[amsat-bb] Re: Rigblaster TNC?

[Bruce Robertson]

On Wed, Sep 9, 2009 at 9:20 AM, Alan P. Biddle<APBIDDLE at united.net> wrote:
> John,
>
> A rigblaster is an interface only, but can be used with the correct software
> as a TNC for most digital modes.  I use MixW which emulates a basic TNC,
> including a KISS mode output which works with all the programs I have tried
> which expect to see a KISS TNC.  There is another program, Packet Engine
> Pro, which works well as long as you only want the basic packet modes.
> There is also a freeware version.
>
> Note that while MixW will work at 9600 baud, the rigblaster will probably
> not.  The isolation transformers found in all good interfaces will not pass
> the range of frequencies needed at 9600 baud and up.  In principle you could
> build an interface that would word, but all those who have reported success
> using MixW or similar at 9600 baud go directly from the sound card to the
> rig.
>
> Alan
> WA4SCA

I concur with Alan, but I also note that this summer I was able to get
MixW to decode 9600 baud from my TS-2000 using a Signalink 1+ as a
sound card interface. I'd tried this on-and-off over the past year and
a half and was surprised to see it work. (Folks may wonder why I went
the soundcard route when the TS-2000 has a 9600 modem built in. This
is because you cannot use the serial port on the TS-2000 to act as a
TNC and for rig control. To automate my station, I require rig control
and therefore software data decoding.)

73, Bruce
VE9QRP