RIGblaster Duo
One mic
One pair of speakers
One pair of headphones
One Computer
TWO radios!
OWNER’S MANUAL
http://www.westmountainradio.com
1020 Spring City Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186
tel 262.522.6503 fax 262.522.6504
sales@westmountainradio.com
2011
PREFACE
Thank you for buying the RIGblaster Duo. Whether you are upgrading from another
RIGblaster, another sound card interface, or this is your first interface, we think you will be
pleased with the capabilities of the duo. After building over 25,000 RIGblaster sound card
interfaces we are pleased to introduce an interface designed especially for a station with two
radios that makes a station neater, simpler, more efficient and easier to operate. It features a
receive monitor switching, mixing and amplification system patterned after an aircraft audio
panel. We hope that you find it makes your station better in every way.
Integrating the audio and switching of a station with two radios is complex but we have made
every effort to make the RIGblaster Duo as easy to operate and toinstall as possible. Front
panel controls are laid out to be intuitive and ergonomically correct. You should be able to
understand the operation simply by looking at the controls. You only need to become
accustomed to having a single mic, a single pair of headphones and using a master volume
control.
Front panel status indicators show at a glance, signal routing, audio source and status of PTT,
CW and FSK control and keying. In addition to seeing the position of the transmit-select
switch, optional external LED indicators are available to be located at each radio to make it
obvious which radio is ready for transmit.
In many ways the installation is actually simpler than other model RIGblasters except that each
radio has its own connections. The installation will be well worth the effort as you will have
your station totally integrated.
This manual is written with a step-by-step approach explaining how to connect and use the
primary features first, and then later the advanced options. You may not want nor need some
of the advanced options so you may ignore them if you wish. Of course if you understand and
know what you want to do, feel free to continue into the manual as we explain how to add
more and more functions and features. It depends on your desire to experiment; in the spirit of
Amateur Radio; that’s what it is all about!
The RIGblaster Duo was conceived as a platform to support all Amateur Radio sound card
software, keying and rig control software, even software that has not yet been written.
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CONTENTS
PREFACE .................................................................................................................................. 2
CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... 3
PLEASE NOTE: ......................................................................................................................... 4
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT STATION GROUNDING: ....................................................... 4
UNPACKING ............................................................................................................................. 5
PANEL DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................. 6
FRONT PANEL ...................................................................................................................... 6
PANEL DESCRIPTION continued ............................................................................................. 7
PANEL DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................. 8
REAR PANEL ........................................................................................................................ 8
PANEL DESCRIPTION continued ............................................................................................. 9
CHOOSE A MOUNTING LOCATION ...................................................................................... 10
INSTALLATION PLANNING .................................................................................................... 10
INSTALLATION AND CONNECTIONS: BASIC FEATURES .................................................. 11
STEP 1: INSTALL MICROPHONE WIRING JUMPERS ...................................................... 11
STEP 2: CONNECT AUDIO CABLES .................................................................................. 12
OPERATING BASICS ............................................................................................................. 12
SOUND CARD SOFTWARE OPERATION ............................................................................. 14
STEP 1: INSTALL SOFTWARE ........................................................................................... 14
STEP 2: SETUP TO RECEIVE SIGNALS USING SOFTWARE .......................................... 14
STEP 3: SET UP TO TRANSMIT USING SOUND CARD SOFTWARE .............................. 15
STEP 4 -TEST THE USB VIRTUAL COM PORTS .............................................................. 15
TRANSMIT WITH SOUND CARD SOFTWARE: ..................................................................... 16
CW CABLING AND SETUP .................................................................................................... 17
RTTY FSK CABLING AND SETUP ......................................................................................... 17
RIG CONTROL CABLING AND SETUP .................................................................................. 18
