I usually connect my RTX to the PC in order to manage all the audio via software.
This is my current setup (already working with an FT-991 rig) :
“studio” microphone connected to an USB audio interface (Scarlet 2i4) to enhance the quality of a standard embedded pc soundcard
Rig connected to my PC via USB cable
Footswitch (PTT pedal) connected to the radio using the front RJ45 connector I built.
After setting up all the radio menus in order to get the audio from rear USB port (then from the PC ), I tested the transmission pressing the pedal, but speaking into the mic, no audio SSB modulation was present.
Then I realized something I already noticed when I had the Icom 7300 who gave a similar behaviour: if you use the PTT from the front port, then the rig expects the audio part from the same port, despite the menu settings related to the SSB audio…
It is evident this is not a clever choice from the constructor in my opinion…but “it is what it is…”
Luckily I found a solution (actually it is more a “workaround”, as we, IT addicted, like to call it…): connect the footswitch to the RTTY/DATA rear port of the radio.
So I did with another simple DIY cable; in this way everything is working as expected.
Keep in mind that you can’t use that port for other things unless you remove the cable of the pedal from the rear port….
This is the cable schematics:
The round connector for RTTY/DATA is as seen looking the back of the rig; keep it in consideration while building your cable soldering the wires to the connectors…
Thank you for that .
Am using a Koss SB45 head set with adaptor.
Will se up Foot switch as per your instructions.
Greetings Andrea…
I have been looking for a solution for a PTT switch for my FTDX10, and the information you have provided may be the answer. The RJ54 jack on the front panel is occupied with a connection without a breakout for the PPT. Can you confirm that your solution using the DATA/RTTY will support the PTT function and key the transmitter sending a SSB signal.
Thanks in advance for your comments
73, Steve KH6CT
Hi, I confirm what I wrote in the article :-))
Your question seems to be related to that scenario…
Anyway, I am able to key the radio with the footswitch while doing SSB via the usb audio from pc. This is what I normally use it for…
Cheers
Hi Andrea..again!
This is the second mod i ve done as you presented in your website.
Excellent results, great an powerfull audio, no audio delay, no RFI, everything works PERFECT!
For this, i use a FocusRite SOLO 3RD GEN with BEHRINGER XM8500 Dynamic Mic (SM58 Killer?..maybe)
Some photos with your excellent mods (with links to your site) in my QRZ.COM
Many 73’s
mike
SY1DNN
I wonder if you could give me any additional setting for the ftdx10 I’m trying to do this with solo but not getting any tx audio best regards
My settings:
Press “Func”, button
select: “radio settings”
ensure “mode ssb” is selected, then:
ssb mod source: rear
rear select: usb
Be sure to correctly route your audio signal through your PC and audio interface till the ftdx10 !
I have a pro mic (the Shure MV7) which I intend to use with the dx10. Although I had other ideas, I’m reading this article, could I just plug it into a Scarlet (I have one, coincidentally) and then that into the USB and boom! Done (for the audio input part). What benefit or purpose is the OC, other than audio tuning/processing? And If we are sending “processed” audio into the radio, should the internal processor be turned off?
Hi Tom,
basically the purpose of connecting the Mic to a decent external interface are:
1) to use good microphones from “audio industry” without using overpriced “ham radio specific” ones
2) to process the audio with all the computer audio software (pretty mature and complete)
3) to use (if such kind of user) the PC as a whole unique control surface (controlling audio, log, spot, rf spectrum, etc..); here it is assumed you want to use such kind of approach…(not saying it is better or not, it is a personal preference)
I think the radio speech processor has to be turned off by the way; it appears kind of logical to me. Otherwyse you are doubling the function…
I suggest to compare different setting combination in order for you to be able to conclude something meaningfull for yourself 🙂
Cheers
What if I want to use a desk mic connected to the RJ45 port on the front of the radio and a footswitch connected to the data port on the back of the radio. Will this work? I can’t seem to get any tx audio when I select PTT rear. Help????
Thanks,
Scott
Which microphone are you connecting ?
Is it a “direct connection” ? Are you using adapters ?
I guess that anyway you have to be consistent between front/rear usage: if using rear as mic, than you have to use rear as well as PTT. True also the opposite.
Did you figure this out?? Same issue
I am using a FTDX10 with a MD-100 mic. I wired the footswitch to the rear data jack as specified above. I can key the mic and modulate when pressing the PTT on the desk mic. When I use the footswitch there is no audio being transmitted. I need assistance!
HI Charlie,
unfortunately that is not possible; as I pointed out above:
if you PTT from the rear connector, the radio is expecting also the audio input from the same connector; if you PTT from the front RJ45 than the audio is taken from the front.
If you want to use the MD-100 with the foot pedal, some other solution has to be investigated, but anyway the mic PTT and the audio source should both come from the same connector as far as my understanding.
For example, you could build an “Y” cable in a way that:
1 female rj45 socket will get the original md100 male plug
1 female RCA socket will get the male RCA from PTT footswitch
1 male rj45 plug connector will go to the front rj45 socket of the radio
you wire pin-to-pin the rj45 female socket coming from the md100 connection toward the rj45 socket going to the ftdx10 rj45 socket.
Then you have to wire 2 connections from the RCA female socket to the rj45 male socket:
the RCA corresponding to TIP has to go to the rj45 pin 6 (PTT)
the RCA corresponding to GND has to go to the rj45 pin 7 (GND)
At the end of the day, you are connecting the ptt pedal in parallel to the standard PTT of the MD100.
in this way the radio does not know you are pressing the pedal PTT rather than the MD100 ptt, hence the constraint of having PTT and audio coming from the same connector will be kept.
Does it make sense ?