Virtually all of the Technical Support calls that we receive for the SignaLink USB are due to simple configuration issues. This is true for both new installations, and for those that have been using their SignaLink for some time without any trouble but now find that it has stopped working. Every SignaLink and radio cable is 100% tested before shipping, and the SignaLink has proven itself to be very reliable since its release several years ago. Unless you have experienced a nearby lightening strike, power supply failure, or some other catastrophic event, whatever issue you are having with your SignaLink USB is most likely due to incorrect setup of the SignaLink, software volume controls, sound card communication program, or radio, and can be resolved by carefully following the tips below. Please take some time to look through ALL of the information below and you should be able to resolve the problem without having to call Tech Support. Thank you.
These are the most common problems reported to our Technical Support Staff. If you are unable to resolve your problem, or if you do not find your problem listed here, then please contact our Technical Support Staff for assistance.
My SignaLink USB was working perfectly but now will no longer Transmit (PTT LED is OFF).
Radio won't transmit (SignaLink USB's PTT indicator is OFF).
Radio transmits, but there is no power output or it is too low.
The SignaLink USB's TX control is "touchy", making if difficult to control my RF power.
Other stations never come back to me when I answer their CQ, or they tell me that I'm off frequency
Radio cycles between Transmit and Receive when the 13-pin radio cable is plugged in.
Do I select a serial port when configuring my communications program?
What general settings must I make when configuring my communications program?
I see "USB Audio Device", but not "USB Audio Codec" when using the SignaLink USB - Is this correct?
I don't see a "New Hardware Found" (or similar) message when I first plug in the SignaLink USB
Windows resets the SignaLink USB's software volume controls to incorrect positions
Every time I open the Window's Volume Control Panel, it has reset back to my computer's sound card
11025 Hz Sample Rate offset error on some Windows ME, 2000 and XP systems
My SignaLink USB was working perfectly but now will no longer Transmit - This is the most common problem we hear about and it is virtually **always** due to the software volume controls being reset by Windows. This can happen if you unplug the USB cable, change the default sound card in Windows, or accidentally mute the SignaLink's output. Other things can cause this to happen as well, so please check your Windows software volume controls carefully. Note that they will most likely be reset exactly opposite of how they should be set, so they can look correct at a glance. As outlined in the SignaLink Installation Manual and on our web site, the "Speaker" control should be at 100% (max) and the "Application" control should be at 50% (note that in Windows XP, this is the "Wave" control). Be sure that your volume control panel shows "USB Audio Codec" or you will be adjusting the volume for the wrong sound card. If you are not sure how to adjust the software volume controls, then please refer to the SignaLink Manual for details.
Radio won't transmit (SignaLink USB's Red PTT indicator is OFF) -
Verify that the SignaLink USB’s PWR LED is ON. If it is not, then
make sure that the SignaLink USB's PWR switch is pressed in and the USB cable
is securely connected to the computer and the SignaLink. If the PWR indicator
still won't turn ON, then try changing USB cables, USB ports, or using a
different computer. If none of these make any difference, then you may
have a problem with your SignaLink and you should contact Tech Support by
telephone for assistance.
Verify that your communication program is configured to use the SignaLink USB’s built-in sound card. The program should have “USB Audio CODEC” selected as the sound card for
both Transmit and Receive.
If your communication program has a built-in transmit
level control (WSJT-X, etc.), then this will need to be turned up. If
you are using an older version of HRD/DM-780 with the
"Output Attenuator" feature, then this should be set to
"0 db".
Verify that the PLAYBACK software volume controls for the SignaLink USB are set according to the
procedure in the SignaLink manual. If
these controls are set too low or muted, then the SignaLink USB's
PTT LED will NOT turn ON. Incorrect software volume control settings
are the number one cause of transmit problems, so please check this
carefully.
If the SignaLink is plugged into a USB hub, please remove it
from the hub and plug it directly into the computer's USB jack until the
problem is resolved. Un-powered hubs and some powered hubs cannot supply
enough power for the SignaLink to operate properly, so Receive will
usually work, but
Transmit may not. See our SignaLink
FAQ for more details on this.
