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Reviews For: BuxCom Rascal

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : BuxCom Rascal
Reviews: 121MSRP: 49.00
Description:
Computer-radio interface
Product is in production
More Info: http://buxcommco.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001214
W8COP Rating: 2002-01-11
It works great !! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I rec'd my unit within a week. I had no trouble hooking it up to my Icom 775DSP,and with WinPSK software,it works great. I use a Compaq laptop and have had no problems.I did have a credit card problem,but Buck called me via tx and I gave him the correct exp date for the card.
W9AC Rating: 2001-09-20
Easy hookup, excellent product Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Buck offers both pre-assembled and kit interfaces. I like the fact that it comes with the connectors for the radio that you specify at time of order. Performance is excellent...transformer and opto-isolators do a good job of keeping R.F. out. The stock interface comes with relatively short cables. Make sure you specify desired cable length at time of order. Overall, the best true plug-n-play interface available.
K5CFW Rating: 2001-09-16
Good value, works as advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the pre-assembled version for my TenTec OMNI-V. Fast delivery as noted in the other reviews. Opened up the case, and was pleased by the quality of construction. Plug'n'play on both BPSK and SSTV. My only suggestion is the additon of an attenuator pad on the output line... maybe a trimpot on the PC board? HamScope complained that I was overloading the input to the sound card. Eventually added a 10k log taper pot on the radio out / cptr in line... then all was perfect.

Buck is delivering a quality product a fair price with good support. He has earned my business.
KF7QZ Rating: 2001-09-06
Excellent Kit, Works like a champ Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Buxcom Rascal kit is without a doubt the Best kit Ive seen on the market. Buc is 100% on answering questions and offering suggestions and answers each email in a timely fashion. The kit is easy to put together and works wonderfull. I get avg reports of -30db IMD because of the excellent filtering that he has in the kit. I bought a Rat Shack small box and trimmed the plastic inside and the kit slid right down in (Of course drilling the hole for the Key LED).


I would highly recommend this kit and or the fully built one over any other interface. Buc did an outstanding job.
former_W4CHL Rating: 2001-08-31
RASCAL kits are basic, functional, and a good value ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As one who doesn't have much of a junk box of radio parts (electronics and computer parts yes) I was intrigued by an offer of kitted parts to match extensive schematics for radio to sound card computer interfaces on the Buxcomm site (www.buxcommco.com). I had made some cables for TNCs in the past and decided that accumulating the parts alone would cost me more than $27 in parts and postage, so I sprang for one.

After getting a RASCAL kit and putting it together in an hour or so and another 5 min installing the included WinPSK software, I was on the air experimenting with PSK-31 using an old HT (HTX-202). Got a local contact within a couple of hours on a pre-arranged schedule, since 2m PSK-31 isn't very active in our area. From about 25mi distance we were each able to get clear PSK-31 copy running with HTs at low power on batteries (1W on the HTX-202) with stubby whips. Not unexpected for those experienced with PSK-31, but quite impressive for the digital QRP neophyte !

The RASCAL is a basic kit, and that's what I expected for $27. Kit went together very nicely, yes the kit box is a very basic plastic "Altoids" size box. For an FT817 interface, I am substituting for the plastic component box. But I personally prefer to dedicate one box with all the appropriate connectors to each radio I am running digital, rather than multiple connectors to mix and match (and misplace) from the core digital interface.

I have since ordered 10 kits for our local club and to work with our local Middle School Amateur Radio club. This is a kit that the kids can readily build and get on the air working digital modes. I consider this an excellent value, and the site an excellent resource. So with all these cheap, very functional kits around we are seeding the area with PSK-31 users. What a deal for $23@ when 5 or more are ordered together ! And when ordering 5 or more, BuxComm folks added a few extra parts for those who may lift a printed circuit trace or burn out the only IC, an optoisolator. BTW - the optoisolator includes a DIP socket, too.

Buck Rogers has a very basic, usable, informative web site. Perhaps it and this kit aren't flashy, but they get the job done. I heartily recommend BuxCommco and the RASCAL sound interface kits to anyone, especially those without a fully stocked radio junk parts kit !

73 de Mark W4CHL
PS - no affiliation, no compensation, just a satisfied customer.
K7FU Rating: 2001-08-30
It works. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the kit because I hate to make cables. Well, the 13-pin DIN connector comes in two pieces, cable and connector.

The parts supplied are the cheapest you could possibly find, and the box is a cheap hobby box.

The optoisolator came DOA. I emailed Buck, but he swears he tests each one before they go out and so I was on my own.

I am embarrassed as an Extra class ham and experimenter that I didn't build this from parts in my junk box (where a working optoisolator was found). Transformers are available at Radio Shack, connectors by mail-order.

But I must admit that the interface works. Looking at the schematics on the 'net, I don't know how it couldn't.
KC0CHJ Rating: 2001-08-28
RASCAL/SE A+++ Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just got the RASCAL/SE and it works great! I was up and running in no time and have received great reports. It's everything I wanted and a very good price. The support is excellent also. Buck must live on that keyboard :-) Thanks Buck!

73,
Rich
KC0CHJ
WA5ZBK Rating: 2001-08-25
A MUST for Digital Communication Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a great interface!
The kit was simple to build. All parts were included and the instructions clear.
It worked perfectly from the start. I have used it for PSK31 and SSTV flawlessly.
YOU MUST HAVE THIS!!!!!!
K9FCC Rating: 2001-07-25
Can't be beat! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've had my interface for a few months now, and it has worked flawlessly on my Kenwood 8-pin rigs. I do a lot of slow scan on 2 meters and Buck's interface was just the ticket. I use MMSSTV and it all works wonderful! The instructions are very detailed and assembly is a snap. Buck shipped mine before my check even cleared the bank and I got it very quickly after mailing in the order. You couldn't ask for better service or a product for the money. My only suggestion would be to get the longer cables, especially if you computer is more than a couple of feet from your rig.
KC8FUW Rating: 2001-05-14
Great Product, Great service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I emailed Buck to ask a couple of questions about the interface and recieved a very prompt reply ( within minutes). I ordered the unit and it arrived in a couple of days and was plug and play with my laptop and 706. I have been having a blast ever since.

Brian W8BRI