Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: RASCAL

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : RASCAL
Reviews: 10MSRP: 69.95
Description:
Radio to Computer Interface
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.packetradio.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00102.4
CURIOUSHAM Rating: 2009-12-01
junk, plus no support Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a piece of junk. Shoddy workmanship and non-existent customer service. I junked it an bought a Rigblaster and never looked back.
KK0DJ Rating: 2006-03-12
Less than splendid Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It's nice to see that this fellow didn't just treat me like gum stuck to his shoe. Product is ok, not spectacular, but the fellow is less than splendid. I would buy from anyone else except this man. He needs a course in bedside manner.
W3UTD Rating: 2006-03-12
Works well, but ... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two Rascals, one for my FT-1000MP and one for FT-857. They both work very well, no problems at all. However, don't bother them with any questions or an email, because they are downright snotty with their replies. I would ave given a 5, but their attitude cost them a point.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by W3UTD on 2003-12-21

Just bought one for use with my FT-1000MP MKV. I interface with the Packet jack on the rear panel so there's no messing with the mic at all. I had it plugged in and installed in 2 minutes, my first PSK31 QSO one minute later on 20M. The price can't be beat, the construction is perfect and the performance is perfect. A highly recommended product.
N7ZSD Rating: 2006-03-11
Buyer Beware! Time Owned: N.A.
Chances are that if you purchase one of these units, it will work fine. It is pretty much plug and play. However, if you have any problems with it be prepared to have a battle on your hands!
Mine had a defective component right out of the package. (Bad resistor) I gave the company every opportunity to make it right, but the owner refused. He would not believe that anything could possibly be wrong with the unit and all but called me an idiot. I was even accused of sending something in to him to be repaired before, which was not true. I ended up repairing the unit myself, and the only satisfaction I received was a in a form of a lenghty yet to the point email I sent to him. A $43 lesson learned for me...go elsewhere from here on out!
NG1I Rating: 2005-06-22
Good all round Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I ordered my rascel interface USB version via phone...had no problems. Found out I could have ordered over the net but a friend gave ne the number.

Polite and no problems....fast shipment and a nice CD with all sorts of good stuffon it

OK with me.....
N0MBW Rating: 2005-06-20
Good Product, Poor Customer Service Time Owned: N.A.
This is a good product, but the company needs to learn how to treat customers as well as prospective customers. They are very rude on the phone, and they have poor people skills.
W4NBO Rating: 2004-12-25
Good basic Interface Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two of these kits. I use them primarily on WSJT and PSK31. They work fine for me. If you are not willing to experiment a bit and solder, then you might ought to shell out the extra $$ for a fancier unit. Experimenting and soldering is part of the fun for me though. I will buy one again should I find a want for an interface. I had rather spend the $$ on some other gear. Nice basic kit that should clean up your computer tie in signal and you are willing to use the audio card software levels for tweaking.
KB1IJC Rating: 2004-12-17
Awful Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I tried using a VX5R - Rascal setup while traveling and living out of hotels for 6 months.
Anyway, the plug on the Rascal would not make a proper connection to my radio. I had to push the plug in and then pull it out just until I felt some pressure, then oops! to far out, back in, back out, in, out, just enough that I wanted to throw it out the hotel window.
Tried the usual contact the seller for help. He offered all kinds of suggestions related to two main problems. 1. It was operator error & 2. It was a problem with the VX5.
I'll agree I am not the smartest man in the world, but what is hard about pushing in a plug?
Second, as for the radio, well it was nearly new, and I use an external mic on it without any problems using strangly enough, THE SAME PLUG he was telling me that was messed up.
Ok, so it might be the radio because I know I am not stupid. Checked it with another brand new VX5RS and the same problem.
I asked the guy for more help and I got a complete refusual from him. He was rude and quite to the point. "It's not the rascal" end of story.
It seemded like a quick easy interface and a snap to setup and use. Sadly it became a headache.
I would get rid of the POS, except that I would not want to give that junk to someone else, then have them look at me like I ripped them off.
I hope to gut it out for parts and possibly use it on a different setup.
I have seen people complain about the pin setup on the VX5's but I have not had any trouble using different aftermarket mic's so I believe the plug on the rascal to be junk.
Next week I will have a rigblaster and I'll give that one a try on a mobile radio and leave the HT for walking around.

Hope to see you on Echolink soon.
KB1IJC
KD1XH Rating: 2004-08-09
Bad product, worse service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It was quite a while ago that I had bought my Rascal. Perhaps Buck has learned a few things since, but my experience was poor.

The model I ordered was for the Yaesu FT-100, with a plug for the microphone jack. I was using my radio mobile and was also operating digital modes in my car (stationary of course), and already had enough wires running up and down the car.

In order for the radio to be keyed to transmit, there needed to be a 27k ohm resistance in place between PTT and GND, which was not included in this model, which it should have been. I e-mailed to tell him it didn't work, to which he responded that it worked fine for him, that it must be my error. He was very "cocky" about it too. After doing a little research, I found what needed to be done and fixed the unit myself.

In short, if you receive a defective unit, he will never admit to it being his error, and he may be a jerk about it too.
KF0OH Rating: 2003-05-29
Digital Interface especially for ACC jack. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I now own two Rascal MKV interfaces and extremely happy with them. The first unit interfaces my computer and Icom 756 PROII. I use a second soundcard and operate FSK. Works flawlessly and takes advantage of the "-D" digital mode of the PRO II. The second unit is to operate portable with an Icom 703. Having individual cables allows quick swapping of rigs and then using the same interface. This is a real winner if you want to have the convenience of the real panel ACC jack and leave the front panel MIC jack to your microphone. No change of plugs required. Price is also right.