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Reviews For: Rascal GLX

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

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Review Summary For : Rascal GLX
Reviews: 55MSRP: 39.95
Description:
Computer-to-rig interface for PSK31, SSTV, EchoLink, Packet, RTTY (FSK & AFSK), eQSO, WJST, APRS, CW, MT63, and more.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.packetradio.com/rascalmkv.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00553.6
KF0FS Rating: 2007-01-27
Works OK for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my first rascal because it was the only one I could get in a hurry. It worked fine with my FT-817. I latter bought another for 2 mtr packet and again worked fine out of the box. I've ordered other things and always had a positive experience.
KI4EYO Rating: 2006-09-23
OK Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I would not buy this one again..I would get a rigblaster. The cables are very loose and mine broke off from the connector. I called Buck and they replaced it free (under warranty).
AD5UU Rating: 2006-08-19
a polite 4 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I gave the Rascal a "polite 4" because it is inexpensive and works well for PSK, RTTY, and even copies CW. I did not give it a 5 because the customer support is a little lacking and I don't feel it is very spelled out that you cannot Hard Key cw without a special cable, in addition to the special cable for the rig. Maybe I don't have something configured right, but customer sevice never returned my email on the subject. I very easily built my own cable for hard key cw (using the Rascal) and it works FB.
WA6ES Rating: 2006-03-03
Just Fantastic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered it Monday PM, recieved it in my PO BOX on Thursday. Zip Zang plugged it in and worked fine for me. I wanted FSK and not AFSK I could not figure it out. Called to ask what I needed and luckily Buck answered the phone. He politly explained to me it should work. He explained Southern Logic to me and kindly explained what I did wrong. Red faced, I guess I should of read all the instructions, but being from California...
I did what he said and it works great, made 2 quick FSK RTTY contacts using my 746 Pro. Works great and a great price. Thanks for a functional product at a great cost!

Richard - WA6ES
K9VIC Rating: 2005-12-31
Great Paperweight Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got the unit yesterday and hooked it up. Audio to radio was way low. Checked everything and compared it to another Rascal unit (older vintage). I eliminated the cable, soundcard settings, and radio as the problem, leaving only the interface itself. E-mailed my problem and received a very prompt, somewhat terse response that I didn't have my sound card levels adjusted correctly.

Responded that that wasn't the case, and even with everything at 100%, the audio reaching the radio was too low. I asked for an exchange. I received another prompt, somewhat rude, e-mail stating there was nothing wrong with the unit. Rather than an exchange, I was told I should return it and buy someone else's product.

This was the fourth and final thing I'm buying from Buck. When they work, they work great, but if they don't, don't question the all-knowing,'I test each and every RASCAL before it is packed. NO Rascal is shipped with the slightest defect,' Buck.
K5JJ Rating: 2005-09-28
Fine product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered the usb model to hook to a laptop and received it very fast in the mail. It worked perfectly. I bought the cable to hook to my IC-735 and it plugged right in and works fine. I have used it with DigiPan and made several contacts on 20m. The cables and plugs are high quality and the software disk has lots of info on digital modes. Well worth the cost if you want to get on the air fast.
WA8EBM Rating: 2005-08-14
Good Product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have used the interface for a year now. Absolutely no problems with TS-2000 and 706MKIIg but never could get it to work right with the TS-570, but then again nothing I ever built worked good with it either. I have used it with an old AMD K6 450, Athalon 2000 and my new Toshiba Pentium 4 laptop with excellent results. I check the IMD with a KK7UQ IMD meter and it is very good. There are no ground loops or hum which was all too evident with my earlier home brew designs. This thing is not rocket science-a couple isolation transformers, transistors for serial and FSK switching and a pot for transmit audio. I thought there would be a problem without the opto-isolator in the serial switching but works fine for me. I used a USB to serial dongle that I bought at the computer store for the laptop. It worked just fine. I was lucky. If you read the DOC's for MMTTY all of the adapters do not support the FSK keying. It would probably be a good idea to buy Bucks adapter for the $17.95 more, if you need one. Can't find them that cheap anywhere else right now. Called BuxComm last week and bought some more cables and a very nice 4 position switchbox that lets me switch my 3 satellite modems and Rascal into my computer and TS-2000. I didn't talk to a crusty old Marine but a very pleasant and knowledgeable lady named Jan. Had my products in hand in 2 days. I never had any problems with Buck in my earlier transactions in fact I received very cordial replies to my emails.
N5XYO Rating: 2005-07-09
Great Customer Service and a great product! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've ordered at least 6 Rascal GLX's for my radios as well as for my two sons rigs. In fact I just ordered 2 last week and got Buck. We must have talked for 30 minutes about my setup and he suggested a couple of changes as well as replacing a cable I didn't need...at no charge and for me to "save the postage and just keep the old one."
I have always received great service and have had NO problems with these interfaces. They simply work as described!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N5XYO on 2004-05-15

Tried one....bought 2 more!!!
It's rare to find something so reasonably priced and so simple to hook-up!
Talk about plug and play...The only problem I have is trying to decide which one of the many programs Buck includes is the best...they all have a feature or two that I like.
Anyway this is a great product and for the money...you won't be disappointed.
KL1PL Rating: 2005-05-31
Good Tool Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have two GLX's and several cables to accomidate several different radios. Works as advertised, easy to set up once you get past the soundcard level settings (hardest part of those while deal)!
Low price and functional for most peoples needs. No it's not a TNC, but it works just fine!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KL1PL on 2004-09-29

Worked 100% out of the box, have since setup the cables for every rig I have including 6m stuff.
Use the Rascal off the Desktop and off the Laptop for mobile digital modes.
Touchy setup getting audio levels set but after that is outstanding.
IK4UNZ Rating: 2005-04-20
Working fine on my 850TS Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very fast delivery, very easy to install, and good result.
For me suggested