Digirig Lite and Mac issues

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Hi All,

Wondering if anyone else has encountered problems running a Digirig Lite with Mac OS? I’m using the QTH app (https://www.w8wjb.com/wp/qth/) for APRS and having some sort of major interference or other audio issue when everything is connected up, causing the Digirig Lite to be unusable on Mac.

Here’s the setup(s):
-Macbook Pro i5 + OS Ventura 13.6.9
-Mac Mini M2 + OS Venture 13.6.9
-Icom T10 and V86 Handhelds (w/squelch open, power save disabled)
-QTH app (GPIO for PTT selected, audio levels adjusted)
-Digirig Icom HT Cable

Both Macs recognize the Digirig Lite once plugged in, and I’m able to select it for input/output and fine-tune settings within the QTH app.

And the QTH app works fine when used with an SDRPlay receiver on these Macs, and RX plenty of local APRS traffic with good decodes. So I don’t think it’s a QTH app software problem itself.

The problem crops up once I connect an HT to the Digirig Lite. All of a sudden it’s like I’m getting a bunch of RFI or other audio interference, as the HT signal strength meter for RX starts climbing. The end result is I get no RX decodes, and while I can PTT via the QTH app and get tones out via the HT, the whole setup is basically unusable and reception is shot.

So I thought about there being a possible ground-loop problem, and tried running the Macbook on battery alone with both HTs. But… still same issues.

Wondering about the connectors, I tried using both the included USB-A and USB-C connections for the Digirig Lite on both Macs. Still same issues. Then I tried an USB-C → USB-A adapter on the Macbook. Still same issues.

Now here’s where it gets weird – I decided to try using an older iPad Pro, after remembering it has a USB-C connection. Plugged in the Digirig Lite… it was instantly recognized as an audio accessory, and connected up an HT. No interference or RFI issues, and signal strength meter was fine. Crossed my fingers and proceeded to download the APRS.fi iOS app. Using the APRS.fi (optional) built-in software TNC, I’m now getting great RX decodes and can PTT off the iPad.

All of that to say, it seems like there is an issue between Mac, Digirig Lite, and HTs. Just not sure exactly what, and I’ve pretty much reached the end of my troubleshooting ideas. Any help is appreciated, thanks!

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I’ve been struggling a bit with my Mac, too, but our configurations aren’t quite the same. For the moment I’m only trying to get receive working:

  • Mac mini M1, macOS Sonoma 14.6
  • Explorer QRZ-1
  • QTH, receive only
  • Digirig Baofeng/Kenwood cable

For some reason my attempts earlier this summer were completely fruitless. I did all of the usual steps - adjust audio levels, squelch open, and make sure that there was nothing inserted into the audio chain on the Mac (specifically the voice isolation feature). I think the voice isolation feature appeared in Sonoma.

Earlier this week I tried again and within a few minutes I had a bunch of successful decodes. I don’t know what’s different about this attempt. Here’s what I did:

  • Start QTH and make sure the Digirig is recognized
  • Set up the HT at a comfortable listening volume and wait to hear a packet
  • Plug in the Digirig cable
  • Check the level in QTH; it was showing about 60%, so I reduced the volume very slightly so the level showed about 35%

But, the levels never seemed to increase as you’ve described. I guess this is a “I think it should work for you” post.

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Thanks for the info!

Yeah, not quite sure what’s happening with my setup – I had also noticed a strong audio buzz/whine in the background when I plugged headphones into the Digirig Lite and it was plugged into any of the computers here or a tablet. (So who knows, maybe that was interfering with things, dunno…)

In the meantime I’ve been in contact with Denis, and my DR Lite & cable has taken a trip back to the “spa” in CO to be checked out and we’ll go from there. :+1:

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Wondering whatever happened with this. Things seem pretty reliable for me with both the v1.1 hardware and the recently-acquired v1.2 hardware, though PTT is a bit less finicky for me with the latter.

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Apologies for the late reply – been crazy busy here.

Denis received and checked over my DR Lite and the Icom HT interface cable, but they both were functioning properly. He thought maybe the computer was becoming a better counterpoise for the HT once everything was plugged in.

I’ve also noticed a lot more QRM around the area recently, especially on 2M, which I realize could be a big part of the issue if the DR cables are picking that up (though I did try adding extra ferrite beads). A couple of random ideas I’ve heard in the meantime were solar panels in the neighborhood or EV chargers. Kinda makes sense.

Denis kindly opted to let me return the DR Lite, so it’s back to the drawing board for now until I get a workable solution… deterred but not defeated. :grin:

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