My experience of EasyPal with HamSphere on the Internet (Windows 7 or Vista)

Transcription

1 My experience of EasyPal with HamSphere on the Internet (Windows 7 or Vista) By Shu JO3KLS The EasyPal is common knowledge for the ham radio operator. Almost two (2) years ago, I met the HamSphere version 1.0 which is one of virtual transceiver on the internet and could use EasyPal for a while. I regret to say that we could not use the EasyPal with HamSphere since version 1.0 has changed to version 2.0. Now, EasyPal does work again with HamSphere version 3.0. Here in after, I would like to explain my experience about EasyPal with HamSphere. Generally, we need some interface between transceiver and PC when we use EasyPal on the real radio. (See Fig.1) Running only EasyPal at PC Interface Transceiver But we do not need any extra interface between HamSphere and EasyPal when we use them on the internet. (See Fig.2) Fig.1 For the real radio Fig.2 For the internet 1

2 This is the point that you just run HamSphere and EasyPal at the same time on your PC. Then, the sound card on your PC is a common resource of HamSphere and EasyPal. This is meaning that the sound card manage both of voice and pixels signals. We use Stereo Mix of sound controller for the both of voice and picture signal treatment. 1When you talk to someone with HamSphere, your voice signal from Microphone is going to HamSphere through the Stereo Mix of sound controller 2When you send the picture with HamSphere, a picture signal of EasyPal is going to HamSphere through the Stereo Mix of sound controller as well How to use sound controller(soundcard) We need signal level adjustment for both of the HamSphere and EasyPal. That is why we have to know about sound controller of the soundcard. You are able to show the sound controller with following way. A) Use Easypal function to show the sound controller 1 Select a Setup then click a RX Volume. at EasyPal configuration window as Fig.3. Fig.3 2 Generaly, one of following sound controls window as Fig.4 or Fig5 will appear. 2

3 At this time, we have Microphone icon but StreoMix icon in the recording tag window as Fig.5. For receiving and sending voice and the picture, we need the StreoMix icon. Speaker Fig.4 Show the Playback tag Microphone Fig.5 Show the Recording tag 3 At Recording tag window, right click on Microphone icon for the new window as Fig.6. 3

4 An item of Enable or Disable An item of Show Disabled Devices Close screen with click OK Fig.6 4 Click on Show Disabled Devices and close window with click OK. 5 Reopen the sound controls window 6 Then Stero Mix icon will appear at Recording tag as Fig Right click on the Microphone icon and select Disable for the Microphone off and Stereo Mix on. (The microphon at this portion sould be disabled all the time.) 8 Now, you have check mark at the Stero Mix icon as Fig.7. (This is meaning that Stero Mix is on.) 4

5 Microphone Stereo Mix Fig.7 Show the Recording tag IMPORTANT 1 At the Playback tag as Fig4, double click on the speaker icon 2 Somthing new window as Fig.8 will appear. 3 Select Levels tag at this new window to open Speaker Propertties as Fig.9. 4 At Levels tag window of Speaker Propertties, the microphone is not sure to mute as Fig.9. (If you mute the micorphone then a red circle will appear on the speaker icon. ) You better leave this Levels tag during your QSO If it is muted this micorphone then you will not make QSO with both of voice and the picture.. 5

6 Fig.8 Speaker Properties Microphone Fig.9 Levels Tag 6

7 B) Another way to show the sound controller 1 Right click on the speaker icon at right bottom corner on your PC window. Recording Device (R) Volume Control Option (V) 2 Select the recording device as Fig.10. Fig.10 3 Then the recording tag as Fig.5 will appear. 4 Follow the items 3~8 of the paragraph A). Sound card Adjustment for the EasyPal Out put signal level control of EasyPal is important for the HamSphere operation. 1 Click on the speaker icon at right bottom corner on your PC window, then the new small window as Mixer (Fig.11.) will appear. 2 Click Mixer at there, then new window of Volume mixer and speaker window will appear as Fig.12 If HamSphere is running, the function key F9 on keyboard can be used to open Volume mixer and speaker window as well.(refer to the HamSphere manual) 3 When EasyPal and HamSphere are running, you are able to see the each icon at there 7

8 Mixer(X) Fig.11 4 Adjust the level of horizontal Realtek HD Audio output lever (Fig.9) at proper value. This adjustment is effective for the both signal of sending and receiving so that you better to keep this proper value all the time. 5 Then adjust the vertical lever below the EasyPal icon(fig12) at proper value. This adjustment is effective for the signal level of HamSphere transmition. 8

9 Fig.12 6 Show the Stereo Mix properties with right click on Stereo mix icon at Recording tag of sound controller as Fig Select Levels tag at the Stereo Mix properties, then adjust level with horizontal Stereo Mix lever as Fig.14. (There seems to be concerned with voice and picture signal level so that you better to keep this adjustment level all the time as well.) Stereo Mix An item of Property Fig.13 9

10 Stereo Mix Fig.14 Soundcard Adjustment for the HamSphere The HamSphere itself provides speaker volume and microphone level controller but it is very important that the soundcard adjustment for the HamSphere. Speaker Volume adjustment 1 Adjust the speaker volume with vertical lever below the HamSphere icon. (See Fig12) 2 It works for only receiving signal levels adjustment. Microphone Gain adjustment 1 For the microphone gain adjustment, show the Recording tag of Sound Card Controller as Fig For the microphone enable temporally, right click on microphone icon. 3 Then something small window will appear as Fig.15 4 Select an item of Enable 5 Right click on microphone icon again. 6 Then same window as paragraph 3 will appear again. 7 Select an item of Property. 8 Then Microphone property window will appear. 9 Position the Microphone horizontal lever properly. 10 Dissolve a shortage of gain with horizontal Microphone Boost lever.(fig.16) 10

