One thing to remember...if you connect your transmit audio directly to
your computer's sound card (either by direct connection or via one of
the commercial or homebrew interfaces) you will also transmit any sounds
that your computer is generating as well. The newer interfaces that
connect to your computer via USB have sound cards built into them and
thus don't send those errant sounds along as well to your transmitter.

Each one of the digital programs that you're likely to use, MixW,
Fldigi, etc. will have a little different audio level output to your rig
as well. If you don't want to have to readjust your drive levels each
time you change programs get ahold of the free PC utility "Quickmix"
(http://www.ptpart.co.uk/quickmix/) that allows you to set the drive
levels for each program and stores them in a file that you can load
easily before starting your digital program.

Good luck!

Dino KL0S

In article ,
Rob wrote:

Captain America wrote:
Is that about the size of it?

Yes that sounds correct.
Of course you could home-build the interface instead of buying a
commercial product. There are schematics available on the net.
It merely provides some isolation between the transceiver and computer
to avoid nasty groundloops and currents, usually implemented by a couple
of transformers and optocouplers.

Can I send and receive CW using the same process and equipment, with
the appropriate software?

Yes. You may want to check that your interface provides the CW KEY
signal in addition to PTT.