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Reviews For: RigExpert Plus

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

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Review Summary For : RigExpert Plus
Reviews: 3MSRP: 305.
Description:
RigExpert Plus is a device for operating phone, CW and digital modes using personal computer with USB port. It provides:

Analog audio interface is a connection to transceiver audio output (external speaker connector or line output) and transceiver audio input (microphone connector or line input). Audio interface enables operating digital modes, recording and playing voice, as well as other useful functions (such as measuring levels of a signal from the air) by using a computer. Input (two channels) and output volume levels are adjusted by potentiometers on the front panel of the device.

In addition to the analog audio interface, RigExpert Plus provides optical S/PDIF input and output for modern transceivers such as IC-7800. The optical cables are widely available in HI-FI stores.

CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) system provides control of transceiver frequency, operating mode and other functions by computer software. Normally, modern transceivers have serial (with various signal levels) link providing CAT interface.
In RigExpert Plus, CAT interface port is seen as a COM port by computer software.

FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) is a popular method of transmitting digital messages over radio primarily used in radioteletype (RTTY) mode. Most transceivers provide FSK modulator feature to make the RTTY signal stable and clear.


A separate COM port is assigned for the FSK output when using RigExpert Plus. The FSK baudrate and polarity are fixed and may be reconfigured by jumpers.

Transceivers provide PTT (Push To Talk) and CW (Continuous Wave) keyer inputs to allow setting the transmitter on or off and operating CW using external device (PTT pedal, CW bug or paddle, terminal node controller, or personal computer).
In RigExpert Plus, PTT and CW outputs are assigned to the RTS and DTR lines of a separate COM port.

Some software, such as EchoLink, requires the interface to provide a squelch input to detect if the radio channel is busy.
In RigExpert Plus, the squelch input is assigned to the DCD line of the COM port used for PTT and CW outputs.

Built-in electronic CW keyer for single or double paddle
The keyer produces dots or dashes depending on the direction a paddle is pushed to. If using double paddle, squeezing both paddles gives alternating dots and dashes. The speed a CW message comes out with is set by computer software or a built-in potentiometer. A famous WINKEY micro controller (version 10) was chosen as a CW keyer in RigExpert Plus.
In RigExpert Plus, a separate COM port is assigned to the WINKEY controller.

Along with MixW software, operates phone, CW, PSK31, RTTY, Packet, AMTOR(FEC), MFSK, THROB, MT63, Hellschreiber, SSTV, receives PACTOR and fax images - all in one! No TNC required!
Any other soundcard software may be used: tested with DigiPan, MMTTY, EchoLink,DX4WIN,Logger32,WriteLog,RCKRTTY,N1MM etc.
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista compatible.


RigExpert Plus is FCC C.F.R. 47 (part 15:2005) and ICES-003 certified.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rigexpert.net
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0035
FORMER_WS4V_KS Rating: 2012-01-20
THE way to go for digital, CW & RTTY Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I understand that the Plus has been replaced with a new unit but I can't see how it could be any better. I got mine for Christmas on closeout and couldn't be happier. All those wires (rats nest) were done away with and the RD getting into the computer was gone. On 10 and 40 meters before using my old interface the computer screen was locking up and doing weird things, with the Plus it is smooth sailing.
Since getting the Plus up and running I have worked new country #307 and 308 on CW. I love the pots on the front for adjusting the rig audio in. Many times it will make a big difference on receive, especially on JT65.
Appearance wise it looks great and hookup is a breeze. I had mine running in about half an hour. It would have taken less time if the back of my TS-2000 wasn't so hard to get to the way I have it mounted in the console.
I can't find a single thing about it to complain about. It works perfectly, unlike the SignaLink that doesn't really do CW (it does ACW) and when working DX the CW speed limit of the Signalink kills you at 20 wpm. DXpeditions run anywhere from 30 - 45 wpm so 20 wpm just doesn't cut it. They "don't hear you". The plus will send CW so fast that it sounds like a machine gun.
KD0TRG Rating: 2009-03-15
RigExpert Plus is Good to Go Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
RigExpert Plus – Purchased from Yuri in Canada. I am currently using the RigExpert Plus on two radios, it costs more than others but the quality of the cables alone is worth it to me. I like having only the one USB cable coming over to the laptop and no need for external power.

ICOM 7000
ICOM 756ProIII

Laptop running XP with HRD and DM780. In HRD, I had to Select Tools, SoundCards, Volume Level and kick it up to 100% to get things working. I find that it is easy enough to leave the HRD and DM780 running on the laptop at all times – I turn the radio on and off as I am doing other things. Otherwise, if I try to bring the HRD and DM780 up and down, they eventually lose connectivity with the radio – no big deal.

I’m very happy with the quality and the performance.
WA3KVN Rating: 2007-07-24
Wonderful! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The RigExpert Plus is a great piece of equipment. Integrated with MixW software and with my Yaesu FT1000MP, this combination gives great performance on RTTY. CW is also quite nice, though, as most computer CW decoders go, it does make errors. I have not tried it on any of the other digital modes.

I used it this weekend in the N.A. RTTY QSO Party and thoroughly enjoyed the contest. I worked RTTY with as much ease as I do CW or SSB. The combination of MixW, RigExpert+, and FT1000MP on FSK RTTY is dynamite!

Yuri, VE3DZ, is more than a little helpful. I had an initial problem with a mis-wired cable and he helped me through it, including freely exchanging the cable for one that was correctly wired. Great service, Yuri.