Custom Products for the Digital Radio Amateur Enthusiast

Background -
You own a HP computer and are able to make the radio to transmit and autotune in VARA, but the receive signal looks weak or is severely overdriven. The RX level pot (R12) either doesn't seem to work or is extremely rotaionally sensitive (touchy). In the Sound->Recording tab for the DRA device, there is no "Custom" tab so you are unable to find and uncheck (turn off) AGC. Interestingly - if you put the DRA on a USB Hub instead of directly connecting it to the PC, you see the Custom tab and AGC checkbox.

Whats's happening -
The problem is, Windows loads an Intel Smart Sound USB driver instead of the generic USB driver from Microsoft and the manufacturer. The fix is to disable the Intel driver so Windows uses the generic driver. With this, you are able to use the DRA just fine with VARA or another Windows program when the DRA is plugged directly into the PC.

The fix -
The following PDF document, written by Ralph Merwin AG7FE, shows you how to disable the Intel Smart Sound USB Driver in Windows to properly use your C-Media based sound card (radio adapter). The example shows a DRA-50 - but this information is good for all C-Media sound cards made by Masters Communications and Repeater Builder™.

A caveat -
One thing we've noticed with the fix is it takes 10-20 seconds for the soundcard to be recognized by the system each time the device is plugged in. A minor inconvenience for a working system. After doing so - the receiver audio level setting should be smooth when adjusting the larger blue pot R12.

Follow the directions in this PDF document.

Email Kevin Custer for additional support.