Echolink Microphone Adapter
When I first got my ticket, I didnt quite have any radios set up yet. In able to attempt to participate, I was going to use Echolink. The biggest issue many people have with Echolink, is poor audio quality coming from the microphone of the computer. Most people use laptops these days, making this problem even worse.
Doing some googling, I found spotty random information on how to setup PTT control using an RS232 port. The method I found and used, is pretty simple, using a small battery pack, and some simple wiring to the RS232 port.
Materials I used:
- USB - RS232 adapter
- Surface Mount Box, with faceplate and RJ45 jack
- Stereo Headphone Plug
- 4 - AAA Battery box
I have wired the pinout to work with a Kenwood Microphone, using either the RJ12 or RJ45 module adapter. Talking on the local repeater via Echolink, other operators have reported that my audio quality was decent. They stated that had they not heard me log in via Echolink, they would have had no idea I wasnt using a standard radio.
To further improve my quality, I dug out an old Turner Plus 3 Citizens Band Microphone.
I muddled through the wiring of it, and rewired it to meet the Kenwood pinout.
With this Mic, I get stellar reports. It's really nice, with the adjustable output of the +3.
I have also discovered another possible method, eliminating the use of the battery box. I will update once I finalize it.
This is a crummy schematic that I whipped up, but it gives the general idea:
