Sony VAIO laptop 'soundmodem' troubles

Sony VAIO laptop 'soundmodem' troubles

[John Mock]

I'm trying to get 9.6kb packet running either on a PowerMac 8500 (with
G3 upgrade) or Sony VAIO R505EL (P-III), preferably both.  I'm stuck on
either at the moment.  Here's the Sony problem.

On the VAIO machine, 'multimon' decodes APRS packets at 1.2kb AFSK from
either of my HT's directly connected to the 'Mic' input. 'soundmodemconfig' 
shows similar waveforms to 'multimon' but gets gibberish for APRS packets
in 'soundcard' [non-ALSA] mode.

Thus far, i have not found anyone transmitting 9.6kb packet locally, and
attempts to receive a couple of different satellites so far as not gotten
any packets at 9.6 kb using 'multimon'.  (I have not yet tried 9.6kb with
'soundmodem'.)

I looked into the LINUX-Hams archives, and note that others have not had
an easy time getting the AC97 codec to work properly.  I picked up a copy
of experimental version of 'soundmodem' with native ALSA code mentioned in 
June of this year.  Forcing the AFSK sample rate to either 22050 Hz or 
48000 Hz in 'soundcard' mode does not seem to change anything (c.f. the
discussion of similar problem[s] here in March of this year).  Trying to
use native ALSA mode shows a dialog box "Cannot start audio I/O" and the
message

    ALSA lib pcm.c:1972:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM /dev/dsp

A copy of '/etc/ax25/soundmodem.conf' and the full error log are attached
below.  I am running a vanilla LINUX 2.6.7 [.config posted upon request]
and the 'unstable' branch of Debian LINUX.

Any idea what might be wrong with 'soundmodem' at 1.2 kb AFSK and/or with
'multimon' at 9.6kb FSK?  (Of course, fixing 'multimon' is really only a
temporary fix, as i want to make packet work properly.)

Thank you for your patience and assistance.

		         -- KD6PAG  (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)


[Note: I never send unsolicited binary attachments and if you receive anything
purportedly from <kd6pag@qsl.net> that isn't signed with my callsign, then it
probably isn't from me.]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<modem>
  <configuration name="vaio">
    <chaccess txdelay="150" slottime="100" ppersist="40" fulldup="0" txtail="10"/>
    <audio type="alsa" device="/dev/dsp" halfdup="0" file="" repeat="0" simchan="0 - Ideal channel" snr="10" snrmode="0 - White Gaussian" srate="0" capturechannelmode="Mono"/>
    <ptt file="none"/>
    <channel name="Channel 0">
      <mod mode="afsk" bps="1200" f0="1200" f1="2200" diffenc="1"/>
      <demod mode="afsk" bps="1200" f0="1200" f1="2200" diffdec="1"/>
      <pkt mode="MKISS" ifname="sm0" hwaddr="KD6PAG-1" ip="44.4.28.42" netmask="255.255.255.0" broadcast="44.4.28.255"/>
    </channel>
    <channel name="Channel 1">
      <mod mode="fsk" bps="9600" f0="1200" f1="2200"/>
      <demod mode="fsk" bps="9600"/>
      <pkt mode="MKISS" ifname="sm1" hwaddr="KD6PAG-2" ip="44.4.28.42" netmask="255.255.255.0" broadcast="44.4.28.255"/>
    </channel>
  </configuration>
</modem>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VAIO 505> ./soundmodemconfig 
config_select: cfg: vaio  chan: -
selection: cfg: vaio  chan: -
config_deselect: cfg: vaio  chan: -
channel_select: cfg: vaio  chan: Channel 0
selection: cfg: vaio  chan: Channel 0
Modulator: afsk Demodulator: afsk
Modulator: parameter bps value 1200
Modulator: parameter f0 value 1200
Modulator: parameter f1 value 2200
Modulator: parameter diffenc value 1
Demodulator: parameter bps value 1200
Demodulator: parameter f0 value 1200
Demodulator: parameter f1 value 2200
Demodulator: parameter diffdec value 1
Minimum sampling rate: 9600
Audio IO: type alsa
ALSA lib pcm.c:1972:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM /dev/dsp
sm[3419]: alsa: Error opening PCM device /dev/dsp
===============================================================================

Re: Sony VAIO laptop 'soundmodem' troubles

[Luc Langehegermann]

Hello John,

Under ALSA the devices have different names!

hw:0 (first soundcard)
hw:1 (second soundcard)

or:

plughw:0
plughw:1

The difference if, with plughw ALSA tried to do sample rate conversion /
format conversion / channel conversion.

sample rate conversion is a very bad idea, if you use soundmodem.

