[CTSARA] SARA Digital Bootcamp - Digital Interfaces
Chris- KB1QXR
kb1qxr at arrl.net
Mon Sep 6 02:05:04 EDT 2010
Few quick things to add here-
A big difference between the SignaLink (specifically, not all outboard
interfaces) and the RigBlaster is PTT control.
RigBlaster uses a serial port (or in the case of the Plug&Play, pretends to
be a serial port) for PTT control. A serial port is used for PTT by using
the DTR or RTS line- the digital mode program (FLDigi etc) brings the DTR or
RTS high when it wants to transmit and releases it to stop transmitting.
This allows your digital program to have positive control over the radio's
PTT, and it can decide exactly when to transmit and when not to.
SignaLink on the other hand has no PTT control. The SignaLink has a VOX
circuit built-in that triggers PTT when audio is sent from the computer, and
releases the PTT after the audio stops for a while (the delay is
adjustable). Other than sending or not sending audio, the computer has no
control over the radio's PTT or the radio itself. This means that the
transmission starts just after the digital mode starts sending, and the
transmission continues for a bit after it finishes.
Having a serial port, some RigBlasters can either provide a data interface
(CAT / CI-V) to the radio, allowing the computer to read the current
frequency and change the frequency and mode if desired. Some also have a
direct CW key output, which allows the computer to operate as a CW key.
This can be useful for doing 'keyboard CW' or to use the computer as an
autokeyer for contest operation. It's also important if you're interested
in remote operation- using a computer elsewhere to connect back to your
computer and radio at home and operating HF while on the go. Without a way
of changing frequencies, remote HF operation is near-useless.
The SignaLink has its advantages too. As an outboard device, it creates a
second sound interface on your computer. If you know how to use the Control
Panel, you can keep the computer's main sound card as default (so windows
noises, music, websites, etc play through it) and have the digital mode
program go straight (and only) to the SignaLink. Result is you can listen
to music and do digital at the same time- not possible with the RigBlaster
(the music and webpage sounds would get transmitted along with your data).
And while it's VOX-based PTT system reduces flexibility, it also makes
things REAL easy to set up- as long as the digital mode program picks the
right 'sound card' you're good to go.
Personally my ideal device would be a combination of the two- a RigBlaster
Plug&Play but as an outboard model with a built-in sound chip
Hope someone finds this useful.
73
Chris KB1QXR
-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Perelstein [mailto:jperelst at yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2010 8:05 PM
To: Jonathan Solomon; ctsara at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [CTSARA] SARA Digital Bootcamp - Digital Interfaces
Well, Jon Solomon's timing couldn't have been better because I just finished
writing up some material on the differences between the different types of
interfaces (inboard or outboard) and on the differences between the
different vendors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
One of the first questions that people about soundcard interfaces is:
"What type of interface is best -- an inboard interface like the
RIGblasters, or an outboard interface like the SignaLink?"
Are apples better than oranges?
Is Ben & Jerry's better than Hagen-Dazs?
Of all of Fred's puns, which one is the most painful?
Each one has its advantages -- and neither has any real disadvantages, so
let's discuss them.
- Inboard:
An inboard interface means that it uses the computer's actual soundcard.
The interface simply provides an isolated interface between the rig and
computer so that RF does not go down the line and mess up the computer.
Lower end inboard interfaces like the Donner Digital Interface or RIGblaster
NOMIC, or higher end like the RIGblaster Pro or Duo all do the same thing --
they provide isolated interfaces between the rig and computer. The price
differences come about from features such as how many different rigs and
computers can one device control, external volume controls, automatic
switching between microphone or interface, etc.
When you go inboard, you're depending on the soundcard that comes with the
computer. Most any computer that's been purchased in the last 5-8 years is
going to have a decent-enough soundcard to work the digital interface.
However, if you have an older computer or a real cheap computer ...
I have found that the inboard units have problems with some of the newer
"netbook" class computers -- those small, ligtweight computers with 10 inch
screens that are so popular at the moment. Those computers usually come
with only 1 gig of memory, relatively slow single processors (1.4gHz) and
really cheap soundcards. I had trouble using various RIGblaster models with
my Acer Aspire One, and testing revealed similar problems with similar
computers from HP and Dell. I wound up having to upgrade the computers to 2
gig of memory. Other than that, there's not much to say. The Donner
Digital Interface sells for about $40 and has a great reputation. That
RIGblaster NOMIC sells for about $80 and has an equally great reputation.
