Newbie Question: Data Modes with an HT?

[KD2ALG]

Hello all,

A novice, and quite possibly foolish question...

Is it at all possible to operate in data modes with a VHF/UHF HT? Perhaps by connecting the HT to a computer sound card, or for satellite operation? I imagine the answer is no, since most data usage that I've heard of happens on HF, but I thought I'd ask just in case.

Many thanks,
KD2ALG

 

[fineshot1]

Hello all,

A novice, and quite possibly foolish question...

Is it at all possible to operate in data modes with a VHF/UHF HT? Perhaps by connecting the HT to a computer sound card, or for satellite operation? I imagine the answer is no, since most data usage that I've heard of happens on HF, but I thought I'd ask just in case.

Many thanks,
KD2ALG

Well, you have APRS operations on 144.390 and DStar data operations if you are in range of a
1.2Ghz DStar data repeater and I think there are other data apps for DStar also.

If I missed anything hopefully someone else will fill the gaps.

 

[LtDoc]

The 'data' modes are not uncommon on VHF/UHF at all. The main difference between HF and VHF/UHF data stuff is range, HF has a much longer possible range than VHF/UHF. Using an HT with a computer is also a very common way of doing those 'data' modes. You basically need a way to feed the audio between the computer and radio. Maybe the biggest problem it getting the radio to transmit when required, which can be done manually but isn't the 'best' way, you know? [My HT doesn't have an option to allow a computer to make it transmit without some modification. Yours may?]
I think the hardest thing would be to find anyone else who does 'data' modes?
- 'Doc

 

[IowaGuy1603]

Is it at all possible to operate in data modes with a VHF/UHF HT? Perhaps by connecting the HT to a computer sound card, or for satellite operation? I imagine the answer is no, since most data usage that I've heard of happens on HF, but I thought I'd ask just in case.

Many thanks,
KD2ALG

There is a LOT of data usage on 2 meters .................depends on where you are.

The local Ham club should be able to assist you in learning the nuts and bolts.

 

[KD2ALG]

Sounds great, thanks for all of the information. The only problem is that I don't have the budget to buy a TNC. Does anyone have tips for soundcard-based types of things that I could look into?

 

[WV8VFD]

Check the Rigblasters, they're cheeper than multi mode TNCs. If you buy a regular TNC, you are limited to AX.25 Packet. I have a few friends, and it is common for us to run PSK31 and Hell on VHF. This is redneck (but hey, Im from West Virginia) there for a while, before he got a soundcard interface, he got a audio cable with males on both ends, plugged one into his ht's speaker port and the computer's mic port, and held the radio to the computer's speakers and it worked. You just gotta have a good shielded set of speakers or the radio will cause interference to the speakers.

 

[ka3jjz]

Re the TNC - not quite true. If I recall correctly the newer Kantronics ones can do a couple of modes besides packet. But why waste the money when you can do it with soundcard driven software?

Here are a couple of websites you can use to research this topic. The first one would be a must-read in my book - it contains a great deal of information about interfacing numerous types of radios...the next is a list of some of the more common soundcard based digital packages. Nowhere near comprehensive, to be sure, as there are some packages that are devoted to a single mode (this list caters more toward the multi mode category), and some are receive only, but it gives you a good sample of what is out there. A properly formatted google search will no doubt bring up many more...

WM2U's Soundcard Interfacing Schemes

Utility Monitoring Central

and here's something you can use to help you identify one signal type from another - some of the packages above allow you to sample the audio and get a trace of what you are hearing. Once you learn the various patterns, you can use that to determine - or at least make a reasonable guess - about what mode you are hearing...

http://forums.radioreference.com/digital-signals-decoding/196111-multipsk-users-identify-modes.html

73 Mike

 

[kb2vxa]

An HT is limited to 1200bd packet using the jacks normally associated with the speaker-mic, I've done it easily.

"Does anyone have tips for soundcard-based types of things that I could look into?"

A sound card interface is the modern way, the modem/TNC approach is obsolete. To best answer your question, Google is your friend. Ordinarily I'd supply a URL but there are many, to borrow a phrase from Crosby, Stills and Nash; the one you pick's the one you'll go by.
Don't you ever ask them why
Just look at them and cry
And know they love you
(;->)

 

[KD2ALG]

Thanks Mike and WV8VFD. The Sound Card Interfacing Scheme website is particularly helpful. One thing that I read frequently is that I should purchase or assemble an interface to use in connecting my radio to my computer soundcard. The Soundcard Interfacing Scheme website states that the purpose of this is to prevent overloading my radio's microphone input. Is that something that I might be able to avoid, at least when I'm getting started, by connecting the radio mic directly to the soundcard output and turning down the volume very low? Or would I still run a significant risk of damaging my radio or causing harmful interference?

Alternatively, I might give WV8VFD's redneck's solution a shot.

Many thanks,
KD2ALG

 

[lbfd09]

Most what ever you are able to do via a mobile radio you can do on an HT. As mentioned some with some with out and TNC. Some radios have the TNC build in others may be a D-Star which converts to digital VoIP packets for the voice and will let computer data packets tag along.

The biggest difference between the HT and the mobile is not if it can do data, but output power and portability.

Have fun with your new hobby.