/dev/dsp* under also will alsways do the conversions, unless you turn them
off! Take a look at http://www.alsa-project.org/~iwai/OSS-Emulation.html

73, Luc, LX2GT


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Mock" <kd6pag@qsl.net>
To: <linux-hams@vger.kernel.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2004 9:58 PM
Subject: Sony VAIO laptop 'soundmodem' troubles


> I'm trying to get 9.6kb packet running either on a PowerMac 8500 (with
> G3 upgrade) or Sony VAIO R505EL (P-III), preferably both.  I'm stuck on
> either at the moment.  Here's the Sony problem.
>
> On the VAIO machine, 'multimon' decodes APRS packets at 1.2kb AFSK from
> either of my HT's directly connected to the 'Mic' input.
'soundmodemconfig'
> shows similar waveforms to 'multimon' but gets gibberish for APRS packets
> in 'soundcard' [non-ALSA] mode.
>
> Thus far, i have not found anyone transmitting 9.6kb packet locally, and
> attempts to receive a couple of different satellites so far as not gotten
> any packets at 9.6 kb using 'multimon'.  (I have not yet tried 9.6kb with
> 'soundmodem'.)
>
> I looked into the LINUX-Hams archives, and note that others have not had
> an easy time getting the AC97 codec to work properly.  I picked up a copy
> of experimental version of 'soundmodem' with native ALSA code mentioned in
> June of this year.  Forcing the AFSK sample rate to either 22050 Hz or
> 48000 Hz in 'soundcard' mode does not seem to change anything (c.f. the
> discussion of similar problem[s] here in March of this year).  Trying to
> use native ALSA mode shows a dialog box "Cannot start audio I/O" and the
> message
>
>     ALSA lib pcm.c:1972:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM /dev/dsp
>
> A copy of '/etc/ax25/soundmodem.conf' and the full error log are attached
> below.  I am running a vanilla LINUX 2.6.7 [.config posted upon request]
> and the 'unstable' branch of Debian LINUX.
>
> Any idea what might be wrong with 'soundmodem' at 1.2 kb AFSK and/or with
> 'multimon' at 9.6kb FSK?  (Of course, fixing 'multimon' is really only a
> temporary fix, as i want to make packet work properly.)
>
> Thank you for your patience and assistance.
>
>          -- KD6PAG  (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)
>
>
> [Note: I never send unsolicited binary attachments and if you receive
anything
> purportedly from <kd6pag@qsl.net> that isn't signed with my callsign, then
it
> probably isn't from me.]
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
> <?xml version="1.0"?>
> <modem>
>   <configuration name="vaio">
>     <chaccess txdelay="150" slottime="100" ppersist="40" fulldup="0"
txtail="10"/>
>     <audio type="alsa" device="/dev/dsp" halfdup="0" file="" repeat="0"
simchan="0 - Ideal channel" snr="10" snrmode="0 - White Gaussian" srate="0"
capturechannelmode="Mono"/>
>     <ptt file="none"/>
>     <channel name="Channel 0">
>       <mod mode="afsk" bps="1200" f0="1200" f1="2200" diffenc="1"/>
>       <demod mode="afsk" bps="1200" f0="1200" f1="2200" diffdec="1"/>
>       <pkt mode="MKISS" ifname="sm0" hwaddr="KD6PAG-1" ip="44.4.28.42"
netmask="255.255.255.0" broadcast="44.4.28.255"/>
>     </channel>
>     <channel name="Channel 1">
>       <mod mode="fsk" bps="9600" f0="1200" f1="2200"/>
>       <demod mode="fsk" bps="9600"/>
>       <pkt mode="MKISS" ifname="sm1" hwaddr="KD6PAG-2" ip="44.4.28.42"
netmask="255.255.255.0" broadcast="44.4.28.255"/>
>     </channel>
>   </configuration>
> </modem>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
> VAIO 505> ./soundmodemconfig
> config_select: cfg: vaio  chan: -
> selection: cfg: vaio  chan: -
> config_deselect: cfg: vaio  chan: -
> channel_select: cfg: vaio  chan: Channel 0
> selection: cfg: vaio  chan: Channel 0
> Modulator: afsk Demodulator: afsk
> Modulator: parameter bps value 1200
> Modulator: parameter f0 value 1200
> Modulator: parameter f1 value 2200
> Modulator: parameter diffenc value 1
> Demodulator: parameter bps value 1200
> Demodulator: parameter f0 value 1200
> Demodulator: parameter f1 value 2200
> Demodulator: parameter diffdec value 1
> Minimum sampling rate: 9600
> Audio IO: type alsa
> ALSA lib pcm.c:1972:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM /dev/dsp
> sm[3419]: alsa: Error opening PCM device /dev/dsp
>
============================================================================
===
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>

