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Reviews For: Navigator by Timewave - previously by US Interface

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

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Review Summary For : Navigator by Timewave - previously by US Interface
Reviews: 67MSRP: 369
Description:
The Navigator is a high quality interface between the rig and the computer, for use in running the digital modes such as PSK31, Olivia, MFSK, Hellschreiber, MT-63, etc. It also works fine for SSTV using many popular software programs such as MMSSTV.

The Navigator interfaces to the rig using a USB port, thus it does not require a serial port on the computer. It provides CAT control to the rig via a serial connection from the Navigator to the rig. The Navigator is completely configured and defined in software, and future updates are expected to be flash-ROM updates that can be installed by the user.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.Navigator-Interface.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00674.9
K3SUI Rating: 2007-05-26
Fantastic Unit ... Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've had this interface for a little over 3 months. I've been using it on a daily basis. In the past, I've used passive interfaces with pretty good success. This interface makes life in the digital lane worth living. It is very easy to install. It is powered by the USB interface, so needs no "wall warts" or other power connections, lessening the wiring maze. The internal sound card works better than the ones in the P/C's and the built in USB bridge is great!! With this interface, you need no other wiring or devices to use any of the digital (or even analog) modes. The build quality is exceptionally high. It is a bit pricy ... but in this case you really get what you pay for. Very very nice unit.
W8LO Rating: 2007-05-12
Still going strong Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After using the Navigator for over two months, on a more or less daily basis, my comments are as follows:
In my previous post, I mentioned "learning curve."
This was almost 100% referring to the digital software. Knowing less than nothing about digital, everything was new to me.
However, after the Navigator was installed, it has worked without any problems at all. It is inline, and is great.
As stated on US Interface web page, "Simply stated - The highest quality interface on the market, and made in the USA." This is a true statement.
Also, I have enjoyed the K1EL's Software Defined Keyer. It is a must for the CW operator whether they are contester, or DX'er.
I am 100% satisfied, and expect the Navigator to be part of my station for years to come.
G3VFP Rating: 2007-05-03
Excellent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
What can I say I liked the concept so bought the product. It does what it says in the literature, and in use with my IC706MKIIG it is a perfect combo. Always a pleasure to write good things about an excellent product. Thanks Glenn, and Clint.

Dave G3VFP
K8JS Rating: 2007-04-11
You work digi-modes? Then you need NAVIGATOR. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The NAVIGATOR interface replaced a good-performing MFJ-1279 digi-modes interface, because I finally wanted to get rid of some of those rat's nest of separate cables "behind there", and simplify my shack's overall digi-modes operational characteristics.
It gets ALL of its DC operating voltage via a USB port from a PC. NO cumbersome wall-wart is needed!
NAVIGATOR gets all of the PC and digi-modes software data and audio via one USB port.
Slick and easy cable harnesses are available for most all of the rigs; customized ones can be made-up by you or ordered as well.

Integrates well with MixW and Digipan as well as many of the other digi-modes software, including RTTY and CW.
It is made in the USA.
With my past previous digi-modes interface boxes, I was reluctant to use the CAT (Computer Aided Tuning)feature of MixW.
Now, using NAVIGATOR with it's slick and easy cable harness between it and the Yaesu 1000MP, and one of the USB ports on my little Sony T170P laptop (XP-PRO SP2), and MixW software, the CAT mode set-up was relatively easy, and is very slick to use.
There is absolutely NO need to ever open up the NAVIGATOR "box", since there are NO jumpers inside to be physically customized, because NAVIGATOR does not plug into the rig's microphone jack.
It uses WinKey for CW (built-in, just plug in your key or paddle into the "box".), or you may still plug your key or keyer into into your rig.

Much detailed info and photos available at Web site:

www.usinterface.com

I just love this thing. In a word...Fantastic!
---JacK K8JS
KB3ISH Rating: 2007-04-06
Great Digi Interface! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased the new Navigator last week at the Baltimore Hamfest. Had it up and running in very short order, works with EVERYTHING!! At first I thought the price was a bit steep but considering it also contains a CAT interface and Winkeyer built in... I think it is a steal!
Glenn W3GWW is GREAT... if you have any questions at all he is right on top of the answers. Had the opportunity to meet him in Baltimore and he really is a great guy!
If you are looking for a top of the line,solidly built, American Made, most bang for you buck interface then you won't go wrong with the Navigator!! Check out the web page, the Navigator is everything they say it is and more!