11 IMPORTANT 11 Disable microphone with right click on microphone icon. You will have small window as Fig.6, then you select item of DISABLE. An item of Property Fig.15 Microphone Microphone Boost Fig.16 11

12 12 The Stereo Misx icon should be selected ENABLE all the time. 13 The Realtek HD Audio output lever is linked with Speaker lever. See the following figure. 14 Microphone Speaker Same as Fig.9 Same as Fig.12 12

13 HamSphere setting First, you should install JAVA which you are able to download from following URL. Then, down load the software from following HamSphere website. 1 Extract the file with click on icon (Fig.17 which you have downloaded. Fig.17 2 Then decompression will start. a) The following set up windows (from Fig.18 to Fig.24) will appear in order. b) Follow those windows carefully. c) On the way, the HamSphere icon as Fig.25 will create. d) Finally, HamSphere will start to run as Fig.27 Fig.18 13

14 Fig.19 Fig.20 Check mark on Create a desktop icon 14

15 Fig.21 Fig.21 15

16 Fig.23 Fig.24 Check mark on Launch HamSphere 16

17 Fig.25 Fig.26 Input your call-sign & password then click Login Fig.27 HamSphere configuration 1 Click on SETTINGS button to open Audio setting window at HamSphere.(Fig.27) 2 Mixer cmd should be sndvol for the Windows 7 or Vista as Fig.28. ( sndvol32 is for the Windows XP) 3 The other items are the default except Mic Boost (Should be ON). 4 Then, do not forget to click on Apply button before click on 17

18 CLOSE button.( Fig.28) If you forget to click on Apply button function key F9 on keyboard dose not function. Fig.28 18

19 EasyPal setting First, down load the EasyPal Setup file from or 1 Extract the file with click on icon (Fig.29) which you have downloaded. Fig.29 2 Then decompression will start. a) The following set up windows (from Fig.30 to Fig.37)will appear in order. b) Follow those windows carefully. c) Finally, EasyPal will start to run as Fig.38. Fig.30 19

20 Fig.31 Accept the agreement Fig.32 20

21 Fig.33 Fig.34 Check mark on create a desktop icon 21

22 Fig.35 Fig.36 22

23 Fig.37 Check mark on Lunch EasyPal Fig.38 Click OK 23

24 Fig.39 Click OK Fig.40 24

25 EasyPal configuration 1 Select Setup at EasyPal window, then configuration window will appear as Fig.41. Fig.41 2 Select Setup c/s-soundcard-ptt then new small window will appear. (See Fig.42) Fig.42 25

26 3 Select Callsign then new small call sing input window will appear as Fig.43, then input your call sign. Fig.43 4 Click on OK button in its small window after you input your call sign. 5 For assign soundcard, select Setup c/s-soundcard-ptt first, then Soundcard as Fig.44. Fig.44 26

27 6 Then new Soundcard window as Fig.45 will appear, select proper soundcard and assign. Fig.45 Assign your soudcard 7 The Fig.46 shows the example for ready to receive the picture. Fig.46 27

28 1. QSO preparation Both of EasyPal and HamSphere should already be running. The Fig.47 shows my way to send the picture at Mhz It is very important that you should keep S-meter needle deflection within a green zone as Fig.48. Fig Voice QSO Transmit and receive 1 Put microphone plug into the sound cared jack. 2 Confirm, a green lamp of the PTT button is on 3 Push the PTT button.(another red lamp of the PTT button is on) 4 When stand by, push PTT button again.(green lamp left and red lamp go) Fig Picture QSO 28

29 Transmit and receive 1 Load the picture to EasyPal. 2 Confirm, a green lamp on the CODOFF button is on. 3 Mute the Microphone with your way. (Under certain circumstances, it may not necessary to do so.) 4 Push the PTT button on the HamSphere and then Push the TRANSMIT button on the EasyPal. Wrap up my experience When we make picture QSO, there are some difference between OS and its running order of HamSphere and EasyPal. The one of following OS combination enables us to do two way QSO with picture.. 1. Both sides OS are Windows Vista or Windows One side OS is Windows Vista (or Windows 7) and the other side OS is Windows 7 (or Windows Vista). 3. Under OS Windows XP at both sides, one side run EasyPal first then HamSphere and the other side run HamSphere first then EasyPal. 4. One side OS is Windows XP which is used Soundblaster USB soundcard, X-Fi Go! Pro, and the other side OS is Windows 7 or Vista. (I don t know why but I knew this way by the haphazard of chance.) The following OS combinations are impossible to make QSO with picture. 1. Under OS Windows XP, both sides run EasyPal first then HamSphere. 2. Under OS Windows XP, both sides run HamSphere first then EasyPal. 3. On side OS is Windows Vista or Windows 7 and the other side OS is Windows XP. An exception You are able to send the picture from the Windows 7 or Vista to Windows XP but vice versa. For the picture QSO, Same server should be used each other. (If your partner use Texas server then you better to use Texas server as well.) Needless to say, you should consult with instruction manual of the EasyPal,HamSphere and your computer with the details. 29 As of