SignaLink USB still impressive as heck …

I've had the chance to spend more quality time with the SignaLink USB interface, and I'm more impressed than ever by its performance. It will run any soundcard mode you have software for, and probably some you don't.

After having lots of experience with MFJ packet interfaces, I can tell you that the SignaLink is the cat's meow. Of course, I guess any soundcard interface will be superior to the MFJ TNCs, even the multimode ones.

The waterfall display is an interesting thing to watch, particularly when you begin to vary the RX DSP filtering. You can watch the waterfall expand and contract as you tight (or loosen) the filtering. PSK31 is very impressive in its weak signal capability.

The SignaLink is doing a great job with my FT-2000. I've been operating the rig more lately too, and it never fails to impress me. The Kentucky Slow CW Net meets on 3579 kHz at 10 pm. On Friday night, the digital QRM was ferocious. It gets tricky as NCS because you can't drop down most nights because there's another net that runs at the same time 1/2 a KC below us. If you can't go up the band, you wind up staying put and suffering thru the QRM.

The band was long and noisy, and to copy the NCS I had the bandwidth on RX down to less than 100 Hz to cut out the digital QRM. Not the most pleasant sound, but it worked well.

I have my PROIII boxed up and stored for now, as is my 746PRO. The only Icom gear in my shack is my IC-706, and I've gotten away from monitoring on 6 meters with it. I'm going to have to start back in time for e-skip season.

There are other modes I've not yet tried, like SSTV and a few others. Just give me time, I'll get to those.

For the money spent, the SignaLink scores an A+ in “bang-for-the-buck” value. I've only used a couple of different software programs with it, so I guess I'm next going to branch out a bit.