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| Reviews Summary for Navigator by US Interface |
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Reviews: 44
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $369
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Description: The Navigator is a high quality interface between the rig and the computer, for use in running the digital modes such as PSK31, Olivia, MFSK, Hellschreiber, MT-63, etc. It also works fine for SSTV using many popular software programs such as MMSSTV.
The Navigator interfaces to the rig using a USB port, thus it does not require a serial port on the computer. It provides CAT control to the rig via a serial connection from the Navigator to the rig. The Navigator is completely configured and defined in software, and future updates are expected to be flash-ROM updates that can be installed by the user.
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More info: http://www.usinterface.com
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WM5DX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 29, 2010 07:23
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No more Tylenol.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have operated RTTY since the mid 90's using various equipment. Everything I have used, including one of the most popular interfaces, has been a pain to set up and get running, and keep running when changing radios or software. Gave me grief and headaches.
I bought the Navigator about a month ago. The software was easy to install and it set itself up with virtual com ports exactly as the manual said it should. I am really dumb when it comes to the technical aspects of setting up my logging programs so I called Clint for help. He gave me great guidance and talked me through every step.
I am using the Navigator and non pro Icom 746 with DX4WIN,MMTTY, Writelog, and Writelog with the MMTTY plug in. It does everything it should on every program.
I took digital photographs of every software setup screen for future reference.
I operated in the BARTG Sprint last weekend and ran a couple of hundred QSO's just loafing along for a few hours. The Navigator and software worked flawlessly. Decoded signals that I could hardly hear. Best piece of digital equipment I have ever owned. My shack is now devoid of a rats nest of cables and finally looks tidy. With previous interfaces I have had to label every cable and connection to the interface, computer and radio just to know where to reconnect if I move things around. Not anymore. I also notice that on some of the RTTY reflectors there a some pieces of equipment that are always coming up with queries by the owners who are having problems but I never see queries by Navigator owners. Go figure.
A great piece of equipment and terrific backup by Clint.
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N8PVW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 20, 2010 14:28
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Great unit-great people
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought a Navigator from a friend when they first went on the market. Great unit. Worked perfectly. But this is about the people behind the product. I work for the federal government as a medical professional but have also volunteered to deploy on our agencies disaster team. I have a number of specialties besides medicine including communications. I volunteer as one of our agencies EMCOMM people. Primarily with SHARES but also as an amateur op. I volunteered to deploy to Haiti and was cleared and am currently in the que awating travel orders. I decided to take my FT 897D with me but no longer had my Navigator. I had given it to my older son. He is an officer in the U.S. military and took it to Iraq along with my first FT 897D when he was on his first deployment there. It and the radio are still floating about somewhere over in that part of the world as he donated them to some of his friends who are active duty and amateur ops. So I contacted Clint Hurd KK7UQ at US interface about buying a new unit and cable to take along to Haiti. Today Clint sent me an e-mail at work informing me that he and his wife are express shipping me the new Navigator and cable free of charge to take to Haiti. I have found that while such generosity may be rare in other areas, amateur radio is the exception. The hobby is loaded with people like Clint and his wife. My mission is primarily one of disaster relief not amateur radio. But if needed the unit will be put to good use. And will continue to serve on other missions. I have to not only give the product a 5. But Clint Hurd, his wife and the other folks at US Interface get a big 10. Thanks Clint.
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G0DJA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 14, 2010 12:14
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Excellent Unit
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've owned a Navigator for a while and it is one of a few items of Amateur Radio kit that I wouldn't part with.
It copes with all the digital modes that I throw at it, from HF through VHF to SHF and hasn't let me down yet. Computer control of my radios through it works without a problem.
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W4II
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 6, 2009 19:26
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Great Interface!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This interface is terrific. One cable to the computer and one to the Orion II. And, equally important, the support received from Clint is outstanding!!
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N5KAV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 6, 2009 13:06
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Best Buy For the money
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have had the Navigator now for over 6 months, it has work without one problem, the cables I ordered were spot on and hooked up without any problem. My hat is off to US Interface, I was able
to talk with Glenn before he pass away, wow what
a guy!!! I'm sure we all will miss him and his
knowledge.
