| AJ4DW |
Rating:      |
2008-06-20 | |
| Easy to use, works great |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| The only downside is the waiting time... apparently this device is so popular that it takes 2-3 months to receive one after ordering it. But it's worth the wait. I just ordered a second unit (two months ago). |
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| N3DG3 |
Rating:      |
2008-05-04 | |
| Far Superior Features, Quality & Value |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
While I had a RigBlaster Plus, I recently discovered the Tigertronics SL-1+ as casually recommended by the Wonderful Ham Radio Deluxe Gang when launching their PSK31 program and as well, the many benefits of the SL-1+, particularly its built-in sound card, simple, straightforward and convenient connections to my rig, improved isolation of PC and radio, tiny size and cheaper price. So, I bought one !
While I understood there was a lead-time for the SL-1USB (which is not the case if one orders from DX Engineering, who has them now in stock at less than list price, and with a Nice DX Engineering Baseball Cap sometimes included as a Bonus), I was told the SL-1+ would ship that week and it arrived promptly and nicely packaged. I could see that Tigertronics, who I previously never heard of, had this down to a science. I received the package and found the SL-1+ to be even far smaller and better appearing than I saw in their ads, website and imagined, I would say less than the proverbial size of a cigarette box and maybe one-third the size of the RigBlaster Plus. I also purchased the SLASSY Option which consists of all the interconnect cables needed to connect to your PC for only $10, which is a BARGAIN compared with what Radio Shack charges ($7 alone for just one 1/8” stereo plug cable). The documentation was indeed straightforward and practical for beginner or expert, as well as those who may not be very computer literate.
Like I read in so many other reviews with some disbelief but can state as genuine and true indeed, she was ready-to-go within an hour or so during a brief evening of enjoyable and pleasant configuration and practice. While I did not need it, it was reassuring to have a Troubleshooting section in the documentation which would save my butt if necessary. Indeed, with MMTTY, I was receiving W1AW RTTY Bulletins in slightly over an hour and transmitting on RTTY just fine as well. By the time I woke up the next day, I was making my first QSOs on PSK with Ham Radio Deluxe and using the Super Browser feature on a spare, old Windows ME laptop; then I tweaked my sound card settings a bit better as they specifically recommended for optimum signal efficiency and bandwidth.
I was so pleased with SL-1+, I bought another one as a spare and for portable use as well as QTH #2.
No complaints at all about Tigertronics or the SL-1+ whatsoever and I am thrilled with the purchase and ability to work these new modes to ragchew or work the DXpeditions on new modes as well. Alex (young lady) is a very fine and efficient sales representative and ham who will greet you on the telephone, answer your questions and take your order most politely. There were a few times I called on their 800 number (thank you very much for the courtesy of having a toll free telephone number), that either the number was busy or the answering machine picked up. I believe they open up at 9 AM Pacific time but really did not answer my calls until like 1 PM Eastern or 10 AM Pacific time, so try and try again. They are wonderful folks and I understand why they may not be getting to the phone as promptly or the telephone may occasionally be busy, quite justifiably, because they have a Great Product Series & Value which is no longer a secret, they are occasionally so busy taking orders and meeting demand quite reasonably.
I extend them my thanks and highest recommendation for purchase on the basis of performance, features, simplified elegance, superior quality and documentation, value/price, and sincere professional sales courtesy and customer service.
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| KC5NYO |
Rating:      |
2008-05-01 | |
| Excellent Interface! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Was on their list for a 4-6 week wait. Found out that DX Engineering had it in stock, ordered on a Tuesday and had it in 3 days on Friday (included was a FREE ball cap!). Pulled the cover, plugged in the jumpers, replaced cover, attached cables to computer and TS-2000, and was enjoying RTTY on 20 meters within 10 minutes. Excellent interface and smooth operation! |
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| M3GJZ |
Rating:      |
2008-02-05 | |
| the best |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
it is the best on the market runing on a ft-2000
and got it at 2pm and up and runing by 3pm like
i say the best. good lock m3gjz. |
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| G0RIF |
Rating:      |
2008-01-30 | |
| Great! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've used one of these for a few years now running mainly PSK31 and AFSK RTTY. I've dabbled in several other soundcard driven digimodes all with good results.
I have had my unit connected to both my JST-245 and TS-480 using the mic connector for the 245 and the data jack on the 480 - no problems in either setup.
The VOX operation offered by this unit is a real plus. It's small, well made and it works! As an introduction to soundcard based digimodes I can't see how it could get any easier.
Get one - you won't be disappointed.
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| K8SDK |
Rating:      |
2007-12-17 | |
| Works as advertised |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I own a Rigblaster, a BUXCOM Rascal interface, and now, an SL-1+, all for different applications.
The SL-1+ has the advantage that it doesn't require any resources from the computer to control it. This is a great simplification. Set-up is a snap, and the made-to-order radio cable makes it even easier. It is really small (great for portable ops). |
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| KI6EAA |
Rating:      |
2007-06-17 | |
| Top product and company |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I am new to PSK31, and just got my SignaLink SL-1+. Set up is a iMac running OSX(10.4), CocoaModem, and MacLoggerDX into my IC-718.
