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Apple MacBook Pro Audio for PSK-31 with K2?

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Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX

Apple MacBook Pro Audio for PSK-31 with K2?

Hello,

The MacBook Pro has a single 1/8" audio connection for both mic in and
external-speaker output. Unfortunately, that disables the internal
speakers, preventing their use for monitoring. Also, the single
"special" plug needs a homebrew Y-cable to get the input and output on
separate connectors.

Before I over-complicate what should be a simple interface to the K2,
does anyone have a success story with the MacBook Pro?

Cheers, Alan

Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
570-321-1516
http://WilcoxEngineering.com
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28062
Williamsport, PA 17701

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Rick Prather-2

Re: Apple MacBook Pro Audio for PSK-31 with K2?

Alan,

What flavor of MBP do you have that has only a single audio connection?

Rick
K6LE

On 12/9/2010, at 6:27 , Alan D. Wilcox wrote:

> Hello,
>
> The MacBook Pro has a single 1/8" audio connection for both mic in and external-speaker output. Unfortunately, that disables the internal speakers, preventing their use for monitoring. Also, the single "special" plug needs a homebrew Y-cable to get the input and output on separate connectors.
>
> Before I over-complicate what should be a simple interface to the K2, does anyone have a success story with the MacBook Pro?
>
> Cheers, Alan
>
> Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
> 570-321-1516
> http://WilcoxEngineering.com
> https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28062
> Williamsport, PA 17701

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Stephen Prior

Re: Apple MacBook Pro Audio for PSK-31 with K2?

In reply to this post by Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX

Alan

I know it further complicates things, but what about a iMic USB outboard
soundcard?

73 Stephen G4SJP

On 10/12/2010 02:27, "Alan D. Wilcox" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> The MacBook Pro has a single 1/8" audio connection for both mic in and
> external-speaker output. Unfortunately, that disables the internal
> speakers, preventing their use for monitoring. Also, the single
> "special" plug needs a homebrew Y-cable to get the input and output on
> separate connectors.
>
> Before I over-complicate what should be a simple interface to the K2,
> does anyone have a success story with the MacBook Pro?
>
> Cheers, Alan
>
> Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
> 570-321-1516
> http://WilcoxEngineering.com
> https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28062
> Williamsport, PA 17701
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Paul Wilton

Re: Apple MacBook Pro Audio for PSK-31 with K2?

In reply to this post by Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX

Just about any old USB soundcard will work with a MacBook Pro - I use an old Creative USB Soundblaster that I picked up second hand. Noting that you can plug in an iPhone headset, I did experiment using an iPod Classic 4 pin 3.5mm to 3 x phono connectors but decided it was too work to sort out since the "input" would be at microphone level and would need a capacitor to remove the microphone bias voltage. Going with the USB soundcard was far easier. You can pick up some no-brand "dongle" versions for less than $10 on ebay.

73
Paul
M1CNK

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Kok Chen

Re: Apple MacBook Pro Audio for PSK-31 with K2?

On Dec 10, 2010, at 12/10 11:32 AM, Paul Wilton wrote:

> Just about any old USB soundcard will work with a MacBook Pro - I
> use an old Creative USB Soundblaster that I picked up second hand.
> Noting that you can plug in an iPhone headset, I did experiment
> using an iPod Classic 4 pin 3.5mm to 3 x phono connectors but
> decided it was too work to sort out since the "input" would be at
> microphone level and would need a capacitor to remove the microphone
> bias voltage. Going with the USB soundcard was far easier. You can
> pick up some no-brand "dongle" versions for less than $10 on ebay.

Many of the MacBook Pro models have an integrated "analog" audio and
"digital" S/PDIF built into the common 1/8" phone jack.

Either a plain wired 1/8" plug or a S/PDIF 1/8" plug will plug into
that jack.

For example, you can connect the fiber optical output from an Icom
7800 directly to the MacBook Pro as long as whatever software that you
use can accept that one fixed sampling rate from the Icom. Perfect
galvanic isolation. No RFI, no ground loops, no drivers.

I had responded privately to the person who started this thread by
recommending the cheap and simple Griffin Technology iMic (not the
greatest noise floor, but probably sufficient for his intended
purpose), and the SignaLink USB if he wants hard keyed PTT.

73
Chen, W7AY

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Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX

Re: Apple MacBook Pro Audio for PSK-31 with K2?

In reply to this post by Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX

Thanks for all the replies!

To answer questions: The MacBook Pro is the 13" with the faster cpu and
larger drive. New production, just got it several weeks ago. There is
only ONE audio connection: the required 1/8" plug is same as regular
stereo plug but has tip and TWO rings.

I cobbled up a Y-cable last evening, and I'm getting audio into the MBP.
No way to hear the audio on the MBP tho; looks like I'll need to do a
"line-out" jack on the K2 for constant volume to the MBP while I adjust
the K2 volume to listening level for me.

The MBP-->K2 mic direct connection seems to work with VOX and I can
watch ALC when tx.

Doesn't look like I've got any ground loops, even with the MBP charger
plugged in.

The Griffin iMic looks like a good way to get separate in and out. As I
understand it, when it's active, the internal mic and speakers are
disabled. Yes?
OTOH, the iMic would give me isolation. I'm somewhat concerned about my
direct connections into the MBP. I don't know what circuit I'm working
into. (Like a black box, but it's white with an apple on it.)

At this point, I'll put an extra line-out jack on the K2. Maybe get the
iMic ...

Thanks again,
Alan

Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
570-321-1516
http://WilcoxEngineering.com
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28062
Williamsport, PA 17701

On 12/9/10 9:27 PM, Alan D. Wilcox wrote:

> Hello,
>
> The MacBook Pro has a single 1/8" audio connection for both mic in and
> external-speaker output. Unfortunately, that disables the internal
> speakers, preventing their use for monitoring. Also, the single
> "special" plug needs a homebrew Y-cable to get the input and output on
> separate connectors.
>
> Before I over-complicate what should be a simple interface to the K2,
> does anyone have a success story with the MacBook Pro?
>
> Cheers, Alan
>
> Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
> 570-321-1516
> http://WilcoxEngineering.com
> https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28062
> Williamsport, PA 17701
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

K2QI

Re: Apple MacBook Pro Audio for PSK-31 with K2?

In reply to this post by Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX

Alan, what MBP do you own?

I have a 2010 15" MBP, and it has separate stereo input and output
jacks. I am able to input anything the K3 spits out with nothing more
than a regular stereo cable.

73,
James K2QI

On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 9:27 PM, Alan D. Wilcox
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> The MacBook Pro has a single 1/8" audio connection for both mic in and
> external-speaker output. Unfortunately, that disables the internal speakers,
> preventing their use for monitoring. Also, the single "special" plug needs a
> homebrew Y-cable to get the input and output on separate connectors.
>
> Before I over-complicate what should be a simple interface to the K2, does
> anyone have a success story with the MacBook Pro?
>
> Cheers, Alan
>
> Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
> 570-321-1516
> http://WilcoxEngineering.com
> https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28062
> Williamsport, PA 17701
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

--
73 de James K2QI
President UNARC/4U1UN
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