STATION HOOKUP DIAGRAM ............................................................................................... 20
STATION HOOKUP DIAGRAM (optional features & functions, in red) ................................... 21
JUMPER DIAGRAMS: MICROPHONE AND RADIOS ............................................................ 23
FOR 8 PIN ROUND SCREW ON MICROPHONES AND RADIOS ONLY ........................... 23
JUMPER DIAGRAMS: RADIOS ONLY ................................................................................... 24
FOR RJ45 MODULAR SQUARE CONNECTOR RADIOS ONLY ........................................ 24
FEATURE SELECTION JUMPER BLOCK OVERVIEW.......................................................... 25
DEFAULT SETTINGS: FEATURE SELECTION JUMPERS, DIAGRAM ............................. 25
MIC ELECTRET BIAS JUMPER – P8 ..................................................................................... 25
RX MUTE JUMPER – P9 ........................................................................................................ 26
PC RX FUNCTION ASSIGN – P5 ........................................................................................... 26
RADIO A RX CHANNEL ASSIGN – P6 ................................................................................... 26
RADIO B RX CHANNEL ASSIGN – P7 ................................................................................... 27
VIRTUAL COM PORT SERIAL SELECT – P4 ........................................................................ 27
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS .................................................................................................... 27
INDEX...................................................................................................................................... 29
WARRANTY ............................................................................................................................ 30
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PLEASE NOTE:
In this manual we will refer to the sound device on a computer as “Sound Card”. We
understand many computer sound devices are integrated onto the motherboard of the
computer, or can be external. We will stick to the more familiar wording “Sound Card”. Note
that RIGblasters do not have built in sound. If they did it would mean that you would have to
disable the internal sound system in your computer to use most Amateur Radio sound card
software, because most programs cannot select the computer audio device. All RIGblasters
leave your computer sound fully functional just as it was before, yet you have full capabilities
will all Amateur Radio sound card programs and operating modes.
The words “Radio”, “Transceiver” and “Rig” as used within this document are synonymous.
Throughout this manual any reference to using a computer is worded for a Windows®
computer. You may have to interpret the wording to suit a Mac OS® or Linux® computer to
fully understand references to using a computer.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT STATION GROUNDING:
Interconnected electronic equipment, such as an Amateur Radio station, is a system.
Interconnected signal cables must only carry the signals (RF, audio, power or control) they are
meant to. They should never be allowed to be power ground interconnects!
Your station making up this system must be grounded properly at a single point! All desktop
computers, monitors and printers have AC power cord ground connections. The computer AC
ground must be connected to the station ground at a single point. If you radio grounds are not
connected to the same physical location, and AC ground potential; that ground current will be
superimposed on the desired signal.
Simply connect the radio grounds, station grounds and AC grounds together at the same physical
point. Do not daisy chain the grounds from one unit to another! This will not only make all the
equipment work properly as a system but it will be much less likely to have damage from a nearby
lightning strike.
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UNPACKING
Items included with the RIGblaster Duo
1 - RIGblaster Pro Unit and Cover Screws
1 - DC power cord with Powerpole battery connector
1 - RIGblaster & RIGtalk Software Collection
2 - Microphone Cable (RJ45 to 8 pin screw on)
1 - Microphone Cable (3 foot RJ45 to RJ45 Modular)
1 - USB A to B Interface Cable
8 - Stereo Audio 6ft. Patch Cord (1/8 inch/3.5mm Mini Plug)
1 - Accessories Kit (that contains)
11 White Wire Jumpers
2 Adapters – 1/8 inch (3.5mm) Mini (female) to ¼ inch Plug
4 3M Adhesive Pads (not pictured)
Optional accessories
6 foot microphone cables
External LED indicators (show radio ready to transmit).
FSK keying cables (radio specific)
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PANEL DESCRIPTION
FRONT PANEL
- MICROPHONE CONNECTOR, 8-Pin Screw-on Microphone Connector – connects almost any make or
model radio microphone to the RIGblaster Duo for use with any other or the same make or model radio.
- “ph” HEADPHONE MONITOR JACK – Accepts stereo headphones with a 1/4 inch plug – may be used with
supplied adaptor for headphones with 1/8 inch plugs.
- “xmit select” TRANSMIT SELECTOR SWITCH – Selects either radio A or radio B to transmit with both a
microphone or computer audio.
- “xmit level” TRANSMIT LEVEL SET – For adjusting the audio transmit drive level coming from the
computer audio output into the Mic input of the radio selected for transmit.
- “rx level” MASTER MONITOR LEVEL SET” – For adjusting the master monitor audio level (volume) for the
entire station - monitored on headphones and/or speakers.
