I’ve really been enjoying PSK31 over the last couple weeks, even more so since I added a Signalink USB interface to the mix. My home-brew FT-857D Soundcard Cable was working, but I had two issues with it. First, was impossible to set the audio in such a way that the radio’s VOX triggered consistently while keeping the ALC level at zero. The best I could do was keep the ALC to a minimum. Second, I’m pretty sure I was getting some RFI in the computer.

While I had the parts available to trigger the radio’s transmitter via software, I didn’t have the necessary parts to deal with the RFI issue. Since the Signalink interface is so widely recommended, I went ahead and purchased one. So far, I’m very happy with it.

A note to fellow Mac users, I had to increase the receive audio level in the USB Signalink by closing jumper 2 on the board. Prior to doing that, the receive audio was too low, even with the RX level turned all the way up. The jumper instructions are in the Signalink manual, you might want to check your audio levels and/or go ahead and close the jumper when you have the case open if you are using a Mac.