Connecting radio to computer

[AgentCOPP1]

I've been searching on the web for a solution to get my ham radio's audio input and output connected to my computer. It's a Kenwood TS-430s with an 8-pin connector and has a 1/4 inch audio out plug. The audio out isn't that hard to deal with, but my problem is trying to find a way to connect the microphone to my computer. All I really need it to do is to have a cable run from the 8 pin into a 1/8th inch jack. It seems like such a simple thing, but based on the tutorials I've been looking at, it's anything but.

What's the easiest way to get this accomplished? I find it quite astonishing that there isn't some kind of PC driver that can handle the dynamic microphone -> computer issue. So all I'm looking for the the easiest way to do this because I have limited technical abilities. I can solder just fine, but I'm not very good at building electrical devices.

 

[zz0468]

Get a Tigertronics Signalink with the appropriate cable.

 

[T04KLH9PW7AN]

Get a Tigertronics Signalink with the appropriate cable.

What he said. (because +1 is too short)

 

[LtDoc]

The biggy with this sort of thingy is keeping the computer and radio from interfering with each other, and feeding both the signals in the 'size' (impedance) desired by each one. Some means of isolating the two is nice, and can be done in several ways. Way back yonder in the 'old days', this was done by using a small impedance transformer from the 'Shack' and a small capacitance in series.
Also be aware that there's a din connector on the back of that '430 that has the appropriate connections on the pins. It's still an impedance thingy so knowing what impedance is for each audio line is good to know, you know?
The manufacturers of the different interfaces have done the research required and put it all into one box, saves you the trouble. Rather let them do the work and you buy it? Why not!
Have fun.
- 'Doc

 

[T04KLH9PW7AN]

Signalink runs about $100 with the radio specific cable. It is about as plug and play as anything can be.

 

[n5ims]

You might want to look at this (--> SCIT <--) if you're interested in something more than just a cable and are willing to do some fairly simple construction.

 

[AgentCOPP1]

You might want to look at this (--> SCIT <--) if you're interested in something more than just a cable and are willing to do some fairly simple construction.

That seems pretty complicated for me, but I'm not exactly willing to spend $100 on that Signalink thing. I might want to try this because it's about time that I furthered my electrical skills.