Owner’s Manual
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-configuring your PC’s audio.
Just plug in two audio cables and everything works correctly without
conflicts 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 amplifier. 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.
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