I'm using an on board sound card that is probably the cheapest thing on the market, it's in a Compaq/HP Presario. The computer is the absolute sorriest piece of junk I have ever owned but have no problem with WSJT software working meteor scatter and tropo. For PSK I use a RigMate controlled by a USB cable and there is where the problem comes in. Computer noise on HF is generated if the USB is active using HamScope software. The USB cable is shielded and I have the interface enclosed in aluminum that is grounded but still I get 6db or more of noise when the USB is controlling the interface. If my results are any indication of quality of a the sound card then at least Compaq used a decent sound card for their motherboard. It is a Realtek onboard sound card by the way. On PSK is where the problems start, although not the fault of the sound card. Computer noise on HF, particularily 7-18 mhz, is at least 1-3 S units and makes communicating with weak stations impossible using PSK, RTTY and CW (using the computer).
I guess it boils down to if it works don't fix it. WSJT is probably the most sound card intensive mode (I use) and the cheap card works perfectly. As with all things results will vary from situation to situation. --- In [email protected], kd4e <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > How much impact does the quality of ones sound > card have on sound card based digital modes? > > I have read that computing power and computer noise > have been limiting factors in the development of > better sound card based digital modes. > > I have read that the $99. Audiophile 2496 pci card > is vastly superior to SoundBlaster cards in terms > or noise and overall audio quality. > > It is capable of 96baud/24bit operation. (They have > now also released an external USB version.) > > One review here: > http://www.digit-life.com/articles/maudioaudiophile/ > > -- > > Thanks! & 73, > doc, KD4E > ... somewhere in FL > URL: bibleseven (dot) com > Need a Digital mode QSO? Connect to Telnet://cluster.dynalias.org Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalradio/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalradio/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
