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Reviews For: G3LIV Isoterm-Multicon Interfaces - All models

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

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Review Summary For : G3LIV Isoterm-Multicon Interfaces - All models
Reviews: 145MSRP: between £40 and £60
Description:
Rig to PC interface with opto-isolator.
Fits most rigs (hf and vhf/uhf)
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.g3liv.co.uk
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
151455
GM4XMD Rating: 2010-04-06
Excellent wee interface Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, what a cracking wee interface this is.

When it first arrived it had a small problem in the fsk mode but Johnny came up with the fix without it being returned to his workshop (this is a “problem” that possibly only the FTDX-9000D will give) and it now works a treat in all modes.

Would I buy another ?, a big YES.
G3OIL Rating: 2010-03-27
I requested an interface for my K3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I needed an interface for my K3. This was not a standard product (then) for G3LIV. Johnny researched the best way to link with the interface and supplied a cable to do the job. It is now working well with JT6B and PSK.
Since then I have bought a second unit for my standby rig. Very good service and back up advice.
G4GQL Rating: 2010-02-20
Latest interface Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well...I have just taken delivery of another Isoterm from Johnny

That makes three here in the shack

I unpacked it, plugged it all in and worked immediately. Drivers were pre loaded for other interfaces using USB/RS232 converters, but Johnny supplies everything you need to get going.

The construction, presentation and service is nothing short of SUPERB

My main mode is PSK31 and I always use Hamscope

I live in a flat so my stealth antennas are not the most efficient-centre loaded vertical and ATU, but I am getting out well with PSK31 and also RTTY

Thank you again Johnny for a great piece of equipment, and communication via EMail.

Highly recommended!!! 5/5

regards es 73

Alan
G4GQL
CE2WZ Rating: 2009-12-31
Multicon purchase to Chile Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the Multicon interface a couple of months ago to connect to my FT2000D. Johnny was extremely helpful both in arranging appropriate postage and giving me support by email to get it installed and working.
It is a lovely piece of equipment. Johnny sent out all the appropriate cables as little is available here. The RS232 to USB worked fine first time and my only problem was with the soundcard on my computer. After several emails the problem was sorted out. I particularly like the attenuator for TX which allows me to set the power to 50 watts or appropriate level for contests.
I thoroughly recommend this interface and the good news is that the customs authorities let it pass without duty as the package was small and light. Many thanks to Johnny for his help, support and particularly patience.
David CE2WZ
La Serena Chile
IZ4KBS Rating: 2009-11-06
Goog product and first class service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just got my PSK31 Isoterm Multicon MK2. Johnny was very helpful and responsive. The unit was delivered quickly and it works very well, so it definitely keeps up with the expectations that I had after reading so many positive reviews here on Eham. I'll be using the interface with an ICOM-706 MK2G and a Yaesu FT-817. Both rigs have a 6-pin ACC socket on the back, and the cable supplied with the Isoterm happens to fit both rigs, which is very convenient (actually I ordered two of those cables, but that's a different story). I had been tempted by the more feature-rich USB version, but I eventually decided to go for the MK2 because it is smaller and it takes less space in my portable setup. My netbook computer, like most portable PCs nowadays, does not have a serial port, which is required for the keying interface of the MK2, but I have one of those USB to RS232 adapters so no problem with that either.
MM3YUX Rating: 2009-09-07
Great service good product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It is well built intface easy to set up and understand. I had a problem with windows vista and the com ports, phoned Johnny and between him his son and my self it was sorted. PSK 31 works very well with this interface. When i changed rigs i just gave him a call and he could tell me what type of cable i would require. Service in this day and age is very poor and sales driven, not with Johnny you can `e-mail or phone and he is always keen to help. So between a great product and service i have given it a 5/5.
PD1ARV Rating: 2009-07-30
Perfect product Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was helped by Johnny a view month a go with my Kenwood TS-2000 and I received my first working interface for the TS-2000. Now I changed my rig into a Yaesu FT-950 and I contact Johnny for a new cable to connect the ISOTERM Multicon interface. Within a week the FT-950 is up and running. And it was 5 min. to change the cable and run HRD again with the new rig.
Thanks Johnny for the perfect product and service.
73, PD1ARV
G6LJR Rating: 2009-06-30
Best unit to buy. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Brilliant unit.The after sales service is second to none. I had a problem after changing computers jonny was very helpfull over the phone and had me up and running in no time.
Thank you very much.

