RIGblaster Pro

Description
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.

Click here to view our RIGblaster Comparison Chart

Click here to read QST's April 2003 review of the RIGblaster Pro

Front View:

Back View:

Includes:

What is a RIGblaster?

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. Your computer and a RIGblaster PRO, Plus, M8 or Nomic can take the place of old expensive adapters or TNC's.

Consider that for only $289.95 and by utilizing using existing computer and appropriate software, the RIGblaster PRO replaces the following devices:

• A mic. equalizer/processor up to $250
• A rig control interface up to $130
• A multi mode TNC up to $550
• A contest Digital Voice Keyer up to $180
• A DSP receive filter up to $400
• A receive enhancer up to $170
• A DX beacon clock with receive up to $100
• An Internet remote base up to $ 65
• A sound card interface (of course) up to $140

By utilizing currently 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)
• Hellschriber (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 (Windows freeware + a Special DSP card (not available at WMR) or RITTY $160)
• 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)

Features of the RIGblaster Pro

• 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.
• You may always a RIGblaster Pro connected, everything always works, no bypass switches required. Only your mic. works with switches off.
• 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.

Features of all RIGblasters

• 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.
• Supplied with all the cables and power supply that you must have to get on the air with sound card software.
• 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.
• Extensive online support page.
• The best support, telephone and E-mail support 5 days a week 8 hours a day on any question you have, hardware or software.