Talk:Icom IC-7600

LINUX USB PORT ACCESS

USB Port Access

  A USB connection is a convenient way for fldigi to control the radio PTT and tuning. To use the Ubuntu USB device file, join the dialout group:
         sudo adduser [username] dialout

Then, log out and log back in for the change to take effect.

  With some previous PPAs, the USB connection did not function unless fldigi ran with adminstrative privileges. That problem has been solved in the current archive. Also, with KA6MAL's fldigi package it is not necessary to remove the brltty background process from Ubuntu.

  After connecting a serial interface between the radio and the computer USB port, turn on the radio. To start fldigi:
         /usr/bin/fldigi

Or, click on the fldigi icon in Launcher on the desktop. Configuring Fldigi

  On the first startup, a configuration wizard opens. You can also complete this process using the fldigi Configuration Menu. Here are some settings for fldigi with a MicroHam USB Interface III:

    Audio Devices: In "Port Audio" select "USB Audio CODEC"
                             for both Capture and Playback.
    Hardware PTT: Separate serial port PTT selected using
                             RTS. ("RTS+V" Not Selected.)
    Device: /dev/ttyUSB0 selected (at the bottom of the
                             pull-down menu).

    Click on the Initialize button, followed by the Save button.

  As explained in the article on the accessibility of fldigi for Linux, when the flrig rig control program is running, HamLib is not required for rig tuning using fldigi.

Other microphones and CB microphones

CB Power Microphones are generally poor choices for modern amateur radio transceivers. Too much audio gain, users have to almost turn off these pre-amps for clean audio. The native Shure dynamic mic element, R96, usually has very good audio. IF the microphone's internal components (mic element, pre-amp board) have been modified/changed or replaced --- restoration work would be required for usage with your Yaesu FT-950.

The original 526-T was marketed in 1970s for the CB Power Microphone buyers. The 526-T Series II incorporated component changes in 1980s and marketed as a transistorized desk microphone. The 526-T Series II User Guide discusses improper usage (too much pre-amp gain). This is one reason the microphone was finally discontinued.

When the 526T Series II replaces a dynamic (usually low– impedance) microphone supplied as original equipment, the volume control should be set at the lower ranges to prevent overmodulation and unintelligible transmission. Correct modulation can be checked on the modulation level indicator.

When the 526T Series II replaces a ceramic (usually high- impedance) microphone supplied as original equipment, the volume control should be set at the upper ranges for correct modulation as indicated on the modulation level indicator.

WARNING Too high a volume control setting causes over- modulation, interference, channel splatter, and unintelligible voice transmission. Carefully check the volume control setting.

CB power microphones

The majority of CB power microphones don't sound very good on amateur radio equipment. I have nothing against them in terms of their CB heritage or anything like that, it's just they are simply not very good in terms of producing any acceptable level of quality audio reproduction.

If you ever heard one on the air, you will note the many problems associated with using them such as the audio reflecting off the walls in the shack creating an echo like artifact distortion in the signal. This makes it especially difficult for others to understand what they are saying even when they are using phonetics to spell things out.

Another problem with these microphones is they are often poorly designed in terms of any directional pattern characteristics too. They tend to pick up a lot of fan and other equipment noise in the shack.

Those characteristics in a microphone are just not the mark of a good sounding microphone in my opinion... sorry, but it just isn't. :)

A better choice would be to pick up a cheap, and somewhat more professional grade audio recording style microphone for your rig. These are not expensive. Ebay and others have these kind of microphones for as little as 20 bucks. These are way better microphone choices for your modern amateur radio equipment. The old CB stuff, not so much.