RIGblaster Sound card Interfaces

A RIGblaster is the easiest way to properly connect your radio to your computer's sound card so that you may operate using any present or future ham radio sound card software.
A RIGblaster pro is the only way to do everything you can do with a computer and a radio. Presently available ham radio sound card software, a RIGblaster, a radio and a computer is the easy and modern way to operate:

• PSK31 (freeware on our CD and on the web)
• MFSK16 (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• MT63 (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• Hellschreiber (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• SSTV (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• RTTY (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• AMTOR (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• PACTOR I(DOS freeware that requires a PSA chip set sound card card) Will not do Airmail, Sailmail or WinLink2000!
• PACKET (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• APRS (Windows™ demo on our CD and on the web)
• CW (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• Contest Voice Keying (Windows™ demo on our CD and on the web, $10)
• WSJT FSK441 High Speed FSK meteor scatter NEW! (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• WSJT JT44 Extreme weak signal Tropo and EME NEW! (Windows™ freeware on our CD and on the web)
• CW High Speed meteor scatter (DOS freeware on our CD and on the web)
• FM repeater announcements, automatic and unattended.(Windows™ demo on our CD and on the web, $20 de K1RFD)
• Internet radio linking with Echolink. NEW, POPULAR! (Freeware, get the latest version at echolink.org)
• Simplex or duplex repeater control with EchoStation. (Windows™ 30 day demo on our CD and on the web, $20 de K1RFD)
• Computer RIG control (pro only) (Many rig control programs on our CD and on the web.
• Transmit speech processing (pro only) EQualizer, noise reduction and compression on our CD and on the web.
• DX beacon monitoring (pro only) BeaconSee (Shareware on the web, $29)

Benefits of RIGblaster interfaces

• Proven performance, over 15 Thousand on-the-air!
• Compatible with almost every radio and every sound card equipped computer.
• Works with EVERY present or future ham radio sound card program!
• Properly matched audio to any radio. Easily adjustable to any radio's mic. input.
• Fully isolated computer ground circuit using optoisolators, unlike other interfaces that require extra ground screws, extra wires and extra cables in an attempt to eliminate ground loops.
• Easier hookup thanks to our fully isolated audio and computer keying circuits.
• Far and away the easiest to use, most complete and up to date CD, included for free.
• Effective RFI suppression to eliminate RF in the audio, proven in 12,000 stations.
• Positive and fully automatic PTT control supported almost 100 ham programs, no illegal or spurious signals.
• VOX operation using your radio's VOX.
• Supplied in sturdy 1/16" aluminum cases; powder coat painted and silk screened; no plastic pill boxes, sharp edges or plastic coated metal.
• Convenience computer speaker/headphone output in stereo.
• Double sided 1/16" fiberglass plated through, solder masked and silk screened printed circuit boards.
• Stainless steel and black anodized stainless steel hardware.
• Commercial quality mini toggle switches; no cheap slide or push switches.
• The only interface that has quick change mic. cables to easily switch between 8 pin, Modular and 4 pin mic. radios.
• No wires sticking through holes to get frayed and break loose.
• One full year parts and labor guarantee, you pay only one way shipping, no warranty minimum charge.
• Step by step illustrated instruction manual.

RIGblaster Advantage Interface with USB soundcard

RigBlaster Advantage Front

The RigBlaster Advantage model differs from other RigBlaster products by having an own soundcard integrated! The has the benefit that the internal soundcard of the computer remains free for other purposes, no manual setting of levels when switching applications. And you have only one cable between the interface and the computer, no more cable knots. The power supply of the interface is also done by USB.

As the other RigBlaster interfaces, the model Advantage offer an automatic PTT selection bewteen computer and microphone. A transmission from the computer can be interrupted at any time by pressing the PTT switch on the microphone or foot switch. This is very helpful for SSTV or contest operation. The easy to operate front panel knobs are very convenient to adjust the TX and RX audio level. Additionally the RigBlaster Advantage offers an audio VOX function, which keys the transmitter as soon as the soundcard produces an output. This is useful for (older) transceivers which do not have any other means of keying the PTT line.

RigBlaster Instant Jumper Blocks

The RigBlaster interfaces are integrated into the microphone cable to the radio. The required cable is included in shipment and supports any radio with round (Foster) or modular (RJ-45) connector with 8 pins. Internally the various radios are adapted by jumpers. To facilitate this the RigBlaster Advantage comes with 6 ready to use jumper blocks for the most often used radios: Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, JRC and Elecraft. Other, older radios can be accomodated by setting individual jumper cables according to the pinout of the radio.

The CAT interface of the radio if of course also handled by the RigBlaster Advantage, either traditional serial, CAT or CI-V. And also of course the CAT interface is galvanically isolated between radio and computer to alleviate noise loops. Audio and all other keying lines are also isolated. The interface also offers keying lines for CW and FSK (RTTY).

