Plus

Description

RigExpert TI-5 is a device for operating phone, CW and digital modes using personal computer with USB port. It provides:

Transceiver audio interface

Analog audio interface is a connection to transceiver audio output (external speaker connector or line output) and transceiver audio input (microphone connector or line input). Audio interface enables operating digital modes, recording and playing voice, as well as other useful functions (such as measuring levels of a signal from the air) by using a computer.

Input (two channels) and output volume levels are adjusted by potentiometers on the front panel of the device.

Microphone and foot switch inputs

This function enables using the TI-5 in voice modes. When the foot switch is pressed, audio from the microphone is immediately transmitted by the rig. In addition, audio stream is fed into the computer (via left audio channel) to be recorded by voice keyer software. Right audio channel may also be used for microphone input.

Microphone level is adjustable.

CAT interface for various transceiver models

CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) system provides control of transceiver frequency, operating mode and other functions by computer software. Normally, modern transceivers have serial (with various signal levels) link providing CAT interface.

In RigExpert TI-5, CAT interface port is seen as a COM port by computer software.

CAT data from the rig is converted into RS-232 levels and routed to the separate connector, so external devices which accept CAT data (such as SteppIR controller) can be connected directly to RigExpert TI-5.

FSK output

FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) is a popular method of transmitting digital messages over radio primarily used in radioteletype (RTTY) mode. Most transceivers provide FSK modulator feature to make the RTTY signal stable and clear.

A separate COM port is assigned for the FSK output when using RigExpert TI-5. FSK baudrate and polarity may be configured by jumpers.

Alternatively, “software” FSK option is also available at the PTT/CW/SOFTFSK port.

PTT and CW output functions

Transceivers provide PTT (Push To Talk) and CW (Continuous Wave) keyer inputs to allow setting the transmitter on or off and operating CW using external device (PTT pedal, CW bug or paddle, terminal node controller, or personal computer).

In RigExpert TI-5, PTT and CW outputs are assigned to the RTS and DTR lines of a separate COM port.

A separate high-current PTT output is provided to key external devices, such as power amplifiers (see Manual Appendix A).

Squelch input

Some software, such as EchoLink, requires the interface to provide a squelch input to detect if the radio channel is busy.

In RigExpert TI-5, the squelch input is assigned to the DCD line of the COM port used for PTT and CW outputs.

Built-in electronic CW keyer for single or double paddle

The keyer produces dots or dashes depending on the direction a paddle is pushed to. If using double paddle, squeezing both paddles gives alternating dots and dashes. The speed a CW message comes out with is set by computer software or a built-in potentiometer. A famous WINKEY micro controller (version 10) was chosen as a CW keyer in RigExpert TI-5.

In RigExpert TI-5, a separate COM port is assigned to the WINKEY controller.

Specifications

General features

	Transceiver audio interface for operating digital modes, voice recording and playback
	Microphone and foot switch inputs
	CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) system
	FSK output
	Built-in electronic CW keyer (WINKEY version 10)

Computer connection

	USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector
	Powered from the USB port (consuming 100 mA maximum)
	No external power supply needed

Transceiver connection

	Single 25-pin connector for transceiver cable
	Various transceiver models supported

Audio interface

	Insulated from digital nets
	Maximum input/output amplitude is 1V
	Input/output samplerate: 8 to 48 kHz
	True 16-bit DAC/ADC used
	Volume levels are adjusted by the front panel potentiometers and on-board jumpers.

External microphone and foot switch inputs

	Electret or dynamic microphone
	Microphone level is adjusted by front panel potentiometer and on-board jumper
	Foot switch input accepts “dry contact” or open-collector sources

CAT serial port

	Baudrate: 300-115200 baud
	Electrical compatibility: RS-232, CI-V, TTL or inverted-TTL (Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, Ten-Tec, Elecraft and JRC transceivers)
	Additional CAT output: RS-232 levels

PTT/CW outputs

	PTT output: open collector and TTL-level
	CW output: open collector, either software or WINKEY
	Maximum current is 500 mA
	Additional PTT output: open collector, 500 mA maximum

FSK output

	Open collector output
	Baudrate is adjusted by the on-board jumpers (preset to 45.45 baud)
	"Software" FSK option by using the PTT/CW/SOFTFSK port

*** Note: due to changes in recent versions of the FTDI drivers, some programs (e.g. MMTTY) may not work properly with a current FTDI driver. You can download an older FTDI driver here. Only install this driver for the FSK com port. In Windows 7, you must remember not to let Windows update this driver for you automatically as Win7 will alert you to a newer driver being available once you install this older one. It is our understanding that the newer drivers (approx V 2.0 and after) dropped support for FSK functions on virtual serial ports. The driver here is V 1.0.2 and will provide FSK functionality with your Rig Expert Standard, Plus, or TI-5 ** Note: This driver was originally intended for the Plus interface, so it will be labeled as such when you look in Device Manager.

System requirements

	Desktop or laptop computer with USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 compliant port
	Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7 or Mac OS or Linux operating system

RigExpert TI-5 NEW!

Introduction

Description

Specifications