Physical PTT for Remote SmartSDR
I want to have a physical PTT switch and run my radio via SmartSDR remotely from the physical radio (actually just downstairs from radio location in a telecom rack in a closet).
Yes I know how to MOX and VOX and the wonderful space bar trick. I still want physical PTT.
Given the following:
* Flex Radio 6xxx
* SmartSDR 2.4.9
* Windows PC with USB and Audio in but NO Serial port
* Open to using other software to assist (like FRStack)
* Open to building interfacee
* Fine with configuring CAT
How would I do this:
Have a physical microphone (Could be be USB or traditional - don't have this yet) and a PTT button
Driving PTT via CAT is my presumption and use something like FRStack to translate to MOX for SmartSDR
I've seen other threads here like putting an Arduino Nano ($30) into a Footswitch and running a Serial to USB Cable ($10-20) but that seems overcomplicated and expensive and was a solve 4 years ago.
Could it now be just as simple as wiring a switch (shorting pins 8 & 9) to a DB9 and then into a Serial To USB Cable and enabling CAT with PTT and running FRStack?
Or is there something a bit more elegant that I'm missing?
Have ya done it? Help me out with your learnings please!