WF2S Rating: 2007-03-07
"First Class" all the Way Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I placed my order pre-production and 1 1/2 months later it arrived by priority mail. I printed out the manual and at the same time for MixW 2.18 as well. It looked a bit too complex for a child of the 60's but I persevered. I called Glenn, tech support extraordinaire. He told me to install the programs and connect the pre-made cable to my transceiver, an Icom 765 and the USB to my notebook and he WOULD CALL ME BACK in 20 minutes. I sat at the phone and counted the minutes and true to his word, the call came and via speakerphone , Glenn walked me through the set up parameters and the initial testing. It took only a few minutes as he was doing the set up along with me and it went flawlessly. Previously. I had a Rig Blaster but disliked the need for a computer soundcard and all the assorted cables running to and fro. One to the rig and a USB to my notebook is a lot simpler and makes portable operation a lot easier , especially when I am V26Z.
I am pleased to find an American made product with American tech support- very rare with anything that is electronic- except TenTec !
I am enjoying RTTY and PSK31 and learning about the other modes. The product is not the cheapest one on the market, so I expect MORE and BETTER quality , service and support and I can honestly say that I am not disappointed with my choice. Glenn brings a refreshing change to the tech support we have become accustomed to being subjected to. I would buy another Navigator today if mine disappeared.
W6VZV Rating: 2007-03-03
A great accessory for serious digital operators! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I picked up a Navigator on US Navigator's second US shipment, so I suppose that makes me one of the early users. I am active on all of the digital modes supported by MixW and I also work a fair amount of SSTV. I got the Navigator specifically for the FT-1000MP Mark V, my digital rig. What follows are my own observations about setting up and using the Navigator with the Mark V. Most or all of these comments are applicable to the original MP model and indeed perhaps most radios.

I will, however, begin with the end. The Navigator in my opinion is an ultra-high quality product that more than justifies its not-inconsiderable MSRP of $369. The Navigator is an excellent piece of hardware, with excellent control software called "NavOptions" (which you will probably only use once per radio). It really does make a difference using a sound card device (i.e. the Navigator) that is not inside the computer! My waterfall is quieter and bluer than with any sound card--signals pop out of the blue with a vivid orange and the Navigator allows MixW to parse even very weak traces on the waterfall. Candidly I had not realized that my waterfall with the sound card had had so much noise originating from the computer. Not with the Navigator! Using the MixW calibration program, the Navigator is very close to dead on. Since 95% of my ham radio activity is on the digital modes, I consider the Navigator to be a great value for the money, since I know of no other way to get rid of all that noise.

I have used the Navigator with MMSTV, and Ham Radio Deluxe as well as MixW, and it works perfectly in all 3, with no issues at all as far as setup with these programs goes!!

1. Initial Setup. The Navigator comes with a good setup manual on its disk in PDF form. Being a child of the 21st Century, who reads manuals, good or not? Not me! Since this was the second US shipment run of the Navigator, I received an automatic setup disk. It worked, mostly.

2. After setup, I could not transmit audio. PTT worked, CAT worked, and receive worked, but no audio into the Mark V, or at least very little. Like a good intrepid ham, I started screwing around with COM port assignments and all kinds of stuff. In short order I had fouled things up thoroughly. I called Glenn, W3GWW on the Navigator support number.

3. Glenn was great, and he got me back to where I was before I had screwed things up. He modified the COM ports from what the setup disk had selected, which is easy to do if you know how (It is in that manual I had not read.) Glenn absolutely knows what he is doing, and he can get anyone fixed up on the setup of the Navigator, plus he is a heck of a nice guy. I stupidly did not tell him about my transmit audio problem, because I assumed it was a bad interface cable. It was not. Remember what the first three letters in "assumed" are.

Bottom line: if you buy a Navigator Glenn provides incredible customer support. He is an absolute joy to deal with.

4. I solved the problem with the audio transmit level shortly thereafter. The Navigator has two levels of audio for both input and output: Normal and Minus 15DB. The latter was the default for my iteration of Navigators. The -15DB setting does not provide enough zip for the MP, you need "Normal." I went in with the accessory program that ships with the Navigator and changed to "Normal." Presto! I had all of the transmit and receive audio that anyone could want. I was now operational. ***By the way, at least on my setup, the audio out setting on the Windows control seems to want to be at the max level.*** My IMD is fine doing that, incidentally. This does not overdrive anything.

INTERFACE CABLE

The Navigator Interface Cables are plug-compatible with the Rig Expert, so if you have any Rig Expert cables, you can use them. Using the FT-1000MP (any model) you want to provide audio input via the PACKET 5 pin DIN connector on the back, and you want to provide audio from the rig to the Navigator via the AF Out stereo jack (unswitched) on the back of the MP. (This enables you to use dual waterfalls with MixW and possibly other programs for the main and sub receivers). Providing audio in via the Packet connector enables you to use the MP in User mode (i.e. PSK-U in Menu 8-6 of the Mark V) which enables you to use all of the narrow filters of the MP. Some Rig Expert cables did not do it this way--they did it via the Phone Patch connectors on the back of the MP. DON'T DO IT THIS WAY! If you do it that way, thru the phone patch, you must put the rig in SSB mode for it to work. This means that you cannot use the narrow filters because the passband is not right. ****This is a distinctly second class way to use the MP on digital, and it is not necessary.**** Use the 5 Pin Packet connector. Right now these cables are available from RigExpert Canada, and probably Glenn at US Interface as well.

I highly recommend the Navigator interface to serious digital operators.