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How to Connect Transceivers to Operate a Psk31

PSK31 is an abbreviation of "phase shift keying, 31 baud rate" and is a digital mode of real-time text communication between two amateur radio stations. Its narrow bandwidth of 31.25 Hz is approximately one one-hundredth of the bandwidth of a typical single-sideband voice transmission, thus helping to relieve crowded band conditions. Additionally, PSK31 makes efficient use of transmitter power so the amateur with a low-powered transmitter and a small antenna can still communicate effectively. All that is required to operate PSK31 is to download the proper software and connect a transceiver to the computer.

Things You'll Need

Transceiver-to-sound-card interface
12-volt DC power supply
Ground wire
9-pin RS232 cable
Audio patch cable, 3.5mm monaural to 3.5mm monaural
External speaker
Two audio patch cables, 3.5mm stereo to 3.5mm stereo

Instructions

- 1
  Connect the power supply output to the "Power" jack on the rear panel of the interface. Connect a ground wire from the "Ground" lug of the interface to the station ground bus. Plug the power supply into a 115-volt outlet.
- 2
  Connect the RS232 cable to the "Computer RS-232" connector on the rear panel of the interface. Connect the other end of the cable to a COM port on the computer.
- 3
  Connect the audio patch cable to the "From Audio Out" jack on the rear panel of the interface, and connect the other end to the transceiver's "External Speaker" jack. Connect the external speaker to the "To Ext Spkr" jack on the rear panel of the interface.
- 4
  Connect one of the stereo cables to the "To Sound Card Audio In" jack on the interface and to the "Line In" jack on the computer. Connect the other stereo cable to the "From Sound Card Audio Out" jack on the interface and to the "Line Out" jack on the computer.
- 5
  Connect the supplied radio interface cable to the "To Radio Mic" jack on the interface. Disconnect the microphone from the transceiver and connect the other end of the radio interface cable to the microphone connector of the transceiver.

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