Single USB cable, PSK interface

[GM1BSG]

Hi all

Over the next few months I will be doing a project for a more generic combined USB/Audio interface which will use only a single USB cable for all comms and audio. So digi modes PSK, RTTY etc etc.

It will take several evolutions but will eventually be available as a GM6NX kit once its debugged.

The project will be detailed only here and progress will get blogged with a few piccys.

Anyone who wants to follow the same path and build one should respond here.

General spec will be

1 USB cable interface only
2 Visible and accessible com ports internally
1 Standard USB Audio (1.0) with 2 inputs and 2 outputs (possible 2 radios if left right used seperately???) which will use standard windows drivers.
1 USB powered but with external power option if used with some lappys that dont like sustained power drain.
Horse shoed into a small box.
Large (ish) SMT construction

Once its built and working I will do a commercial PCB and box for it (aka a kit) with links to a popular distribution company for components etc.

Anyone participating will need to do a bit of webby research of their own to get it on.

Of course you could do a simple hookup that costs less than a five spot easy and use the mic/line out jacks, but where the fun in that ;-)

Time wise I might only have a few evenings per month, so its likely it will take 2~3 months to complete, but i think the cold will be with us for that long anyway!

BR, John

[2M0BYI]

Sounds like fun i am up for it

Myles

[gm0hzi]

could there be room to fit a cat interface in there as well ?
i know it can (and has) been done but one cable two different radios with cat control would be a bit special

cant guarantee 100%commitment to this as work comes first and the learning curve is still a bit on the steep side :puke

[GM1BSG]

Neil

It includes a CAT interface anyway.

The idea was to have a COM port for CAT and a seperate COM port for seperate toggling of PTT/FSK or whatever.

But if using PTT/CW by CAT command on newer radios that support it properly (and allowing for the latency time if running slower data rates) then it could easilly support 2 radios from one interface as long as the PC s/w sipports it.

Using the L or R of the audio in and audio out, all that would be needed would be to shift the balance left to right or right to left depending on the radio, or drop in a relay

Definately do-able, doubling up COM ports to 4 independant COM ports or 2 USB audio inetrafces is also possible, just depends on the ports available in the USB HUB IC and of course power consumption.

Most USB ports on PC should be fine, the USB ports on lappys are very unpredictable and usually the 2.5W reserved for the USB port power, is shared between all ports on lappys, unlike PC who can usually support 2.5W per port. So if you have a USB pen, drive, cd or mouse these will all take from teh available power budget.

Most of the idea is still stuck in the head Neil, but whould not take much to extract it ...... :chee2

BR, John