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Digital Communications
How to Get Started Easily!
Get started by monitoring digital operations
All you need is an inexpensive computer microphone, or an audio connection from your transceiver.
Feed this to your soundcard (mike input)
Monitor results with appropriate software package. The text will appear on your screen.
Notes:
John, AFA2VQ, suggested that I include a very easy way to dip your toe in the digital operations pool. This presumes that you have a computer that can run the appropriate software we have discussed and you have installed the software on that computer. A simple way to get the incoming digital audio signal to your computer is to put the computer microphone next to your speaker. No electrical connection needed. The tones will be picked up and you can “tune” across the audio spectrum on the computer display. When the computer locks onto the received digital audio signal, the decoded text will begin to appear on your screen.
If you are listening to a Pactor or packet signal, you will also see the control and routing headers that are associated with each packet of information that is being monitored. Personally, I would prefer you run an audio and ground line from your transceivers audio out port, but you can try the microphone more quickly.