73 David
G6LJR


G6LJR
M6RDP Rating: 2009-06-11
Fantastic Product/Service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I first contacted another supplier about PSK, knowing nothing about the mode or this technology, and received a rude, curt reply which put me off pursuing the matter.Then months later two HAMs recommended Johnny G3LIV. Within a week I was up and running with the Isoterm Multicon USB Interface. I ordered the Interface on a Monday afternoon and it arrived on the Wednesday morning! The instructions were fabulous - I was a bit worried about setting it up but the instructions made it a doddle and within quarter of an hour I was done. The hobby needs people like Johnny who are endlessly patient, helpful and enthusiastic. He is genuinely interested in helping you set things up and will go out of his way to help. I can not recommend the product or the service highly enough. I am now the very happy owner of a top-quality product, and am loving running PSK with my QRP station. Forget shopping around. I will always go with recommendations from now on. from Adam (M6RDP SW England)
G0HDB Rating: 2009-05-25
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Since getting back into digimodes about 18 months ago I had succcessfully and happily used a USB-connected external soundcard interface unit in conjunction with my Icom IC-746. There had always been some VLF (up to approx 400Hz) noise evident, at quite a high level, on my MixW waterfall when Rx'ing but I had never experienced any noise problems when Tx'ing. However, after a recent change of rig to an IC-756 Pro III it became apparent that VLF noise from the interface unit was getting into the Tx audio when operating not only in USB-D mode but also when in normal SSB voice mode. It appears that the MOD input on the 756 Pro III's ACC 1 socket doesn't get muted in SSB voice mode so any audio on that input mixes with the audio from the mic. The level of the VLF noise on the ACC 1 MOD input was enough to drive the rig to 20-30W RF output when the mic was disconnected.

After much experimentation and many (ultimately unsuccessful) attempts to identify the cause of and to eliminate the VLF noise, which seemed to be related to the USB interface to the external soundcard device, I decided to try an alternative type of interface that would use an internal soundcard in the PC. A 2nd-hand soundcard - a 24-bit SoundBlaster Audigy ZS - was acquired and installed in the PC.

The Isoterm Multicon USB interface unit from G3LIV seemed to meet all my requirements so I sent an enquiry to Johnny. His response was swift and extremely helpful, after some email exchanges he offered to send me a unit on loan so that I could try it with my rig.

The loan unit duly arrived and was hooked up to the rig and the PC, it was immediately apparent that there were no VLF noise problems at all - the MixW waterfall when Rx'ing was absolutely clean and there is no evidence whatsoever of any VLF noise being present when Tx'ing in SSB voice mode, as there had been with the previous interface. Some on-air tests with a friend nearby confirmed that the Tx audio was clean as a whistle in both data and voice modes.

I very swiftly decided to place an order with Johnny for a unit to replace the one I had on loan from him - he insisted on supplying me with a new unit - so payment was made and the new unit was promptly despatched and received. Johnny had very kindly agreed to tailor the lengths of the audio leads and the cable for the connection to my rig to suit my set-up - the audio leads are about double the standard length and the rig cable is half the usual length. This is a sign of someone who really tries to satisfy his customer's specific requirements.

The new unit is now fully installed and is working impeccably, having the front panel controls makes it SOOOO easy to ensure that you set the audio, especially on Tx, to the correct level. Setting up the USB interface that controls the PTT was very straightforward, I downloaded the drivers from Johnny's website to use with the loan unit and they also work with the new unit which I believe has a slightly different type of USB interface device.

Although I haven't opened the unit, it appears to be very well made - it has a professional, high quality look and feel about it.

My experience of Johnny, and the Isoterm Multicon USB interface unit, has been overwhelmingly positive - both he and his products fully deserve the fulsome praise they receive. If you're looking for a datamodes interface unit then I can wholeheartedly recommend G3LIV and his products.

73
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Martin G0HDB