Ham Radio: SignalLink USB Setup and Demo with a Kenwood TS-440

Ham Radio: Let's take a look at how to set up a Tigertronics SignalLink USB that I picked up at a Hamfest with an old radio like a Kenwood TS-440 and see if we can use WSJTX to run FT8, FLDIGI to try PSK-31, and even MMSSTV to look at slow scan images.
► DISCLAIMER
I'm not an expert. This video is provided for reference or entertainment purposes only. Follow all instructions that come with your equipment and work safely.
▼Helpful links:
►SignalLink USB: www.tigertronics.com/slusbmai...
►WSJTX: wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html
►FLDIGI: sourceforge.net/projects/fldigi/
►MMSSTV: hamsoft.ca/pages/mmsstv.php
**I haven't tested the cable linked below but have been told it will work
►CAT Control Cable:amzn.to/3fZErRf
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#hamradio #digital #signalink

[@johnkiljan7441]

Thanks. I found this helpful. I have some older Yaesu radios with tube finals that I'd like to try to get on digital modes again -- something I stopped doing many years ago when RTTY faded. I especially liked where you bypassed all that rig control complexity I've seen on other videos.

[@ryanhorn4190]

Thank you, just purchased a mint ts-440s. Very informative video!!

[@dot-matrix]

Great video. FLDIGI also has a tune button in the upper right corner.

[@k2cjbradio]

Definitely getting some use out of that old Kenwood that you brought back to life!

[@SevenFortyOne]

I love that old Kenwood - its a joy to use.

[@theeasywayoutcampers6550]

Great video. I love tech stuff to be simple, clear, and precise.

[@Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee]

I’m glad you chose to do this , very interesting although I got brain freeze trying to soak it all in . I’d have to do it hands on to grasp it and on a transmitting antenna for it to soak in , but again , very interesting mode of transmission

[@maninthevan53]

lol thought i was the only one

[@joetrentmann--N0JVW--4REF1]

Thanks for the video! This was very helpful, and I appreciate the time you spent making it.

[@SevenFortyOne]

Thanks! Glad you found this useful

[@buckeye5704]

Thanks Rob!! You answered most of my questions in one swell foop. 73 de your 440 friend in Maine.

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Thank you for this! I have recently become interested in SSTV and was looking for a way to get my old FT-950 up and running. I had already gotten mmsstv but hadn’t figured out how to get the rig to work yet. This should get me going! 73!!

[@douglaswilliams6834]

Great device. For some reason, my computer stopped recognizing my TS-890 when I connected them via a USB cable. I believe the problem is with the TS-890. Rather than send it in for repair, spending hundreds of dollars and having it gone for a month, I ordered a SignalLink, and I'm back on the digital modes again. I lost CAT control, but that doesn't really matter to me as the TS-890 is within arms reach when I'm operating digital. 73 de WB4DW

[@georgepizzo]

Nice video, Robert! Very informative.

[@Riverfurm]

Thanks for all the information I needed to know on how to set up the Tigertronics Signal Link. I am going to try to operate as a marine mobile.

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Thanks for this. I'm a new ham trying to teach myself the ropes in a foreign country with no help from the natives whatsoever. Got an even older Kenwood TS-830S with no digital input at all so your not hooking up the rig support stuff was useful for me. Digital modes via VOX may be the only way I can get on the air until I'm ready to go live with a mic.

[@gregsmith1116]

Thanks 741! I will get the SignalLink a try. I have one someone gave me when they moved. So I will give it a try. THX! you gave me the boost!

[@SevenFortyOne]

They seem to work pretty good.. you'll enjoy yours I'm sure

[@youtube.youtube.01]

You have a older version of the Signal Link. The two little red transformers have been replaced in newer versions with black chips that enable higher speeds and more sensitivity during weaker signals.

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

Great demo I love to get into ft8👍

[@Siskiyous6]

Cryptic - awe yes, I am finding WSJTX very cryptic. Good video!

