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Reviews For: G4ZLP DigiMaster MiniPro (USB)

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

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Review Summary For : G4ZLP DigiMaster MiniPro (USB)
Reviews: 25MSRP: 52.99GBP/84.99EU/107.99USD
Description:
Hi performance, fully isolated USB DATA interface, for ALL present and future afsk Digital DATA modes. Including PSK RTTY PSK SSTV and dozens more. For use with ALL afsk DATA software including, HRD, DM780, MixW, DigiPan, WSJT, etc. Uses fully encapsulated processional quality 600 ohm isolating transformers in both TX and RX lines to ensure highest quality performance, second to none.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/unified/DM_MiniPRO_complete.shtml
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00254.5
G3URA Rating: 2009-05-09
More trouble than it's worth Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I needed a new interface to use with the Icom7k and after reading up on this interface thought that this unit would do the job. The construction of the actual unit is fine but the instructions for getting it to work are lamentable. I am not a computer expert and was unable to get Windows XP to install the drivers automatically as stated. Trying to install the drivers manually resulted in any 'Next' option buttons being greyed out. The 'Device Manager' help pages were also very misleading. Following the instructions 'to the letter' resulted in a series of yellow question marks rather than the 'virtual' Com Port number expected. The instructions also expect you to be able to 're-map' this virtual Com Port if you ever succeed in getting it working. Eventually an experienced colleague spent some time resolving these issues and getting the unit to work.
This unit is not for the fainthearted.

With the same laptop and the same PSK software (Digipan), I used a G3LIV interface and had no trouble installing drivers and had everything working within minutes.

Dick. G3URA (SV0XBN)
ON4CCU Rating: 2009-05-05
Flawless Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've never been really interested in digi modes (too much hassle for me, lazy as I am), but when I started using Ham Radio Deluxe as a logging program a couple of months ago, I got intrigued by the digi mode capabilities of this program...looked rather easy to use...just needed the right hardware to connect my 756Pro2, so I did some reading to see how I could finally become a "true all mode HF station" after 20 years of hamming ;-)

The G4ZLP DigiMaster MiniPro wasn't too expensive (I wouldn't have been heavily ripped-off if it wouldn't work ;-)), and it got some good comments, so that was going to be the one (must admit that I already had a CAT cable from the same company, which works very well).

The MiniPro arrived a couple of days after the order, well packed, with the right cables. Downloaded the instruction sheet from G4ZLP's website, and had a brief look at the HRD DM780 user guide for the software settings...to my surprise, I made my first PSK-31 QSO 15 minutes after opening the shipping box (the other station must have thougt I was a bit of a retard, unprepared as I was for anyone to answer my test call). Many more followed right after, slightly better organized after I set some macro's in HRD. Very easy to use in combination with DM780 (haven't tried any other s/w).

So, 60 euros (plus shipping) well spent to get me onto a new mode.

Kind regards, Bart
CT2FPE Rating: 2008-12-19
Nice Digitals Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The "modem" is very well done.
Use it in all digital modes and works fine even with small signals.

The warranty is real, mine burned once and Neil was very fast on reparing it.
G0LGB Rating: 2008-05-11
Excellent Bit of Kit! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Only recently got back into radio after a gap of 12 years, back then I spent a fortune on a Kam for data modes, now this small, well made, reasonably priced little box of tricks will do the same & more!

PSK thirty something???
Olive who??
You caught a dose of Hellschreiber???

I've had my Digimaster about 3 weeks now,the phrases above start to make sense to me now!
The set up here is unbelievably crude, my recently purchased Ft-817 with an ATX-MkII telescopic whip antenna, usually running mid power, (2.5watts) so I don't strain the rig...hi...qrp ...& a half.

However thanks to this little gizmo, assorted free software, HRD, PSK31, MultiPsk & more I have worked...PE,OM, CT,LZ,SP,HB, & just the other day a UX station in the Ukraine 2,995kms away, all PSK, all on 2.5watts!

I've worked PSK, RTTY, SSTV & today MFSK (-16...inverted!!) most of which were either too complex or too expensive to consider a decade ago....actually many were unheard of...but one of these & any old pc should get you all digital before you know what hit you.

Neil's a decent chap, gives sound advice, I was surprised with next day delivery, the DigiPro was well packaged, it comes with all leads, the leads all seem decent enough, no instructions or drivers but I had downloaded these from the web site the day before, but worth noting if you're planning on setting one up without internet access or maybe mine were just missed from the box?

I downloaded the free & very nice suite of programs "Ham Radio Deluxe" this comes with logbook, PSK31 software, Dx Cluster, ...lots of stuff...spent an hour or so listening to psk31 signals on 40m....a SP station calling cq tempted me to try & reply...seconds later I was amazed to be having my first psk qso.

It is pretty much plug in & go, you will have to configure whatever software you use to use the correct ports, but that only takes a few seconds, then you're done. It takes much longer to learn, set-up, configure the software than to set up this.

You will also have to set your audio levels, usually via your soundcard mixer panel. Be careful not to overdrive the audio to the rig, with the 817 its taken via the acc socket at the back leaving your speaker & headphone sockets free which is useful. It is recommended to have no alc reading, but be careful as power drops off very quickly as your audio/alc drops...i find i get max power with no overdriving with about two alc blocks flashing but it will vary from system to system. There are some great tutorials on youtube.

I couldn't be happier with this choice of interface, & there are a lot to choose from, I chose this one after buying a CAT cable from Neil shortly before, after seeing what i could do with the rig & pc combination it was a logical step to get a data interface, as Neil pointed out to me, this Digi-pro runs via the USB & the CAT is via the Com port so that means i can have CAT control of the rig & data all at the same time with multiple programs running.

Overall 5/5, works a charm, I'd recommend them to anyone!
G0NIG Rating: 2008-02-16
EasyPeasy way to get into data. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been using this interface for the last 2 weeks and so far it has performed flawlessly with all soundcard based data software I have thrown at it, e.g. Digitalmaster 780, MixW, Digipan, WJST.

Installation is simple, download the serial driver from the website, choose your software of choice, plug the interface in, and away you go.

The unit itself is housed in a very robust box, the only external features being an on/off button and a two colour (color) LED for rx (green) and tx (red). Neil supplies interface to radio leads for all popular radio's, mine being the Icom-IC736.

I only had one very small issue and that was with the supplied USB cable, when used I was getting a small bit of interference on 20m but replacing this with a high quality screened cable cured the problem.

The service from G4ZLP is excellent and in most cases the item is shipped on the day of ordering.

For anyone who hasn't tried the datamodes and wants a hassle free introduction to this bleepy warbly world I have no hesitation recommending this interface.

Regards

Nidge (G0NIG)