How to use digital modes on IC-725

[maalikm]

I have an Icom IC-725 and I have been able to use it to listen to digital modes by connecting the "phones" output to the line in on my PC. However, I am unsure how to transmit on these modes using this radio. Will I have to purchase a rig to sound card interface such as the "Rig Blaster" or the "Signalink" or is there a work around?

If I do indeed require an interface, how would I use it to connect my PC to the radio. And if I don't what is the method?

What is the difference between the Signalink and the Rigblaster?

I predominately wish to use the PSK31 mode.

Any help would be very appreciated.

[5B4AJB]

Will I have to purchase a rig to sound card interface...

No, you already have it working

Those interfaces you mention only offer a seperate soundcard interface and PTT. You can use your existing PC sound interface for the same effect.

The best solution for transmit interfacing without a specialised box is to try and find an old dial-up modem card, desolder the 1:1 transformer from that and connect it between the PC output and radio input. The radio output to the PC input is simply connected.

For the PTT signal, the serial port RTS signal is used. Download the manual for your motherboard and see if there's a serial header on the board you can use.
Here is my old faithful using an opto-isolator (recommended).


You could use a transistor which also works well...

[maalikm]

No, you already have it working

Those interfaces you mention only offer a seperate soundcard interface and PTT. You can use your existing PC sound interface for the same effect.

The best solution for transmit interfacing without a specialised box is to try and find an old dial-up modem card, desolder the 1:1 transformer from that and connect it between the PC output and radio input. The radio output to the PC input is simply connected.

For the PTT signal, the serial port RTS signal is used. Download the manual for your motherboard and see if there's a serial header on the board you can use.
Here is my old faithful using an opto-isolator (recommended).


You could use a transistor which also works well...

Thank you for your suggestion, however, I've found a $35 Rigblaster Plus on eBay and decided to give that a try. What is the procedure for using this interface?