What kind of digital interface do you use?

[N2RJ]

I need to get a new one. My RigExpert bit the dust. Loud HUMMMM on the output. NOt the cable.

I've been looking at the TigerTronics SignaLink but it's audio only, no CAT. But the price is right. Anyone use one of these?

Not looking to use my PC's built in sound card. I want one that uses a USB cable. The reason is that I often use Skype or watch TV when working digimodes on the radio.

[KC2UGV]

A home brewed one, connected to a USB sound card (Turtle Beach, $20 at Target).

I had a hum, but resolved it with a ferrite bead on the mic cable.

[KJ3N]

I've been using the Navigator (http://www.navigator-interface.com/) for several years. Probably not in your price range.

[KC9ECI]

SignalinkUSB here and a $3 CI-V cable off ebay. The Flex I just use virtual audio cables.

[WØTKX]

I have two of the Rigblaster PnP units. CAT via Keyspan USB to serial.

But I mostly use VAC into the Flex as well.

[K7SGJ]

I've had two of the Singalinks for some time now, and haven't had any problems. I use one for the QTH and the other is a traveler. The cables are easy to make, and the internal jumpers are a breeze to change, especially if you make up different ones using IC sockets. Other than homebrew units, I can't say how they stack up to others, but I like them. I've tried just about every program for digital ops and haven't experienced any problems there either.

[NQ6U]

SignaLink USB here. No complaints at all and I've given it quite a workout over the last couple of years including at Field Day 2011. Over 120 QSOs in about eight hours operating time without a single glitch from the interface.

[ki4itv]

Rigblaster Pnp...
Has worked flawlessly for years.

[XE1/N5AL]

Another vote for SignalLink USB. Mine works great.

[KC9ECI]

I had the older Signalink SL-1 prior to the USB version and the noise floor from the internal soundcard on the computer was a LOT higher than it is with the USB version. Volume adjustment with the USB version is also a snap with the pots on the front. Much better than trying to adjust via software sliders.

[kf0rt]

I've been using the Navigator (http://www.navigator-interface.com/) for several years. Probably not in your price range.

Pretty cool, Jim.

I homebrewed something like that some years back with the intent of making it work with multiple rigs. It would switch the internal keyer, microphone and digital interface between up to 4 radios. K1EL keyer, even (at least I think it was a K1EL keyer -- don't see this model available now). Didn't get as far as USB though.

http://westton.com/misc/so-in2.jpg

[N2RJ]

A home brewed one, connected to a USB sound card (Turtle Beach, $20 at Target).

I had a hum, but resolved it with a ferrite bead on the mic cable.

Yeah, I don't want to do that.

The hum is not from RF. I think some caps in the interface are fried, or maybe the chips itself.

[N2RJ]

SignalinkUSB here and a $3 CI-V cable off ebay. The Flex I just use virtual audio cables.

I have a cheap CI-V cable that uses a PL2303 but it goes bonkers with RF. It's fine at 100w but starting at 500w and up it goes apeshit and even blue screens the computer. No amount of ferrite beads and grounding seems to help. The RigExpert behaves just fine, probably because it is encased in metal.

It's not typical "RF in the shack" either. When the beam is pointed away from the house it's fine, but unfortunately to beam SW the beam has to point to the house.

I might try encasing the cheap cable in a metal box and see if that helps.

[N2RJ]

I've been using the Navigator (http://www.navigator-interface.com/) for several years. Probably not in your price range.

I don't mind that price actually. Looks interesting.

[KC9ECI]

Never thought of that. Then again I don't often turn the power up past the 5 watt level.



I have a cheap CI-V cable that uses a PL2303 but it goes bonkers with RF. It's fine at 100w but starting at 500w and up it goes apeshit and even blue screens the computer. No amount of ferrite beads and grounding seems to help. The RigExpert behaves just fine, probably because it is encased in metal.

It's not typical "RF in the shack" either. When the beam is pointed away from the house it's fine, but unfortunately to beam SW the beam has to point to the house.

I might try encasing the cheap cable in a metal box and see if that helps.

[W5GA]

Using the MicroHam Microkeyer here (out of production, see the II version on the website). Works great now that they have the FTDI driver problem figured out.

[N8YX]

Signalink USB. DX Engineering is right up the road from me, so if I need one of these or parts for it I can readily get them.

[koØm]

Homebrew sound card interface, dedicated soundcard, CI-V to Serial cord; vox keying.

HRD ver 4

.

[VE7DCW]

I originally started out with a homebrewed digital interface..... I broke down and decided to pay a few bucks for a Rigblaster Pro from West Mountain Radio.It was probably one of the best things i've ever did! ....... those Rigblasters are quite the rigs ...... I just love mine :)

[wa6mhz]

Excellent Homebrew job and nice neat wiring too! That looks to be quite a project!
I tried the Rigblaster route but had great amounts of RF Feedback when trying to go through the mic jack. SO I homebrewed up an interface using 2 600 Ohm audio tranformers (stolen from old computer modems!). In my latest unit, I also added the CI-V circuitry so my Icom IC-736 could also talk to Ham Radio Deluxe and such; along with keying the PTT.
It works great and I use it on MMTY and DIGIPAN. Also seems to work on JT-65 though I haven't quite figured that out yet.
The key seems to be keeping RF out of the unit. I put aluminum tape all around the inside of the box for shielding and plenty of Ferrite beads.