TIP - Incorrect jumper settings, radio setup, and/or the position of the SignaLink's TX, RX and DLY knobs will NOT affect the operation of the SignaLink's PTT LED. Do not worry about these things until you have checked the items above and have the PTT LED turning ON when your communication program is transmitting.
Radio won't transmit (SignaLink USB's PTT indicator is ON) -
If the SignaLink USB's PTT LED turns ON but the radio doesn't switch to transmit, then you have most likely
installed the "PTT" and/or "G" (Ground) jumpers incorrectly on the SignaLink's JP1 jumper
socket. The jumper may be installed in the wrong location and/or it
may not be pressed in all the way. If the SignaLink is connected to
your radio's Mic jack, then be sure you have installed the SPKR jumper wire
*ONLY* if your radio has Speaker Audio on the Mic jack, or PTT may not work
properly (check your radio manual!). Please go back and double-check ALL
jumpers carefully making sure that you are using the correct settings for
your cable. Most radios have a couple different cable options with
different jumper settings, so be sure you've selected the correct one!
If you are using a Plug & Play Jumper Module,
then double-check that you have the correct module installed and that it is
properly inserted in the jumper socket - see our Plug
& Play Jumper Modules page for instructions.
If the SignaLink is attached to your radio’s Data or
Accy Port, then
your
radio might not be configured properly to use that port. Most newer radios must be in a "digital" mode
in order to Transmit properly. Most ICOM radios in the IC-746/756
series require you to use "USB-D" or "LSB-D", and a
number of Yaesu's require that you select and configure a digital mode such
as "User-U", "PSK31-U", etc. It should be noted
that the "RTTY" mode is virtually *never* correct for any radio as
it is virtually always for FSK only. Please consult your radio manual and verify that your radio is in the correct
mode. If you're not sure which mode to use, try checking an on-line forum
for your radio, or contact your radio manufacturer's Tech Support
department.
If the SignaLink is attached to your radio's 6-pin mini-DIN
Data Port and your radio supports 9600 baud Packet operation, then you need
to check your radio's "9600 Mode", "Packet Rate", or
similarly worded menu setting and insure that it's set to "1200",
or "OFF". The exact wording of this menu setting varies
widely, but you will find only two choices if you are looking at the
correct menu item in your radio. If you see other baud rates besides
1200 and 9600 listed, or if you see other options, then you are
looking at the wrong menu item.
If your SignaLink
is plugged into a USB hub, then we strongly suggest that you remove the hub for
troubleshooting purposes. Non-powered hubs will NEVER work reliably,
and many powered USB hubs cannot supply enough power for the SignaLink to
operate properly (Receive will work, but Transmit may not). See our SignaLink
FAQ for more details on this.
TIP -
Be sure to check your radio carefully to
confirm that it's actually stuck in Receive. If the radio is switching
to Transmit but just doesn't have any power output, then you'll want to
check the items under "Common Problem #4" as well.
TIP - Be sure that the SignaLink's radio cable is plugged into the correct jack on the radio, and that it is plugged in securely and positioned correctly. 13-pin DIN plugs found on Icom and Kenwood radios can be plugged in exactly upside-down even though they are keyed, so be sure to look at the jack on the radio and position the plug accordingly (do NOT go by any arrow or other markings on the cable - You MUST look at the socket on the radio!).
Radio transmits but there is no power output, or it is too low – The SignaLink USB can provide more than enough Transmit Audio to drive virtually any radio to full power. If you have followed the Audio Level setting procedure in the SignaLink USB manual and still cannot get enough power, then check the following:
If the radio is in Transmit but you have no power output at
all, then the "MIC" jumper wire may be installed incorrectly on
the SignaLink's JP1 jumper socket. The jumper may be installed in the
wrong location and/or it may not be pressed in all the way. You may
also have the Ground ("G") jumper installed incorrectly.
Please go back and double-check ALL jumpers carefully making sure that you
are using the correct settings for your cable. Most radios have a
couple different cable options with different jumper settings, so be sure
you've selected the correct one! If you are using a Plug
& Play Jumper Module, then double-check that you have the correct
module installed and that it is properly inserted in the jumper socket - see
our Plug & Play Jumper Modules page for
instructions.
