Connecting The Radio - Tigertronics SignaLink SL-1+ Installation & Operation Manual

The SignaLink requires a power source of 6.75 to 15 volts
DC at 13 milliamps (nominal). This is low enough that it
can usually be powered by the Accessory Voltage found
on the microphone or Accessory Port connector of most
radios. If Accessory Voltage is not available from the radio,
then power can be supplied through a 2.1mm power jack on
the rear of the unit.
Powering From Your Radio
SignaLink can be powered from your radio, you will need to
check the pin-out of the radio connector that you are
going to attach the SignaLink to (Mic, Data, Accessory,
etc.). This information can be found in your radio
Operators Manual. Most radios have a small amount of
power available on the mic jack (typically 8v @ 10ma) for
microphone accessories (DTMF pad, LEDs, etc.). Power is
also sometimes available on the Data or Accessory port. If
your manual shows that this voltage is available, then you
can skip now to the Connecting The Radio section of this
manual. That section will cover making the actual power
connection.
If power is not available on the radio connector you are
using, then you have a couple of other easy options for
powering the SignaLink.
obtain power from whatever 12 volt supply powers your
radio. To do this you will need to make a short cable from
that power supply to the external power jack on the back of
the SignaLink. Note that you might also be able to obtain
12-volt power from an Accessory Voltage connector on the
back of the radio (check your radio manual). The external
power jack on the SignaLink requires a standard
2.1mm/5.5mm power plug. This plug has been included
with the SignaLink for your convenience. You will need to
wire the plug to your power supply in the appropriate
The polarity of the plug should be center
manner.
positive. Be sure to wire the plug with the correct polarity
and be sure to install a fuse in the line for safety. For
maximum protection, we recommend that you fuse BOTH
the positive and negative power lines with a low current
(250 ma or less) fast blow fuse.
The second option for powering the SignaLink is to use a
Wall Transformer. This is the quick and easy solution but
it does require an outlet. If you choose this option, you will
need to select a transformer with an appropriate rating. A
common problem in selecting wall transformers is that they
almost always put out more voltage than you expect. This is
because they are rated for output voltage at a specific load
current. If the load on the transformer is below the rated
load, then the voltage output will be higher than the rated
output. Under a light load, it is not uncommon for wall
transformers to provide twice their rated output voltage!
This means that a typical 12 volt transformer might put out
as much as 25 volts under little or no load, which would
exceed the SignaLink input voltage ratings. Because of the
very light load (13ma) provided by the SignaLink, you will
need to select a transformer with a rated voltage well under
To determine if the
The first option would be to
12 volts. We would recommend a 6 volt transformer with a
low current rating. Below are some transformer sources
that are appropriate.
Radio Shack P/N 273-1758 (6v 300ma). You will also need
the 2.1mm (5.5mm OD) adapter plug P/N 273-1716.
Mouser Electronics (1-800-346-6873): P/N 412-106054.
(6v 500ma). Mouser also has a 9 Volt 200ma wall
transformer (P/N: 412-109024) that will work.
Digikey (1-800-344-4539):
DPD090020-P5-TC. These are both 9 Volt 200 ma units
that will work fine.
- CONNECTING THE SOUND CARD -
The SignaLink connects to the sound card through two
shielded audio cables with 3.5mm stereo connectors.
Connect one cable from the jack labeled Computer
SPKR on the SignaLink to the jack labeled Speaker
Output on your sound card. The Speaker Output jack will
be Green if color-coded. Connect the other cable from the
jack labeled Computer
Microphone Input jack on the sound card. This jack will
be Pink or Red if color-coded.
Note that if you normally have speakers connected to your
sound card and want to keep them connected while the
SignaLink is installed, then you will need to use a stereo
Y adapter cable on the sound card output.
supplied a Y adapter in our optional Cable Accessory Kit
for your convenience. We do NOT recommend the use of a
Y adapter unless you are using amplified (powered)
speakers. Conventional speakers often times cause slight
overloading of the sound card output, which can reduce the
signal level available to the SignaLink and produce minor
distortion. This distortion is generally not noticeable to
your ear but can greatly impact the quality of some digital
modulation signals like PSK-31. It is generally preferred
not to leave the speakers connected unless they can be
switched OFF when not in use. You will find most of the
digital modulation schemes very loud and very annoying
anyway!

- CONNECTING THE RADIO -

CAUTION Before connecting the SignaLink to your
radio, read this entire section thoroughly.
SignaLink and your radio can be damaged by improper
installation.
The SignaLink attaches to the radio through an 8-pin RJ-45
connector located on the rear of the unit. A radio cable with
the appropriate connector for your radio was supplied with
the SignaLink for this purpose. One end of this cable plugs
into the SignaLink s RADIO connector, and the other end
plugs into the radio s Mic, Data, or Accessory Port
2
P/N DPD090020-P-5
MIC on the SignaLink to the
We have
Both the
or