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| Reviews Summary for MixW RigExpert USB Transceiver Interface (Modem) |
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Reviews: 52
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Average rating: 4.4/5
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MSRP: $199
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Description: MixW RigExpert is a device for operating CW and digital modes using a personal computer with USB port. It provides transceiver audio interface, CAT interface for various transceiver models, FSK output, PTT and CW keyer functions, and built-in electronic CW keyer. By using a transceiver cable, MixW RigExpert is connected to the transceiver audio in/out, FSK, CW and CAT sockets. No additional interface boxes needed to connect the device to a transceiver. It frees up the computer sound card and COM port previously used to operate digital modes.
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More info: http://www.mixw.net/RigExpert/index.html
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write your own review of the MixW RigExpert USB Transceiver Interface (Modem).
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K5WK
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 10, 2006 13:40
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Yes it will work with notebooks
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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My previous review should be corrected.
I had to reinstall the driver - install ONLY the driver over the old installation - and all works now. There may be some glitch in the install proc.
At any rate, this is a wonderful product, W3GWW provides conscientious support, and I wish I could remove my last post. This is a FIVES ALL THE WAY product.
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W0NAC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 26, 2006 07:19
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RigExpert SD Interface
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Time owned: months
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I am a county hunter who works extensively from my mobile station on both SSB and PSK. I have been waiting for years for someone to come out with an interface that utilizes the new USB ports. During this wait I have struggled with serial ports and level interfaces. My mobile rig setup looked like an octopus with all the various cables strung everywhere. It was also very prone to EMI and RFI problems. The RigExpert SD has satisfied all my wishes and has enabled me to greatly simplify my mobile installation. I love it!
As others have noted, the manual leaves much to be desired and there are several inconsistencies between the manual and the quick start guide. I had to avail myself of technical support help several times before I finally got it working right, but Glenn really knows his stuff and was extremely helpful.
My mobile rig uses an ICOM 706 MKII transceiver driving an ALS-500M linear mobile. In order to control the linear, I had to get a special cable and a Y adapter cable to access the HSend output on the 706 to switch the linear on and off. Again, Glenn was very helpful in figuring out what I needed to get my rig working correctly.
I think most people will experience the most difficulty in coordinating the virtual com port with the MixW software settings, but once that is done, you will have an amazingly simple and intuitive setup. The final result is well worth the effort. The hardware furnished is first grade and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs an interface, especially for mobile operation.
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W4OGV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 12, 2006 19:19
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Excellent Product and Great Service.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had a RigExpert for a little over a year. I've used both MixW and Digipan software with it. I've used it on my Icom 706mkiig, my Yaesu 857D and just recently with my newly acquired Yaesu 817ND. It works great with all of them. A power surge took it out after about 8 months and Glenn's service was excellent. Later, when I had a problem reconnecting to one of my radios after a long time on a different one, Glenn walked me through the problem on the phone - even though the problem was that I had failed to connect one of the connectors! The product and the service are second to none!
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N5VEI
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 20, 2006 07:21
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RigExpert MixW interface - Great product and Awesome customer s
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased a RigExpert a few months ago and just got around to installing it. Let me tell you.. It is the best decision I have made in years as far as buying equipment or interfaces. I purchased the RigExpert from www.rigexpert.com The customer service was great. I could not get the CAT features to work at first, so I called Glenn (W3GWW) the distributor and tech service guy. The problem was fixed in less than 10 minutes. While on the line.. he gave me lots of tips and advice on MixW which I never knew. I would recommend this product and distributor to anyone wanting to venture in digital or are looking for a bulletproof product.
Bill Richardson
N5VEI
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W7EIT
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 8, 2006 12:49
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Only way to reduce the missery of multiple modes
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Nick and the crew has done it again, Mixw and RigExpert make us all look like we are in the know. Learning curve is a little lumpy, but after that just go. We are fortunate to have Nick and the crew on our side.
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K6XR
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 6, 2006 13:14
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use with most software
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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In reference to the last review, I have configured and use Rigxpert with the following software:
Mixw, digipan, echolink, ham radio deluxe both for cat control, rig controls, and psk31, and logging, Jvcomm32 (sstv), mmsstv, mmtty, rckrtty, xpware, dxlab winwarbler, and dxlab suite of programs. With dxlab, I can control my ts-2000 or ft-817ND, work all the digital modes, and log. I sometimes just use dxlab commander for rig control alone. all work flawlessly and well. It was not difficult to setup and use with these programs.
