interface for any android device, allow to receive and trasmitt SSTV PSK RTTY from an android tablet based on the DD7LP original project include demo of a sample DIY kit. -
Cheap and easy to build digital modes USB interface for Ham Radio. The DuinoVOX Arduino powered digital modes USB interface for ham radio. -
An FLdigi computer interface from spare parts made with a mic modification -
This interface includes both the CAT and the PTT circuits,and it can be controlled from a single COM port for the Yaesu FT-817 transceiver -
A full galvanic isolation interface for digital modes tested with FT-847 -
Interfacing the IC706MKIIG for Soundcard & TNC modes -
Simple soundcard interface that can satisfy several requirements like totally isolated AF interface, Totally isolated PTT and CW Key interface, Extend Accessory connector to interface to allow easy connection of TNC and provide a solid PTT or SEND connection -
A DIY construction guide for the WG4S "Fat Wire" digital interface, enabling sound card operation with the Elecraft K2 transceiver. Includes schematic -
With some fantasy the circuit can be easily assembled on a small scrap of pre-perf board,and then fitted in the DB9 serial connector shell. The interface requires two NPN transistors and few more passive components. -
A multi-mode PC to radio interface for PSK, CW, Packet and more digital modes. -
Provides essential information for interfacing a PC sound card with a ham radio transceiver, focusing on audio connections and transmit attenuation. -
A simple PSK31/digital interface which can connect your transceiver to a PC soundcard for digital modes. -
Yaesu FT-1000MP, FT-990 and FT-920 packet data port to pc sound card for psk 31 interface. -
This webpage describe how to set up the Signalink USB interface and Yaesu FT-857D for digital operations by NA4IT -
Hints and Tips in using the Tigertronics SignalinkUSB External USB Sound Card and Interface -
Modifications to the Tigertronics Signalink USB sound card -
An improved version of the audio interface commonly used to connect a computer soundcard to a transceiver\'s receive and transmit audio circuits -
Homebrew your PC sound card to radio interface with this circuit obtained from the pages of Ernie Mills WM2U. -
A Simple Serial and Sound-Card Interface for the Yaesu FT-857D -
The sudden explosion of new digital modes has taken the Amateur Radio world by storm. New modes such as PSK31 FT8 JT65 FSK441, ISCAT as well as established modes such as RTTY, SSTV, Hellschreiber and others have rocketed in popularity. In order to use these modes all that is required is a simple computer-to-radio interface which couples the computer soundcard to the radio -
This project is a USB Audio, Serial and PTT interface for rigs that does not directly support digital modes provided by applications such as FLDIGI, WSJT-X and JS8CALL. Plug these interface devices into your Windows or Linux laptop or Raspbian Raspberry Pi and you can send and receive digital tones to/from your rig and automate the frequency and mode control and PTT control. -
Using external usb sound card devices for amateur radio digital modes operations -
This page contains draft of USB CAT interface for Yaesu 8x7 (817, 847, 897). Tested with FT857 by OK1USW. -
With the bluecat interface it is possibile to connect a Yaesu FT 817 857 897 to a computer or a android smartphone without any cable or interface, using a bluetooth wireless connection