Tigertronics SignaLink Installation & Operation Manual page 5

- AUXILIARY AUDIO OUTPUT –
The SignaLink has an Auxiliary Audio Output jack on the
front panel that can be used to attach an external radio
speaker or headphones for monitoring receiver audio. Inside
the SignaLink we have provided jumper JP-2 to allow you to
select when the external audio jack is active. By default we
have jumpered both positions on JP-2 which makes the audio
available all of the time.
jumpers to allow the jack to be active only when the
SignaLink is ON or OFF. To make the jack active when the
unit is ON, jumper pins 1 & 2. To make the jack active
when the unit is OFF, jumper pins 3 & 4. For example, if
you only install the jumper on pins 3 & 4, the audio jack will
only be active when the SignaLink is OFF. This is a nice
way to mute the speaker when you are working the digital
modes! Note that if your radio had audio on the mic
connector, you can also use the rear panel SPKR connector
for an external speaker. This jack is wired directly to the
SPKR pin on JP-1.
IMPORTANT: Attaching or removing an external speaker
while you are using the SignaLink will change the loading on
the radio's speaker circuit which will probably cause a
change in the level of audio going to the sound card. In this
case it may be necessary to re-adjust the audio level to
compensate.
- SET AUDIO LEVELS -
Before you operate your SignaLink on the air, you will want
to adjust the Receive and Transmit Audio levels. Incorrect
adjustment of these levels can cause poor performance or
unreliable operation. This procedure tells you how the levels
should be set. It assumes you already know how to use your
computer to set sound card levels. If you are not familiar
with setting the sound card levels, please refer to a more
detailed "step-by-step" procedure for doing this in the back
of the manual.
Before you can adjust the audio levels, the SignaLink must
be connected to the sound card and radio. Both the
SignaLink and the radio should be powered ON and a
communications program that you have selected should
already be installed on your computer. Note that you will be
using the communications program to generate the audio
tones that are used to adjust the level controls, so CW
programs should NOT be used unless they have a continuous
"Tune" mode. A PSK-31 program like DigiPan is ideal for
making these adjustments.
Transmit Audio – For this test you can set your radio to
•
SSB and turn the mic gain all the way down so that it
will not actually transmit.
communications program. Call up the "Volume Control
Panel" and select "Adjust Volume For Playback". Make
sure that the "Master Volume" and "Wave Volume" are
not muted (check box). Adjust the "Master Volume" for
75% of full volume. Next set the "Wave Volume" to
zero and then advance it slowly noting the point where
the SignaLink PTT light illuminates. Increase the level
However, you can move the
Select "TUNE" in your
to a point about 50% higher than the point where PTT
activates. This should be the optimum setting for the
transmit controls.
finished. When using your communications program
you should never have to set these levels again. All
further adjustments during operation should be done
using the mic gain control.
Receive Audio – For this adjustment you need only to
•
call up the "Volume Control Panel" and select "Adjust
Volume For Record".
Volume" and "Microphone Volume" are selected (check
box). Set both the "Master Volume" and "Microphone
Volume" to 50%. This setting should be adequate for
normal operation.
level within your communications program should be
done with the radio volume control.
- GENERAL RADIO SETTINGS -
After performing the initial sound card level adjustments,
you will normally only need to adjust the mic gain and
speaker volume when operating your programs. The mic
gain will control your output power and speaker volume will
control the audio level going to the sound card.
programs include guidelines for making these adjustments.
IMPORTANT:
Virtually all communications programs
require that you TURN OFF any Speech Processing or
Compression features in your radio. This is to insure RF
linearity. You must also TURN OFF your VOX circuit
when using the SignaLink.
- SIGNALINK OPERATION -
Operation of the SignaLink is very simple. The SignaLink
"receive" circuitry is active at all times. You do not need to
turn the SignaLink ON to receive signals through it. The
"transmit" circuitry is only active when the unit is turned
"ON". When active, the SignaLink will trigger your radio's
PTT whenever it sees sound card activity so it is important to
keep it turned "OFF" when it is not in use to prevent
accidental transmissions. Perhaps the only other thing that
needs to be understood is the function of the front panel
"Delay" switch. This switch is used to control the "Hang
Time" for the SignaLink's Auto-PTT™ circuit. With the
switch pressed (IN), the radio will remain keyed for
approximately 800 milliseconds after signal input has
stopped (like VOX delay). This setting is especially well
suited for CW modes but can be used in most other modes as
well. When the Delay switch released (OUT), the delay
lowers to about 28 milliseconds. This setting is suitable for
CW QSK operation and for modes that require fast turn-
around times like Packet. It is also the best position for
many other digital modes like PSK-31 and MT63. (Note
that the operation of this switch was reversed on the early
"Rev-B and Rev-C" SignaLink models.)
5
Turn "TUNE" off when you are
Make sure that the "Master
All further adjustment of receive
Most