If you are using a CAT/CIV interface to control your radio, then you
*must* disable
"PTT through that interface, so that the
SignaLink can key the radio or you'll have no power output. This is
necessary because most radio's will only look for Transmit Audio on the Mic
jack if the radio is switched into Transmit by the CAT interface. Note
that this is a design issue with the **radio** and has absolutely nothing to
do with the SignaLink. The disabling of PTT via CAT/CIV control is
done in the communication program by selecting a PTT option that does not
key through a CAT interface or CAT/CIV jack. This is often referred to
as "External/Vox" or something similar. See our Communication
Program Setup information for details on this.
Verify that your radio’s “Forward Power” (sometimes called “RF Power” or “Carrier Power”) control is set to maximum.
On newer radios with menu settings, this is normally a menu item (not a
knob). Note that you do NOT want to run full power as measured on your
radio, or external watt/power meter. You should normally set this control to
max and then adjust the power to the desired level using the SignaLink USB's TX control.
This is normally no more than 25-35 watts for PSK31 and 50 watts for most
other 100% duty cycle modes, but you should check your radio manual to
insure that these power levels are OK for your radio. Continued
transmissions at power levels higher than those recommended by your radio
manufacturer can damage your radio, so please check your radio manual.
If the SignaLink is attached to your radio’s Data or Accessory Port, then your
radio might not be configured properly to use that port. Some radios must be in a "digital" mode
in order to Transmit properly. Most ICOM radios in the IC-746/756
series require you to use "USB-D" or "LSB-D", and a
number of Yaesu radios require that you select and configure a digital mode such
as "User-U", "PSK31-U", etc. It should be noted
that the "RTTY" mode is virtually *never* correct for any radio as
it is virtually always for FSK only. Your radio may also
have a menu based gain control for the Data/Accy Port that needs to be
turned up (common on newer Kenwood, Yaesu and Ten-Tec radios), and/or it may
have a "Transmit Audio Source" menu that needs to be set properly
(common on Ten-Tec radios). Please consult your radio manual or an
online forum for the correct settings to use, or contact your radio
manufacturer's Tech Support department.
If the SignaLink is attached to your radio's 6-pin mini-DIN
Data Port and your radio supports 9600 baud Packet operation, then you need
to check your radio's "9600 Mode", "Packet Rate", or
similarly worded menu setting and insure that it's set to "1200",
or "OFF". The exact wording of this menu setting varies
widely, but you will find only two choices if you are looking at the
correct menu item in your radio. If you see other baud rates besides
1200 and 9600 listed, or if you see other options, then you are
looking at the wrong menu item.
If your radio has a built-in USB sound card connection, then
you'll want to be sure that the "Modulation Source",
"Transmit Audio Source" or similarly worded menu item is set to
"ACC" (Accessory), or whatever setting connects it to the radio's
Accy or Data Port jack, NOT the radio's USB connection.
If the SignaLink is attached to your radio’s Mic jack, then try turning up your radio’s Mic Gain control.
Confirm
that your transmit modulation in your communication program is set within
the range of 500hz to 2500hz. In PSK31 programs this means that you
should be within the range of 500 to 2500 Hz in the waterfall display.
If you go outside of these limits then your radio will not be able to pass
the modulation and your power will drop significantly.
Set
the Windows (PLAYBACK) "Application"
control higher (note that this is the "Wave" control in Windows XP).
Be sure you are adjusting the slider for USB Audio Codec or it will have no
affect on the issue!
See the “Special Jumpers” section of this manual and install JP3. This will dramatically increase the SignaLink’s Transmit Audio level. Note that this is NOT needed for most radios, so you really need to be sure that everything else is correct before doing this.
If the SignaLink is attached to a Kenwood 13-pin Accessory Port, then you may have set the PTT jumper incorrectly. Double-check the document that was supplied with your radio cable
and/or check our Jumper Settings page to see if your radio requires a standard PTT jumper or the diode module to be installed.
If you are using our Plug & Play Jumper Modules then check our Jumper
Module page for the correct setting for your radio. Please note
that 13-pin DIN plugs found on Icom and Kenwood radios can be plugged
in exactly upside-down even though they are keyed, so be sure to look at the
jack on the radio and position the plug accordingly (do NOT go by any arrow
or other markings on the cable - You MUST look at the socket on the radio!)
