Wx FAX from Icom M710

[whipper_snapper]

Hi All

Given an icom M710 and a laptop, what is the best way to get Wx Fax, RTTY etc ?


My preferred software is Seatty, but I don't know what is the best way to get the audio into the PC, I am familiar with Yaesu systems which have a nice 'data' connection that also supplies a fixed level AF output. What connections would be needed to get something similar from the icom?


Thanks

 

[Mrnotming]

JV comm program uses the sound card method, using just a 3.5mm audio lead from receiver to microphone plug.
Seatty may be the same?

 

[Bilgediver]

Hi All

Given an icom M710 and a laptop, what is the best way to get Wx Fax, RTTY etc ?


My preferred software is Seatty, but I don't know what is the best way to get the audio into the PC, I am familiar with Yaesu systems which have a nice 'data' connection that also supplies a fixed level AF output. What connections would be needed to get something similar from the icom?


Thanks

SeAtty is the better for marine as it has facilities added to help in organising timed receipt etc.


You can try connecting the extension speaker connection on the back of the M710 to the Line input on the computer and see if it works satisfactorily. If it does not give good faxes then you need to get the 8 pin plug that fits ACC1 on the back
of the radio. There was probably a plug with it when new. If not then a message to Icom in the UK might get one as I doubt if you ll pick one up in a Mombassa street market

For fax you use pins 5 and 2 on ACC1 as in the manual page 16.


The conductor of the coax to the computer sound card line input goes to pin 5 and the coax to pin 2. You plug into the
line input if you have one otherwise the mic input for sound card.

Here is the manual and you need page 16.

http://www.fujiyachts.net/manuals/Icom IC-M710 Instruction Manual.pdf


You may have to tune the radio to a lower frequency than shown in the fax information. IE for Northwood
4610 you may need to tune to 4608 . If this is so you maybe able to use the FSK selection and st the shift so that it indicates the correct frequency. Then always use FSK for faxes and rtty.

 

[Roberto]

Hi All

Given an icom M710 and a laptop, what is the best way to get Wx Fax, RTTY etc ?


My preferred software is Seatty, but I don't know what is the best way to get the audio into the PC, I am familiar with Yaesu systems which have a nice 'data' connection that also supplies a fixed level AF output. What connections would be needed to get something similar from the icom?


Thanks

There is an audio jack on the back, you may use that one at first, if too much noise then you may insert a 1:1 audio transformer.
For a fixed output, there is an "ACC" socket on the back for a DIN plug, the wiring is indicated in the manual (I just checked there are two ACC sockets); ICOM usually adds an already wired plug to their radios, for some numbers of pins it may be difficult to source one.

Otherwise, probably overkill for weatherfax, but as you have a transceiver why not a Signalink interface, it comes with USB on the PC side and the specific plug for your radio, excellent for all digital modes (incl Winmor if you are a ham)

 

[whipper_snapper]

Perfect! THanks!

 

[Bilgediver]

There is an audio jack on the back, you may use that one at first, if too much noise then you may insert a 1:1 audio transformer.
For a fixed output, there is an "ACC" socket on the back for a DIN plug, the wiring is indicated in the manual (I just checked there are two ACC sockets); ICOM usually adds an already wired plug to their radios, for some numbers of pins it may be difficult to source one.

Otherwise, probably overkill for weatherfax, but as you have a transceiver why not a Signalink interface, it comes with USB on the PC side and the specific plug for your radio, excellent for all digital modes (incl Winmor if you are a ham)

Roberto.....The signalink is an expensive option at 100 dollars for a 2 dollar plug!!!!

I operate Winlink fin with 2o dollar sound card from the far east however for receiving a weather fax the built in sound cards work well.

 

[Roberto]

Roberto.....The signalink is an expensive option at 100 dollars for a 2 dollar plug!!!!

I operate Winlink fin with 2o dollar sound card from the far east however for receiving a weather fax the built in sound cards work well.

yes of course

unfortunately my pc would not handle Winmor with the sound card alone so I had to buy the signalink, which also "cleaned" a lot the wxfax and rtty; surely for wxfax alone is definitely not necessary

regards

 

[oldvarnish]

Thread drift alert - there's an app for the iphone called HF FAX
You just hold the phone in front of the warbling loudspeaker and a fax eventually appears. Having said that, I haven't tried it yet.

 

[Bilgediver]

Thread drift alert - there's an app for the iphone called HF FAX
You just hold the phone in front of the warbling loudspeaker and a fax eventually appears. Having said that, I haven't tried it yet.

Does it work in the middle of The Indian Ocean or in ports like Tanga Mtwara and Dar es Salam ....

 

[tawhiri]

Icom 710 connector

I have an ICOM 710 and used the audio jack first to receive weather info.
Now I have an AC1 cable, I made myself. the connector was from an old keyboard of yester-year (the big 8 or 9 pin one) additionally two audio transformers in line with audio-in and audio out. As well as that, an opto-couple for PTT so I can send email as well.
I have heard that it is important to have an extermal sound card. My settup does work but I could improve it with a USB sound adapter. $5

 

[Bilgediver]

I have an ICOM 710 and used the audio jack first to receive weather info.
Now I have an AC1 cable, I made myself. the connector was from an old keyboard of yester-year (the big 8 or 9 pin one) additionally two audio transformers in line with audio-in and audio out. As well as that, an opto-couple for PTT so I can send email as well.
I have heard that it is important to have an extermal sound card. My settup does work but I could improve it with a USB sound adapter. $5

The external sound cards are often no better than the good built in ones. They are not needed for receiving faxes etc. However they perform an important function when using the radio to transmit from the PC. You set the PC sound card to be the default sound card and deal with all the Windows noises, you set the comms software to use the external sound card. This helps prevent all those windows sounds being transmitted especially if using Vox

The Signal link is built for radio interconnection and has addittional circuits for dealing with PTT. However expensive and not needed for just receive.

 

[Conachair]

yes of course

unfortunately my pc would not handle Winmor with the sound card alone so I had to buy the signalink, which also "cleaned" a lot the wxfax and rtty; surely for wxfax alone is definitely not necessary

regards

+1.

Signalink is a good box for digital, breaks out TX * RX into pots for mixing on the fly with real buttons, great to keep the ALC down to near zero for digital TX. And handles the VOX side of things perfectly.

But way over the top just to receive Wfax unless you have deep pockets and like toys.

 

[oldvarnish]

Does it work in the middle of The Indian Ocean or in ports like Tanga Mtwara and Dar es Salam ....

Yes, of course it would - if you had the SSB radio tuned to the right station. The phone is only acting as a decoder, not a receiver.

To be clear - you hold the phone in front of the SSB's loudspeaker.

 

[KellysEye]

>I have an ICOM 710 and used the audio jack first to receive weather info.

We also used the audio jack to with no reception problems. If part of the fax is misaligned or a part missing then fax programmes can be adjusted to give a perfect picture.