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Or rather.....what's on my kitchen table (to the annoyance of my YL...)
This post was inspired by 2 things. Firstly, I have a mini-project that I embarked on, but secondly, one of the podcasts that I listen to - Ham Radio 360 - challenged listeners to let them know what they have on their workbench. [Ed. I ended up getting to talk to KF7IJZ about this project on Episode 19!] Maybe sometime I'll write a review of my thoughts on this podcast, but I'll sum it now by saying "It's Awesome!!" (I really should ask them if they are cool with me putting a link to their site in my sidebar, but I haven't gotten around to it yet...[Ed. - it's there now!]) They do something that no other podcast does - they alternate styles every other week. The main show is hosted by Cale - K4CDN and he covers all kinds of topics (like this week's episode on something else I love...WWFF!) The alternate shows are hosted by Jeremy - KF7IJZ and George - KJ6VU. These guys do a more technical, project driven show that they call "The Workbench." Anyway, before I get too far off topic here - check them out!
Moving on to what I'm up to - as many of you know I tend to do mostly portable and mobile operations because I travel a lot for work. I also do a lot of digital modes, so part of my traveling gear is a Signalink USB interface and my Laptop (I love my laptop! It's not new, but it's very "beefy" and awesome for traveling and banging around with my stuff.)
This project started because I wanted an interface that I could use to connect my iPhone or Samsung Tablet to my Yeasu 857d. There are commercial solutions out there if you want to buy something, like the WolphiLink and EasyDigi interface. At the end of the day, I think most of these interfaces are basically Audio Isolation Transformers with a couple other tidbits. Both of these options are well reviewed, and for a fully assembled unit in a box, run around $40. I stumbled on a schematic for the EasyDigi (Do a Google search - you'll find it too!), and when I saw how simple it was I said - hey, I bet I can build that! I don't have much of a stash of parts, so to avoid the $40 commercial, premade, option, I promptly ran out and spent $36 at RadioShack.....I know I know, I could have just bought one, but what's the fun in that?! Plus, I got some other stuff, so the parts for this project were probably only about $20 of that bill.
Armed with my bits and pieces from RadioShack, and the schematic from my Google search, I came up with this:
I'm not a professional by any stretch, so when I play around with stuff I always like to bread-board it first, to make sure it works before I make anything permanent with solder :-) In my initial test last night, the "Transmit Audio" portion was working just fine. I used an app on my iPhone to generate audio, and on the other end I just used headphones to listen to it coming through. The only thing I added to the schematic you'll find on Google is potentiometers, so that I can adjust the input and output levels passing through.
When I get to move forward on this project, I'll try to sketch out some schematics so that I have something that I can post here to share with you (you know - usage rights and all that business.) With that being said, here's what's next for this project that you can watch for in the future:
- Making up a 6 pin male connector so that I can connect this to my rig - I'll be keeping an eye on the thrift shops for a $0.50 PS/2 Mouse or Keyboard that I can cut the cable off of. If I don't find one I suppose I'll actually buy a connector.
- Potentially make up an adapter so that I can also use this with my HT and PocketPacket for APRS.
- Test it with my radio's on the breadboard
- Wire it up permanently in a box of some type
- Pat myself on the back!
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