My transmit signal is wide or distorted - This is generally the result of over-driving your radio. Be sure you are following the guidelines for setting/adjusting your transmit power in the SignaLink manual, and see the common problem listed below if applicable.
The SignaLink USB's TX control is "touchy", making it difficult to control my RF power - This is most likely because the radio’s Mic, Data or Accy Port gain control is set too high, but before continuing, please be sure that you have NOT installed special jumper JP3 inside the SignaLink. This jumper is rarely needed, and will normally cause the SignaLink to provide too much audio to the radio making adjustment of the TX knob difficult.
If the SignaLink is attached to your radio's Mic jack, then you can resolve this issue by turning the radio’s Mic Gain control down. If the SignaLink is attached to the radio's Data or Accy Port, then your radio likely has a menu setting or trimmer to adjust the gain. This gain adjustment is often called “Packet Input Level” or “Packet Gain”, but may have another name, so check your radio manual carefully. Note that the radio's Mic Gain control on some older radios may also affect the Data/Accy Port (TS-440 for example), so you should check this as well.
If the above solutions don't help, then we suggest that you install Special Jumper JP4 inside the SignaLink and LOWER the Windows "Application" control for the SignaLink's sound card (note that this is the "Wave" control in Windows XP). The Application control can be lowered to just above the point where the SignaLink's PTT LED turns OFF, so as to provide minimal TX Audio to the radio while insuring that the SignaLink's PTT circuit functions correctly. We recommend finding this threshold while transmitting a steady test tone, and with the SignaLink's Delay knob set to minimum.
ATTENTION IC-7000, IC-746PRO and FT-450 Users - Some customers have reported that these radios have unusually sensitive Data Ports, which can make adjustment of the SignaLink's TX knob somewhat difficult. If this is the case with your radio, then you should find that the procedure above where you install jumper JP4 and lower the Wave volume control resolves the issue. However, you may also need to turn the radio's RF Power menu setting down for better control. A power setting of 35 to 45 watts usually works well for 25 to 35 watts of actual RF output as measured on a watt meter, or the radios Power Output meter. For lower power levels, we would suggest setting the radios RF Power setting to 5 to 10 watts above the actual RF power level that you would like to use. For example, for 5 watts of actual RF power on PSK31, set the radio's RF Power setting to 10 or 15 watts, and then adjust the power output using the SignaLink's TX knob until 5 watts is observed on the watt/power meter.
If you are unable to control the power output sufficiently with the SignaLink's TX knob, then please check that you are following our instructions carefully and try again. If you are still unable to resolve the issue and you are confident that you are doing things correctly, then please contact our Technical Support Staff by telephone and they will go through it with you.
I can't seem to receive: It is perfectly normal for some signals not to be copied (see "Why can't I receive some stations" below). However, even without proper decoding, you should still see audio/noise from the radio appear in your sound card communication program's waterfall, spectrum, or other display. You can check this by turning the radio OFF and ON, or adjusting the SignaLink's RX control from minimum to maximum while watching the program's display. If you do not see a clear change indicating that RX Audio (noise) is reaching the SignaLink, then check the following:
Why
Can't I Receive Some Stations - No matter how good your antenna and
radio are, there will always be some stations that you cannot copy (even with
strong signals!). While the reason for this may be because of operator error
(wrong mode or baud rate, off frequency, etc.), radio wave propagation problems
can often prevent you from receiving.
Some
modes are more susceptible to this than others.
For example, even though PSK31 usually works very well with weak signals,
sometimes even strong PSK31 signals cannot be copied at all because of multipath
and Doppler Shift propagation problems.
Other
modes like HF Packet and RTTY do not work well with weak signals and are
susceptible to multipath and Doppler Shift.
Windows "System Sounds" Cause The SignaLink USB To Transmit – This will NOT happen if you configure Windows to use your computer’s sound card as the default sound card. See the “Connecting The Computer” section of the SignaLink USB Installation Manual to resolve this problem.
