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 foots 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 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.