USB to RS232 adapter for PTT switching, help needed finding one.
Posted: 07 Jan 2017, 15:01
Hi all, I am intending to have a go at simple Packet Radio, likely using PSK31, on 11Mtrs (It's legal to do this now, on certain frequencies)
I have got it all set up and working on both RX and TX using a very nice bit of software called fldigi, which is easy to install via the Linux repositories (yes, I use Linux (Mint)). All it requires is suitable attenuation of the RX and more so, the TX audio so as to be able to use the computers sound card. I have done that and got the levels correct.
However, for now, I'm having to manually switch between RX and TX using a basic toggle switch because I cannot source a USB to serial port adapter, with a relay (or solid state switch) to operate the rigs PTT. The fldigi software toggles the RTS and DTR pins of an RS232 (Serial) port, so I need a board / adapter that simulates an RS232 and has a buffered output of the RTS and / or DTR pins (as the standard current capability of an RS232 is insufficient, I believe).
Now I have spent hours trying to find such a thing, with no success. This surprised me as I would have thought there would be quire a demand for such a thing, not just for radio, but for other applications.
Can anyone assist ?
I have got it all set up and working on both RX and TX using a very nice bit of software called fldigi, which is easy to install via the Linux repositories (yes, I use Linux (Mint)). All it requires is suitable attenuation of the RX and more so, the TX audio so as to be able to use the computers sound card. I have done that and got the levels correct.
However, for now, I'm having to manually switch between RX and TX using a basic toggle switch because I cannot source a USB to serial port adapter, with a relay (or solid state switch) to operate the rigs PTT. The fldigi software toggles the RTS and DTR pins of an RS232 (Serial) port, so I need a board / adapter that simulates an RS232 and has a buffered output of the RTS and / or DTR pins (as the standard current capability of an RS232 is insufficient, I believe).
Now I have spent hours trying to find such a thing, with no success. This surprised me as I would have thought there would be quire a demand for such a thing, not just for radio, but for other applications.
Can anyone assist ?