Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: SignaLink USB Computer-Radio Interface

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 : SignaLink USB Computer-Radio Interface
Reviews: 261MSRP: 89
Description:
The new SignaLinkTM USB combines the performance of our SL-1+ with a state of the art “built-in” low-noise USB Sound Card. This innovation delivers optimum performance while eliminating the need to attach to your computer's existing sound card. Convenient front panel controls and simplified installation make this one of the most user-friendly interfaces on the market.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.tigertronics.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
152614.7
AF4KK Rating: 2011-11-20
Very sweet little unit! (Woks well!) Time Owned: more than 12 months.
What can I say? Installation and use is flawless! The physical construction well well thought out and even the instruction manual is excellent!! Very well done, Tigertronics!! (And I'm not "lion"!!)
WB4GUD Rating: 2011-11-18
Great little unit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Works as described. The only problems I had in setting it up were when I didn't follow the enclosed instructions. I ordered direct from Tigertronics and they were very helpful and friendly. I just became interested in Winmor and this came highly recommended by the Winlink group, and with good reason. It can be moved from computer to computer with minor tweaking of audio levels, which is a snap with the front-mounted pots. It could also be moved from radio to radio with the correct cable and program block.

73,
Howard
WB4GUD
WU0R Rating: 2011-11-18
A bit confusing but works! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had mine for some time with my FT-1000MPMK5. Odd thing, is I usually run RTTY mode, but to run RTTY, the Signal link interconnects to the Packet socket (as they don't make a cable for that socket, only for the packet socket). So, I have to run the radio in Packet/LSB to operate RTTY. May be missing something, but I can't get it to work if I select RTTY on the radio as there is nothing connected to the RTTY jack. Otherwise, works okay, with MTTY software.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by WU0R on 2011-10-13

I like my unit, easy to install, simple installation. A bit tricky to get going if you don't have the correct audio source set up on your computer, so read thru the trouble shooting area of the paperwork. Works great, effortless for me.

I have to run RTTY on my radio in Packet mode as the signal link doesn't interface with my FSK connector. A bit confusing, but if it works....who cares.

I run MTTY software. Easy to use also.
W8ASA Rating: 2011-10-30
Outstanding Produce and Service Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased this some months ago to use with my Kenwood TS-570S(G), and was puzzled by my inability to control the waterfall with the audio control on the SL. Several calls to tech support had everyone's head scratching because it's not supposed to be that way. Last week I invited a friend to bring his SL USB and Kenwood cables to see what we could find out. At first, we plugged in his SL, and got the exact same symptoms. Then, we swapped the ACC2 cable, and all problems immediately disappeared.!! I had already done a continuity test on all the wires in the cable and found no problem. It turns out that the Cat-5 connector was not making a good connection with the connector in the SL, so the audio signal wasn't being supplied. My laptop had been using its internal microphone to "listen" to the radio's speaker output from about six feet away, and managed to decode signals that way even with TV audio and conversations happening.

Tigertronics immediately sent me a replacement cable via Priority Mail, and I received it only two days later! Kudos to their tech support.

The SL USB itself continues to work flawlessly, and I am very pleased with it.

Morale of this story: You can do all the troubleshooting you want, but sometimes it's the hidden simple things that get you.
K3CBC Rating: 2011-10-12
Clever engineering, nice package Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I looked at a number of interfaces on-line and decided that the Signalink USB had the best set of features for me. It replaces the direct input to my laptop's sound card and a complicated cable that had the audio, PTT and CAT connections for my IC-735. A plain CAT-only cable is still required. Setup takes a little skill, since the box has to be opened and jumpers inserted. I bought two of the blank header plugs so I could prepare jumper sets for two different radios. I saved a few bucks over buying the pre-wired jumpers. PSK31 and SSTV decoding accuracy is much better than before and I get good reports. Having the level controls in hardware is convenient. The Signalink has a built-in VOX which eliminates a serial-port PTT connection. I had to move jumpers for both the transmit and receive sensitivity to get things working right, but once that was done operation has been solid.
WA2NBG Rating: 2011-09-23
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Excellent, within 20 minutes unit was up and running. Using with a Icom IC-7700, miniMac computer and CocoaModem software. Getting on PSK31 couldn't have been any easier. I ordered the unit with the Icom cabling and smart header plug.
WO8USA Rating: 2011-08-12
USB connections a big plus! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Updated from one of the older Rigblasters. USB connections to PC great, needed to get away from serial. Also do not need separate power. It took me a few times through the instructions and adjustments to get it to work. Now all I do is turn it on, I do not know it is there. I give it a close 4+/5-.

I got the unit from Tigertronics but now you can now get additional cables from R&L Electronics as well as the unit itself. I needed another cable, I had it the next day from them. I think others also carry them.

I recommend updating to a USB unit if you are still using one of the older serial uits (Tigertronics, Rigblaster, etc) as eventually a change in your PC or OS will break your PSK set-up.
WB0BBC Rating: 2011-08-12
Fantastic! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This product deserves a 5+ rating. It made well, works as described, comes with excellent documention and fun to use. I had the SignaLink USB up and running within minutes, and worked a station in Italy as my first PSK31 QSO using the provided Digipan software.

Thanks again, Tigertronics for providing an excellent amateur radio accessory.
K9EGS Rating: 2011-06-23
Quality Product Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Simple to hook up. Just follow the instructions to set a couple of jumper wires inside the unit according to what transceiver you use and make a few changes in the Volume Control Panel on your computer. I use Windows XP.

I ordered the interface cable that was listed to match up with my Yaesu FT-920. There are just 2 cables coming out of the back of the SignaLink USB. The interface cable that plugs in the data port of the Yaesu FT-920 and a USB cable that plugs into your computer. Instructions were clear and I had it up and running in no time. It is a nice compact unit that takes up very little space.

It also comes with a mini CD containing several software programs to use with SignaLink USB, including DigiPan, MMTTY and others. I use it with DigiPan 2.0

I am glad that I decided to try PSK31 and bought the SignaLink USB. It works well! I have made several DX contacts with PSK31 that I don't think that I would have been able to make with SSB with my modest station, at least not without great difficulty and much luck. From what I understand, PSK31 is kind of like CW in the way it can get through longer distances easier than SSB. And you only need to run 50 watts output or less for PSK31.
K7TEJ Rating: 2011-06-18
30 minutes from Box to QSO Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It's rare to find a product that work as advertised out of the box, especially in electronics. This is one of those rareties. Wanting to give PSK31 a try, I bought this on the recomendation of several friends. I opened the box at 1630, set the jumpers and plugged it into the computer & radio. Downloaed Digipan Software. I'm running win 7 and the printed documentation is based on XP, no big, I figured out the settings on the computer and then powered up. It was now 1700 and as soon as everything came on, text started streaming on the Digdipan screen. 5 minutes later I had my first digital QSO. Can't ask for more than that.

A most excellent product that I'd recommend to anyone looking for an inexpensie and easy way to get into digital operating.

73
Rick
K7TEJ