Owner`s manual

4
RIGblaster plus
If you used and connected the DB9M to DB9F cable to a real serial port continue
to step 5.
If all you have on your computer to use for serial control is a USB socket then
you must use the supplied USB to DB9 converter cable instead. Continue to
the next step.
4. USB CABLE DRIVER INSTALLATION: (Skip this step if you connected
an actual RS232 serial port on your computer)
The following procedure is to install the software drivers in order to make the
USB cable hardware communicate with your computer. (Mac or Linux drivers
are available on the CD ROM but these instructions are only for Windows 98SE,
ME, 2000, XP and Vista 32 bit.)
A) Insert the West Mountain Radio CD ROM in your computer’s CDROM drive.
B) Plug the USB connector into an available USB socket on your computer. If
posible, the one you will keep it in.
C) A “New hardware found” Windows Plug & Play Wizard window should pop up.
D) For XP and Vista you should allow Windows to automatically complete the
installation.
E) For Windows 98SE, ME and 2000, “tell” Windows to go to a specific location
and direct Windows to the CDROM drive letter that has the West Mountain
CD disk in it. Do not let Windows search for a driver anywhere else!
F) At each prompt select whatever response will cause Windows to complete
the hardware installation. (DO NOT cancel, stop, or abort the installation!
NO MATTER WHAT!)
G) You have completed the USB hardware driver installation at this point.
H) Plug the DB9 end connector into the RIGblaster’s “Serial in” jack and screw
in the thumb screws.
I) Right click the “My Computer” icon and then left click “Properties”.
J) Select the “Hardware” tab and then select “Device Manager”.
K) Scroll down and click the + symbol next to “Ports (COM & LPT)”
L) Check that you see the item: “Prolific USB-to-Serial Bridge (COMx)”
M) **IMPORTANT** Make a note of what the COM number is, (x in (COMx).
You will need that number to setup your Amateur Radio program to do
PTT, CW or FSK keying.
If this step is OK, it confirms that your USB to serial converter is properly installed
and should work. If and only if this is confirmed correctly, continue to the next step.
5. SERIAL PTT CONTROL SET UP AND TEST: Run the program that
you had working in step 1. From that program’s configuration or setup menu,
(consult the program’s help docs) set the program to control PTT using the COM
port number that your RIGblaster is connected to. The RIGblaster plus default
control settings cause it to respond to RTS for PTT control. Use only RTS for
PTT control if you have a choice in the software.