- “radio A” AUDIO MONITOR SELECTOR SWITCH – Selects the audio output of radio A, in three positions:
Off, headphones only, and speakers plus headphones. (also routes the receive audio to the computer for
software receive in either headphone or speaker on positions, but only with the default setting of the PC monitor
jumpers)
- “radio B” AUDIO MONITOR SELECTOR SWITCH – Same as above but selects radio B.
- “PC” AUDIO MONITOR SELECTOR SWITCH – Same as both above but selects audio from the computer.
- “ph level” HEADPHONE LEVEL SET” – For adjusting the headphone monitor audio level (volume) in
relation to the master volume. It is a slave volume control below the master level that sets the headphone volume
in relation to station master volume.
- “c. s.” LED – A yellow LED indicating that the RIGblaster Duo is feeding computer audio (CS: Computer
Sound) to the radio selected for transmit, not microphone audio. It will come on only if activated by sound card
software, thus indicating that the RIGblaster has automatically switched the audio to the computer. Note that it
will turn off, even while activated, if the PTT is overridden by the station microphone PTT switch or rear panel
connected foot switch.
- “ptt” LED – This red LED indicates when PTT is activated directly by your mic’s PTT button, by your foot
switch or indirectly via software through the USB virtual serial port interface.
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PANEL DESCRIPTION continued
FRONT PANEL
- “cw” LED – This red LED blinks indicating when CW keying is actively being sent by keyboard CW software.
This LED may be on, even with the RIGblaster Duo turned off, if the virtual USB serial port has the DTR line
raised high by computer software controlling the virtual serial port. It will also flash with FSK if you have the
incorrect serial COM number assigned in RTTY software.
- “fsk” LED – This red LED flickers when FSK keying is active with appropriate software for FSK keying.
Under certain conditions, this LED may be on without an active FSK program running in the computer if the USB
virtual serial port has the DTR line active. It will also flash on CW if you have the incorrect serial COM number
assigned in CW software.
- “usb” LED – a green LED indicating the RIGblaster Duo is connected to a computer supplying USB power.
- “power” SWITCH – Turns power ON and OFF. Up is ON and down is OFF.
- “power” LED – a green LED indicating the RIGblaster Duo is turned on.
NOTE: References used throughout this document, such as (R18) refer to the RIGblaster Duo Switch,
Connector, Knob, Jack or LED as illustrated on these PANEL DESCRIPTION pages.
(Fxx) would refer to the above front panel diagram and (Rxx) would refer to the rear panel diagram that
follows.
Example; “This connection is made to the MIC OUT RADIO B (R18) on the RIGblaster Duo”.
(R18) refers to Rear Panel illustration number so you can quickly locate this particular Switch,
Connector, Knob, Jack or LED on the corresponding diagram.
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PANEL DESCRIPTION
REAR PANEL
- “INPUT 12VDC” - 12 Volt DC INPUT - connects the Supplied DC Power cord to the RIGblaster Duo.
- “OUTSW 12VDC” - 12 Volt DC TRIGGER OUTPUT - Provided for future use to control outboard
accessories. Note: if power is plugged in to this jack the power switch will not function and the unit will be alwayson.
- “USB” - USB CONNECTION - For connection to a computer’s USB Interface using the supplied USB cable.
“RIG CTL IN/OUT” TTL CAT/CI-V RIG CONTROL CONNECTIONS
- “RIG CTL B” - RADIO B RIG CONTROL - connects an Icom or TenTec CI-V controlled radio, or certain
model Yaesu TTL CAT and Kenwood TTL controlled radios. Note: Requires an optional control cable compatible
the radio. Not for use with DB9 RS232 level control radios. Always connected to virtual COM B.
- “RIG CTL A” - RADIO A RIG CONTROL - connects an Icom or TenTec CI-V controlled radio or certain
model Yaesu TTL CAT and Kenwood TTL controlled radios. Note: Requires an optional control cable compatible
with the radio. Not for use with DB9 RS232 level control radios. Always connected to virtual COM A.
“KEYING OUTPUTS” CW AND FSK KEYING CONNECTONS
- “CW B” - CW OUT RADIO B - 1/8 MINI JACK - for connection to the CW straight key jack on your radio for
computer CW keying with appropriate software. Compatible with most solid state radios that key with positive pull
down. Connected to virtual COM A but may be changed to B by changing the appropriate jumpers.
