SETTING THE AUDIO LEVEL TO YOUR RIG:
Before using the RIGblaster you must have your radio set up properly for normal SSB operation. Changing your microphone gain or speech processor settings on your rig after setting
up the RIGblaster will require that you re-adjust the RIGblaster or computer.
To have the best possible signal, you need to understand how your rig is adjusted. Modern
rigs may have several adjustments for transmit audio, including; mic. gain, mic. equalization
and/or transmit shift, speech compression and ALC (automatic level control). The objective
of setting these adjustments is to have clean clear audio and minimum splatter or RF bandwidth.
The primary adjustment is your mic. gain. This sets the amount of audio amplification for
the microphone. The speech compressor basically makes loud speech softer and soft
speech louder, reducing the range between soft and loud. If your rig has transmit shift or
audio equalization, you can adjust the tone quality of your audio. An ALC circuit is provided to minimize the possibility of too much audio over driving the rig and causing flattopping
or splatter. You should understand the interaction of these circuits, and their adjustments.
Consider your microphone and personal voice characteristics. To get the best audio from
your station and work the most DX you need to set your radio carefully. Turning everything
up for maximum smoke will NOT make you more intelligible....you will just be distorted.
The basic idea of adjusting your rig is to not overdrive it, and to achieve best intelligibility.
Do not simply use your power output meter, but in addition use the ALC and speech compression metering too.
Turn off your speech compressor and watch the ALC meter. Set the mic. gain BELOW the
correct maximum ALC indication on your loud speech. Your particular speech characteristics and operating habits must to be considered.
Adjust your transmit shift and/or transmit audio equalization (tone control) for the best on
the air reports. You should consider the tone characteristics of your voice, your mic. and
your rig’s audio. Once you have set your tone equalization you may have to re-adjust the
mic. gain.
If you use speech compression do not over do it. You should use a moderate amount.
Remember that you will sound more natural without it and your shack noises will not be
picked up as much. Re-check your ALC indication with the compressor on. You should
ALWAYS be under the maximum correct ALC indication. With compression you should indicate more ALC activity but not necessarily higher.
Now that you have the rig set up properly for voice you can set the audio drive level from
your computer to your rig. Do not change your basic mic. settings.
Turn off your rig's speech compressor. Confirm that your RF drive/transmit power control
set to maximum. Double click the little yellow speaker icon in your computer's system tray.
Adjust the master volume control (the one on the left) and the wave volume as high as needed to drive your rig properly; generally between 1/4 and 3/4 of the way up. The RIGblaster's
"audio level" control is used to match the computer to the radio, a one time setting. Set all
of these controls so that none are near all of the way up or down. Remember that all of the
adjustments are all cascaded (in series), and they all interact.
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You final setting should produce approximately 50% RF power output from your radio.
Warning: you should not exceed the AM, FM or RTTY power ratings of your radio. After all
settings are completed, check to make sure your ALC meter is below limiting.
Note that if you run your sound card at maximum, and the RIGblaster level turned way down,
you will have distortion from your sound card and a poor quality signal.
VOX OPERATION
To set up for vox operation, instead of automatic serial control, you need to understand the
switching within the RIGblaster. In the AUTO mode your mic. is connected by default and it
will work normally with your radio's vox. In the RIGblaster's VOX mode your mic. is disconnected and your computer audio is passed through to your radio allowing the computer audio
to activate your rig's vox circuit. Your mic. will operate when you press it’s PTT button automatically overriding the computer.
To set the rig's vox level controls you need to have set all the levels as described previously (using you MOX button to activate transmit). Turn your rig's vox on. Set the level, delay
and anti-trip controls so that they work well with your mic. The same settings should work
with the computer since the computer audio should be matched, almost exactly, to the same
level as your voice from your mic.
SWITCHES, CONNECTIONS, INDICATORS AND FEET
The back panel: You will find a yellow DC power connector for the supplied AC adapter. The
RIGblaster needs approximately 12 Vdc. The center pin is positive. You may run it directly from 10 to 16 Vdc. You should understand that the RIGblaster's ground is connected to
your radio's mic. and/or PTT ground and an extra power supply ground may create a ground
loop problem. You may leave the RIGblaster negative/ground lead disconnected if you are
using the same 12V source as your radio. Be careful with your grounding. Be sure to read
the precautions on our support page if you have any questions; http://www.westmountainradio.com/support.htm.
The DB9 serial connector is for two way PTT control and also for CW or FSK keying. This
is connected using a straight through serial extension cable connected to your computers
serial port.
The 1/8" mini jack CW key output may be used with programs that directly key a CW key jack
or an FSK port via a computers serial port. You should use a stereo mini plug cable to whatever connection your radio needs. The tip provides a positive pull down in respect to the
sleeve, the ring is insulated and not connected.
The RCA foot switch jack may be used to key your radio via the RIGblaster and to control
the RIGblaster because it is directly across the mic. PTT circuit. This jack might also be used
to control an amplifier or sequencer activated by the PTT switch on your mic.
The audio level adjustment potentiometer gives a great range of adjustment to match the
nominal output of the computer to your radio's mic. jack. Facing the back, clockwise is maximum audio level.
The audio input and output jacks accept standard 1/8" stereo mini plugs. These are wired in
parallel, and the output may be used to monitor the audio from the computer that is fed
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