RigBlaster Advantage Rear

RIGblaster PRO

RigBlaster Pro Front View

RigBlaster Jumper Blocks

• Ready to use jumper blocks, no problems with jumper cables
• Built in rig control, RS232 to TTL interface tested with Icom and Yaesu; electrically compatible with Ten Tec and Kenwood.
• Rig control is possible along with sound card PTT control and CW keying on a SINGLE serial port using Hamscope or MixW software.
• Single serial port pass through for radios directly RS232 controlled (newer Yaesu and Kenwood).
• Rig control, FSK keying and sound operation is supported using two serial ports or when using two separate programs.
• Your microphone may be bridged to computer as well as radio for on-the-fly digital recording.
• Transmit speech processing is done by looping mic. audio through the sound card using appropriate EQ and compression software.
• Plug in 2nd mic. jack allows instant automatic switch over to a headset mic. without unplugging your main mic.
• Both 1/4" and 1/8" front panel headphone jacks to monitor computer receive and transmit audio; no searching for adaptors.
• Computer speaker PTT activated mute-on-transmit works with speech processing and for general sound card operation.
• Four ways to connect the receive audio from your radio: direct, mic jack, line out, speaker out. A radio speaker loop jack is included.
• Fully automatic operation; your mic. always works, your computer always works, no manual switching, no plugging or unplugging, ever.
• No extra manual selector switches needed, three DPDT relays for true automatic operation, unlike other sound card interfaces.
• Simpler operation than other brands, you never have to remember to push un-needed switches when operating.
• PTT override feature; your mic. can always override the computer, perfect for contesting or SSTV operation.
• PTT interrupt feature can stop a computer program, our innovation, specially designed for DVK and transmit speech processing.
• Complete with 8pin screw on and RJ45 radio mic. cable compatibility. 4pin screw on adaptor kit as an option.
• Automatic switching between your mic. and the computer; never a hot mic.
• A RIGblaster pro may be connected all the time, everything always works, no bypass switches required. However with the RIGblaster pro power switch in the "OFF" position the process switch must also be "OFF" for your microphone to work through the RIGblaster pro.
• On/Off switch. You mic. works normally with other functions disabled. Other RIGblaster use less than 0.1 watts and do not need an on/off switch.
• Fully isolated CW keying output for direct keying of your rig's CW. This jack is for use with non-sound card software using serial DTR control.
• Fully isolated FSK keying output for direct keying of your rig's FSK jack. This jack is for use with non-sound card software using serial TXD control.
• Front panel LED indicators show whether computer audio or mic. audio is routed to the radio.
• Front panel LED indicator shows if the computer audio is present at an adequate level for transmit or receive.
• Front panel LED indicators show PTT, CW and FSK activation status making it easy to check the operation of your software.
• Front panel audio drive control allows setting the transmit audio from the computer to your radio without fumbling with your mouse.
• Dual rear panel RCA PTT jacks provide for a foot switch, amplifier and sequencer connections. This supports our PPT override and interrupt features.
• Total ground loop isolation using 3 shielded isolation transformers, 3 optoisolators, 3 relays and an isolating DC to DC converter.
• Power supply included, no charge. Your choice of 120 VAC or 230 VAC
• 12 VDC operation easily done without the included power supply. See our support page for the proper hookup.

Technical Data RIGblaster PRO

RIGblaster PLUS-II

RigBlaster Plus2

RigBlaster Instant Jumper Blocks

• Fully automatic operation; your mic. always works, your computer always works, no manual switching, no plugging or unplugging.
• No extra manual switches needed, two DPDT relays for true automatic operation unlike other sound card interfaces.
• Simpler operation than the other brands, you never have to remember to push un-needed switches to make your station work.
• PTT override feature; your mic. can always override the computer, perfect for contesting or SSTV operation.
• PTT interrupt feature; your mic. can stop the computer program, our innovation.
• Complete with 8pin screw on and RJ45 radio mic. cable compatibility. 4pin screw on adaptor kit as an option.
• Automatic switching between your mic. and the computer; never a hot mic.
• You may always leave it connected, everything always works, no bypass switch required.
• In addition to the PTT keying circuit there is a fully isolated CW/FSK keying output for direct keying of your rig's CW or FSK jack for use with non-sound card software, no other interface has this.
• Input for control of this additional fully isolated CW/FSK keying circuit as well as the PTT circuit is jumper selectable between serial port leads RTS, DTR, and TXD.
• Default for this jumper block has RTS controlling the PTT circuit and DTR controlling the CW/FSK keying circuit.
• Internal diagnostic LEDs show at a glance what the serial port is doing with RTS, DTR and TXd, check if the other brand has this.
• Rear panel RCA PTT switch / foot switch jack that enables the PPT override and interrupt, another exclusive.
• Power supply via USB port on computer

RigBlaster Plus2 Rückseite

Technical Data RIGblaster PLUS

Optional cables für Rigblaster