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President Lincoln II plus - Digital mode

opale7000

New Member
Jun 11, 2024
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Hello

New to the hobby and considering a President Lincoln II plus. Before I purchase, how do I physically connect a digirig or SingnalLink USB device ? I want to ensure that I can do DIGITAL mode as well.
 
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Not sure how it taps audio out from a mic jack that DOESN'T have RX audio out.

One of the mic pins on the Lincoln does have receive but that's usually a ground that switches out receive if the mic is disconnected like Cobra 29s do.

As for TX with that radio you'll have to use VOX which that radio does have.

What I don't get is the claim that cable works on RCI radio's? None I know of have VOX so how is that going to work on digital modes? Maybe some else can explain.

You should consider getting a modern real Ham rig that has built in radio computer control with audio in/out on a single USB cable where you don't even need a Signal Link interface.

With modern Ham rigs today, just plug in the USB cable and configure the digital mode software to your specific radio and set the computer sound card levels and you're done!

There are plenty of used Icom IC-7300's or they're not too expensive new. They are one of the finest entry level radio's available.
 
Welcome to the hobby!

The Signalink device manages the PTT control internally (it has its own VOX), so you don't need VOX in the radio for it to function correctly.

For a "single" mic-jack cable connection to the radio, you need RX Audio available on the mic socket for this to work. Otherwise you would need to plug into the headphone jack as well. (Not as nice).

FYI - the new AT-6666PRO (will be released next month) supports all this, and has VOX all built in, so you wouldn't need the Signalink. You could make a simple cable to do the job. It's also much more stable than the LII+ which is a help for digital modes. Also, there will be an update to the AT-5555Nii which will also support this same functionality soon. Maybe something to think about.

As fourstringburn said, you could also go for something that is made for the job, like a 7300. It depends how serious you are and where your interests lie.

A pic of my cable for the AT-6666PRO is attached.

73
 

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That sounds like it may work but mods have to be done to the radio.

Since the OP hasn't made purchases yet, I would still recommend going the with a real Ham rig.

This will be a sure thing without extra mods, cables, and devices to achieve the same goal on top of just being better radio's.
 
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That sounds like it may work but mods have to be done to the radio.

Since the OP hasn't made purchases yet, I would still recommend going the with a real Ham rig.

This will be a sure thing without extra mods, cables, and devices to achieve the same goal on top of just being better radio's.
Just to be clear, the AT-6666PRO I refer to needs no mods at all for this to work. Just a cable. And it covers 15m/12m/10m in a similar price range to the LII+ that @opale7000 is considering.
The 7300 is a great rig, but it is a significant price jump. That might, or might not be a factor here.
73
 
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Just to be clear, the AT-6666PRO I refer to needs no mods at all for this to work. Just a cable. And it covers 15m/12m/10m in a similar price range to the LII+ that @opale7000 is considering.
The 7300 is a great rig, but it is a significant price jump. That might, or might not be a factor here.
73
Are you sure about that?

Best I could find is that computer port in the radio is for a programming cable, not CAT control which is needed for digital modes and modern Ham rigs do have. Icom still uses CI-V (and USB too) which does the same.

Also that radio doesn't do 15m, it does go below the official 12m meter band but stays on 24Mhz.
 
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Are you sure about that?

Best I could find is that computer port in the radio is for a programming cable, not CAT control which is needed for digital modes and modern Ham rigs do have. Icom still uses CI-V (and USB too) which does the same.

Also that radio doesn't do 15m, it does go below the official 12m meter band but stays on 24Mhz.
I am 100% sure. This is the new "PRO" model. It is totally new inside, and is not the original AT-6666 that you are referring too. It will be released in July.

FYI, CAT control is not needed for many digital modes. Most (like WSJT-X, JS8Call and most RTTY/SSTV software) support a VOX mode too.

I have a prototype AT-6666PRO and I have been working the world on 15m FT8. I could just use the FTDX10 that is sitting next to it, but I'm strange like that! lol

73
 
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With poor CB radio freq stability FT8 and similar would be a challenge to operate.
Mike
Hi Mike,

In regards to a Lincoln II+, I agree.

The frequency stability of the AT-6666PRO is extremely good. It is no challenge for most digital modes, at all. I am doing it. It is actually much closer to the stability of an IC-7300 than to any of the other radios that have been in this lower cost "category" in the past. FYI - my measurements show no more than +/- 4Hz over significant temperature variations and long lengths of transmission.

I hope you will get the chance to try one of these, so you can see for yourself how far these radios have come.

73
 
Not sure how it taps audio out from a mic jack that DOESN'T have RX audio out.

One of the mic pins on the Lincoln does have receive but that's usually a ground that switches out receive if the mic is disconnected like Cobra 29s do.

As for TX with that radio you'll have to use VOX which that radio does have.

What I don't get is the claim that cable works on RCI radio's? None I know of have VOX so how is that going to work on digital modes? Maybe some else can explain.

You should consider getting a modern real Ham rig that has built in radio computer control with audio in/out on a single USB cable where you don't even need a Signal Link interface.

With modern Ham rigs today, just plug in the USB cable and configure the digital mode software to your specific radio and set the computer sound card levels and you're done!

There are plenty of used Icom IC-7300's or they're not too expensive new. They are one of the finest entry level radio's available.
Noted Thanks
 
Welcome to the hobby!

The Signalink device manages the PTT control internally (it has its own VOX), so you don't need VOX in the radio for it to function correctly.

For a "single" mic-jack cable connection to the radio, you need RX Audio available on the mic socket for this to work. Otherwise you would need to plug into the headphone jack as well. (Not as nice).

FYI - the new AT-6666PRO (will be released next month) supports all this, and has VOX all built in, so you wouldn't need the Signalink. You could make a simple cable to do the job. It's also much more stable than the LII+ which is a help for digital modes. Also, there will be an update to the AT-5555Nii which will also support this same functionality soon. Maybe something to think about.

As fourstringburn said, you could also go for something that is made for the job, like a 7300. It depends how serious you are and where your interests lie.

A pic of my cable for the AT-6666PRO is attached.

73
Appreciated Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pez
Just to be clear, the AT-6666PRO I refer to needs no mods at all for this to work. Just a cable. And it covers 15m/12m/10m in a similar price range to the LII+ that @opale7000 is considering.
The 7300 is a great rig, but it is a significant price jump. That might, or might not be a factor here.
73
Much appreciated. WIll look into it
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pez
Are you sure about that?

Best I could find is that computer port in the radio is for a programming cable, not CAT control which is needed for digital modes and modern Ham rigs do have. Icom still uses CI-V (and USB too) which does the same.

Also that radio doesn't do 15m, it does go below the official 12m meter band but stays on 24Mhz.
I made a SSB QSO on 15m with the 6666 Pro so, I can say it works. Not to published specs, but good enough to use the band when it is open and the higher bands aren't.
 

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