RigExpert Plus is an electronic device designed to
operate phone, CW, and digital modes using personal computer and
transceiver. Previously, a TNC or sound card was needed for this
purpose, along with lots of cables, occupying computer sound card and
serial ports. All of this is not needed anymore. Following up-to-date
technology, USB interface is chosen to connect RigExpert Plus to a
computer. No additional interface circuit needed for transceiver
connection.
RigExpert Plus combines:
 | Transceiver audio interface for operating digital
modes, voice recording and playback – a totally compatible sound card
for any ham radio software. |
| CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) system, which
controls transceiver frequency, mode and other functions by computer,
supporting various models of transceivers. |
| FSK operation to get crystal-clear RTTY signal.
|
| Built-in electronic CW keyer (using the popular
WINKEY version 10 chip). |
|
Imagine a bulk of different black boxes with
lamps and switches, a dozen of cables hanging down the table. This
gloomy picture is well-known for a ham who prefers
computer-assisted contesting or simply wants to check out digital
modes. He spends a lot of money buying all this stuff, and then a
lot of aspirin is needed to soften his headache while hooking it
up to transceiver and computer and trying to start up the whole
system...
We have done our best to make RigExpert Plus a breakthrough
into the new era. Along with world-beater MixW software, it is a
reconsideration of style a ham radio operator's workplace may be
organized.
For a novice, it is a first ever chance to make sure operating
digital modes is really easy. It lets experienced DX-men and
contestmen enjoy the power of modern technology. Portable
operators will appreciate its simplicity and reliability. At last,
new horizons are open for experimenters.
RigExpert Plus is fully compatible with all existing radio
amateur software, providing easy setup and use. Also, it includes
many useful features such as USB output for connecting computer
mouse or other USB devices, squelch input for EchoLink software
and even optical S/PDIF connectors for modern transceivers such as
IC-7800.
|
RigExpert Plus features:
 | Along with MixW
software, operates phone, CW, PSK31, RTTY, Packet, AMTOR(FEC),
MFSK, THROB, MT63, Hellschreiber, SSTV, receives PACTOR and
fax images - all in one! No TNC required! |
| Any other
soundcard software may be used: tested with DigiPan, MMTTY,
EchoLink, etc. |
| Windows
98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista compatible. |
| Makes free
computer soundcard and COM ports previously used for operating
digital modes. |
| USB connection
to computer. |
| Single 25-pin
connector for transceiver connection. |
| CAT interface
tested with Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, Ten-Tec, Elecraft and JRC
transceivers. The device is able to work with any future type
of transceiver. |
| Transformer
coupled audio input and output to minimize interference.
|
| Shielded
aluminum case. |
| Comprehensive
documentation and support. |
|
RigExpert Plus is a device for operating phone, CW and
digital modes using personal computer with USB port. It provides:
| Transceiver audio interface |
Analog audio interface is a connection to transceiver audio
output (external speaker connector or line output) and transceiver audio
input (microphone connector or line input). Audio interface enables
operating digital modes, recording and playing voice, as well as other
useful functions (such as measuring levels of a signal from the air) by
using a computer. Input (two channels) and output volume levels are
adjusted by potentiometers on the front panel of the device.
| Optical S/PDIF in/out |
In addition to the analog audio interface, RigExpert Plus
provides optical S/PDIF input and output for modern transceivers such as
IC-7800. The optical cables are widely available in HI-FI stores.
| CAT interface for various transceiver models
|
CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) system provides control
of transceiver frequency, operating mode and other functions by computer
software. Normally, modern transceivers have serial (with various signal
levels) link providing CAT interface.
In RigExpert Plus, CAT interface port is seen as a COM
port by computer software.
| FSK output |
FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) is a popular method of
transmitting digital messages over radio primarily used in radioteletype (RTTY)
mode. Most transceivers provide FSK modulator feature to make the RTTY
signal stable and clear.
A separate COM port is assigned for the FSK output when
using RigExpert Plus. The FSK baudrate and polarity are fixed and may
be reconfigured by jumpers.
| PTT and CW output functions |
Transceivers provide PTT (Push To Talk) and CW (Continuous
Wave) keyer inputs to allow setting the transmitter on or off and
operating CW using external device (PTT pedal, CW bug or paddle, terminal
node controller, or personal computer).
