I interfaced an RC-210 port 3 to EchoLink for a friend, and had no
problem with the interface. The RC-210 was missing a land in the audio
path for port 3 and we had to add a wire jumper on the RC-210 board to
correct that, but the interface to EchoLink worked with no problem. We
used a direct interface, (No VA3 board) and used a simple transistor
switch to couple PTT from the 210 to the RS-232 port for EchoLink, and
another switch was used from the PTT line from EchoLink to the COS input
of the 210. DTMF works better in the sound card than with the VA3 board
anyway. You have more control of the audio response for the DTMF
decode in the EchoLink program.
We did add 600:600 ohm isolation transformers in both transmit and
receive lines to eliminate any local ground loops, and this always
pays. The VA3 board does not isolate the audio lines and leaves you
wide open to ground loop problems back in the 210 as well as the
computer. With a repeater on line, considerable current could be drawn
through the external ground system if the audio path is not isolated
with the transformers. This is probably why your 210 is going into
unlock mode - currents through the ground paths inside the controller
couple to the processor.
W5TWY-L runs a 440 repeater on port 1, a two meter simplex channel on
port 2, and EchoLink on port 3. It has been in service for over a year
using an RC-210 with no problems.
73 - Jim W5ZIT
> Folks,
>
> Ken and I have been chatting about my problem. I have a VA3TO (DRF
> Technologies) Echolink Interface. It is configured to port 3 on the
> RC210. PTT and COS lines are crossed as well as the audio. The macro
> is set to link port 3 to port 1 and to unlink it when I don't want
> Echolink working. The PTT light on Port 3 stays on all the time...
> Plus, the controller loses its mind when I engage the macro.... I can
> disconnect the ptt and cos lines, then the light goes out, but the
> controller still won't work right when I engage the macro.....not
> until I disconnect the audio line going into the VA3TO box.... Plus,
> the controller comes unlocked. I have to hit # and relock the
> controller and then all is well.....Any ideas? Any of you using this
> combination?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ron
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