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Reviews For: West Mountain Radio Rigblaster Advantage

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

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Review Summary For : West Mountain Radio Rigblaster Advantage
Reviews: 25MSRP: 200
Description:
The RIGblaster Advantage features a simplified PC interface and expanded rig control radio compatibility, accomplished without compromising the functionality and flexibility that the RIGblaster products are known for. This new addition to the RIGblaster product line incorporates several user requested enhancements:

- Internal sound card

- Single plug and play USB cable connection to PC for audio, rig control and power

- Rig control interface for CAT/CI-V as well as RS232 through a DB9 port

- Front panel mounted transmit power level, receive audio level and VOX delay adjustment knobs
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.westmountainradio.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00254.8
K5HFI Rating: 2012-09-03
Works great on my Mac, Very easy to setup and use . Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I chose it over the SignalLink mainly because my primary Radio is a TS-870S and I really wanted to use the direct FSK keying (as apposed to AFSK) which the RB Advantage supports and the SignalLink does not.

The RB Advantage was is just so easy to setup and use. I normally use Mac OS X so that is not always the case with most Ham Radio products. I was decoding PSK31 in fldigi within 5 minutes of opening the box. I have never had any problems in configuring and using the RB Advantage with any software or OS. I like to spend a lot of time playing with different software so I have used it on the Mac, with Windows, and on Linux and in every case it is a breeze to configure and use. I usually use fldigi on OS X and Linux and MMTTY for FSK on windows. I have tried many other apps as well and all have worked great with the RB Advantage.

The one issue I have had is that the Mic PTT from my MC-60 mic quit working through the RB Advantage after around 10 months of use, everything else kept working fine. West Mountain was very helpful. Eventually I decided to return it for repair or replacement. It was returned/replaced within a few days, much faster than I expected. The support from West Mountain was beyond excellent, it is as good as any I have ever dealt with.
KK4CIS Rating: 2012-02-14
Very easy to setup Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The RIGblaster Advantage was incredibly easy and straightforward to setup. I run Windows 7 Pro on my laptop. I read the RIGblaster Advantage manual before starting and followed the step-by-step directions. Everything just worked.

I am an absolute beginner, so was expecting hours of frustration. Instead, installation and setup was easy and straightforward with no drama and no surprises; the setup process could not have been easier for this complete beginner.

Additionally, the section on JT65-HF was also very helpful, and after simply following the straightforward installation and setup tips, I made my first JT65 QSO within 15 minutes of launching JT65-HF.

I highly recommend the RIGblaster Advantage.
WB7ELY Rating: 2012-01-14
Not Worth The Trouble Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
So ?I am a homebrew guy. Sound card interface gave up the ghost last fall and I began to shop around for one with external sound card via USB. Purchased the Advantage unit for Christmas and ran the setup for my IC706 per the manual. No Luck. Read and re-read the manual, reset the comports and finally was able to get audio to dispaly on the waterfall but the unit wanted to key continuously.I am pretty well versed with PCs, software, and ham radio interfaces so this thing really had me stumped. Back to the manual. Tried every tip they talked about, reset the mixer sliders and record "listen" and no joy. Called the help line on the east coast and busy busy busy. So I need help bad...when I get home from work on the west coast they are closed and when I leave for work, they are closed. It appears that if I want to get this thing working, I am going to hafta take a day off. Recommend: Do not buy - $200 boatanchor -
KB9KR Rating: 2011-11-27
A really nice interface Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've never purchased a “store-bought” audio interface before, always preferring to make my own. A nearby lightning strike took out the last one and the single COM port on my computer. So, with a gentle push from a buddy (something about not being such a “tightwad”) I decided to take a look at the Advantage. For a junk box fanatic like me it was a real stretch, but I'm glad to say the interface is perfectly suited to my situation and needs. I highly recommend it for a setup similar to mine.

Having given up on “WinDoze” some time ago, I run Linux (currently Ubuntu 11.04 - “Natty Narwhal”) in the shack on an older machine (1Ghz P3 processor, 512 Mb ram). I use Fldigi ver. 3.21.26 by Dave Freese, W1HKJ, et.al for general digital operation. The rig is an Icom IC-706. Just to be safe, before the purchase, I called West Mountain tech support to ask specifically about using the interface with my setup. They assured me it should work fine.

