Our Technical Support Staff is often asked how to configure various sound card programs for use with the SignaLink USB.  While our printed manual has always provided general guidelines for doing this, we have never attempted to provide detailed instructions for any specific program because there are simply too many, and it's really the responsibility of the end user to learn how to use the particular program that they are interested in.  While we will not be taking on the responsibility of providing support for third party programs (you'll need to contact the program author for that!), we have decided to provide specific setup instructions for some of the programs that we are most often asked about.

You will find setup instructions for these programs listed below.  If you do not find the particular program that you are interested in, then you will need to see the "General Setup Instructions" section.  The instructions there can be applied to virtually ANY program if you just take a little time to familiarize yourself with the basic concepts, as well as the program's menu's and Help file.  Please note that we will expand the contents of this page as time allows, but Tigertronics is NOT responsible for providing support for any third party software.  This information is provided "as is" for your convenience only, and without warranty of any kind.  If you need further assistance with any third party program, then you will need to contact that program's author, or a related internet forum, or user group for help.

Most of the instructions shown below assume that the communication program you want to use has already been installed on your computer and is actively running.  If you do not know how to download, install, or run software on your computer, then you will need to seek help from a friend.  We cannot teach you how to do this.

Note that these instructions typically cover only those items that directly relate to the operation of the SignaLink.  Most programs will also require you to set other parameters such as your Callsign, QTH, etc., so please refer to the program's Help documentation, or an appropriate internet forum if you're not sure what else needs to be configured.

IMPORTANT - As noted in the SignaLink manual, BEFORE you attempt to configure or use any communication program, you MUST first set the default sound card in your operating system, and then adjust the SignaLink's software volume controls.  If you have not already done this (or if you're not certain that it's still setup correctly!), then please save yourself some frustration and go back through those steps.
 

• General Setup Instructions - Look here if the program that you're interested in isn't listed!
• DigiPan v2.0
• HRD / DM-780 / Digital Master 780
• EchoLink
• HamScope

General Setup Instructions

These instructions can be used to configure virtually ANY program for use with the SignaLink USB.  The menu items for each program may be different, but the same basic elements (identified below) exist in all programs.  You just have to locate them within the program's menus and make sure that they are set correctly!  Please note that if you have changed settings in your program that we do not address below, then it's possible that you may have done something that could prevent the program from functioning, even if the items that we do cover are set correctly.  If you suspect that this might be an issue, then you might want to delete any setup files in the program's folder and/or re-install the program.

• Sound Card Selection -  Your communication program will have a "Setup" or "Options" menu where you can select the sound card that you want to use.  This MUST be set to the SignaLink's sound card, and usually you will need to set both the output (Transmit) and input (Receive) sound card separately.  In most versions of Windows, the SignaLink USB's sound card is displayed as "USB Audio Codec", but in Windows ME and 2000, it may show up as "USB Audio Device".  In Windows Vista and Windows 7, it will be shown as "Microphone - USB Audio Codec" for the input/receive side, and "Speakers - USB Audio Code" for the output/transmit side.
  
  
• PTT - The SignaLink NEVER uses a serial port, so you should set any COM Port settings that relate to PTT to "None", "COM0", "Disabled", or the equivalent ("External VOX", etc.).  If you are using an older program that doesn't allow you to select this as an option, then you'll have to select a COM Port that is available on your computer, but not in use.  Note that if you are using a CAT interface and you have the SignaLink attached to your radio's rear panel Data or Accy Port, then you need to disable PTT by the CAT interface.  It is OK for the CAT interface to tune the radio, change modes, etc., but the SignaLink MUST key the radio if it is connected to the radio's Data or Accy Port.  This is because virtually all radios will select the Mic jack for transmit audio if they are switched into transmit by CAT command.
  
  
• Built-in Volume/Level Controls or Attenuators - Some programs have built-in controls to adjust the output/Transmit audio level.  DM-780 for example, has an "Output Attenuator".  These controls MUST be set so that they do NOT lower the output audio level.  The attenuator control in DM-780 for example, must be set to "0 db".  Note that we are NOT referring to program menus that actually open the Windows software volume controls, such as the "Configure Transmitter Drive" menu in Digipan.
  
  
• AFSK vs FSK - The SignaLink does not support FSK operation, so all modes are operated AFSK.  Some programs will let you select FSK and/or COM Port keyed RTTY / CW, and this will NOT work with the SignaLink.  If your program has options for this, then you need to select AFSK operation, which is usually worded as "Send RTTY as tones", "AFSK RTTY", "Send CW as tones", or "MCW" (modulated CW).
  
  
• CAT Control - The SignaLink does not provide CAT control features, but it can be used with a separate CAT interface if you'd like.  As noted above, if you have the SignaLink attached to your radio's rear panel Data or Accy Port, then you need to disable PTT by the CAT interface.  If the SignaLink is attached to your radio's Mic jack, then either the SignaLink or CAT interface can control PTT..

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DigiPan v2.0

1. Click the "Configure" menu and select "Soundcard".
2. In the new window that opens, select "Computer Sound card" as the interface Type.
3. Select "USB Audio Codec" (or "USB Audio Device" for Windows Me/2000) for BOTH "Input" and "Output".
4. If you are running Windows ME, 2000 or XP, then we suggest changing the "Sample Rate" to 12000 to avoid any possible sample rate offset errors.
5. Click OK when done.

Notes / Tips

• In the "Mode" menu, you'll normally want to select "BPSK31".  This is the most common mode for PSK31.
  
