I have been running WSJT-X program on RaspberryPi + IC-7610. All has been working well. But now suddenly, although I can receive WSPR/FT8 but cannot transmit. The IC-7610 does go into TX mode but there is no output. On the screen of the RaspberryPi it says,
"Error in Sound Output
Required output audio is not supported on device"

Any idea what is happening and is there a solution? My USB cable as well as power supply cable have lots of ferrite beads on either end of the cables.

Hiroki AH6CY

Sounds like RFI Problems due to noise on the USB cable


Tests
If problems are occurring only during transmit:
    #1 Reduce power to zero and see if the problem stops -- if it does stop than it is definitely RFI.  You will see certain higher power levels on certain bands that cause problems.
    
Then, if problems are occurring during non-transmit periods it indicates a system problem with USB devices so...
    #1 Check USB Power Management option is turned off on all USB devices
        Device Manager for Windows.
        For Linux set autosuspend=-1 https://docs.kernel.org/driver-api/usb/power-management.html


RFI Fixes:
    #1 Free - Move USB cables to another port -- some ports are more susceptible than others.
    #2 Free -- Check your grounding system.  rod-outside-the-shack is a common problem when it's not bonded to the main house ground. 
        Common grounding mistakes, sources, and solutions:
        A. Ground rod outside the shack that is not bonded to the main house ground.
        B. Shack equipment bonded incorrectly (e.g. daisy chained instead of common ground point)
        C. Desktop computer grounded to the house ground and not the shack ground.  Run a separate RF ground from the computer chassis to your station RF ground.
           For a laptop use the retaining screw of a DB9 or DB25 connector shell, if your device still has them.
        D. Ethernet cables that bring RFI into the computer...which then ends up going to the rig too since the ethernet shield is tied to the case which is tied to USB shield which is tied to pin 4 on the USB cable (a very common problem on most all USB devices -- see my QRZ page).
           Ethernet patch cables up through CAT6 are UTP, which stands for UNSHIELDED Twisted Pairs, four to be specific.  There is NO separate shield conductor in the jacket, nor a metallic shield around the RJ45 connector itself.
           Just use a ferrite toroid at each end.
        E. Wall warts -- 24VAC supplies in sprinkler and alarm systems are notorious for picking up RFI into your electrical system.
           24 VAC transformers can be RF-bypassed using .005 ufd caps from each output lead to safety ground. You can often use the cover plate mounting screw as your ground connection.
        F. Speaker wires The same approach as E also works for external speaker audio leads.
        G. Lamps (yes...lamps around the house have unshielded wires as do many other appliances).
        H. Washer/Dryers are notorious for generating and picking up RFI.  In general, newer high-efficiency models have more RF problems.  
           Ferrite toroids INSIDE the appliance housing can work wonders if the wiring harness has connectors in the AC line input, OR an external noise filter for the AC line cord of a washing machine can reduce RF spurs by 25 dB or more.
        I. HVAC systems with variable speed blower control systems both cause RF noise and react badly to RF fields -- we believe adding torroids inside the unit on the power lines will work.
        J. If you use a powered USB expansion hub, add a ferrite toroid on the cable coming from the USB power supply.
        K. SignaLink -- You can ground the metal box shell by simply wrapping an 18ga wire (or use a small crimped ring or spade terminal) under the head of any of the screws holding the rear panel, then connect to your station RF ground. 
           The case is isolated from both USB and analog audio signal grounds, so this does not affect use of the USB shield isolators.
        L. DC power supply -- both linear and switching -- READ THE PS MANUAL FIRST!  This step may void some manufacturers' warranty and UL/CSA approvals. 
           Remove any jumpers between the DC negative output lead and PS chassis or line cord ground  Add a .005 ufd cap from each DC output lead to chassis ground if not already there. 
           NOTE: Samlex DC outputs are already isolated and bypassed, but many others, including Astron, may randomly have the negative side grounded and no RF bypassing. 
        B through L may all need chokes.    
        http://www.k9yc.com/GroundingAndAudio.pdf 
    #3 Free -- start unplugging devices around the house and see if there's one device that is acting as a bad source of RFI.  This presupposes you can easily repeat the problem on your rig setup.
        
    #4 Cheap -- Add some USB shield isolators (see my QRZ page).  I use one on my SignaLink for example.
    #5 Minimal $$ -- Good USB cables like this
    https://www.amazon.ca/Tripp-U023-006-Device-Ferrite-Chokes/dp/B003MQ29B2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=11YRNPWDVWGCU&keywords=usb+cable+with+choke&qid=1658187349&sprefix=usb+cable+with+choke%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-5
    #6 Maybe free (if you have chokes...otherwise can get a bit costly) -- add chokes to USB cables first, then all other cables including power, ethernet, and control cables.
    Fair-Rite torroids are good quality -- do NOT buy cheap Chinese ones --  https://www.fair-rite.com/product/toroids-5943003801/  You can use clip-ons but torroids allow multiple wraps and give better results.
    https://www.fair-rite.com/product/round-cable-snap-its-431176451/
    I couldn't find type 31 torroids at Fair-Rite as of 20220721 but Palomar has some palomar-engineers.com/ferrite-products/ferrite-cores/ferrite-ring-toroid-combo-pack/
    Newark also carries them https://newark.com/c/passive-components/emc-rfi-suppression/ferrites-ferrite-assortments?brand=fair-rite
    RFI Problems


Mike W9MDB

On Fri, Jan 27, 2023 at 03:31 PM, Michael Black wrote:

Sounds like RFI Problems due to noise on the USB cable

[Snipped]

The original poster stated that his 7610 goes into Tx mode but that subsequently there is no RF output, so I would surmise it's unlikely that RFI is the cause of the problem because there's no RF to cause the I...

