I am sure this has been asked before but I can't seem to find much so here it goes.
Sometimes I like to use the Flex's computer for other duties (web search, YouTube).
I currently have my PC speakers plugged into the back on the Flex. How does one hear the audio coming from the computer (music/YouTube etc.)?
Do I need to have another set of speakers plugged into the back on the computer also?
FYI—I have trying plugging my headphones into the front of the speak jack on the PC and still can hear anything from the computer.
Regards,
Larry
n7zdr
Posted 10 months ago
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
Along those lines, any new recommendations for speakers? Everyone did like the Bose II Series II but unless you buy it used it has gotten ridiculously priced. The Bose II Series III apparently generates noise. So any new models these days that do well in an RFI environment and sound decent? Thanks & 73 Bob WK2Y
I use the Mackie CR4 Creative Reference Multimedia 4" Monitor from Amazon. There's a 3" and a 5" version also. I think the price range is pretty decent but the sound is wonderful if the speakers are placed properly.
So do I still leave the speakers hooked up to the Flex? Or do I need to install an additional set on the back on the PC?
Thank you
Thank you
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
You can have two sets if you want (one for PC, one for radio) but you can actually just have one set attached to the back of the PC and use LAN remote audio. This way the PC is generating the audio, not the flex.
Great--- Thank you, will try it later today.
a. Disconnect speakers from the Flex and plug them into the back of the PC
b. Activate the remote button if I want to hear the Flex audio
If the Flex is OFF, the pc audio should work as normal?Thanks,
I run a single set of speakers on my computer and use the remote button in SSDR. Sounds good here and lets a fairly costly set of speakers do double duty.
Where I run into problems is balancing out the volumes. Sometimes I'll get blasted out by a windows DING! because I turned up the speaker volume on the computer to hear the radio. It is kind of a balancing act and still I get DINGed! from time to time.
Speakers plugged into the computer will work normally for computer sounds/music even with the Flex off. The Flex is just another audio source and I guess the computer is just a simple audio mixer.
73,
Kev K4VD
Where I run into problems is balancing out the volumes. Sometimes I'll get blasted out by a windows DING! because I turned up the speaker volume on the computer to hear the radio. It is kind of a balancing act and still I get DINGed! from time to time.
Speakers plugged into the computer will work normally for computer sounds/music even with the Flex off. The Flex is just another audio source and I guess the computer is just a simple audio mixer.
73,
Kev K4VD
(Edited)
You should be able to dial down theI OS system notifications in the Windows mixer control panel
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
Larry, that is correct. For me that is the best way to maximize use of the speakers at the operating position, and as Kev pointed out you can have your speakers do double duty.
Or... purchase a small mixer that accepts stereo inputs and has stereo out. Route Flex output into one mixer input, route PC audio into another mixer input. Speakers come off the output.of the mixer.
If you spend a little more money you can have some equalization on each input as well as mute. This also makes it really easy to do things like pan the radio left, computers right etc.
I bought a really nice rack style mixer that I cannot remember the make / model of but I will post an update when I get a chance.
If you spend a little more money you can have some equalization on each input as well as mute. This also makes it really easy to do things like pan the radio left, computers right etc.
I bought a really nice rack style mixer that I cannot remember the make / model of but I will post an update when I get a chance.
(Edited)
This is the official "alpha-geek" method! Nicely done.
What I do is have 2 sets. I have a better set connected to the Flex, for me I can hear better on them than the less expensive computer speakers.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041QBAIA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These is the link where I purchased my second set (I have 2 Flex 6300's one for my cabin). The are also beautiful wood case. I think I paid 34$ for them.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041QBAIA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These is the link where I purchased my second set (I have 2 Flex 6300's one for my cabin). The are also beautiful wood case. I think I paid 34$ for them.
Nice, like the two inputs and headphone jack.
LikeRia said, connect speakers to PC, click 'remote' and have Flex route audio to PC.
I bought, but haven't tried the ComSPKR from west mountain radio, they are amplified and purport to be RFI-shielded. About $40 at HRO.
http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pi...
I bought, but haven't tried the ComSPKR from west mountain radio, they are amplified and purport to be RFI-shielded. About $40 at HRO.
http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pi...
(Edited)
I have the ComSPKR and it works very well. The cost is $38 from R&L Electronics.
I have used a set of these3 for 3 yrs. or so on my Elecraft K3's and found them to be as good as external speakers from Yaesu and Icom of better than the $300+ sets for them.
I use the Bose speakers that have dual input jacks, One for the flex and one for the PC. I also use audio isolation transformers to eliminate ground loops.
Exactly what I did including the isolation transformer, works great.
I plugged in to the front speaker connection on the PC.
I also took a small project box and used a mobile mike holder and DPDT switch.
When I pick up the FHM-1 it is active. Whan it's hung-up the Heil-pro-7 is active
When I pick up the FHM-1 it is active. Whan it's hung-up the Heil-pro-7 is active
What does the isolation transformer help with AC hum, RFI, all the above?
Ground loops between the speakers and the flex cause issues. A good ground isolator off amazon works fine
(PAC SNI-1/3.5 3.5-mm Ground Loop Noise Isolator Works with iPod/Zune/iRiver and Others)
(PAC SNI-1/3.5 3.5-mm Ground Loop Noise Isolator Works with iPod/Zune/iRiver and Others)
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
My PC does not need to be on :-)
to each his own
to each his own
If you radio is less than 7 years old--A PC will be running;)
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
My PC is always on!
When the pc is off, it doesn't need speakers at all. when I'm working digital I often turn off the PC speakers, But I still use the PC to run the digital mode software. With or without speakers My PC has been running continuously since I assembled it. I figure why not use it for something besides providing fan noise in the shack. 
When I use my Maestro I don't really "need" the PC at all. But the PC stays on doing other things. The radio's usually only on, when I'm in the shack, but I realize many other operators leave the radio on 24/7, and only turn the PC on when they are in the shack. Different stroke for different folks, I suppose.
When I use my Maestro I don't really "need" the PC at all. But the PC stays on doing other things. The radio's usually only on, when I'm in the shack, but I realize many other operators leave the radio on 24/7, and only turn the PC on when they are in the shack. Different stroke for different folks, I suppose.
73, Jay - NO5J
Amazon still has the Bose Companion II for $99
https://www.amazon.com/Bose-Companion-III-Multimedia-Speakers/dp/B00CD1PTF0/ref=pd_sim_147_4?_encodi...
https://www.amazon.com/Bose-Companion-III-Multimedia-Speakers/dp/B00CD1PTF0/ref=pd_sim_147_4?_encodi...
Those are Series III, I thought they gave off RFI/noise?
Or if you're in a hurry you could run over to Target. also $99
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
Some have experienced it....like a rogue carrier wobbling and drifting across the band. But not like a comprehensive hash/trash all over the place.
Mine haven't been troublesome. And they sound good!
Are there better out there? Probably. But I have these, and the Lepai/Dayton combo. But the Dayton's would need me to break out my mixer.
Mine haven't been troublesome. And they sound good!
Are there better out there? Probably. But I have these, and the Lepai/Dayton combo. But the Dayton's would need me to break out my mixer.
