Sound Card Packet  with AGWPE

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Most recent AGWPE version is:  2013.415  15 Apr 2013

Introduction
Overview
Computer requirements
Packet Engine Pro

Configure AGWPE
Download and Install
Basic AGWPE Setup
2 Radio Setup
2 Card Setup

Sound Device Setup
Basic Device Settings
Rename Sound Device
Additional Settings
Using the Tuning Aid

Problems?
Program Behavior
Receiving
Transmitting
Connections
Firewalls

AGWPE Features
AGWPE on a Network
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Remote Control
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Compatible Programs:
Setup Help

Radio Interface
Getting Started
Kits and Pre-assembled
USB SignaLink
Receive Audio Cable
Transmit Audio Cable
PTT (TX Control) Cable
2 Radio Modification

About Packet
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Further Reading
 

Renaming a Sound Device (Sound Card)

This is a work-around required for Windows Vista and more recent Windows versions. It is needed when you want to use a sound device other than your default sound device. For example, this is a common issue for SignaLink USB interface users.

The Problem: In Windows XP and earlier versions of Windows, the recording and playback functions of a sound device were coupled. If you selected a specific sound device for a function, BOTH the recording and playback function of that device were used. You couldn't disassociate them. So when AGWPE was written, only one field was required to specify the sound card you wanted to use.

But in more recent versions of Windows, you must separately choose one device for recording and one for playback. Unfortunately, as of version 2013.415 AGWPE, has not been changed to reflect this requirement. The sound card device you choose in AGWPE will select Recording (Rx ) device, but Windows will use the default sound device (usually your speakers) for playback (Tx). There is no way in AGWPE to specify the correct device for playback (Tx).

The Solution: Rename the desired playback and recording devices in Windows so that they have the same name. Remember this workaround is for Vista and more recent versions of Windows only. The screen shots below are for Windows 8.1.

How to Do It: First make sure the external device is plugged into computer (it may also be necessary to reboot). Then you will need to get to the Windows' properties windows for both Recording and Playback devices. There are different ways to do this, but perhaps the easiest is to right click on the speaker icon in the lower rightsystem tray  Windows Speaker Icon  and select Playback devices. This should bring up a Sound properties window defaulted to the first/Playback tab:

Sound Properties Window ◄ Click on small image to download larger image

In this sample computer, Windows has identified 5 different Playback devices. The device the user wants to use for AGWPE is the one labeled  "Speakers: 2- USB Audio CODEC".  This is a USB SignaLink. The SignaLink identifies itself to Windows as "USB Audio CODEC".

To start the renaming process, the user clicks on/selects that device and then presses the Properties button. This brings up the Speakers Properties window. The user needs to create a new name for these speakers, so he selects "SignaLink". (If he wants, he can also use the "Change Icon" button to select  a new icon for this device to further differentiate the SignaLink from other speakers.)

◄Click on small image to download larger image

Then he clicks Apply and OK to save the properties changes. This returns him to the Sound window where he now clicks on the Recording tab. The renaming process is repeated here: he selects the "MIcrophone: 2- USB Audio CODEC" device i.e. the SignaLink, and then the Properties button. On the resulting Microphones Properties window, he changes the name to "SignaLink", being careful to spell it exactly as he spelled it for the Speaker properties. Again he clicks Apply and OK.

Now, with the SignaLink still plugged in, it's best to reboot the computer. Then, before starting AGWPE, go to the AGWPE folder and delete all the existing .ini files you find there (agwpe.ini, port0.ini, port1.ini, etc)

Now start AGWPE and begin the configuration process all over: after AGWPE is running, click on the AGWPE tower icon in the system tray. AGWPE Tower Icon  Then right click on Properties and on the resulting window, click on New Port.  Go through the same process described on the Basic AGWPE Program Setup page,  but when you come to the SoundCard Modem/TNC Setup  window, select the new option of SignaLink (2-USB Audio CODEC) -- or similar -- in the bottom SoundCard Selection field:

  ◄ Click on small image to download larger image

Then save all your choices and restart AGWPE. Now both TX and RX should now be handled correctly by AGWPE and Windows.

Warning: It is possible that Windows may forget the renamed sound device, especially if the external device is not plugged in when you first boot the computer. If this happens, you may need to repeat the renaming the process in Windows.  

Last Updated:
18Aug2015

 

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