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
KT4QF Rating: 2017-12-31
Alright... Ya got me. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've long held the opinion that the entire point of having "soundcard digital modes" in the first place was to preclude the need for additional interfaces. Anyone who struggled with getting a Baycom TNC to work in lieu of writing a check for a KAM, or anyone who understands that RTTY once consumed oil from Western Electric can see what I mean. So, for the last decade I restricted my concern to PTT considerations and let the stock motherboard sound handle the rest. I saw no need for another unit.

Having recently gravitated to FT8 I started operating more digital than ever. I bought a new radio (FT891) and made some cables to handle the CPU connection. I heat shrunk a few chokes on them and went at it. Everything seemed to work fine, but I noticed strange behavior in my power meter. Tuning a second radio monitor my output, I realized I had a major ground loop problem, and it wasn't giving up easily.

I had been contemplating buying a SignaLink to make it easier to get on the air with a Mac I use for music production so I broke down and bought one hoping the isolation might solve the PC noise problem as well.

It did. As others have pointed out, it makes things much easier with cleaner output than by internal sound interface alone. I realize that some of the isolation-only solutions on the market might have solved the problem, but the SignaLink handles everything with much less complexity. As reluctant as I was to make the investment, I'm glad I did.
W6KKO Rating: 2017-10-20
Easy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own two. They work very well with several radios I use them for:
- 817ND
- 897D
- 480SAT

From SSTV to PSK31 it gets the job done.
N5XTR Rating: 2017-09-01
Works well then fails. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had very good success with digital modes using a signalink USB. I purchased mine in 2008 about a month or so before QST's review of it. I used it with Yaesu FT-857d, FT-817nd, FT-847 and FT-450. In September 2011 the Signalink had an issue and killed the control board of my FT-450 (a $300 repair plus shipping both ways) also the Signalink would not transmit any audio to my other radios. Eventually I sent it back and paid for a new board ($80 with shipping both ways). August 2017 the Signalink faulted again. This time it has taken my HP Laptop (bad motherboard, replaced by HP), my FT-450 (will not power on and fans run on high, probably another bad control board) and the Signalink itself is stuck in transmit when power is applied. At first I thought maybe lightning, but all power(breaker panel) and antennas were disconnected. The Signalink is the common denominator and I will not purchase or even recommend anything else from Tigertronics. This product works well but can cost a lot in the long run.

----------------------
Earlier 4-star review posted by N5XTR on 2008-03-26

Just received my SL-USB today installed the jumpers and hooked it up. The installation manual was helpful in the software settings. In a few hours I had many contacts in the log. Mainly using it for PSK31. My TX frequency was 10 kHz higher than it was on my old interface, luckily my FT-857D has a Digital shift option so -10kHz and I was on freq again. If not for the shift I would give it a 5. Well worth the 2+ months backorder time.
VE3XDB Rating: 2017-05-22
Excellent and reliable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this Signalink USB hooked up for 8 or 9 years now, using it with my Kenwood TS-570D/G and TS-440S/AT radios. Works well for both. I bought the headers when they came out a few years ago, which made it much easier to swap between radios.

The unit has been very reliable. It's a "set and forget" piece of gear. I use Debian Linux, and there is a warning on the website about using it with Linux. However, it was easy to set up and has worked well through several Debian upgrades.

Regards,

Doug VE3XDB
KC2JQA Rating: 2017-03-21
Works Great With Mac Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the Signalink USB about one month ago to use with an Elecraft KX3 and a desktop iMac. The Mac is running the current Sierra version of OSX.

The Signalink works great... my main operating modes are JT65 using WSJT-X and PSK31 using Flgigi. Setup was easy and there was no need to manually download any drivers.

Here's a tip if you will be using the Signalink USB with a KX3... order the Plug & Play jumper module. Not only is it easier than manually placing the jumper wires, it comes with a voltage blocking capacitor so you don't need to turn off the radio's microphone bias setting each time you switch between SSB and digital mode operations.
KE8EC Rating: 2017-03-10
Works Great! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After checking out several interfaces for HF digital modes, I selected the Signal Link USB. Arrived well packaged and documented. Had it up and running in very little time. Had a bit of a problem with Windows 10 but that was my unfamiliarity with 10. I think this is a very good interface for the money.
AA4PB Rating: 2017-02-18
Win10 is OK Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had mine on a Win7 machine. When I upgraded to Win10 the SignaLink-USB kept right on working with no changes.

The noise issue some complain about comes from the computer via USB power. The amount of noise is dependent on your computer. Mine was low and the mod made no significant difference.


----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by AA4PB on 2014-11-20

The SignaLink-USB is not supposed to decode anything. It's a sound card that does D/A and A/D conversions, just like the sound card in your computer. The software program (MixW, DigiPan, etc) does all the decoding and encoding. My SignaLink-USB has been working fine for several years. I've used it on XP and Win7 and a couple of different transceivers - never a problem. Note that the SignaLink-USB must be connected to the computer USB port before starting the software program or the software will default to the computer sound card.

NN3D Rating: 2017-02-17
Perfect Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Currently using a windows 10 machine with an Icom 756 PRO-III and have absolutely no issues. Does everything I wanted it to and more. You will not be disappointed with this product.
NA7US Rating: 2017-01-03
Issues Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I had the Signalink up and running for awhile and then moved to a new machine with Windows 10...no luck even though I followed the instructions several times believing that it was just me missing something. The tried to go back to Windows 8 and still no luck, even tried Windows XP. Now when it was running, it was excellent but when I tried moving it to K2 with correct jumpers...no luck....tried going back to FT1000MP MKV and again no luck. I still believe there is something I am doing wrong but it would be nice if it was plug and play like other interfaces. I am going to call the company and see if they can help and then I will write another review if they are able to help.
AE9DX Rating: 2016-12-11
GREAT! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I replaced my Rigblaster Pro with one of these nice little boxes and love it! Much easier to use and I got rid of lots of cables, which is a big plus. The simple USB interface makes life much easier and the set-up is simple if you follow the manual instructions. It makes using the digital modes much easier and more enjoyable.