The major appeal of this interface for me was the single USB connection to the computer with built-in sound card, and built in serial port for CI-V/PTT control. Only one connection to the computer – and I could still listen to tunes while I played digital. Not bad a all.

Opening the manual (yeah, I actually read manuals!), I found that it was written primarily for a typical Windows user. I'm really used to that kind of thing so I just kept reading. I was able to figure out from the text and available pictures how to configure and connect it all up. Perhaps a few known example/suggested interconnection diagrams would have made the interconnection schema clearer, quicker. Think “newbie”.

I plugged the USB connector into the computer and Ubuntu detected the internal sound card without a glitch. I disconnected the USB, installed the interface jumper block for my 706, plugged my mic in, connected the CI-V cable, installed the interface-to-rig audio cable, and plugged the USB back in. About 10 minutes additional setup time with my rig, Ubuntu, and Fldigi and I was able to operate in VOX mode, making my first contact. So far so good. Now for CI-V and PTT.

The COM port PTT and CI-V took me a few more minutes to get a handle on. The Advantage internal serial port hadn't been automatically detected by Ubuntu. I called West Mountain tech support and they had exactly what I needed. They pointed me to the location on their website that had the Ubuntu serial port driver the interface required. Once the driver was installed and Fldigi was properly configured I was able to use COM port PTT, and had CI-V communication.

(Hint: Using Fldigi on Ubuntu Linux with the IC-706, try using Hamlib with the new USB sound card you just installed, and then Hardware PTT – check “Use separate serial port for PTT” and check “Use RTS” on the same serial port. Works fine for me.)

The manual and perhaps the CD included with the interface could use a bit of updating for clarity and content. It needs a section for Linux users ( There's a bunch of us out here. That's a hint, West Mountain! ) and information about how and where to get Linux serial port drivers. Add a few known example/suggested interconnection diagrams for reference and setup hints (for Linux), and you're good to go.

Overall, I give the interface 5/5 for form, function and utility. It performs well with my setup. The audio in and out is clean, and I get good reports on my signal. Good job.
K7MHI Rating: 2011-05-14
Awesome Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
So I am a long time Rigblaster user, I have been using the first version ever released until the Advantage just was released. When the SignalLink came out I was envious and called up Westmountian and said I WANT THIS NOW. Well they finally delivered!! got the unit today and hooked it in place of my old M8 equivalent unit. The quick jumpers they provide now eliminate the old jumper game but they still allow for that. Its the same unit I have used for 8 years just updated relays and lots of enhancements that I have read about but just today got to see.

The big reason this unit was so important to me was the included soundcard. in windows you must change the volume for watching videos etc then flip back to the proper settings for digital modes this can be very frustrating and causes a lot of errors and emissions by accident.

With the new sound card interface you set it and forget it! And with the volume levels on the front I can get real detailed and quickly change things if I forget to change the mic gain or headphone volume from previously working Phone.

This was everything I wanted and more, I did not use the rig Control on the unit as I prefer separate COM ports for control and PTT but its very cool they give you a physical 232 port on the back very cool.

Everything worked instantly and I operated a PSK transmission within 90 seconds of unboxing the unit, I didnt even put any CD in the computer westmountian did us a nice one by paying the microsoft tax for registered drivers which are available via windows update. the longest wait was just the driver download. remember I am a long time rigblaster user and very proficient with digital modes but this exceeded my expectations that it was literally plug and play for me and in under 2 min operating on line.

No noticeable RF in shack (I do ground everything including PC) and in my 2 PSK contacts noticed no quality issues, I did need to go into windows sound manager and lower the output of the RigBlaster Soundcard as even with the front dial I was very heavy on the ALC, with that I am now perfect.

I use HRD DM780 and Win7 primarily all on a modern PC.

Thanks Guys... A Very happy customer. I hope to get another 8 years out of this one till the next crazy idea in interfaces is created!