I have a A/B box hook up and runner the Navigator
between my FT990 and FT920, I work CW, PSK, MT63
and RTTY all the time without any problems.
73es Chuck W5KAV Rochester WA
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VE7TK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 1, 2009 16:20
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Great product & support
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Wow! This is a great interface. Very flexible and robust. I had some minor issues with the Com Port set-up but was quickly assisted by Clint, KK7UG, at US Interface.
Then it was on to testing the interface with my normal software. Again a couple of small glitches but quickly solved.
Finally I attempted to get Navigator and MMTTY working with my logging program, Logger32. At this point I was stymied. Once more Clint came to the rescue working with the Logger32 development team to resolve this problem! (See Logger32 version 3.19 and later.)
I am the 2nd owner of this interface yet the support provided by US Interface has been phenomenal! I would heartily recommend the Navigator Interface to anyone considering it!
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G0KAD
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Rating: 5/5
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May 25, 2009 01:07
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Brilliant
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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What a great bit of kit. Does everything that I can think of. Fantastic for everyform of PC to radio interface. WSJT to DM780, contest CW to full station remote control.
The unit is so flexible but easy to use. Hard to see how it could be bettered. Unit was faulty when it arrived but Dave at EZE(UK) posted another before I'd even returned the original. Follow up was excellent.
Expensive but worth every penny or cent!
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VE7AT
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 13, 2009 18:38
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WHY did I wait so long???
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Installation is a breeze if you follow the detailed instructions. The only challenge I had was Windows Vista and ghost devices, (comm ports Vista said were in use and were actually NOT being used because my laptop has no comm ports) once I had persueded device manager to give up the low numbered comm ports I wanted to use.. Bingo each function works as described. I have a usb and a vox interface for sale !!!
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N9XO
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 23, 2009 05:16
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Everything I expected
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My setup is Icom-706mkIIg, Ham Radio Deluxe with DM 780 software version 4.1, build 2055, Navigator software version 4.2.11
I am still learning the HRD and DM780 interface. But everything is working the way I expected. I previously had a RigBlaster Plus interface but was dissatisfied with it in several ways despite making a few contacts with it.
I am very happy with the Navigator interface. I have enjoyed several RTTY and PSK QSOs recently. I like the front panel controls particularly having a CW speed control without having to manipulate the IC-706 menus. A minimum of cables are required between PC, transceiver and interface. It is much neater than the RigBlaster.
I want to thank Clint Hurd, KK7UQ, for his guidance. We traded about a dozen emails while debugging some issues. I would have never gotten it running without his help.
Details of debugging:
The Navigator interface was not new. I purchased it used and later learned the cable was Feb, 2007 build and US Interface stopped doing business with the cable supplier shortly after that time. So, recent cables should not have my problem. The Navigator interface box was originally purchased in 2007 but US Interface exchanged it in 2008 as part of an upgrade to the hardware.
Summary of corrections:
1) IC-706 must be in straight key mode to allow the WinKeyer in the Navigator interface to control the keying. See Icom-706 manual for details.
2) COM ports numbers can be any number when using Ham Radio Deluxe with its DM780 software. I didn’t change the numbers from original driver setup. Other software, such as N1MM Logger, may require specific COM port assignments between 1 and 8.
3) In DM780, you must select “CW (WinKeyer)” mode, not “CW”, to send CW from either the paddle or keyboard
4) The Navigator-to-Icom cable had wiring errors. The digital and audio grounds needed to be separated and the TX and RX audio lines were reversed. Again, recently built cables should not have this problem.
5) The Icom-706 initial setup item # 29 had to change from 9600 to 1200 baud. This fixed the problem of no transmit in PSK or RTTY modes (while CW and SSB modes transmitted OK). See Icom-706 manual for details.
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VE3SYH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 17, 2009 10:54
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Excellent interface
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is a well built and reliable device. No problems setting up. It cleaned up many cables and resolved some noise issues I had with another interface. One USB cable to the PC, that's it ! Well worth the money for such a well built device. Pat Douek VE3SYH
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