Syba external USB Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows, Mac, Linux Extra Audio Source with 3.5mm Audio Mic Jack C-Media Chipset

I purchased this device to use with a Raspberry Pi2 (900 MHz, Quad Core, Latest Release) and the Ham Radio APRS software Direwolf V 1.2.I had been using a SignaLink USB which worked exquisitely, but is pricey at over $120. This thing cost less than $10, but of course, does not contain anything to assert PTT (cause the radio to go in and out of transmit), The SignaLink did not have to worry about additional PTT because it is included inside the SignaLink box (it actually uses a high quality fast acting VOX....but you pay for the privilege and quality of the sound card)Suffice it to say the SignaLink is an EXCELLENT product and I'm still using it on another computer and radio with Ubuntu distro.The amazing thing about this Syba USB USB Audio Adapter is that it works with a high demand program like Direwolf (which is doing some incredibly complicated things to decode and encode data, not something simple like playing music). Inherent distortion in the sound card or a poor noise floor would cause this unit to be useless for Direwolf. The software actually measures how well the sound card is performing and the Syba is working every bit as well as the very expensive SignaLink. What is most impressive is that it is doing this at a cost of $8.50 or so!Pros:1. Raspbian (Wheezy) on the Pi2 recognizes it upon install. Simply power down the RPi2 , insert into an open USB port and start it up.2. It even works on a USB hub (which is not recommended by the Direwolf author, but it works with the Plugable 4 Port Powered USB Hub)3. Performs every bit as well as the high-end SignaLink external USB sound card.4. Works with either stereo or mono 3.5 mm input and output plugs.5. Extremely small footprint.Cons:1. You still have to wire up cable(s) to go to the radio for PTT and also get audio from and to the radio.2. Not that something that is wrong with the Syba itself, but rather that it requires additional hardware of some sort to assert PTT in this application. The Syba is not supposed to do this, so it is not a "fault" or "deficiency", it does, however require one to look for one more thing to have a complete solution for using the Ham Radio program Direwolf to encode/decode data and send/receive said data to a radio for transmission and reception.Solving the PTT Issue:1. The cheapest: Use one of the many available GPIO pins on the RPi2. This works well, but should not be used directly, a buffer circuit should be used. This further complicates the project. It is not expensive to do this, but it is "another" step. Not using a buffer circuit exposes the RPi's output to be destroyed, which can kill the RPi altogether.2. Build up your own VOX (voice operated transmission) unit. Very inexpensive,but it is not as "fast" in terms of turnaround between transmit and receive as hardwired PTT (push to talk).3. Use a USB to RS232 Pre-Built Interface by Easy Digi. Google search for Easy Digi USB and you will find it on eBay for $42.00. Many radio amateurs have purchased these interfaces and they come highly recommended.This is the solution I use, as the $42 bucks covers some very important issuesa. The interface box includes input and output jacks (standard 3.5 mm mono) for audio to and from the computer sound card (Syba)b. The interface also includes either a mike or data cable to connect to the radio for PTT (mike) or both PTT and Audio To/From (data cable) radio.The radio you use will dictate whether you need a mike and audio cable or just a data cable that has both (like the Kenwood G707 and D700)c. Complete ISOLATION of the Computer Sound Card and PTT (DTR and RTS) from the Radio. This is done by using audio transformers on the audio output and input lines to/from the Sound card and using an Opto-Isolator between interface's DTR and RTS lines (used for PTT) and the Radio itself.Special Considerations Required by the Operating System: (and the Direwolf program)The Syba Sound Card being reviewed must be configured for Raspbian (RPi) or Ubuntu or whatever Operating System you elect to use.This requires telling the O/s to use the Syba USB Sound Card as the audio device and not the one internal to the computer.The Easy Digi USB interface also has to be "bound" to the O/S. It is recognized automatically, but must be "bound" to ttyUSB0If you need help, join the Digiwolf user list on Yahoo, and certainly read the Direwolf 1.2 User Guide (*.pdf).Summary;This is a Superb solution for a sound card for Ham Radio software/projects either in Windows or Linux. The price is amazing and the quality is perfectly acceptable. It is supported without special drivers in Linux (and probably in Windows, but I haven't tested it yet). There is a support group on line that is familiar with the Syba and can help with your project.73, N0AN

EDIT: I recently bought 2 more of these. CablesOnline is selling the old version but Aston K is selling the newer version. Buy from Aston K to get the updated version!I notice a lot of people here on Amazon seem to be completely clueless when it comes to examining a product thoroughly and giving a detailed, unemotional review so here's something I hope is useful.The following was done with 3 different Windows 7 SP1 machines and nothing more.Recently, I lost my Audio Advantage Micro which I've been using for many years so I decided to buy a replacement. I was looking at Amazon and while I was leaning towards the Creative USB Go key but I couldn't help notice the very cheap Syba dongle with such glowing reviews. I decided to buy it since the total price was barely anything and if it sucked I'd just get the pricier one.I just got this little guy in today and it's definitely not the most sturdy built thing, but it was fine enough for every day use without breaking it. You'd have to be a complete moron to break this thing, really. The build quality is exaggerated by some people here. It's really just fine, even beyond the price you are paying for it. If you really are that paranoid about breaking it and have a tendency to do such thing, you could always just give it a good wrap with some electrical tape and add more protection that way.The two things I noticed people were complaining about were about how much it sticks out and the "annoying" light. Coming from the Audio Advantage Micro, this light is a very dim green that blinks when audio is being fed. I don't know about most people but my attention span is higher than that of a kitten so I was able to not be annoyed by it because there's a big bright screen in front of me, you know? Seriously though, it's not distracting unless you have some major ADHD. As for the shape, this dongle sticks out less than all of my USB keys and my AA Micro so its really not a problem. The only issue I can see being a problem is that the width of the dongle might block other ports. However, if you have a brain, you should be able to look at your ports and see if this will be a problem beforehand.Another thing I need to mention is that the chipset seems to be updated in recent models. It uses the CM-119 chipset according to the plastic container, and also, there seems to be a 3 year warranty on these little guys according to people on Newegg so if you have a problem, just email Syba support and they might be able to replace this easily if yours does go out.One final note: on Windows 7, I'm noticing that 12% seems to be the best volume level for headphones. I thought it would be 4% like some people said, but nope, 12% seems fine.So yeah, overall, this dongle is great for the price and I am enjoying it. I could have sunk a lot more into something else but this works fine.And now for some important notes:1) Follow the directions. You have to connect both the microphone and headphones to the dongle before you plug it into your machine to get Windows to recognize the drivers and add those 2 outputs. You only need to do this the first time. If you screw this up, you need to go to Device Manager and uninstall the drivers, reboot and try again.2) The microphone level is 0 by default for some reason. You have to raise it to get it to work. Go to Control Panel, Sound, then right click the Recording tab to see the USB Mic input. Right click it to get the properties page and look at the "Levels" tab. Adjust to your liking. Using the "Listen" tab to listen to yourself talking to get the right volume.3) Again, if this thing shorts out on you. Email Syba and they will probably replace it for you.4) You can achieve higher sound quality if you go the properties for BOTH the mic and headphone output and select 48000khz.5) If sound effects are enabled in those properties pages. Disable them. You don't need them. Your voice will sound clearer without them.