Re: Sony VAIO laptop 'soundmodem' troubles

[Rodolfo Brasnarof]

---
On 24 Jul 2004 at 12:58, John Mock wrote:

> I'm trying to get 9.6kb packet running either on a PowerMac 8500 (with
> G3 upgrade) or Sony VAIO R505EL (P-III), preferably both.  I'm stuck on
> either at the moment.  Here's the Sony problem.
> 
> On the VAIO machine, 'multimon' decodes APRS packets at 1.2kb AFSK from
> either of my HT's directly connected to the 'Mic' input. 'soundmodemconfig' 
> shows similar waveforms to 'multimon' but gets gibberish for APRS packets
> in 'soundcard' [non-ALSA] mode.
> 
> Thus far, i have not found anyone transmitting 9.6kb packet locally, and
> attempts to receive a couple of different satellites so far as not gotten
> any packets at 9.6 kb using 'multimon'.  (I have not yet tried 9.6kb with
> 'soundmodem'.)
> 
> I looked into the LINUX-Hams archives, and note that others have not had
> an easy time getting the AC97 codec to work properly.  I picked up a copy
> of experimental version of 'soundmodem' with native ALSA code mentioned in 
> June of this year.  Forcing the AFSK sample rate to either 22050 Hz or 
> 48000 Hz in 'soundcard' mode does not seem to change anything (c.f. the
> discussion of similar problem[s] here in March of this year).  Trying to
> use native ALSA mode shows a dialog box "Cannot start audio I/O" and the
> message
> 
>     ALSA lib pcm.c:1972:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM /dev/dsp
> 
> A copy of '/etc/ax25/soundmodem.conf' and the full error log are attached
> below.  I am running a vanilla LINUX 2.6.7 [.config posted upon request]
> and the 'unstable' branch of Debian LINUX.
> 
> Any idea what might be wrong with 'soundmodem' at 1.2 kb AFSK and/or with
> 'multimon' at 9.6kb FSK?  (Of course, fixing 'multimon' is really only a
> temporary fix, as i want to make packet work properly.)
> 
> Thank you for your patience and assistance.
> 
> 		         -- KD6PAG  (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)
> 
> 
> [Note: I never send unsolicited binary attachments and if you receive anything
> purportedly from <kd6pag@qsl.net> that isn't signed with my callsign, then it
> probably isn't from me.]
> 
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> <?xml version="1.0"?>
> <modem>
>   <configuration name="vaio">
>     <chaccess txdelay="150" slottime="100" ppersist="40" fulldup="0" txtail="10"/>
>     <audio type="alsa" device="/dev/dsp" halfdup="0" file="" repeat="0" simchan="0 - Ideal channel" snr="10" snrmode="0 - White Gaussian" srate="0" capturechannelmode="Mono"/>
>     <ptt file="none"/>
>     <channel name="Channel 0">
>       <mod mode="afsk" bps="1200" f0="1200" f1="2200" diffenc="1"/>
>       <demod mode="afsk" bps="1200" f0="1200" f1="2200" diffdec="1"/>
>       <pkt mode="MKISS" ifname="sm0" hwaddr="KD6PAG-1" ip="44.4.28.42" netmask="255.255.255.0" broadcast="44.4.28.255"/>
>     </channel>
>     <channel name="Channel 1">
>       <mod mode="fsk" bps="9600" f0="1200" f1="2200"/>
>       <demod mode="fsk" bps="9600"/>
>       <pkt mode="MKISS" ifname="sm1" hwaddr="KD6PAG-2" ip="44.4.28.42" netmask="255.255.255.0" broadcast="44.4.28.255"/>
>     </channel>
>   </configuration>
> </modem>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm using soundmodem at 1200bps with oss drivers on a k6-2 
based machine. Some time ago made some tries at 2400bps with 
the same sondmodem, adding a second channel. It worked, but 
then noticed that 1200 decoding was worse. Some stations 
were decoded as normal, and some weren't decoded at all. So, 
try 1200 and 9600 one at a time to see if that improves 
decoding.