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N9PCS
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Rating: 3/5
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Mar 6, 2006 10:52
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Great with MixW, not great with other software
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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First if this was device was marketed strictly to work with MixW, then I would be giving it at least a four and probably a five. It works well with MixW and if MixW completely meets your CAT and digital mode needs then I heartily recommend the RigExpert. The RigExpert can be somewhat difficult to configure, but Glenn W3GWW is willing to help you set things up. Unfortunately "standard" tech support hours are M-F 10:00 am - 6:00 p.m. Eastern time. Fortunately Glenn is willing to work with you if you need to schedule another time to call.
The best thing about this device (and the main reason I purchased it) is I can easily move between a desktop PC at home and a laptop for portable operations, without having to futz with soundcard settings. I also had an older laptop which had a low quality internal soundcard that did not produce satisfactory results for PSK. With the RigExpert getting the soundcard function out of the PC, that laptop now works great for PSK.
Now for the down side...I use a Kenwood TS-B2000 (which is a "black box" TS-2000 with no front panel controls, all rig control must be done from
the PC). MixW works fine for changing frequencies and modes, but does not have any provisions for changing volume, squelch nor any of the dozens
of other controls found on today's typical HF transciever. Granted you could write MixW macros for all of the needed controls, but that would be
a daunting task. And when so much other excellent software already exists for rig control I did not want to re-invent the wheel. I generally use either Kenwood's ARCP-2000 or Ham Radio Deluxe software for rig control.
To use any non MixW software, the REaudio drivers must be installed. REaudio actually serves two functions: it creates a "virtual sound card" for
use with other programs like MMSSTV. It also creates a "virtual COM port" for use with other rig control programs like Ham Radio Deluxe. The
REaudio drivers are not needed with MixW. I was able to get CAT working with both ARCP-2000, and HRD through the RigExpert CAT port. But once
that is running, MixW will no longer run through the RigExpert.
I also attempted to use the RigExpert with HamPAL and digTRX. With HamPAL, I could see a signal in the waterfall, but it would never lock on a signal to decode. And when sending it would send audio, but those I was testing with told me that the tone frequency was just wrong and no one could decode what I was sending. I also discovered that with HamPal, while PTT would usually key the radio initially, often PTT would stay engaged even after the file was sent. I had to exit to HamPAL before the RigExpert would release PTT. With DigTrx I had similar results. I asked Tech Support and was told that while the RigExpert will work with other programs such as MMSSTV, that HamPAL and DigTRX were two that they had not yet been succesul getting to work with the RigExpert.
One thing I have not tested was whether the RigExpert will work with MMSSTV (for sound card functionality) and also HRD (for CAT unctionality simultaneously.
So after all this, am I still using the RigExpert? Yes, but I am not exactly taking advantage of all of it's features. the RigExpert does put out a very nice clean PSK signal and I consistently get good reports about how the PSK signal looks. I use MixW software and the RigExpert, for PSK31, MFSK, SSTV, RTTY, and even some CW. But I only use the sound card portion. I leave the RigExpert serial cable for CAT control disconnected, and purchased a generic USB<->serial adapter that I use with a separate serial cable for Ham Radio Deluxe for Rig control. For HamPAL, I have given up and now unplug the RigExpert from the transceiver and use the old BuxCom Rascal interface.
Before I purchased antother RIgExpert I would consider an external USB soundcard together with a more traditional soundcard interface. The RigExpert is great with MixW, and is easy to move between computers while giving consistent sound quality regardless of the PC's internal soundcard quality... But if you are wanting to use non MixW software, the challenges can be daunting.
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N6UB
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 5, 2006 23:02
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Excellent Product, Excellent Support
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Although I had purchased the RigExpert over one year ago from the Canadian distributor, and couldn't solve an installation problem at that time, I found out recently that Glenn at www.RigExpert.com was now selling and supporting the product in the U.S. He talked to me on the telephone and identified and solved the problems I was having. Excellent support by Glenn and I am now enjoying MixW using the RigExpert with an FT-847, with all features working as advertised.
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K6XR
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 4, 2006 18:38
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great product and service
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I could not get up and running so called Glenn and he had me up and running in a moment. Works great with my ft-817ND and Ts-2000. I also have it configured for winwarbler, stream, and most other digital piece of software. All work flawlessly with the rigexpert. Miw software also great and easy to use. It is nice to to this all with just one cable, the usb cable to the computer!
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W2WO
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 2, 2006 14:43
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HW good, doc bad
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Hardware works very well. MixW seems good, although I have not used all the modes. As others have noted, the documentation is very poor. Perhaps a few prizes are needed for "contributed" documentation, plus a web site that invites user-submitted updates related to particular rigs. It took me a while to get the various Orion settings right.
Bill W2WO
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