Re: [wsjt-devel] [wsjtgroup] OS X Audio Device Issues

[Robert N. <n7...@no...>]

Use two different Macs with WSJT-X. A MacBook Air the I operate portable, and a MacMini in my shack.  I also previously used an iMac. 

Interestingly, I have never had any of these USB issues when using the USB ports on the Macs.

My rigs are Elecraft K3 and KX3.


Bob Nobis 
n7...@no...


> On Sep 22, 2017, at 01:02, ast...@vi... [wsjtgroup] <wsj...@ya...> wrote:
> 
> 
> The problem is with USB Audio devices and MacOS, not WSJTX.
> Basically recent versions of MacOS do not reliably support USB Audio devices any more, this has been noticed elsewhere.
> 
> You may have more luck if you buy a Thunderbolt to USB adapter, instead of plugging your Icom straight into the Mac's USB port (again, this has been reported elsewhere).
> 
> In general, I don't think any external USB soundcards work reliably with Macs any more, you would be better off with an external Thunderbolt soundcard.
> 
> Oliver
> M0LVR
> From: Larry Gadallah lga...@gm... <mailto:lga...@gm...> [wsjtgroup]
> Sent: Friday, 22 September 2017 00:52
> To: wsj...@li... <mailto:wsj...@li...>; wsj...@ya... <mailto:wsj...@ya...>
> Reply To: Larry Gadallah
> Subject: [wsjtgroup] OS X Audio Device Issues
> 
>  
> Hi all:
> 
> I have found a few more interesting problems with the Mac version of
> WSJT-X 1.80-rc2 r8069:
> 
> I am running a Mac laptop with OS X 10.12.6, and I installed the
> SiLabs USB serial port drivers. I am using an Icom IC-7300 via the USB
> cable, and after considerable tinkering, I think I have it to the
> point where the various levels are close to correct.
> 
> Now as long as the computer and the screen don't go to sleep, WSPR
> decoding works fine. However, when I go to setup transmitting, things
> get odd: First of all, if I hit the Tune button, the transmitter will
> key, but there won't be any audio.
> 
> If I go into Preferences -> Audio and set the Output Device to
> Built-in Output and then set it back to USB Audio Codec, then the
> transmitter will key and there will be audio at the radio's input.
> Now, once that is done, if I click on the Enable Tx button and then
> the Tx Next button, I will get a frame sent out during the next
> period.
> 
> If I wait for another period or two, and press the Tx Next button, the
> transmitter will be keyed, but there won't be any audio again. I have
> to go back to preferences and "flip" the output device back to USB
> Audio Codec to get it to provide transmit audio again.
> 
> Everything seems very flaky on the transmit audio side. Has anyone
> been able to get this kind of setup running reliably?
> 
> A friend of mine, also using MacOS Sierra Version 10.12.6 and WSJT-X
> v1.8.0-rc2 r8069 but with an Icom IC-7410 reports the following:
> 
> "I too experience the same problems with WSJT-X. I am hooking my Mac
> to my Icom 7410 with just a USB cable. The transmit audio is good for
> about 3 key-ups then it just goes to the computer speaker and NOT
> through the USB cable to the radio. I have no problem with either
> receive or transmit when running fldigi."
> 
> "I’ve done some further troubleshooting and here’s what I have found.
> The problem does not appear to be related to Icom radios. It appears
> to be related to USB sound cards and the Mac version WSJT-X. To prove
> this I got out my SignaLink USB and connected it to the accessory jack
> on the back of my IC 7410. In WSJT-X configuration I selected NONE for
> radio and I selected VOX for PTT. I manually set the radio to the 20
> meter frequency for FT8. I set the 7410 up so that data audio went in
> and out of the accessory jack for data. FT8 signals were received fine
> and an audio signal from the Mac/WSJT-X program was sent back through
> the USB cable to the radio and would key the transmitter with VOX for
> 3 or 4 times and then revert to the problem sending outbound
> (transmitter bound) audio to the iMac’s speaker (built-in output) when
> it was supposed to have sent it via USB to the SignaLink USB which
> would key the transmitter. I conclude the problem has to be in the
> software and not related to Icom or any other radios. The thing that
> I have not yet tried but I don’t see why it would work any better is
> to connect the radio or SignaLink USB to the Mac via a powered USB
> hub."
> 
> "I happened to have a powered USB hub from another project so I tried
> it. The results are the same. The audio changes path after keying the
> transmitter 3 or 4 times. It’s what I figured would be the result of
> the experiment but I figured that I had to just give it a try anyway."
> 
> Are there any references about how to build a "debug version" of
> WSJT-X to help figure out what's going on in cases like this?
> 
> Thanks es 73,
> -- 
> Larry Gadallah, VE6VQ/W7 lgadallah AT gmail DOT com
> PGP Sig: B5F9 C4A8 8517 82AC 16B6 02B6 0645 69F0 1F29 A512
> 
> 
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