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Reviews For: microHAM USB Interface II

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

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Review Summary For : microHAM USB Interface II
Reviews: 23MSRP: 159
Description:
These USB Interfaces provide a solution to the lack of available Serial (COM) ports for controlling your radio on laptop and newer desktop computers.

The USB interface II includes full optical isolation of all control signals (radio control, CW, PTT and Squelch) and high quality audio transformer isolation (with level trimmers) for audio to your radio's rear panel audio input and from the radio's constant level audio.

microHAM USB Interfaces have built-in hardware support for any radio - you no longer need additional level converters like CT-62, IF-232, FIF-232, CT-17. The drivers include support for software CW keying (DTR) and PTT (RTS) - there is no need for additional hardware.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.microham-usa.com/Products/USB%20interfaces.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00234.4
AB0Z Rating: 2007-07-25
Flawless Digital Interface Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The microHAM USB Interface II is basically flawless with my setup. I am interfacing an FT-1000MP to my Windows XP laptop, and can work CW, PSK, Packet, and FSK RTTY effortlessly - plus have full CAT control for my rig. They provide custom cables ready-to-go for a large number of rigs, and the FT-1000MP cables work right out of the box.

Technically, this unit has a lot of nice features:

-- Complete isolation between the PC side and the Rig (RF) side. Even the DC is separated - the USB connector powers the PC side and the "DC out" on the radio powers the RF side. All connectors are individually and carefully RF-proofed with chokes.
-- The software provides audio level control directly. You can set one drive level for PSK, and another for AFSK, Packet, etc. This is relevant to the FT-1000MP since it needs a really strong Packet drive signal.
-- The software creates unlimited "virtual" ports to the Rig. You can, for instance, use one program with com7: using DTR for PTT, and another program with com8: using RTS for PTT, and so on...
-- Built like a Swiss watch! Really compact enclosure.

The other microHAM units are also worth looking at. Several models include built-in keyers, built-in soundcards, native FSK keying, etc. I find that I can direct FSK key for RTTY just fine with MMTTY and EXTFSK/COMFSK

Joe Subich, W4TV, provides platinum-level support service after the sale.

Just buy one!
PA1XL Rating: 2006-12-04
Don't look any further! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This product is made with dedication, know-how and ham spirit. No need to mention that it works great.

The package in which it arrives, the software, the documentation, build-quality of both the unit and cable, reliability, ease of use: all perfect.

Axel,
PA1XL
K9CTB Rating: 2006-06-14
Outstanding product! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Microham interfaces truly do what they say they will do. I originally purchased the USB Interface II to run my Icom 746 Pro with Navy MARS ALE software. It worked flawlessly! Shortly thereafter, I discovered how versatile MixW is, and how friendly the USB drivers from MicroHam are with MixW, MMSSTV, and probably any other amateur radio automation software you'd like to try.....I am totally digital-crazy on both MARS and the amateur side of our spectrum! Tech support for these items is an e-mail away (check out the MicroHam webpage for other interfaces that actually work) if you need it, or even a phone call. Joe, W4TV (the stateside point-of-contact for MicroHam) is just a wonderful guy....obviously enjoys what he does and doesn't hesitate to answer e-mails quickly. The manual, which you can preview on their website, is very throrough. It describes how to install MicroHam's USB router software so there's not a glitch when you jack in that USB cable. And cables. The interface-to-rig cables are PROFESSIONALLY done......gold contacts on all audio connectors......labelled and with molded-in-place ferrite on both the interfacing and USB cables. Also included on the interface is isolation and level control for sound card input and output audio -- very handy for making one setting on the software sliders from application to application.

I recently acquired a Yaesu FT-600 (System 600) and was momentarily discouraged when I found that MicroHam did not list an interface cable ($49.00) available for it. The distress was gone instantly with a return e-mail from Joe, saying that he would modify an existing cable set for me so that it would work with the FT-600. How's THAT for customer service. I decided at that point to buy another entire interface ($119.00) for the Yaesu. I'm pretty much convinced that if your transceiver is at all CAT-able, MicroHam can hook you up. Obviously very highly recommended if you've done enough "build-your-own", "Where's my soldering iron?" interfacing........heck, even if you haven't!

73,
K9CTB