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| Reviews Summary for West Mountain Radio Rigblaster NOMIC |
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Reviews: 35
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Average rating: 4.0/5
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MSRP: $59.99
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Description: Small and inexpensive, perfect for portable or temporary setups. Switch radios by ordering an extra matching mic. cable. Use PTT keying circuit as a fully isolated CW/FSK keying output for direct keying of your rig's CW or FSK instead of using it for a sound card interface. No external power supply needed, great for portable or QRP installations.
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.westmountainradio.com/RIGblaster.htm
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KK5R
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 7, 2011 05:45
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Does what it's supposed to do
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I got the Nomic from an advertisement here on eHam. Reason the guy sold it apparently was because he did not use it enough to justify keeping it because it was in mint/as new condition and it makes me wonder if it was ever used.
I use CWGet and CWType and have used them before. I got it to work on CW with direct connections from earphone output to computer mike input and the computer speaker output to the mike with acoustical coupling and setting my rig (450AT) for VOX. However, with the Nomic I do not have to use the acoustical coupling.
I dabbled with RTTY after setting it up but see that while it tries to work, I need to get more into the setup to make it work.
The provided software on the program CD is a great collection. However, I had to download the CWGet and CWType from the program CD to get the right drivers. I now have two sets but the one I'm using with the Nomic was downloaded into a separate/default folder so the two CW programs do not interfere with each other. Later, I will delete the one I'm not using...
The CWType works fine but could not get CWType to key the radio directly. I had to do what the manual recommends, and what I did previously, and this was to use the provided mike cable that replaces the standard mike plug and use VOX on Upper Sideband and not in CW mode on the radio. With VOX, there were a couple of static pulses that keyed the radio unexpectedly but there was no detectable modulation so no problem. I will make a conscious effort to remember to take the radio out of VOX mode when not operating it in CW to avoid having it key up unknowingly but this is standard practice, anyway. No need to broadcast Fox News by leaving it in VOX with the mike connected. I'm sure the OO's would not be amused.
I'm satisfied with the range of cables provided. I can use the system on both my 450AT and my FT-757GXII by merely changing from one provided mike cable to another (and setting the mike line connector pins inside the Nomic). However, the 757 is dedicated to mobile use and the Nomic is dedicated for use at home in my case so the 757 cable is nice to have but may never be used.
The manual is identical to the downloadable one on the West Mountain Radio website. I recommend going through the step-by-step process given in the manual for mike pin placement and other setup/installation processes. I also used the centerfold pictorial diagram which eliminates the possibility of Audio In and Audio Out confusion. Take it slow and easy and it works! Also, I avoided plugging in the USB computer connector until all desired software was installed and this guaranteed that the proper drivers were in the system before plugging it all up. This was also a suggestion in the manual. Again, following the directions seems to solve some of the problems others seem to have had with the Nomic. Some problems appear to be anticipated in the manual simply because the steps for setting up the system were not followed.
I only used the Nomic for CW and a single attempt at RTTY but I suspect that I need to know more about what standards are used in RTTY before blaming the Nomic. Seeing it work with VOX to key the radio in CW indicates that the tone/s is/are there but maybe I need to switch sidebands or set the two freqs first. Therefore, I will not point the ugly finger at the Nomic.
I actually anticipated more problems with the Nomic but found that there were none. I only had to plug in the cables in the correct jacks and slowly adjust the BFO tone by tuning the main tuning knob to make it work properly. The CW bandwidth is very tight and after a few minutes of practice, the correct tone is found. Also, the visible, running threshold on CWGet shows when the received tone is found. Very weak CW signals could be problematic depending on the S/N ratio of the antenna system, etc. Turning up the received audio is key to this and, also, using the computer's audio level control to reduce the external speaker volume to a comfortable listening level is a one-time setting.
With the 450AT, the radio must be in Upper Sideband mode and not CW mode for the VOX system to work but because the signal can be tightened up some in the radio, this is not a problem. The Nomic/Computer system with CWGet is also tight as long as there are not two strong signals right next to each other. The signal you want to copy is singled out by the system. When using Upper Sideband and VOX for CW by transmitting a CW tone through the mike circuit may also require using the Clarifier or RIT control to single out a specific signal and avoid tuning the transmitted signal around and wandering or chasing your contact around the band.