Getting the SignaLink up was very easy; great instructions, all needed cables, and even a tool to open the case. When you open up the case to set some jumpers, the first thing you notice is the quality of this product. Top notch. I am still learning the software and setup, but the hardware part was easy.
I cannot compare performance of it to other products, but the build quality of the SignaLink box and the people I dealt with at TigerTronics were excellent. |
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| KC4IVG |
Rating:      |
2007-05-10 | |
| Ordering a second unit! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I got rid of a perfectly good 400$ Kantronics KAM-XL because the Signalink is better...Hands down!
I will be purchasing a second unit in the morning for my new Yaesu FT-857D! |
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| K2NCC |
Rating:      |
2007-04-10 | |
| Wish I had one sooner! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Probably the best investment I've ever made for my station. I've had more contacts, particularly DX, in the past two months than I had in the past two years! For well under 100 bucks, you can do all modes of data, even with an old boat-anchor like my Kenwood TS-520. Thanks Vern (W7GRN) for turning me on to this great little device! |
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| KF6IIU |
Rating:     |
2007-02-09 | |
| Minimize Cable Clutter |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This device is basically a VOX unit and passive attenuators / impedance matchers.It won't key PTT from serial port signals. There are a couple of advantages to this. Cable clutter is minimized, in many cases you only need one cable to connect to the radio, and in and out cables to connect to the computer. Also, the VOX is an excellent reference point for setting output level - just set your audio output a couple of notches higher than is needed to trigger the VOX and your're done.
The unit is "programmed" by putting jumpers across a 16-pin DIP header. You have to open that case to do this, so if you have more than one radio you'll have to disassemble to switch. But once you have it programmed - for example with my IC706 I get all signals and power through a single Cat-V patch cable. Very convenient. I don't even have to adjust the 706's mic gain.
The unit will work as a passive attenuator without power. I used it this way for several years with an FT-101E. If your Xceiver has VOX the question is then why pay $$$ for the passive attenuator, which you can do yourself with a couple of audio transformers. But if you want a nice device in a case, it's a nicely fabricated device.
Comes with CD full of software.
----------------------
Earlier 3-star review posted by KF6IIU on 2002-02-11
As far as I know, this is the only interface product with VOX actuation- there is no PTT input from the computer.
Watch out! Since there is no serial connection ffom the computer, the audio is 100% isolated, so installing the SL-1 actually introduced a
nasty ground loop until I grounded my computer to the rig. (My Compaq laptop floats at 18VAC above ground!) I've heard a couple of new ops trashing the bands with 2-kHz wide signals with ground loop hum - be sure your computer is grounded to your rig!
Internal jumpering of signals makes for a clean connection, especially if your rig can supply audio out and 10 ma of 8-12V power through the mic connector. The cable supplied with the unit is too short - it is only about a foot long so the SL-1 must sit on the table in front of your rig.
You have to open the unit up to set or change the mic jumpers (not difficult - but you do need a small allen key. It would be nice to open
the case without tools.) "Fit and finish" of the unit is excellent. It arrived four days after I ordered it - via UPS ground!
Attenuation levels are not adjustable - this could be an inconvenience if you have an older transciever that requires high signal levels. I
have an FT-101 and run with the Wave and Master volume control at 5 or 6, and my mic gain at 6 - 2 steps higher than the mic gain setting I use with the Yaesu hand mic.
The unit works in "passive" mode for me - since I use my transciever's VOX I have the unit powered off. There's fewer cables, and my FT-101's 110ma
PTT-down current is beyond the SL-1's 75ma PTT current capability anyway. (There is room inside the box to install a small relay and diode, and it would easily jumper in.)
If you a newbie and might need help - Tigertronics tech support is not a toll-free number, there is no email support, the line is available only from 1 to 5 PM 3 days a week, and is often busy. Better to get a local or on-air Elmer to help you if you need it. (One cannot really blame them for that - it would be too expensive to support a $50 product.) All Tigertronics documentation is available online at their web site.
But you may not need an interface! I had been using my transciever's VOX for PSK31, with straight through cables with ferrite chokes. It
worked fine although the settings were "twitchy" -I had to run my sound output at 1 and my mic in at 1/2!
These units do not automatically solve isloation and drive problems - evaluate your rig and *computer* grounding and drive levels carefully
first. And DO NOT OVERDRIVE!!
Can I say that again? DO NOT OVERDRIVE!
I'll keep using the unit since it provides a marginal improvement in signal quality over straight cables, and I can use it on
any future rig. Although I could have made a passive units myself, the extra $30 or so for a professionally enclosed and assembled unit was
worth it for me.
In summary - this basic interface is the only interface you may be able to use if your
computer (like mine) doesn't have a serial port and your rig VOX doesn't work, since it has VOX built-in. If you have power and audio on your MIC connector, you need only 1 cable to our radio. |
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