[CTSARA] SARA Digital Bootcamp - Digital Interfaces

Mon Sep 6 12:14:47 EDT 2010

Greetings,
I believe we should support West Mountain Radio because they support our 
club. They speak at the metings when requested and help us out with 
equipment loans at times. It would be a shame to buy other equipment when 
there products are so good and they are local as well. Think like family.
Stan WA2NRV

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris- KB1QXR" <kb1qxr at arrl.net>
To: <ctsara at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 2:05 AM
Subject: Re: [CTSARA] SARA Digital Bootcamp - Digital Interfaces

> 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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