Thanks, Tim. Some additional discussion if you don't mind:
1. More input lines on PC
True, but the input is digital. Am I right that digital input into the
PC would be less susceptible to RFI than analog input into the radio?
Regardless, RFI has not reared its ugly head in my shack, but I've
slapped ferrite cores on everything too slow to outrun me.
2. D/A and A/Ds in radio have greater dynamic range
These are professional, studio-quality audio devices, not the best, but
good enough for my ears. I have tried hard and failed to detect any
difference when using the same headphones attached to the computer vs.
the radio. Haven't tried connecting a mic directly to the radio.
3. I'm way too inexperienced in this hobby to look at digital modes
yet, but I think I understand your point. Has Flex considered including
VAC configuration in Transmit profiles or some similar method so one
could simplify switching between voice and digital modes.
4. For folks like you who don't like eggnog, you might want to try
Rompope, a Mexican concoction that is quite tasty. Originally made by
nuns. No mistletoe allowed in that convent!
73
Bill KF5MTW
Tim Ellison, W4TME wrote:
If your PC and external sound devices do not impart unacceptable
latency, then the only real "cons" for configuring the AF signal paths
this way are:
- More input lines on the PC that can be ingress points for RFI
- The D/A and A/Ds in the FLEX-3000 probably have greater dynamic
range than the USB sound devices.
- VAC I/O channels consumed for phone and speakers. Have to
reconfigure for digital modes.
My comments were not eggnog influenced. I hate the stuff. I'd rather
hunt out the mistletoe :-)
-Tim
---
Tim Ellison, W4TME
Product Management, Sales & Support
FlexRadio Systems^(TM)
4616 W Howard Ln Ste 1-150
Austin, TX 78728
Phone: 512-535-4713 Ext. 223
Email: t...@flexradio.com <mailto:t...@flexradio.com>
Web: www.flexradio.com <http://www.flexradio.com>
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On 12/8/2011 6:44 PM, Bill Ackerman wrote:
So I'm a little confused about the advantages of connecting audio
directly to the radio (but note I'm very new to this hobby and to my
Flex 3000). My microphone, speakers, and headphones are all connected
directly to my computer through USB ports (I have no sound card and
have disabled the motherboard audio controller). There is no A/D
audio conversion done by the computer - it all is outboard:
- Zoom H4N converts XLR mic (PR40), inputs to computer via USB port
- Speakers (Alesis M1 520USB) connects via USB port
- Headphones connect to a jack on the USB speakers
- Windows 7 Direct Sound is configured in PowerSDR VAC setup to use
these devices for all audio I/O
- I have configured one of the buttons on my mouse to be "MOX"
I really like the convenience of using the same computer and audio
gear for my radio as I do for my audio/video editing without having
to crawl around and switch cables. The only thing I have to do is
activate the VAC button to switch everything over to the radio and
press MOX on my mouse to xmit. Since I have fewer cables connected to
the radio, the opportunities for RFI may be less.
When I transmit, I do not enable "MON". If I do, there is a very
slight delay whether or not I am listening through the computer or
with headphones connected directly to the Flex 3000, so I assume the
delay is in the mic path. But I'm not sure I want to hear my voice
through the headphones.
I'm still learning Morse and CW, but when I have "MON" enabled, there
is no detectable delay in hearing my transmissions. Granted I've got
a pretty powerful computer. Once I figured out how to balance the
different audio stages, this setup has worked perfectly for my modest
efforts to date.
Do others want to hear their voice through the headphones? Are others
using their computer for audio I/O and if not, why not? Does eggnog
play a role in your decision?
73,
Bill KF5MTW
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