PDW Volume Issues

[peq387ab]

I am having issues setting up the PDW soundcard. I’m using a scanner with an audio cable from the scanner to the computer headphone Jack. When I go to PDW interface setup the soundcard is greyed out which I was able to select at one point the VB-audio. But I went under my computers volume settings and must’ve screwed something up.

I’m looking to see if anybody has had any luck, setting it up with some instructions. I looked at the PDW instructions and not having any luck.

 

[peq387ab]

Also looking at decoding POSAG

 

[ka3aaa]

did you install a disc tap for the scanner and is the audio cable plugged into the tap point and some input (mic or line) on the computer.
one thing i found out is PDW is sensitive to audio levels from the scanner to the sound card. make sure all the switch setting are right other wise PDW will not decode properly and you will get a lot of errors.

the last time i installed PDW on a new computer it took me a day and a half to get it working all because of a switch not set in the proper configuration.

what kind of scanner are you using?

good luck

 

[peq387ab]

The only thing I downloaded was VB-Audio. Not sure if that’s a disk tap or not. Then under my interface settings, I have configuration to earphone 1. Then 44100 then the soundcard is grey out and won’t let me change it. That displays microphone array intel smart. I’m using a pro 197 scanner. I also can use an SDR with SDR sharp if needed, didn’t have much luck with that either. But it is picking it up on the waterfall.

 

[peq387ab]

I tried it with the SDR. I think I got my audio settings all screwed up on the computer.

 

[DC31]

I’m using a scanner with an audio cable from the scanner to the computer headphone Jack.

if, in fact, you are plugged onto the headphone jack, that is for audio OUT of your computer. Try the MIC or Line in jack.

 

[morfis]

Why do you want to use a virtual audio cable?

If using an audio cable from the scanner output to the PC soundchip input then there is no need for a virtual cable.

 

[ka3aaa]

PDW is looking for unfiltered unprocessed audio from the discriminator, henceforth the tap, which you can find online and a true audio cable.

i dont use a sdr, virtual cables, etc.

 

[peq387ab]

I deleted the virtual cable. I’m running line in. Under my sound settings, my input is set to line in, but for some reason I cannot change my output from speaker headphones to line in

 

[peq387ab]

Output is set to speakers/headphone

 

[ka3aaa]

is the sound card, mic, and line in all enabled in PDW pgm.

did you tap the 197?

your system should be configured like this,
discriminator tapped 197, one end of the audio cable plugged into the tap point on the 197 and the other end plugged into the "mic" or "line in" plug on the sound card. make sure all the switches are set correctly, with the set as low as it can go.

 

[peq387ab]

No I didn’t do a discriminator tap. I was just reading some older forms about that.

I’ve been looking at a few online videos, and some different forms from here on how to tap a scanner. Is it a pretty easy process for soldering? What would you need for parts off top of your head?

 

[a417]

No I didn’t do a discriminator tap. I was just reading some older forms about that.

I’ve been looking at a few online videos, and some different forms from here on how to tap a scanner. Is it a pretty easy process for soldering? What would you need for parts off top of your head?

I used some shielded wire, a capacitor I, and a phono plug I had kicking around. This was 15 years ago, mind you. Many different ways to skin a cat.

 

[ArloG]

You didn't mention is you're using a laptop or desktop pc.
If it's a desktop with a separate mic or aux input jack the pinout is wired pretty straight forward. \
If it's a laptop with a combo headphone/mic jack. You need to assure your'e using the correct TRRS plug and wires.
I would also measure mic wiring and check for voltage on it. Most will expect a condenser microphone that need bias voltage to make them work. That's where a decoupling capacitor has to be used.
If it's a laptop and has a Realtek chipset for sound They get a bit funky as they are designed to detect when headphines/mic's are connected.
You need to verify these things.
PDW may not be entirely "happy" if you receive FLEX. There are a lot of sound settings in the program that can take some time to tweak it all in just right.
All the "pros" say you must use a data slicer to use PDW, etc. But I've used the mic and aux inputs on a desktop just fine.
An el-cheapo Behringer UCA202 USB audio interface works very well and solves most of the how-do-I-get-a-good-signal into your pc.

 

[peq387ab]

You didn't mention is you're using a laptop or desktop pc.
If it's a desktop with a separate mic or aux input jack the pinout is wired pretty straight forward. \
If it's a laptop with a combo headphone/mic jack. You need to assure your'e using the correct TRRS plug and wires.
I would also measure mic wiring and check for voltage on it. Most will expect a condenser microphone that need bias voltage to make them work. That's where a decoupling capacitor has to be used.
If it's a laptop and has a Realtek chipset for sound They get a bit funky as they are designed to detect when headphines/mic's are connected.
You need to verify these things.
PDW may not be entirely "happy" if you receive FLEX. There are a lot of sound settings in the program that can take some time to tweak it all in just right.
All the "pros" say you must use a data slicer to use PDW, etc. But I've used the mic and aux inputs on a desktop just fine.
An el-cheapo Behringer UCA202 USB audio interface works very well and solves most of the how-do-I-get-a-good-signal into your pc.

I’m using a laptop. Yeah with the laptop is a combo of the mic/headphone Jack. I’m using a Belcan audio cable. I don’t think there is much voltage coming off of it or interference.

Would it be better to go to USB instead?

 

[ArloG]

I’m using a laptop. Yeah with the laptop is a combo of the mic/headphone Jack. I’m using a Belcan audio cable. I don’t think there is much voltage coming off of it or interference.

Would it be better to go to USB instead?

Okay. You have a laptop. You should have stated the make and model of it.
Do you have a set of mic/headphones to test?
You need to assure that at least that works. In control panel>sound.
Under the recording tab. For microphone, is the bar graph on the right fluctuating with sound?
Click on the microphone icon and go down to listen.
If you want to hear your radio through the pc speakers, click the listen to check box. Make sure that you're playing back through the default device.
Using VB cable you may have it selected as cable input. You're using your pc mic input. Not vb cable.
In the levels tab. Make sure the levels are microphone at around 80 % but not above around 95%. Important so you don;t introduce distortion.
Mic. boost. can be up a little bit. Try it at 0 first.
Advanced tab. Give it at least 41000 Hz and 24 bit if you have it.
48000 and 24 bit as another option. Go back to sound and make sure the mic input if the default.
Kind of turning into a tutorial here. You need your pager input signal to make the bargraph excursion enough without saturating into the red.
A google search for PDW setup would give more tips.
Those work for me. Windows 10 & 11 have options in the sound notification area to save your settings per application. Dig for it.

Realize you're sending in a signal level many times above what an actual pc mic emits. Imagine the pc hearing a microphone that is right up to your mouth and you're talking loudly.
Your scanner. Using the external speaker out? Or does it have a line level out? Even line level out might be too much for the mic input to not distort. You will have to turn the scanner volume way down and get the mic level settings ballparked at the very least.

Yeah. Working with speaker or line level outputs on your scanner using the USB interface (or line level inputs on a desktop pc).
The Behringer unit I stated will make all pc programs you use with your scanner audio output work much better.
Does for me. And being plug and play for pc and mac. Pretty slick. Easy to setup and shows up as a sound card in your pc with all of the familiar settings.
Hope it helps. If anyone else needs to pipe in. Shoulda' done it first. Give the guy some good suggestions.