Pretty cool, Jim.

I homebrewed something like that some years back with the intent of making it work with multiple rigs. It would switch the internal keyer, microphone and digital interface between up to 4 radios. K1EL keyer, even (at least I think it was a K1EL keyer -- don't see this model available now). Didn't get as far as USB though.

http://westton.com/misc/so-in2.jpg

[NQ6U]

Pat, how did you get HRD to key the PTT on your IC-736 through the CI-V? I have that radio (an oldie but a goodie) as well and was under the impression that it didn't support doing that. My SignaLink USB has a special cable that keys the mic through the accessory jack.

[ki4itv]

Nice to see you, Pat.

[K7SGJ]

Have a Commander, welcome aboard.

[KB3LAZ]

I dont use one.

[KA9MOT]

I have homebrewed all of mine, the next, slightly better than the one before it. My first interface utilized transformers that I made and I used VOX to key the rig. By buddy bought a SignaLink USB that he didn't like and he gave it to me. It was pretty slick. I liked it.

I have currently lost interest in the digital modes.......For me it got boring very quickly.

[KC2UGV]

Excellent Homebrew job and nice neat wiring too! That looks to be quite a project!
I tried the Rigblaster route but had great amounts of RF Feedback when trying to go through the mic jack. SO I homebrewed up an interface using 2 600 Ohm audio tranformers (stolen from old computer modems!). In my latest unit, I also added the CI-V circuitry so my Icom IC-736 could also talk to Ham Radio Deluxe and such; along with keying the PTT.
It works great and I use it on MMTY and DIGIPAN. Also seems to work on JT-65 though I haven't quite figured that out yet.
The key seems to be keeping RF out of the unit. I put aluminum tape all around the inside of the box for shielding and plenty of Ferrite beads.

Come on, share the pic of yours now :)

[kf0rt]

Excellent Homebrew job and nice neat wiring too! That looks to be quite a project!
I tried the Rigblaster route but had great amounts of RF Feedback when trying to go through the mic jack. SO I homebrewed up an interface using 2 600 Ohm audio tranformers (stolen from old computer modems!). In my latest unit, I also added the CI-V circuitry so my Icom IC-736 could also talk to Ham Radio Deluxe and such; along with keying the PTT.
It works great and I use it on MMTY and DIGIPAN. Also seems to work on JT-65 though I haven't quite figured that out yet.
The key seems to be keeping RF out of the unit. I put aluminum tape all around the inside of the box for shielding and plenty of Ferrite beads.

Thanks! I wish I'd documented it (did the whole thing "in my head"). One of these days I'll have to pull it apart and draw up a schematic. It did work pretty well though -- had it connected to a TS-570, IC-7000 and Drake 4C-Line all at the same time, with a slight mod to the Drake outputs to handle higher keying voltages.

[N1BHH]

I am using a Buxcomm Rascal and it works great. It has a serial cable for keying in my case and if you need USB, the converter comes with it for free. It connects to your sound card and all you do is select the appropriate cable. It only took a little adjusting and I was up and running after getting rid of a ground loop, too.

I use mine on my IC-735 connected to the ACC 1 jack (the best way) on the back of the radio for PTT and a USB CI-V cable picked up off ebay from Kawamall.

If you already have installed USB drivers for other USB devices, don't worry, and don't load drivers unless the machine asks for them, for the USB cable.

I just started using HRD and DM780 and I'm having fun with it. Making a few contacts every day, learning my way through it, editing macros, etc.

Before I stuck with HRD I tried out about 4 or 5 other programs but went with HRD because I like colors on my screen instead of black and white and grey. Three of the ones I tried were so damn bland I uninstalled them before I even used them. You can play around with the buttons and background it's so flexible.

[N8YX]

I recently picked up a Universal M7000v7 decoder - the only modes it won't handle are Olivia, PSK and JT65. It's being used in conjunction with Drake Theta 7000/9000 keyboards and DSP-599zx (run in RTTY 'regeneration' mode) for that old-school RTTY feel...until I rebuild the main shack PC.

[KF5ER]

I use a microkeyer II. Steep learning curve at first, but after you get it going it works very good.
Uses USB not serial ports of which I have none.

[N2CHX]

Homebrew, using a couple of old Western Electric audio transformers and 1/8" audio plugs. VOX for keying. Easy peasy.

[N2CHX]

Wow. I just realized how old this thread is. lol

[KJ3N]

I use a microkeyer II. Steep learning curve at first, but after you get it going it works very good.
Uses USB not serial ports of which I have none.

Wow. I just realized how old this thread is. lol

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100102171047/asdf/images/thumb/1/1c/Necro2.jpg/400px-Necro2.jpg

[n0iu]

What is this "sound card interface" device to which you refer? I have a USB connection from my radio (IC-7410) to my computer that takes care of all of that.