RIGblaster Plus II
R
R
USB
rig to sound card interface
OWNERS MANUAL
WEST MOUNTAINWEST MOUNTAIN
ADIO
ADIO
http://www.westmountainradio.com
1020 Spring City Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186
tel 262.522.6503 fax 262.522.6504
© 2008 West Mountain Radio, All rights reserved.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Thank for purchasing a RIGblaster Plus II. The Plus II is easy to install
and automatic in operation, It is compatible with virtually every radio
ever made and includes over 150 Amateur Radio programs! A whole
new world of operating experiences awaits you with the availability of all
of these outstanding programs the Plus II offers.
The Plus II is designed to work through only a radio’s mic connector;
thus, making it compatible with almost every radio ever made, and
leaving your radio and PC fully functional as they were before. Use of
the mic jack allows it to operate with fully automatic switching between
the mic and PC, as well as supporting all modes, all software and all of
your radio’s bands. This is a distinct advantage in not being limited by the
design of a radio’s data or aux jack.
The Plus II uses your PC’s sound card system, and does not disable it,
like external audio devices. This makes it possible to use all sound card
programs without having to worry about re-conguring your PC’s audio.
Just plug in two audio cables and everything works correctly without
conicts or loss of your PC’s normal audio functionality.
The Plus II is several interfaces in one. The USB (Universal Serial
Bus) interface provides PTT control, CW or FSK keying and CAT/CI-V
rig control. The rest of the circuit provides isolated and conditioned
transmit audio.
All Amateur Radio sound card or rig control programs require a standard
serial RS232 interface, and will not work directly with USB. Newer
PCs typically ship without a RS232 serial port. For this reason, the
RIGblaster Plus II has a built in USB-to-serial converter providing PTT,
rig control, and CW or FSK keying via the built-in virtual serial port.
Up until now your ham station system more than likely consisted of only
a radio and an antenna; perhaps also an amplier. Your new system
will also include a PC with wires going to an AC outlet and possibly the
Internet. VERY IMPORTANT: this “system” must be properly connected
and operating at the same ground potential. The RIGblaster Plus II has
more than adequate ground isolation for proper operation of the audio
and switching. However, it was not designed to work in a system with
a voltage potential caused by a ground loop between two grounds, nor
is it designed to have millions of volts jumping through it from nearby
lightning strikes.
Owner’s Manual
I
You must be certain there is only one physical ground on your station,
as you will now have a radio and a PC. Before you hook up the
RIGblaster Plus II, disconnect any wires that may be between your
radio and your PC, but leave the power cords plugged in. Put an AC
voltmeter between the chassis on your radio and your PC. If you read
more than a fraction of a volt of AC, you have a ground problem! Try
this: take a piece of wire and touch it to the metal PC case and your
radio ground terminal, watch and listen for a spark. You could have
120 VAC of leakage between the house ground and your station ground
— be careful that you do not get a shock.
To eliminate AC ground loops simply plug your radio and PC into the
same AC outlet using the same AC ground point. Consider connecting
your station ground directly to the AC outlet used by your equipment
making your ground at a common single point. A typical commercial
installation would have a buried 00 gauge wire around the perimeter of
the building with all external wires grounded where they come in, and,
the equipment would only have one ground connection to a common
point on the perimeter ground. After doing this simple ground check follow
these instructions step-by-step to make your rst computerized contact.
Contents of Package
1-RIGblaster Plus II
(NOTE: COVER IS LOOSE SO YOU MAY EASILY REMOVE IT TO
INSTALL JUMPERS)
1- Accessory Zip Lock bag.
Contents:
4 - Black cover screws #6 sheet metal
8 - Single pin jumper wires
4 - Adhesive pads
1- Pack of Instant Setup Connectors
1 - Microphone Cable (RJ45 to 8 pin screw on)
2 - 1/8” stereo mini plug cables
1 - USB Cable
1 - RIGblaster & RIGtalk DVD
1 - Owner’s manual
II
RIGblaster Plus II
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DIAGRAM:
Connections, controls, and indicators Page 1
SOUND CARD OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND SETUP
Step 1: Install PSK31 Software: Connect Receive Audio and... Page 4
Step 2: Windows® Plug and Play USB Installation Page 4
Step 3: Install Your Microphone and Test Its Operation on the Air Page 5
Step 4: Software PTT Setup Page 6
Step 5: Check that Your Software Will Generate Transmit Audio Tones Page 7
Step 6: Set the Transmit Audio to Your Radio Page 7
Step 7: Have Fun Working DX Page 8
CW OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND SETUP
Step 1a: Connect CW Keying Cable Page 8
Step 2a: Congure the PC and Radio for CW Operation Page 8
Step 3a: Have Fun Working DX Page 9
RTTY FSK OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND SETUP
Step 1b: Connect FSK Keying Cable Page 9
Step 2b: Congure the PC and Radio for RTTY FSK Operation Page 10
Step 3b: Have Fun Working DX Page 10
RIG CONTROL CAT/CIV, INSTALLATION AND SETUP
Step 1c: Connecting a CAT or CIV Interface Page 10
Step 2c: Setting Up the Radio for Rig Control Page 11
Step 3c: Setting Up Rig Control Software for Rig Control Page 12
TROUBLESHOOTING Page 13
WARRANTY Page 15
Owner’s Manual
RIGblaster Plus II connections,
controls, and indicators
1
RIGblaster Plus II
SOUND CARD OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND SETUP
(READ CAREFULLY and PROCEED IN ORDER)
These instructions explain how to use and setup only the
RIGblaster Plus II. Refer to the manual for your radio, the help
les for your PC and third party ham radio software for the other
necessary information.
Step 1: Install PSK31 Software — Connect Receive Audio and Start
Receiving
The RIGblaster is not needed to receive, only transmit, and is
recommended to remain in its enclosure. Please insert the DVD shipped
with this product into your DVD drive. The install menu will automatically
open. Click the “Software Collection” XMIT button. Next click the XMIT
button for PSK31, and nally click XMIT for WINPSK. This is an easy
and simple PSK31 program to get started with.
NOTE: Only an advanced user should install another program or mode.
We recommend not starting with Ham Radio Deluxe! HRD is a rig control
program that will disable the companion sound card program, Digital
Master 780, from working correctly with any standard sound card interface.
Use one of the supplied 1/8” stereo mini plug audio cables to connect
your radio’s speaker output to your PC’s line-in input (usually blue.)
Your PC’s microphone input can be used if you have a laptop without
line-in input, but line-in input is preferred. If you have purchased a xed-
level audio cable made for your model radio from West Mountain Radio,
follow the instructions packaged with the cable.
NOTE: With the appropriate cable you may use any audio output on
any radio (speaker, headphone, record, phone patch or data audio out)
and either of a PC’s audio inputs (line or mic.). The most convenient
connection from the radio is a xed level audio connection. The line-in
input on a PC is preferred but a microphone input will work as it can be
set correctly from most sound card virtual control panels. Consider your
preferences for operating your radio and computer to best decide which
connection to use.
WARNING: As explained in the preface of this manual be certain your
desktop PC is powered and grounded to the same AC outlet and house
wiring circuit (on the same circuit breaker) as the rest of your ham
station! This is safer and better for many reasons that are both related
and unrelated to the RIGblaster installation.
Owner’s Manual
2
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