- “CW A” - CW OUT RADIO A - 1/8 MINI JACK - for connection to the CW straight key jack on your radio for
computer CW keying with appropriate software. Compatible with most solid state radios that key with positive pull
down. Connected to virtual COM A but may be changed to B by changing the appropriate jumpers.
- “FSK B” - FSK KEYING OUT RADIO B - 1/8 MINI JACK - for connection to the FSK input of your radio for
computer FSK keying with appropriate software. Compatible with most solid state radios that key with positive
pull down. Not needed for RTTY operation with AFSK. By default it is connected to virtual COM B but may be
changed to A by changing the appropriate jumpers.
- “FSK B” - FSK KEYING OUT RADIO B - 1/8 MINI JACK - for connection to the FSK input of your radio for
computer FSK keying with appropriate software. Compatible with most solid state radios that key with positive
pull down. Not needed for RTTY operation with AFSK. Bye default it is connected to virtual COM B but may be
changed to A by changing the appropriate jumpers.
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PANEL DESCRIPTION continued
REAR PANEL
“RECEIVE AUDIO IN/OUT” RECEIVE AUDIO MONITORING CONNECTIONS
- “SPKR OUT” - SPEAKER OUTPUT - Stereo 1/8 MINI JACK - for connection to either a pair of 4-16 ohm
speakers or to a pair of amplified speakers: any computer or communications speakers of your choice.
CAUTION: use only a stereo plug.
- “PC IN” - COMPUTER AUDIO INPUT - Stereo 1/8 MINI JACK - Plug the line output of your desktop
computer into this jack. Use headphone output on a laptop computer.
- “RADIO B IN” - RADIO B AUDIO INPUT - Stereo 1/8 MINI JACK - for connection to the radio’s speaker
output to monitor the radio. May be mono (tip, sleeve) or stereo (tip ring and sleeve). This is a stereo input that
with internal jumpers may be assigned to left, right, both (dual mono, default) or stereo (dual receive).
- “RADIO A IN” - RADIO A AUDIO INPUT - Stereo 1/8 MINI JACK - for connection to the radio’s speaker
output to monitor the radio. May be mono (tip, sleeve) or stereo (tip ring and sleeve). This is a stereo input that
with internal jumpers may be assigned to left, right, both (dual mono, default) or stereo (dual receive).
- “RCV OUT” - RECEIVE MONITOR OUTPUT - Stereo 1/8 MINI JACK – for connection to the computer
sound Line Input (Mic input on a laptop). To monitor either or both radios using Amateur Radio sound card
software. The default configuration is to monitor whichever radio/radios are selected for headphone monitoring.
Using internal jumpers it may also be configured so one radio is fed to the left channel, and the other to the right
channel, in stereo, so that they may be selected by the sound card balance control.
“LEDS” READY TO TRANSMIT INDICATOR CONNECTIONS
- “XMIT LED B” RADIO B XMIT LED INDICATOR OUTPUT - 1/8 MINI JACK - for connection to an external
accessory LED indicator to be placed near the corresponding radio to make it obvious which radio is selected and
ready to transmit. (This must be used with the correct accessory LED indicators otherwise damage may occur!)
- “XMIT LED A” RADIO A XMIT LED INDICATOR OUTPUT – 1/8 MINI JACK – for connection to an external
accessory LED indicator to be placed near the corresponding radio to make it obvious which radio is selected and
ready to transmit. (This must be used with the correct accessory LED indicators otherwise damage may occur!)
“RIG: MIC/PTT” RADIO MIC OUTPUT AND PTT SWITCH INPUT CONNECTIONS
- “PTT IN” – PTT SWITCH INPUT JACK - RCA PHONO JACK - for connection to an auxiliary foot switch or
desk mounted switch that is not part of the main station microphone.
- “MIC OUT B” – RADIO B MICROPHONE OUTPUT - RJ45 MODULAR JACK – for connection to the
Microphone connector on radio B. This connection is made using one of the included Mic Cables or an optional 6
foot mic cable.
- “MIC OUT A” – RADIO A MICROPHONE OUTPUT - RJ45 MODULAR JACK – for connection to the
Microphone connector on radio B. This connection is made using one of the included Mic Cables or an optional 6
foot mic cable.
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