[@SevenFortyOne]

It has a bit or a learning curve but once you get through it its pretty interesting.

[@1958johndeere620]

It took me a while to figure mine out, and now I have not used it for so long I will have to learn it all again. Maybe I will take a nap instead.

[@furball5553]

Holy cow wonderful video but the rapid hand movement will give you a epileptic seizure wow 😊

[@Ace411275]

i have this same setup for my Kenwood TS-850S except i have the original Kenwood CAT control box that i found on E-Bay.. It works grate for older computers that have the 9 pin serial port and it wasn't to much work to get CAT control to work on my 10 year old desktop... 73''s DE KK4MMM...

[@thelongislandguy]

That was very helpful. Thanks.

[@Davidjb37721]

Thanks for your time

[@josevelez7045]

Really helpful video, thank you!

[@SevenFortyOne]

Glad you liked this

[@TheNoCodeTech]

Very cool. Thanks

[@temporarilyoffline]

This is great Rob! Looks like you got a new camera? I also saw that 14.0741 ;-)

[@SevenFortyOne]

Thanks TO! Same camera, better lighting....oh, nice catch I wad waiting for someone to tell me I wad turned to the wrong frequency 😃

[@michaelm6091]

Great video, thank you. You mentioned a cable to be able to use rig control with your kenwood. Perhaps I overlooked it here, but did you provide the needed cable? Could you please provide the link for the cable? Thank you again.

[@jacobbullin4551]

THANK YOUUUUUU!

[@1958johndeere620]

I like PSK and SSTV better then FT8, but sometimes there is no traffic except FT8. I have let my radio receive all day on SSTV before and then just looked at them later.

[@SevenFortyOne]

A nap sounds like a good idea

[@constanzaaranda31]

Hola estimado donde puede conseguir el interface para el TS440 S soy de chile y me gustaria donde lo puede compra muchas gracias .

[@aurelioherrera1929]

Al conectar ts440s en FT8 no me da potencia de salida, puedes decirme cuál es el problema,

[@r.spencerfink1374]

Hey great video. I have a TS 440s and am trying to get hooked up to some logging software. It looks like the signal link is the way to go. You metioned that you were ordering a Cat cable and would post a link to it. Either i'm missing it or its not here. My 440s has a 13 pin cable plug for data too on the other side, would it matter if i used the 13 pin or the 6pin that you usedbecause signal link uses both. Thanks again for the great videos ,keep it up.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I haven't ordered it yet. Do a search for ts-440 cat cable and you should find it

[@r.spencerfink1374]

@@SevenFortyOne found it thanks you will also need a chip set IC-10. thanks 73

[@zvbxrpl]

Does this setup work the same on a Kenwood TS-950S?

[@throwaway-ds6yg]

Does that ALC control effectively lower the RF power for the rig? I know it's not great to throw 100 watts of digi modes into those MFJ tuners. What kind of power levels were you transmitting here in the video?

[@SevenFortyOne]

It will lower it some...there isn't a power level control on the Kenwood

[@aurelioherrera1929]

Mi ts440s no da potencia de salida en ft8, cual es el problema,,,

[@mikedevita5558]

Where would you plug in CAT control cable?

[@pemyb1289]

any solution with the Kenwood TS-790E ?

[@user-il2yg6md9s]

... great video, thanks ... I have a problem ... the manual for my 746 shows another pinout: PIN 5 is AF OUT ... I don't think there is a difference between the US and European versions. Please could you confirm for me 4 DATA OUT 2 IN DATE 5 PTT 6 GND?

[@user-il2yg6md9s]

sorry I'm wrong ..73

[@unixbehr]

You Have to have the IC10 chips for rig control

[@brianhall137]

Yes

[@buzzsah]

was that cb antenna the alpha or sigma 5/8?