Radio cycles between Transmit and Receive when the 13-pin radio cable is plugged in - Please check that you have the radio cable plugged in correctly by comparing the position of the plug with the socket on the radio. Do not assume that the cable is plugged in correctly because of the position of the notch on the end of the plug! As unlikely as this may sound, we have seen several 13-pin plugs installed upside down and the results are immediate cycling between Transmit and Receive.
How do I operate "direct keyed" CW with the SignaLink - This is done by simply connecting the SignaLink's PTT and Ground lines to the "Key" and "Ground" lines of your radio's Key jack. One of our un-terminated radio cables can be used to make these connections. You will need to attach the appropriate plug for your radio's Key jack to this cable. Using our SLCABNC cable, we suggest attaching the white/orange wire to the tip of the plug, and the orange wire to the plug's body/sleeve. You will then need to install the SignaLink jumpers as follows; PTT to 1, and G (ground) to 2. Note that direct keyed CW is limited to about 25 WPM on Transmit (there is no limit on Receive), so if you need to transmit faster than this, you'll want to run AFSK CW.
Do I select a serial port when configuring my communications program - Some communications programs will have a COM Port selection for PTT (Push To Talk), and some will also have COM Port selection for radio control ("CAT" control). The SignaLink does NOT use a serial port for PTT control, so your communications program should be set to "None", "COM0", "External VOX", or a similar setting to indicate that a serial port is not used. Some newer programs have a "SignaLink" setting that should be used if available.
If you have a CAT interface and will be using it for radio control, then the CAT control portion of your communications program should be set to use the COM Port that the CAT interface is plugged into. If you do not have a CAT interface, then this should also be set to "None" (or similar).
What general settings must I make when configuring my communications program - As explained in the SignaLink Installation Manual, you must configure your communications program to use "USB Audio Codec" as the sound card for BOTH Transmit and Receive. You may also need to disable serial port PTT control and CAT control as mentioned in the question above. These are typically the only settings required to use the SignaLink USB with most programs, but some programs do have other "special" program specific settings such as "use AFSK in place of FSK", or "send CW as AFSK" that may need to be set. In general, you can configure most programs properly if you remember that you will be operating AFSK (audio tones/modulation) and NOT using a serial port for.
I see "USB Audio Device", but not "USB Audio Codec" when using the SignaLink USB - Is this correct? Some computers may display the SignaLink USB as "USB Audio Device" instead of "USB Audio Codec". If this is the case on your system, then you simply need to select "USB Audio Device" instead of "USB Audio Codec" as the sound card.
I don't see a "New Hardware Found" (or similar) message when I first plug in the SignaLink USB - This is generally not an indication of a problem. You may not see a "New Hardware Found" message when plugging in the SignaLink USB for the first time because of a number of reasons, including the speed of your computer, the version/build of Windows you are running, or the way Windows is configured. If you want to confirm that the drivers were properly installed, then (after waiting a minute or two after the initial plug-in) open your communication program (DigiPan, etc.) and confirm that the SignaLink's "USB Audio Codec" sound card is available in the list of available sound cards. If it is, then the drivers are properly installed. Note that the SignaLink MUST be connected to the computer, or you will not find it listed as an available sound card even if the drivers have been installed.
Windows 98 can't find a file during installation - There is a bug in all versions of Windows 98 that causes the Operating System to sometimes "forget" what drive the installation CD is in during installation. If you receive a "Can't Find File..." error message during installation of the SignaLink USB, then you will need to manually enter the location of your Windows CD drive into the dialog box when prompted. For example, if your CD drive is "D:" then you will type "D:\WIN98". Note that you may also be able to click the location drop down menu and select the correct CD drive location.
Windows resets the SignaLink USB's software volume controls to incorrect positions - If the SignaLink's USB cable is unplugged or the default sound card in the computer is changed, Windows may reset the SignaLink's software volume controls to incorrect levels. The symptom for this problem is that the SignaLink USB was working perfectly, but now will not transmit. This issue can be resolved by manually setting the "Speaker" volume control back to maximum, and the "Application" control to 50%.
Every time I open the Window's Volume Control Panel, it has reset back to my computer's sound card - This is perfectly normal. Windows will ALWAYS show the default sound card (which should be your computer's sound card) when opening the Volume Control Panel. The only place you should see the SignaLink USB's sound card "stick" is in your communication program (DigiPan, etc.).