The RIGblaster PlugNPlay (sometimes called the RIGblaster Data Jack) costs
about $110 and is also a great unit. Higher end RIGblasters can cost
$160-$350.
Pretty much any inboard interface works off the computer's USB port these
days and comes with any necessary drivers.
- Outboard
An outboard interface means that the device has its own soundcard built in
and
doesn't make use of the computer's soundcard. In addition, it provides the
same
RF isolation as do the inboard interfaces.
When you go outboard, you're getting a separate unit that plugs into the
computer's USB port. The unit includes the soundcard. It looks to the
computer
like any other USB device and usually does not require separate drivers.
You
don't have to worry about whether or not the computer has enough horsepower
and
memory to run the soundcard.
Some of the older software out there is expecting to find a true serial port
(which the inboard units emulate, but which the outboard units do not
emulate).
That software, mostly older stuff, may not always do well with the outboard
units. However, FLDIGI and the more modern software such as MultiPSK, MixW,
and
HRD/DM-780 do just fine.
*****
I prefer the outboard, in the form of the SignaLink USB. I can switch it
from
computer-to-computer without having to worry about whether or not
the computer's soundcard is adequate. However, it's a purely personal
preference. As Tony can attest, the Donner Digital does a great job. I
have
both a RIGblaster NOMIC and a RIGblaster Data Jack, and they both do great
jobs
also. As long as your computer can handle the device, either inboard or
outboard is a good answer.
*****
Perhaps the single biggest difference between the various interfaces is the
number of rigs supported. The interface must hook into the rig's data jack
(sometimes called accessory jack) or, if the rig doesn't have a data jack,
the
interface must hook into the rig's microphone jack.
If you're going to use a data jack, -- surprise, surprise. Different
vendors
use physically different jacks (different shapes, different sizes, different
number of pins) for the data jack. Most vendors, like Icom, are not even
consistent between models. So if you're going to use the data jack, you
need to
know what type of data jack it is and whether or not the interface you're
thinking of supports that data jack. The rig vendors provide that
information
in the rig's user guide, and the interface vendors generally list the
specific
rigs supported on their web pages (web pages at the end of this document).
If you don't have a data jack, and have to use the microphone jack --
surprise,
surprise. Different vendors use physically different jacks (different
shapes,
different sizes, different number of pins). Most vendors are not even
consistent between models. Probably the most popular jacks are the 8 pin
DIN
and the RJ-45, but that's by no means a majority of the vendors. So, just
as
with the data jack, you have to consult your rig's user guide and find out
what
jack the rig uses.
*****
When you order a SignaLink, you order it with the cable that fits your rig
(data
jack or mic). They claim that they fit every rig made, and that's probably
close to the truth. Their web site is
http://www.tigertronics.com/
Click on SignaLink under products (on the left) and then click on the
SignaLink
USB.
The RIGblaster NOMIC provides interfaces for 8 pin and the RJ-45 mic jacks
(NOMIC means that your mic is disconnected when you run the NOMIC).
The RIGblaster PlugNPlay (a/k/a Data Jack) provides interfaces to a number
of
data jacks.
The higher end RIGblasters claim that they support pretty much any rig and
like
the SignaLink, that's probably close to the truth.
The RIGblasters are on the West Mountain Radio web site
http://www.westmountainradio.com/index.html
and they have a good product comparison at
http://www.westmountainradio.com/products.htm
Donner also seems to support most rigs. Their web site is
http://donnerstorenet.ipage.com/DCC
Just click on "Digital Interfaces" to go to the page with the information
about
their interface and rigs supported.
________________________________
From: Jonathan Solomon <jonsolomon at techie.com>
To: ctsara at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Sun, September 5, 2010 12:23:42 PM
Subject: [CTSARA] Digital Rig Interface Group Purchase
Good Day everyone-
With Jon P's bootcamp moving forward (great job Jon!) I'd like to talk to
vendors about a group order of rig interfaces. If you are interested in
being a
part of the order, please let me know of your interest by SATURDAY. I will
do
some research and find out exactly what other information I would need to
place
the order.
If you have a vendor preference (Signal Link, Rig Blaster, etc) you can let
me
know in the email.
Please respond directly to me at jonsolomon at techie.com, not to the list.
Jonathan
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