Affordable Audio Recording. Avoiding the use of your Computer Sound Card!

Transcription

1 Affordable Audio Recording Avoiding the use of your Computer Sound Card!

2 Contesting s Requirement for Audio Recording As a result of extensive cheating by a participant in the CQ WW over at least a 7-year period, placing this cheater as the WW winner by class and location. CQ WW Committee now has an optional requirement for stations in the Top Five of a category need to have a 100% audio record of that contest available to the CQ WW Committee if requested by the committee. Since I have finished several years in a row in the Top five in my category, it behooves me to be prepared for a challenge as a routine to check the accuracy and honestly of the submission. There are a number of programs built around Windows software solutions and the Sound Card hardware in your computer. The problem is that if you haven t got the flashy, hottest computer with the latest software and no problems with big logs slowing that computer down you are quite fortunate and have a lot of money tied up in the computer. If you have a lesser computer, small memory capacity, smaller hard disk drive you could run into problems as the log fills up and the audio being saved on your HDD taking up a LOT of space. Here is a cost-effective solution, involving only connectivity to your radio, power, and a sound recorder. I recorded 15 hours of operation TX and RX and the files created by the recorder are now on my computer as MP3 files a total use of 1.5 gigabytes. Here is my layout, along with the costs I incurred:

3 1. Connectivity Unit Of several audio source/destination products this unit is one of three tested. The others had problems with RF and won t be mentioned here. Pyle-Pro PHA40 4-Channel Stereo Headphone Amplifier Power On LED Indicator - Stereo Headphone Output Level Controls Stereo Headphone 1/4'' TRS Output Jacks 12V/150mA DC Power Supply Included Dimensions: 4.07''W x 1.18''H x 2.24''D 1 Input port (1/4 inch stereo) 4 independent headphone outputs with individual loudness control for each port. Price: Under $17 on AmazonPrime with free delivery.

4 2. Wiring Arrangement Input RX Headphones Jack to PHA40 input (For K3 is ¼ to ¼ Shielded stereo cable) Heil ProSet has ¼ Plug direct to Port 1 Output of the PHA40. Input for the MP3 Recorder is a 3.5 mm to ¼ Shielded Stereo Cable to Port 2 output of the PHA40. Note: Cables were purchased as fully-tested units on Amazon Prime. For the MP3 to PHA40: Hosa Cable CMS103 1/8 inch TRS to 1/4 Inch TRS Adapter Cable - 3 Foot $4.12 shipped. For the K3 to PHA40: C&E CNE Feet 1/4-Inch Stereo Audio Patch Cable, 1/4 Male $4.99 shipped. User may build their own cables, however, be very careful to insure they are 100% shielded!

5 3. MP3 Recorder I use a SONY Digital Flash Voice Recorder (ICD-PX312) Mine is several years old. Even though this unit is an OLD design they are selling today for $200 (Used for less on Amazon or ebay). Built-in 2 GB flash memory Records in MP3 (320 kbps-8 kbps) Approximately 72 Hours of battery life (recording) (2 X AAA Batteries) Memory Card Expansion Slot (microsd/m2) (Add up to 32 GB) USB: USB 2.0 (Mini-B),System Requirements: Windows These features are essential towards making sure you have everything recorded! Here is a newer unit: Sony ICD-PX440 Stereo IC Digital Voice Recorder Built-in 4GB and Direct USB at a nicer price on Amazon, under $70.00: Built-in 4GB flash memory Up to 1,073 hours of maximum recording time Easy-to-use file transfer capability to PC/Mac Memory card expansion slot - Scene Select Intelligent Noise Cut for noise-free recordings Yes, the look like the SAME unit in most respects! Double the memory at 1/3 the price of the older unit. Both SONY units come with SOUND ORGANIZER software, that can also be downloaded from SONY website. I show a picture of that screen image comes free, and really works nice!

6 4. Sound Organizer Sound Organizer moves the files from the MP3 Recorder to a folder in your HDD. You can rename the files and make other changes. For example, you can playback using the Sound Organizer, and use the Edit Mode to either pick out pieces to make a new file for a single QSO to send to someone, or similar actions. Powerful tool, easy to use, works fine on Windows 7 Professional for certain.

7 Summary Our solution works. The only thing the operator has to do is to remember to push the record button. When you are ready to transfer the file, perhaps every 2-hours as I did during FD, you need to STOP the recording and then POWER off the unit. Then restart, and you will start a new recording as the screen will show you. I also stopped every 4-hours and plugged into another computer and backed the files up from the SONY recorder to the SOUND ORGANIZER software. With up to 72-hours recording time, you COULD leave it running at the start of the contest. Since 15-hours resulted in 1.5 GByte you could possibly get 24-hours on the 2 GB machine, and 48-hours on the newer 4 GB unit caution it would be best to add 16 or 32 GB microsd to the unit, and set the recorder up to go to that 16/32 GB card all of the time. That way you won t inadvertently lose any audio files in a 48 hour contest for any reason. The PHA40 lets you set your headphone level at one point, and the recorder input at another point and you have TWO spare amp/jack sections that you could have others plug into the position and listen to the action on that radio in an multi operator environment. Almost any MP3 solution (Required by CQWW Committee) for 48-hours is going to use up about 5 GB of HDD this is not something you are going to upload to the committee, you are going to have to burn it to a CD or to USB and MAIL it to them. If they are going to want uploads, they will have to provide a FTP site you can access to send the audio files. Conclusion: This is a safe and easy way to solve the audio recording issue without risking operating slowdown or crash with any of the logging programs. Cost should be under $100 unless you go for a more deluxe recording device. Using a device that isn t affected by RF or EMI fields requires that you test in your own station my configuration works at 100W and less for sure, I don t run any more power than that. If you use this with more power and have no issues, please drop me an at N1CC (AT) ARRL (DOT)NET.