This was interesting...

[kn4ds]

Some of you may know that I've been working on an old FT-101EE, trying to get it back into shape.

Over the weekend, I decided I was going to see if it'd be stable enough to do any digital modes.

Interfacing the sound card didn't seem that tough, but the PTT interface seemed like it'd have to wait until I could order an opto-isolator... then I saw someone suggest VOX.

Hmm... I'd not tried to get VOX working, but I gave it a shot - nothing. I went to the manual, went through setting it up like it should be and then it did work.

Well, let's give it a shot. It was far too late in the day to get anything done on 20m yesterday, and I never did hear any digital signals on 40m...

So it had to wait until today...

I had my first PSK-31 QSO a little while ago, and the report is that the signal was extremely clean and stable. I'd expected it to drift a little, but 10 minutes and it stayed stable. So that's good, and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Looks like digital could be fun to operate... it'll have to wait for the weekend before I have much time to try it out more, but look for me... I may be on the digital modes more often.

[k3wrv]

I use VOX hr on Slow Scan, BUT... my Mike is set up so that the ptt switch shuts off the audio as well as keying the rig. (So it turns on the element, but on vox the ptt line doesn't key anything). If you have a mike hooked up to the rig and it has a live element, you can pick up all kinds of background noise, which is NOT a "good thing", so be careful!

[EDIT] I've hears some "real interesting conversations" from some of the guys! (that weren't intended to be heard!)

[kn4ds]

I'm more careful than even that... I have to physically change the plugs... unplug the one wired to the sound card, and plug the mic back in... I just did it to see if it'd work, so now I get to work on something like you're talking about.

[n4bfd]

I've chatted with several on PSK using FT101s, I don't remember them drifting.

I remember seeing someone saying they where using a swan... shortly after that they drifted and I couldn't even follow them fast enough to copy, http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[n8yx]

Quote[/b] (KE4UWL @ Nov. 05 2007,17:39)]...the report is that the signal was extremely clean and stable. I'd expected it to drift a little, but 10 minutes and it stayed stable...
The -101 series rigs (inclusive of FL101/FR101) included a temperature-compensation adjustment in their VFO circuitry. This was implemented via a trimmer cap, and thus allowed one to null any thermally-induced drift.

If you don't have one, acquire an owner's and/or service manual. The adjustment procedure which relates to this area is covered in the owner's manual; therefore, a service manual may be moot...

[W0BKR]

Digital is enjoyable, not something I do frequently, but I would be careful with a tube final rig. Can melt the grids in no time that way if you don't keep the power down.

[kn4ds]

I'm keeping the power 30 watts or less... for exactly that reason.