Although I don't know anything meaningful about how well or otherwise WSJT-X runs on a Raspberry Pi, with its Linux-based O/S, it seems to me that there's something in the way that the O/S recognises the 7610's USB audio codec (assuming that's what's being used) that's causing the issue - maybe the Linux drivers for the USB audio codec have been updated or something like that?

--
Martin G0HDB

On Fri, Jan 27, 2023 at 03:31 PM, Michael Black wrote:

Sounds like RFI Problems due to noise on the USB cable

[Snipped]

The original poster stated that his 7610 goes into Tx mode but that subsequently there is no RF output, so I would surmise it's unlikely that RFI is the cause of the problem because there's no RF to cause the I...

Hi Martin
What, if there just a start of transmission and already that disturbs the USB and perhaps computer and there is no more audio to reach rig?

73, Reino OH3mA

I am having this exact same problem with an IC-7300 on a Windows 10 computer. It receives and decodes fine but won't transmit. The tx activates on the tranciever, even shows output on the waterfall, buty power meter doesn't even flicker. Checked the RF output levels and it's set to 30%, I tried bumping that up to 80% and there was no change. I also verified the power meter on WSJTX is set high.

On Fri, Jan 27, 2023 at 09:01 PM, Reino Talarmo wrote:

Hi Martin
What, if there just a start of transmission and already that disturbs the USB
and perhaps computer and there is no more audio to reach rig?

Hi Reino, if there was a momentary spike of outgoing RF that was sufficient to upset the USB connection between the R-Pi and the rig then I would have expected the brief transmission to be noticeable on the 7610's display and meter but there was no mention of that in the original posting. Also, the OP mentioned that the DC power and USB cables connected to his rig are fitted with plenty of ferrites, which should ensure that the effects of local RF are at least minimised, if not eliminated, so I'm still not persuaded that it's an RFI problem...!

73
--
Martin G0HDB

Thanks Martin, we need more information.

What is actually happening? There was an error message "Error in Sound Output Required output audio is not supported on device". Was that an operating system message or from WSJT-X?

'Nikkwins@...' wrote that in Windows the same happens:
'The tx activates on the tranciever, even shows output on the waterfall, buty power meter doesn't even flicker.'

I don't understand how something can be seen on the waterfall during a transmission.

I am more or less lost, sri.

73, Reino OH3mA

Do you get power out in FM mode?  If not your finals are toast.

Mike W9MDB

Finals are great, the radio transmits fine on SSB, and probably all the
other modes. I believe this is a problem getting WSJT-X and the radio to
play nice together.

On Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 10:14 Michael Black via groups.io <mdblack98=
yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

Do you get power out in FM mode? If not your finals are toast.

Mike W9MDB








On Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 01:25:53 AM CST, <nikkwins@...>
wrote:





I am having this exact same problem with an IC-7300 on a Windows 10
computer. It receives and decodes fine but won't transmit. The tx activates
on the tranciever, even shows output on the waterfall, buty power meter
doesn't even flicker. Checked the RF output levels and it's set to 30%, I
tried bumping that up to 80% and there was no change. I also verified the
power meter on WSJTX is set high.

Hi Hiroki and Group,

I hesitate to comment because my operating conditions are somewhat different, but I will ....  just in case it helps.

I have occasionally had no FT-x mode output while transmitting with my IC-7610.  I am using a Win-10 PC interfaced with the 7610.  I observed that on rare occasions the mode on my IC-7610 unexpectedly would be changed from "*USB-D1*" (ICOM's Digital mode using rear panel USB input) to plain "*USB*," the SSB mode expecting modulation input from the mic. connector. Please note, this occurred after a PC cold start, powering up the rig, and then launching the software in proper sequence. There was no previous RF output, and I am happy to say that I do not have RF feedback issues.   It took me awhile to learn when a lack of output occurs, I need to check to see if the mode has changed.  (It's a subtle difference on the XCVR display when it is lacking the "*-D1*.")

I do not know if this clue might apply to a Raspberry Pi setup or if it is applicable to the IC-7300.  ??  I know this is the first place for me to look for the solution to NO modulation/NO output.

As is frequently said here, "your mileage may vary."

Best wishes for a solution and 73,

    Jerry    K7VIT

*PS*    More details:

MS-Win 10  (64 bit),   3.6 GHz PC w/ 32GB RAM
DXLab Suite including:
      DX Commander  15.5.1
      DX Keeper  16.9.8
      Spotcollector  9.2.9
WSJT-X    2.5.4.0

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Make sure you have USB selected and are using Data/Pkt mode in WSJTX.

Connectors/DATA MOD/USB

Mike W9MDB