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| Reviews Summary for RigExpert Plus |
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Reviews: 2
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $305.
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Description: RigExpert Plus is a device for operating phone, CW and digital modes using personal computer with USB port. It provides:
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.
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 (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 (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.
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.
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.
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,DX4WIN,Logger32,WriteLog,RCKRTTY,N1MM etc.
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista compatible.
RigExpert Plus is FCC C.F.R. 47 (part 15:2005) and ICES-003 certified.
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More info: http://www.rigexpert.net
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write your own review of the RigExpert Plus.
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KD0TRG
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 15, 2009 14:46
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RigExpert Plus is Good to Go
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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RigExpert Plus – Purchased from Yuri in Canada. I am currently using the RigExpert Plus on two radios, it costs more than others but the quality of the cables alone is worth it to me. I like having only the one USB cable coming over to the laptop and no need for external power.
ICOM 7000
ICOM 756ProIII
Laptop running XP with HRD and DM780. In HRD, I had to Select Tools, SoundCards, Volume Level and kick it up to 100% to get things working. I find that it is easy enough to leave the HRD and DM780 running on the laptop at all times – I turn the radio on and off as I am doing other things. Otherwise, if I try to bring the HRD and DM780 up and down, they eventually lose connectivity with the radio – no big deal.
I’m very happy with the quality and the performance.
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WA3KVN
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 24, 2007 05:53
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Wonderful!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The RigExpert Plus is a great piece of equipment. Integrated with MixW software and with my Yaesu FT1000MP, this combination gives great performance on RTTY. CW is also quite nice, though, as most computer CW decoders go, it does make errors. I have not tried it on any of the other digital modes.
I used it this weekend in the N.A. RTTY QSO Party and thoroughly enjoyed the contest. I worked RTTY with as much ease as I do CW or SSB. The combination of MixW, RigExpert+, and FT1000MP on FSK RTTY is dynamite!
Yuri, VE3DZ, is more than a little helpful. I had an initial problem with a mis-wired cable and he helped me through it, including freely exchanging the cable for one that was correctly wired. Great service, Yuri.
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