  
• As mentioned in the SignaLink USB manual, you can use DigiPan's "Tune" feature to transmit a steady test tone to aid in adjusting your transmit power.  To do this, click the "Mode" menu and select "Tune".  Note that the modulation frequency is determined by the location of the red diamond marker in the waterfall display.  If the marker is at the 1000 mark (or xx.xx1Khz mark if you have DigiPan set to show the band frequency), then you'll transmit a 1Khz tone.  Click the OK button when done transmitting.
  
  
• As with virtually all digital modes, you'll want to stay within the range of approximately 500 Hz to 2500 Hz in the waterfall display, or you'll be outside of the (typically) radio's audio band pass and signals will be attenuated.  This is true for both transmit and receive.  If you get too far out of this range, then your transmit power will decrease and the receive signal you are trying to decode will be attenuated.

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HRD / DM-780 / Digital Master 780

1. Press the F8 key to open the Program Options screen, or go to "Tools" then "Program Options".
2. In the new window that opens, click the "Soundcard" tab.
3. Under "Input", select "USB Audio Codec" (or "USB Audio Device" for Windows Me/2000) .
4. Under "Output", check the "Use Input Device" check box to set the output sound card to the same one used for the input side.
5. Under the "Output" attenuator, select "0db". Do NOT select any other setting here, or the audio output will be lowered and the SignaLink's PTT circuit may not function correctly.
6. Click the "PTT" tab and select "None - Via soundcard PTT or radio VOX".
7. Close the setup window when done.

Notes / Tips

• The SignaLink USB can be used with DM-780 to operate all supported sound card modes, but it does NOT provided CAT control needed by HRD.  If you do not have a separate CAT interface, then you will not be using HRD except to start DM-780.  To start DM-780 from within HRD, simply close the "Connect" window and click the DM-780 icon in the upper left corner of the HRD screen.
  
  
• Do not click the "Connect" button in HRD unless you have a separate CAT interface, or you will receive a "Can't connect to radio" error message.
    
  
• For CW operation, you must select "MCW".

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EchoLink

NOTE: For EchoLink and other voice modes, we generally suggest that you install special jumper "JP4" inside the SignaLink USB.  This will increase the PTT sensitivity of the unit and improve operation on low level voice signals.  You can also increase the software "Wave" control (or "Application" control in Windows Vista and 7) to improve the overall level of the signal and PTT operation.  However, this will likely require you to decrease the SignaLink's "TX" knob to lower the drive to the radio, and you may find that the TX knob is a little "touchy" to adjust.


Initial Installation

NOTE:  You can skip this section and go to "Program Options" below if you have already installed EchoLink for Sysop mode

1. Select "Sysop" mode and click Next
2. Select your Internet Connection type and click Next
3. Select "Direct Controlled" and click Next. Note that the com port selection is not used and will be changed later, so the default (COM1) is fine.
4. Enter your Callsign and other information, and click Next
5. Select your geographic location and click Next
6. Fire Wall Test - You can perform this test now, or do it later if you have connection problems.
7. The initial setup of EchoLink is now complete. Please see the steps below to configure EchoLink to work with the SignaLink.

Program Options

1. Click the "Tools" menu and select "Setup".
2. On the "Audio" tab, select "USB Audio Codec" (or "USB Audio Device" for Windows Me/2000) for both the "Input Device" and the "Output Device".  Click OK when done.
3. Click the "Tools" menu and select "Sysop Settings".
   
   • On the "RX Ctrl" tab, select "VOX". Note that you can adjust the VOX threshold with the slider that appears below the Audio Level indicator at the bottom of the EchoLink screen. Audio coming from the EchoLink internet connection will transmitted by the SignaLink when it is above the VOX slider level.
     
   • On the "TX Ctrl" tab, select "External VOX". On the "Signals" tab, under "Tone Burst", select "Send at the beginning of each TX". The default frequency is fine, but the duration should be set to 50-100ms. Note that we are using this "tone burst" feature to switch the SignaLink into transmit before the voice is passed to the unit for transmission. This will prevent the first part of the voice transmission from being cut-off, which can sometimes happen if audio levels are too low, or the radio switches to transmit slowly.  If you set the tone burst duration properly (you may need to experiment with it), then the tone will activate PTT but not actually be transmitted by the radio due to its short duration.
     
4. Click OK when done.

Notes / Tips

• EchoLink is one of the more complicated applications supported by the SignaLink.  Because of this, we strongly suggest that you confirm that the SignaLink is able to Transmit and Receive using DigiPan (or a similar, simple PSK31 program) BEFORE attempting to use EchoLink.  If you can receive PSK31 with DigiPan (or at least see the audio on the waterfall display) and transmit a steady test tone, then any problems you experience with EchoLink will likely be due to incorrect EchoLink setup, a problem with the server connection, or operator error.
  
  
• EchoLink is used with the SignaLink when you cannot be in front of the computer/radio system that the SignaLink is attached to.  This means that you will be using a mobile radio/HT to remotely communicate with your base radio that has the SignaLink and computer attached.  If you are going to be sitting at the computer/radio system that has the SignaLink attached, then you would normally use a headset (plugged into the computer's soundcard) to talk through the EchoLink system without using the SignaLink.

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HamScope

1. Click the "Settings" menu and select "General Setup".
2. Select "USB Audio Codec" (or "USB Audio Device" for Windows Me/2000) for BOTH the "Input" and "Output" soundcard (upper right corner of setup screen).
3. In the "PTT Control Setup" box, select "None" for the COM Port, "PTT Using" and "Hard Key CW using".  Uncheck the "PTT to Rig Control" selection box.
4. On the left side of the setup window, uncheck the "MMTTY FSK mode" selection box.
5. Rig Control Setup should be set to "None" unless you have a CAT interface.
6. Click OK when done.
7. If you are running Windows ME, 2000 or XP, then we suggest changing the "Sample Rate" to 12000 to avoid any possible sample rate offset errors.
8. Click OK when done.

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