The soundcard I'm using with soundmodem is an old one, that 
does not support full-duplex operation, but some told me 
that with full-duplex option enabled had some problems. So, 
try setting the soundcard to half-duplex mode too 
(halfdup="1" ) and then tell us if you had any sucess.

Good luck.

re: Sony VAIO laptop 'soundmodem' troubles

[John Mock]

Thanks for the ALSA suggestions.  That fixed my audio startup error at
least, that is to say, with 'Mode: alsa', i now see the usual sine waves
at the two AFSK frequencies.  However, it still isn't successful at
decoding anything; DCD in the Scope display does not light, and there
are not the expected bimodal peaks at 1200 and 2200 Hz on the spectrum
display (maybe just weak spikes).  Attached are the new log and config 
files.

Any futher suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.  'multimon' still
works just fine, so i haven't broken anything.

Thank you again for your patience and assistance!

		         -- KD6PAG  (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)


P.S.  AE6EO: I'm already using a 10K trimpot to set the level here for VAIO
audio input, since there is no level setting on Kenwood TH-F6A in 9.6kb mode.
Alas, that doesn't work very well on the Mac, as i previously noted and is 
the wrong approach, as you noted, for noise reasons.  I would rather fix the
software than kludge the hardware.  *SIGH*


[Note: I never send unsolicited binary attachments and if you receive anything
purportedly from <kd6pag@qsl.net> that isn't signed with my callsign, then it
probably isn't from me.]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VAIO 510> sudo ./soundmodemconfig 
config_select: cfg: vaio  chan: -
selection: cfg: vaio  chan: -
config_deselect: cfg: vaio  chan: -
channel_select: cfg: vaio  chan: Channel 0
selection: cfg: vaio  chan: Channel 0
Modulator: Off Demodulator: afsk
Demodulator: parameter bps value 1200
Demodulator: parameter f0 value 1200
Demodulator: parameter f1 value 2200
Demodulator: parameter diffdec value 0
Minimum sampling rate: 7000
Audio IO: type alsa
sm[3874]: chanmode: 0x80d8528 [0x1]
ALSA: Using sample rate 48000, sample format 2, significant bits 16, buffer size 16384, period size 512
sm[3874]: audio: starting "hw:0,0"
Real sampling rate: 7000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<modem>
  <configuration name="vaio">
    <chaccess txdelay="150" slottime="100" ppersist="40" fulldup="0" txtail="10"/>
    <audio type="alsa" device="hw:0,0" halfdup="0" file="" repeat="0" simchan="0 - Ideal channel" snr="10" snrmode="0 - White Gaussian" srate="0" capturechannelmode="Left"/>
    <ptt file="none"/>
    <channel name="Channel 0">
      <mod mode="Off" bps="1200" f0="1200" f1="2200" diffenc="1"/>
      <demod mode="afsk" bps="1200" f0="1200" f1="2200" diffdec="0"/>
      <pkt mode="MKISS" ifname="sm0" hwaddr="KD6PAG-1" ip="44.4.28.42" netmask="255.255.255.0" broadcast="44.4.28.255"/>
    </channel>
    <channel name="Channel 1">
      <mod mode="fsk" bps="9600" f0="1200" f1="2200"/>
      <demod mode="fsk" bps="9600"/>
      <pkt mode="MKISS" ifname="sm1" hwaddr="KD6PAG-2" ip="44.4.28.42" netmask="255.255.255.0" broadcast="44.4.28.255"/>
    </channel>
  </configuration>
</modem>
===============================================================================

Re: Sony VAIO laptop 'soundmodem' troubles

[John Mock]

Sorry, setting (halfdup="1") doesn't change anything (aside from "forcing
half duplex mode).
		         -- KD6PAG  (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)


[Note: I never send unsolicited binary attachments and if you receive anything
purportedly from <kd6pag@qsl.net> that isn't signed with my callsign, then it
probably isn't from me.]