More later when more is learned about the Nomic. I'm satisfied with the Nomic and while I could have set up "something" as before and not bought the Nomic, I do not regret getting it since it has eliminated some haywire in my cabling. I can see that it will become a permanent part of my station.
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KC9IXO
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 2, 2011 10:06
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Flexible for any mode of keying
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This simple device is so easy to modify for computer generated CW and RTTY keying. It's also good for PTT keying but anyone can do that...
For CW keying:
Make a 1/4" to RJ45 cable that connects the Nomic to the CW jack. Connect the white jumpers to the pins that you selected for the 1/4" plug. Select straight key keying on your rig. Polarity is critical.
I use CWType for sending, which is included on the CD.
For RTTY keying:
Do the same as above except with the appropriate plug on your RTTY jack.
The Nomic is a great value for what is included; a USB-Serial Port adapter, loads of cables, and a large collection of software to choose from.
Also, this is a great learning tool for those beginning to design circuits with opto-isolators.
73 KM9O (KC9IXO)
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VE3KKO
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Rating: 2/5
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Jan 2, 2011 06:04
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junk
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought the nomic, hooked it up according to instructions and nothing works.
It was a waste of $50.00!
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WZ3O
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 2, 2010 12:28
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Effective but too complex..
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Bought a NoMic, needed something to play with...HiHi...
Hooked up to FT-897D and woks well, however the fact remains you need to set jumpers inside for each rig & of course can't use with Mic attached to rig...Hence the name NoMic.... Does what it says but prefer my Donner Digital for simplicity & flexibility...
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KF4HPY
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2009 17:34
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Nice piece of gear
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Nomic is a simple unit; I have 2 of them. One is set to hook up in a couple of minutes. I have it jumpered for the 8-pin ICOM-718. To identify each unit as to which radio it fits; I use a square of colared tape on the radio and the Nomic. The IC-718 is ID'ed in Green. The other Nomic is ID'ed in Red for my ICOM-706MkIIG. I bought the second Nomic at the Dayton H'fest from WMR on a special (no cables) for $40. I used the modular cable of the first unit on the 706 and Radioshack had the other 2 double-ended stereo cables. Both units work well. I use Digipan and in the macro called "File" I have entered which comport to use on what computer. I keep the Red radio ready to go on the air in a couple of minutes. The Nomic is sitting in a cellphone holder bolted to the privacy panel of my desk and plugged into the serial port. Plug the 2 stereo cables in and exchange the mike cable for the Nomic 8-pin cable. Power up the radio, ant. switch, select ant., power the PC noting if they are handshaking, and load Digipan, finally setting levels and putting a test file. Then I am ready to go. I have had these 2 for years, and have no problems with either. I had minor problems with the Plug and Play using Vista; none with Nomic and XP. 73
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K4PFH
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 17, 2009 17:51
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Great
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Received the Rigblaster today 10/17/09 and made my first PSK31 qso on 20m without any problems. Easy to follow instructions, setup and CD with lots of good digital software.
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N0WYO
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 10, 2009 21:49
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works great
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have used mine for echolink, and it couldn't have been easier to set up. I was on the air in about 15 minutes. The disk provided as alot of useful programs that can be used with the interface.
To the electronicly challanged, you should read the manual first.
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WB3IGR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 25, 2009 14:00
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Great Interface
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought my Rig Blaster Nomic direct from the company. The unit was SO EASY to hook up! Running Windows Vista and a Yaesu FT-847. I just followed the instruction manual and it all came together. I had a Tiger Tronics unit (SL-1) here before and it was very hard getting that thing to work right.
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KI4CBF
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Rating: 1/5
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Dec 23, 2008 08:45
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Do not recommend
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Had two computer soundcards burn out using this product. Telephone support person has a condescending tone and attitude. Finally scrapped the interface and went with another company whose product was much easier to setup and which has worked flawlessly.
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KA1VF
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 9, 2008 17:18
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It works fine for me!
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Time owned: months
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I've never operated any Digital modes until
10/31/08 when I bought the Rigblaster Nomic.
I didn't have a "Digital" Elmer available,
so I was on my own for better or worse. It
was for the better, because I didn't have a
hassle with hooking it up to Yaesu FT-450AT.
I did take alot of time wiring the jumpers
because I didn't want to blow up anything!
I loaded the Winpsk v2.13 software, then I
made my first PSK31 contact on 20 meters!
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