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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
N8XI Rating: 2006-05-17
Easy to set up Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Rascal GLX arrived and in a couple of hours had it up and running.
Needed to add a switch as the DTR line is used (In my shack) for either PTT or CW.
When I removed the cover I noticed how well built it is, even has a retaining clip for the DB-9 and sound card cables.

KG2NA Rating: 2006-02-09
Think Twice Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the Rascal GLX Mk V and interface cable to use with my Kenwood TS-570D.
It’s a no brainier plug and play unit for a reasonable price. The only problem is it didn’t work.
I’ve been using the previous kit version of the Rascal for five years W/O a problem.
I know how to set the PC, sound card & radio. I e-mailed “TECH SUPPORT” and got a poor response.
So, I sent it back for evaluation. When I got it back it still didn’t work.

NO AUDIO to the sound card.

I checked the 5 Pin to 13 Pin DIN connections and quickly realized the problem.
The interface cable they sent was either defective or the wrong cable for my application.
I made my own cable and everything worked fine. I sent the cable back with a full explanation.
After getting no response I called and was told nothing was wrong and the item was returned to stock!!
That’s it. I E-Mailed my dissatisfaction and got a scathing, scolding, chastising reply filled with profanity.
All I wanted was the right cable. God help the person who gets my old one.
Bux Com will not get any more of my bucks.
KB2MS Rating: 2006-01-11
Works perfect with 1c7000 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Never was into digital modes, but decided that when I picked up my new 7000 I would try it. I called buxcom they were very helpful. Told them what I had
they told me what I needed. Rascal came 2 days later. In 15 minutes, I had 2 contacts in Europe on psk31. Everything included for 39.95 hard to beat!!!
VK5LA Rating: 2005-12-15
It doesn't get easier than this... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This thing is gold!
If you sat down and worked out the cost of the components, case, leads , plugs and the time taken to put one together I bet you can't't do it for less. The unit is outstanding value for money.
Ordering , emails and shipping were completely hassle free and the supplied CD (although a little cheesy and out of date) - is a handy reference guide for connecting just about anything to anything.
Hats of to Buck for putting the Ham back into Ham Radio!
Anyone who complains about what they get for the price they pay is a whiney tightwad! And if you can't work out how to hook one of these up to your rig then you should hand in your licence! Especially if you order the wrong cable!
N0EYE Rating: 2005-12-07
Great buy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using my Rascal for about 2 years now, and it's always performed flawlessly with my 706Mk2G. I got the 13-pin ACC cable, and run FSK for RTTY a lot. I've also done some PSK31, and even copied a little SSTV with this little unit.
N5XYO Rating: 2005-05-09
BUXCOMM has the best product and best service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have 3 rascals and many cables and use them on PSK31, APRS, and now on PropNet...they work perfectly!! The only time I needed any help from Buck...he answered my email within 1 hr., had the part sent out the next day at no cost to me. He didn't want anything in return or the old piece back. Buxcomm has never let me down and I will continue to buy from them.
NE0P Rating: 2005-05-09
Not the best service Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I called up Buxcomm because their webpage advertised an interface cable that would do true FSK with my TS2000. The woman I spoke with on the phone confirmed that it would do FSK. The interface arrived, and it doesn't do true FSK with my TS2000. It still works great for AFSK and other soundcard mode programs, but I probably wouldnt have ordered it had it known it wouldn't do true FSK. Still it is nice to be able to switch between rigs just by changing cables. Other companies need to copy that part of the design.
KC3AF Rating: 2005-05-08
poor customer handling Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Back in Feb.05 I got on Buxcomms web site and checked to see if the Rascal interface was compatible with my TS50s and according to them it was , so I ordered a Rascal GLX and when I opened the box and checked it out I found that it required an accessory port on the rear of the transceiver.My TS50s does not have that port so I contacted their tech dept.and was told by the tech that I didn't know what I was talking about.I tried this approach about 3 or 4 times and things only got worse with the tech getting very rude.I finally asked for a refund and after a lot of delays got an RMA # I also sent them a picture of the rear of the TS50s to prove that there was no accessory port like they claimed.I still have not gotten a refund from them I think the Rascal is a nice interface but do not think to much of the way the handle customers..Skip Hoffman KC3AF
VE6TL Rating: 2005-03-28
Works for PSK31 but don't try CW! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My first experience was trying to ask questions. I called the order desk and was told that all questions had to be emailed. So I spent the afternoon emailing back and forth. All I got was answers like, "yes" "no" "yes". No way to have a conversation. What I wanted to know was if I could use the interface to do both CW and digital modes on my old Kenwood TS-530S, and if I could hook up my microphone with a switch, to switch it in and out. I ended up getting 2 cables, the Rascal GLX and some jacks that didn't fit - even though I gave a description of my equipment. After buying a conversion jack, I got the PSK31 running. The instructions were clear enough for that.

After numerous attempts to contact BuxCom, I am still waiting for answers to my questions. Like, "how do I interface the grid block keying from my Ham Keyer HK5A with the Rascal?" And why does my mic switch not work properly? I have to keep switching it back and forth along with the mic switch to turn the xmit mode back to rx on my transceiver. In short, the rumors are true - not terrible support, but no support. Anyone with tips on helping me get my CW and mic switch working properly would be welcome!
K4WQ Rating: 2005-01-26
Well Worth the Price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have never really had the time to get to a parts store to buy the parts to assemble my own PSK31 interface. I ran across the GLX interface from BuxCom. For the price, you really can't beat it. All the parts were included. Very easy to figure out. Really didn't need the instructions. The setup was pretty much intuitive. Works great with my boatanchor TS-520. Highly recommend for someone wanting a cheap method to get on the digital modes.