11025 Hz Sample Rate offset error - Due to a Windows system issue, some Windows ME, 2000 and XP computers may show an abnormal sample rate offset error of around 7000 ppm at the 11025 Hz sample rate (other sample rates are NOT affected). If this offset error occurs on your computer, it can result in your transmit (modulation) frequency being off from your receive frequency. When operating digital modes, this can manifest itself in several different ways. With PSK31, other stations may not respond when you answer their CQ, or they may respond but say that you are off frequency. It can also result in both you and the person that you're talking to "walking" across the waterfall as each of you corrects your tuning after each transmission.
This issue can be easily resolved in virtually all cases by simply changing the sample rate in your communication program from 11025 Hz to 12000 Hz. It's important to note that changing the sample rate will NOT hurt anything if this problem doesn't exist on your computer, so if you're not sure, we suggest changing it just to avoid the issue. Also, other standard sample rates (8000, 22050, 44.1, etc.) work just fine and do not need to be changed. It should also be noted that Windows 98SE, Vista, Windows 7/8/10 systems never show this offset error.
Sound Card Calibration - Transmit and Receive sample rate errors and sample rate offset errors occur with all sound cards, and can cause you to experience transmit and/or receive problems when operating digital, if the error is large enough. The sample rate error can cause a variety of problems depending on the mode that you are using. With PSK31, other stations may not respond when you answer their CQ, or they may respond but say that you are off frequency. Other stations may respond to your CQ, but be off frequency so that you can't copy them. These errors can also result in both you and the person that you're talking to "walking" across the waterfall as each of you corrects your tuning after each transmission. On MT63, this problem can result in other stations not being able to copy you at all, or they receive your text in lower or upper case only, or certain characters such as spaces are missing. With SSTV, sample rate errors result in slanted pictures.
If you are using Window ME, 2000, or XP it is important that you see the "11025 Hz Sample Rate offset error" issue above before going any further. This will resolve most sound card calibration issues. If this doesn't completely fix the problem you are experiencing, then sound card calibration might be necessary to remove the remaining error. This can be done with your communication program's built-in calibration routine if available (see your program's documentation), or with the "Check Sample Rate" utility that comes free with the popular "Mix-W" program. If you use the Check Sample Rate utility, be sure to select the SignaLink's sound card and let it run for at least 30 minutes. Do not use your computer for anything else during this time, and do not let it go into sleep or suspend mode, or the results will be invalid. After at least 30 minutes of operation, the TX/RX offset error displayed at the bottom of the program window will settle and can entered your communication program to correct for any sample rate error. In DigiPan, for example, you would enter these numbers in the "Configure - Sample Rate Corrections" menu. Other programs have similar options - See your program's Help documentation for details.
For the most accurate calibration possible, you can calibrate your system using the sound card calibration procedure contained in the MMSSTV program's "Help" documentation. This procedure uses your transceiver and the WWV time station to obtain sub 1Hz accuracy. While some users might want to do this for the sake of having the most accurate signal possible, it should be noted that this isn't normally necessary. Excellent performance can virtually always be achieved by using one of the procedures listed above.
"Sound Card Error" after Windows 10 update
Starting with Windows 10 update Version 1803 and continuing with the most recent Windows 10 update (2004 as of when this was written), Windows 10 is sometimes shutting off microphone access due an incorrect privacy setting. This results in an error message when starting the communication program (Fldigi, WSJT-X, Digipan, etc.). If you have just updated your Windows 10 OS and are experiencing this error, then follow the steps below to resolve it. If you have experienced a different problem after a Windows 10 update, then we would suggest that you double-check that your sound card settings in Windows and the communication program are correct (these settings can change after a Windows update!).
Special thanks to Richard, KE6SHL, for providing us with this information!
1 - Close any communication programs that may be running.
2 - In Windows, go to All settings, then Privacy.
3 - Scroll down to App Permissions, Microphone.
4 - On the right side panel, select/enable "Allow access to the microphone
on this device".
5 - Microphone access for this device should now be ON. If not, then click
Change and switch it to ON.
Note that you can apparently have the switch under "Allow apps to access
your microphone" off and the SignaLink USB will still work.