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
Baud Rates & Modes
Remote Control
TCP/IP Over Radio
Tips and Tricks
Traffic Parameters

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
Packet Overview
Exchange Modes
TNCs and AGWPE
What To Do with Packet
Common Frequencies
Frame Headers
Further Reading 

Using Additional Sound Devices with AGWPE

AGWPE lets you use unlimited additional sound devices or sound cards in your computer. This feature allows you to use your default sound devices for other programs and devices, such as a CD player, while your second sound card can be dedicated to AGWPE. In fact, you can install a third sound card (or more!) for still more AGWPE packet ports. (Your only limitation will be the number of available card slots and PTT signaling ports -- COM, LPT or USB -- in your computer.)

Additional sound cards are usually not hard to come by. You can often pull one out of an older/discarded computer. Or you can obtain a new card for very little money ($30 USD or less). External cards that plug into a USB port are also available (see Kits and Pre-Assembled Interfaces). Generally speaking, modern day yet inexpensive sound cards will have adequate quality for AGWPE use. [For more information about compatible sound cards see this page.]

Ideally your additional sound card will be "plug-and-play" and Windows will automatically recognize it after you install it and reboot. Otherwise you will need to use the Windows Control Panel option, "Add New Hardware", to tell Windows about the sound card and install the appropriate drivers.

After the additional sound device is installed in Windows, AGWPE will automatically recognize it.

So which device should you use for AGWPE?  Most other programs will insist on using the card designated as the default card (usually the first card installed).  These programs do not have ability of selecting alternative cards. So, to avoid conflicts, set AGWPE to use a non-default card. You can determine which sound card is the default card by temporarily attaching speakers to the LINE OUT jacks on each sound card. Play some Windows sounds or a CD to see which sound card is being used. That one will be the default card.

To select the sound card you want AGWPE to use for sound card packet, call up AGWPE's main menu, select Properties and then, with Port 1 highlighted, click on OK.  The Properties for Port1 box will then open. Under the TNC Sub Type choice field there is an Options button. Click on the Options button to bring up the SoundCard Modem/TNC Setup window. At the bottom of this window is a Sound Card Selection dialogue box where you can select the sound card you want AGWPE to use. Click on the down arrow to the right of the box to see your choices.

Typically the first sound card listed in the AGWPE Sound Card list is the Windows default card and it is usually the original or first card installed in the computer. You want to use a non-default card for AGWPE. In the example above, the Creative Sound Blaster PCI is the default card. So you'd want to use the non-default card for AGWPE, in this case the Yamaha DS1xNative Audio.

Caution: AGWPE may also report other devices that are not sound cards, such as telephone modems  as in line 2 in the screen shot above: Modem #0 Line Record.  If you select a non-sound card device, AGWPE will give this error message: " Your Sound Card Drivers can not Support the Wave Format" and will not run.

Note: If you have more than one sound card in your system, you will have to select the AGWPE card in the Mixer Device field when you set the volume settings for the card. Normally the default card's volume settings are first shown, so you have to make the effort to change the Mixer Device field selection to select the AGWPE card.

Known and Possible Bugs

• AGWPE has a Volume Control Settings window where you can adjust the transmit and receive settings. Unfortunately, as of version 2004.1108/2005.127, the settings will only adjust the default card, which not be the one you are using for AGWPE.
  
  
• One user has reported Windows lock-ups when trying to use 2 sound cards of the same manufacturer or the same drivers.