[@SevenFortyOne]

Maco v58 .. modern version of the sigma 5/8

[@vk6kfk]

I have the very same setup and done the same as what you have, but I can not get it to transmit at all, my channel has a short video on what I've done, do you use the audio cable as well ? care to create another video on setting up please..cheers and 73's, P.S the only other thing I haven't tried yet is the jump settings, I used a module called SLMOD13K instead but I am going to set the jumps by hand and give that ago.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I'm out of town now but will be home later and will check my setup.i watched your video quickly and everything looked right to me so I'm not sure why it's not working. Are you sure you have the right jumper module? Is it installed correctly? If I think of anything I'll let you know

[@SevenFortyOne]

Hang on ...in 5he software I'm not sure you want to be set to vox .. I don't remember what the right setting is though. As I said, I'll be home later today and will try to remember to look

[@vk6kfk]

@@SevenFortyOne I'm back at it again, WJST-X is reciving OK, but I get the Rig Control error window, here my video on it, kzbin.info/www/bejne/p57Mn2ucg9SSl5Y

[@Radiowild]

There's a ham in the club who says FT8 is the bees knees. I'm thinking it's like getting on the highway then pressing the "auto pilot" button in a Tesla. Too bad about your antenna. Hopefully you can get 40 and 80 up before it gets too cold.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I feel it's interesting to get it working but actually using it for more than 15 minutes is a bit like watching paint dry.

[@Siskiyous6]

@@SevenFortyOne I am choosing it as my first digital mode to learn, mainly because there are others using it. It is like waving at pretty girls, one after the other. Learning how to set the software up is the main challenge, and it reminds me of computing back when Basic was in ROM on my IBM PC.

[@SevenFortyOne]

@@Siskiyous6 The FT8-off guys have done a great job in making something that is arguably boring interesting by adding a (friendly) competitive element to it. Its a very useful mode and worth learning for many reasons.

[@tomcottingim9742]

Did you get the cat cable, and did it work. I bought one that does not work.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I never did but someone else in the comments posted about this

[@jimbruce7325]

You will need to get the chip set for inside the radio also.

[@aurelioherrera1929]

Cómo me comunico con Ud??

[@00Widget]

Will this work the same with a ts140s?

[@SevenFortyOne]

I'm not sure but I would think it should be pretty similar

[@00Widget]

@@SevenFortyOne I know it will need an IF-10c which i have found for $100 , I think I need a newer radio.. lol

[@Swoop180]

If I ever find another TS-440SAT in outstanding condition I will buy it and never sell it!

[@SevenFortyOne]

Good idea!

[@Swoop180]

@@SevenFortyOne Yep, I kick my ass everyday over that decision.

[@gregrush6570]

I picked up one in May at the Dayton Hamfest. The guy was set up infield with two of them sitting on a pickup truck tailgate without prices. I negotiated a $300 price for choice of one. I selected a unit that was pristine and had no obvious molested case or screws indicating no morons had torn it apart. It turned out to be a good gamble. It included an installed CW filter as a bonus! My first HF voice contact was on this radio. I also own an Icom 705 that I have been using for FT8 and had no real clue that I could try my old Kenwood for digital. I'm gonna have to look around for one of these Signal Links!

[@aurelioherrera1929]

Hola

[@aurelioherrera1929]

Cómo me comunico con Ud. Vía email ….

[@loyalvangeter6373]

Link for CAT control cable of the TS-440s? Thanks!

[@SevenFortyOne]

amzn.to/3fZErRf

[@loyalvangeter6373]

@@SevenFortyOne Thanks! The "old school" cable as well, please?! thanks!

[@SevenFortyOne]

I don't know what you mean by that ..

[@loyalvangeter6373]

@@SevenFortyOne The ORIGINAL connection system cable not involving USB.

[@SevenFortyOne]

Still not sure what you mean...all I know is what's shown in this video and in the description. You'll have to do some googling to see if you can find what you are looking for. There might be more info in the comments here too that will help