In RigExpert Plus, PTT and CW outputs are assigned to the
RTS and DTR lines of a separate COM port.
| Squelch input |
Some software, such as EchoLink, requires the interface to
provide a squelch input to detect if the radio channel is busy.
In RigExpert Plus, the squelch input is assigned to the
DCD line of the COM port used for PTT and CW outputs.
| Built-in electronic CW keyer for single or double
paddle
|
The keyer produces dots or dashes depending on the
direction a paddle is pushed to. If using double paddle, squeezing both
paddles gives alternating dots and dashes. The speed a CW message comes
out with is set by computer software or a built-in potentiometer. A famous
WINKEY micro controller (version 10) was chosen as a CW keyer in RigExpert
Plus.
In RigExpert Plus, a separate COM port is assigned to the
WINKEY controller.
Front and rear panels
1. SPEED. CW speed pot for the WINKEY keyer. May be
deactivated by software.
2. ON. Lights when the RigExpert Plus device is plugged in and the
drivers are installed.
3. CW. Shows transmissions in CW mode.
4. PTT. Indicates when the transceiver transmits.
5. CAT. Monitors CAT data exchange between transceiver and computer.
6. FSK. Lights when RigExpert Plus is sending FSK data.
7. IN1. Input level, channel 1 (main receiver audio). Not active in
digital audio (S/PDIF) mode.
8. IN2. Input level, channel 2 (sub-receiver audio). Not active in
digital audio (S/PDIF) mode.
9. OUT. Output level (audio to the transceiver). Not active in digital
audio (S/PDIF) mode.
10. IN. S/PDIF optical input.
11. OUT. S/PDIF optical output.
12. TRANSCEIVER. 25-pin transceiver connector.
13. PADDLE. CW paddle input.
14. USB OUT. USB hub output to connect USB devices such as computer
mouse.
15. USB. Connect to the computer USB port.
Specifications
General features
| Transceiver audio interface for operating digital
modes, voice recording and playback |
| S/PDIF optical in/out
|
| CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) system |
| FSK output |
| Built-in electronic CW keyer (WINKEY version 10)
|
| USB output for connecting additional USB devices such
as computer mouse.
|
Computer connection
| USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector |
| Powered from the USB port (consuming 100 mA maximum)
|
| No external power supply needed
|
Transceiver connection
| Single 25-pin connector for transceiver cable
|
| Various transceiver models supported
|
Audio interface
| Insulated from digital nets |
| Maximum input/output amplitude is 1V |
| Input/output samplerate: 8 to 48 kHz (32000, 44100 or
48000 Hz in S/PDIF mode) |
| True 16-bit DAC/ADC used |
| Volume levels are adjusted by the front panel
potentiometers and on-board jumpers. |
| Standard S/PDIF optical connectors for digital
interface
|
CAT serial port
| Baudrate: 300-115200 baud |
| Electrical compatibility: RS-232, CI-V, TTL or
inverted-TTL (Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, Ten-Tec, Elecraft and JRC
transceivers)
|
PTT/CW outputs
| PTT output: open collector and TTL-level |
| CW output: open collector, either software or WINKEY
|
| Maximum current is 50 mA
|
FSK output
| Open collector output |
| Baudrate is adjusted by the on-board jumpers (preset to
45.45 baud).
|
System requirements
| Desktop or laptop Pentium computer with USB 1.1 or USB
2.0 compliant port |
| Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista operating system
|
Interface cables are available for most all transcievers
| CABLES in our price
list for most rigs |
| Installation disk contents for RigExpert transceiver interfaces |
Zip file:
sre_260108.zip Downloaded 23 times
Includes: RigExpert Plus, Standard and Tiny installers. Drivers for
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista (32- and 64-bit), Mac OS 8,9,X and Linux.
Excluded: MixW, DigiPan and Adobe Reader setup files.
Attention: Unzip this file into a
separate folder or burn to CD before running the installation program.
Otherwise, installation will be incomplete.
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