Multiple questions

So, I am a total geek. I have many radios and also use windows and linux and android. I have come across several questions while troubleshooting all these with the DIgirig and Digirig lite.

  1. I have a Pixel 9 pro. I can get the Digirig to be recognized as an audio device, but not the digirig lite. Any idea how to get android stock to recognize the device? Woad wont do anything as it doesnt recognize anything hooked to the USB-C
  2. I have also played with the TH-F6A since it has flat audio out. I have it working great with Winlink/Vara FM on windows. When trying linux and the Digirig lite, the audio seems too faint to hear when I am listening on another radio, despite have volumes turned way up. Is there anything special about the way linux would recognize the DIgirig lite vs the Standard?
  3. As far as the F6A, I have 9600 baud selected and then on the output I have Speaker/Mic selected. On windows this seems to give really good data speed. When moving to linux, no such luck, any words of wisdom?
  4. After playing with all these modes with numerous radios, I am still puzzled by finding a single solution. If you want fast Vara data it seems to be windows and F6A. If you want packet or APRS, seems to be either a native APRS mode radio or requires being tethered to a laptop for Graywolf or something.
  5. I am struggling to find why to use a Digirig lite vs standard. when i get it to work, tuning the audio seems easier with the soundcard, but that it about it, am I missing something?

Mark:
Aloha,de Doug / KH6YBG. Ref #4, if you’re still looking for a single solution, and while I’m no expert, I settled on a Baofeng BF-F8HP connected to a GMKtec G2 (small form factor),Win11 via Digirig Mobile. (I’m assuming you bought the VARA license). All sits in my GoBox,with a 5V stepdown for the SFF PC (considering a Surface Pro or some tablet/mini tablet with Windows for better mobility/portability). All works great to my local gateway (5Km’s away), WH6CMO, from inside my townhouse.

Found out the hard way that the TIDRADIO TD-H3’s I own were screwing up all of my attempts. Thanks to the folks in and across this forum, I was able to stop thrashing around as I learned the TiDRADIO TD-H3’s mic is too sensitive. (Thought I was losing my mind). I would use a Baofeng BF-F8P, Digirig Mobile, and your choice of interface. I’m testing out WoAD using the Baofeng now.

73’s,

Doug

instead. 73’s.

Thanks for the reply.

I have a great small form factor Panasonic FZM1 with windows 11 running

I do have vara fm with license.

What kind of speeds are you getting with the baefeng

Is it capable of any flat audio are you limited to around level 4 or below in vara ?

I have been playing with a few more HTs as well.

I guess my main question is what other modes are people using and why. Are you using the digirig to also do aprs ?

What about other packet modes or soundcard modes do they have any utility and why ?

Mark KE4AXW

Mark:
Appreciate the info.

As far as the speed with the Baofeng—I just started using this radio,and I was more concerned about elapsed time than speed. A text test message in Winlink took 1 min from inside my townhouse to my gateway. I guess you can see I’m doing reverse engineering because I’m testing it out first and then taking note of what kind of speeds that I’m getting.

I’m not familiar with flat audio. Can you elaborate?

I’m not using any other app- I’m using Win link on Windows and I’m testing out the WoAD now.
I just got locked in on modes that I can use; for now, I’m just keeping it simple.

I’m sure there is the duty expert out there that could tell you chapter and verse, but again I think it boils down to what you want to do. No one else can tell you what your requirements are-- if it’s just for hobby and curiosity, there’s more than enough information on this forum to answer that.

In my city and county I do EMCOMM, so I need to be able I to connect reliably and quickly using the apps that I selected.

WoAD Note: Digirig SOP is that you need to use left side audio channel vice both or right, so I’m updating my settings to reflect.

What HTS are you experimenting with?
Doug

Flat audio is audio that can use the full bandwidth of the carrier.

Normally these handhelds output is still filtered through the discriminator so you are essentially cut in half of speed

Many mobile units allow flat audio output which can then be used to get much faster speed on vara

I have been trying yaesu vx6r and btech UV pro and also the kenwood thf6a

The f6a is the only handheld that can supposedly output flat audio from speaker mic port

Same theory around the UV pro although I am thinking it may not be

@Mark_Pratt With item “1.”, I have a Pixel 9a and have to use a USB hub to get the phone to recognize the DigiRig Lite. It ends up being phone->USB OTG adapter->hub->DigiRig lite. (I also have to do the same when using my truSDX “audio over USB”). It’s something to do with the Pixel’s hardware that it doesn’t “see” the DigiRig lite when plugged in directly to USBC.
This is the one I use that works - Amazon.com: 3 Ports USB Hub 3.0, FORIDA USB Splitter 1 in 3 Out for Laptops, Keyborad | Mini USB Hub, Multiport Portable USB 3.0 Splitter for Keyborad, U Disk, Camera, Mouse etc Laptop Accessories (Black) : Electronics

Thanks for this !

I am now wondering if it just easier to use the normal digirig mobile because it works with pixel.

Main benefit I am seeing using lite is less finicky audio volume level messing around.

The DigiRig lite ended up finding a “home” in my office since it works fine with a VHF radio / PC for doing WInlink. The standard DigiRig is my go-to for mobile / POTA activations with my Pixel phone (and the hub lives with my truSDX).

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