Owner`s manual

5
Owner’s Manual
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 Comm Port (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.
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 that your RIGblaster’s
serial cable is plugged into. The RIGblaster nomic responds to both RTS and DTR for
PTT control; use either or both, if you have a choice.
Put that software into transmit (TX) and check that your radio automatically switches
to transmit and shows PTT activation (It may be normal not to see any RF output until
you complete the next step).
Continue to the next step only if you have computer PTT control working properly.
6. CONNECT THE TRANSMIT AUDIO: Connect one of the supplied 1/8” stereo audio
cables from your sound card’s line output (laptop headphone output) to the RIGblaster’s
audio in. If you unplug your desktop computer’s speakers to make this connection
then plug the computer speakers back in to the RIGblaster’s audio output so they will
operate as they did before. If you wish, instead, you can use computer headphones
connected from the RIGblaster’s audio output to hear the computer. WARNING: if you
connect un-amplified speakers or low impedance headphones, not intended for use
with a computer, you may not have enough transmit audio to transmit.
7. SET THE TRANSMIT AUDIO LEVEL TO YOUR RIG: Use your normal mic. gain
setting, turn your speech compressor off, and set the transmitter’s RF drive (power
control) all the way up (full power). You will be able to set your power level to any
power level later with the computer audio drive setting. WARNING: Failure to set your
RF power/drive to maximum may cause severe transmitter distortion and a wide signal.
Confirm that the RIGblaster’s audio level control is turned all the way up, full clockwise
(DO NOT USE FORCE! you could damage the control).