West Mountain Radio Ringblaster nomic User manual

RIGblaster rig to sound card interface
nomic /no-mik/
USB universal
OWNERS MANUAL
6TH EDITION
© 2008 West Mountain Radio, All rights reserved.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Included with a RIGblaster
nomic USB universal
1-RIGblaster nomic (COVERS LOOSE FOR EASY SETUP)
1-Acessory Zip Lock bag:
4 Single pin jumper wires, white with black connectors
4-#6 black stainless steel sheet metal screws
4-double sided adhesive pads
4-stick on protective feet
1-RIGblaster/RIGtalk CD
1-3’ Modular RJ45 to 8 pin round screw on microphone cable
1-3’ Modular RJ45 to Modular RJ45 plug in microphone cable
2-6’ 1/8” stereo mini plug audio cables
1-6’ DB9M to DB9F RS232 serial cable
1-USB to RS232 serial converter with 6’ cord

RIGblaster
nomic USB
Owners Manual
Thank you for purchasing a RIGblaster nomic. We hope that it provides many hours of amateur radio enjoyment.
FOR MAXIMUM ENJOYMENT PLEASE PROCEED IN ORDER, STEP BY STEP! DO NOT CONTINUE TO THE
NEXT STEP UNTIL YOU HAVE CORRECTLY COMPLETED THE STEP YOU ARE ON.
NOTE: IF YOU CALL FOR SUPPORT WE WILL TO NEED TO KNOW WHAT STEP OF THIS MANUAL YOU
ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU IF YOU HAVE NOT READ AND
FOLLOWED THE FOLLOWING STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS.
1. INSTALL SOFTWARE AND START RECEIVING: You do not need the RIGblaster for receive, only for transmit,
so leave it in the box. Put our CD in your CD drive and, after a few seconds, our CD menu should appear on your
screen. If the menu does not appear, you probably need to set your CD ROM drive to autorun (as explained in
Windows help). If you cannot get the CD to autorun, browse to the CDROM and double click the autorun.exe file
in order to display our CD menu.
Please read the CD "read me" file first! We put it there for to read! Note that this product manual is also on the CD
but either the paper or electronic version may be more up to date with the latest version appearing on our support
page.
After reading the Readme file, click the software collection XMIT button; click and select the PSK31 mode button,
and then click the WINPSK program install button. This installs a simple and easy PSK31 program to get started
with. (Only if you are an advanced user should you install your choice of program or mode.)
Connect your radio's speaker output to your computer's line input (mic. on a laptop) using one of the supplied 1/8"
stereo mini plug audio cables. Other connections may be used but we suggest you test initially with this simple
hookup. If you have purchased a fixed level audio cable from us, made for your model radio, then follow the instruc-
tions that came with that cable for connecting a receive audio signal. Note that you may use any audio output
on your radio (speaker, headphone, record, phone patch, data audio out) and either of your computer's inputs,
line or mic. inputs. To choose the best connection, consider the signal levels and your preference for operating
convenience.
WARNING: Be certain your computer is powered from the same AC house wiring circuit (on the same circuit
breaker) as the rest of your ham station! This is safer and better for many reasons that are both related and unre-
lated to the RIGblaster installation.
Next tune in a signal for the mode and program you have installed and are running. For PSK31 it is best to tune
to 14.07015 USB.
Open the sound card "Recording Control" panel and select whichever input you are using, mic. or line, and slide the
slider up until see the signals you radio is receiving on the software's waterfall display. Note that on most computers
you cannot set the input level to a sound program with the volume control sliders; you must use the recording control
sliders! Set the level as described in the help files and instructions supplied with the program you are using (We
do not write any software so our instructions are specifically for setting up a RIGblaster. The software instructions
should come with the program.)
After confirming that your software is receiving properly, check that it will generate a transmit tone. You should be
able to hear transmit tones, as sound, coming out of your computer when the software is placed in its transmit mode.
This is an important test of the computer and software operation. With no transmit sound you will not be
PAGE 1

able to transmit!
If you have a problem with this step simply install and try another similar ham radio program instead. If another
program works you can be sure you there was a problem with the first program. If several programs do not work
then double check your sound card virtual settings and your audio connections.
For more information on using and operating a sound card in a ham station read K1UHF's "The In's and Out's of
a Sound Card" in the October 2003 QST:
http://www.westmountainradio.com/pdf/Ins&Outs.pdf
Continue to the next step only after you have confirmed that you can receive signals and can hear transmit tones
generated.
2. SET THE RIGblaster MICROPHONE WIRING JUMPERS: Different brands of radios use standard microphone
connectors but wire them differently. We have solved this problem by using jumpers.
You must install jumpers to match your radio's microphone wiring. The correct jumper configuration depends on the
brand of radio and the type of microphone connector. Metal eight pin round screw on microphone connector dia-
grams on page 7 and square RJ45 modular 8 wire telephone style plugs on page 8. Be certain to use the diagram
that matches both your brand of radio and the type of microphone connector that it uses.
.
If you cannot find the appropriate jumper diagram for your radio check our support page: http://www.westmountain-
radio.com/supportno.htm
WARNING: It is possible to damage your radio by shorting out a DC voltage that may be on your mic. jack. Be
certain you have the correct jumper wiring before turning on your radio.
TIP: The diagrams depict the actual appearance of the jumper block in the RIGblaster. The black squares with the
wires depict where the black and white wire jumpers go. A circle denotes that no jumper is installed on that pin.
After completing the jumper Installation you may put the cover on. Carefully align the circuit board and covers, mak-
ing sure that the side screw holes line up. Be careful not to put force on the potentiometer level control adjustment
shaft. The supplied screws are sheet metal type and must be driven in firmly with a fresh, properly fitting, #2 Phillips
head tip. The screws will be tight at first and then go in easier. Do not over tighten when they reach bottom.
After you have installed the jumpers and the covers, connect the appropriate RIGblaster mic. cable, either RJ45 or
8 pin round screw on, between the RIGblaster and your radio.
Proceed to the next step for testing.
3. CONNECT SERIAL CONTROL CABLE: All Amateur Radio sound card programs, over 100 of them, without
exception, require an RS232 serial port for proper operation. However, most new computers no longer have this
connection. Your RIGblaster is supplied with two cables to provide your choice, and full functionality, with both
older DB9 RS232 serial ports, or with a USB connection. The supplied USB cable will emulate a DB9 RS32 serial
port by converting a USB (universal serial bus) to a RS232 port.
Check to see if your computer has an available DB9 RS232 serial port. If you do, use the supplied DB9 male to DB9
female cable to connect between the computer's DB9 RS232 port and the RIGblaster's DB9 "SERIAL IN" connector.
Set the extra USB cable aside for future use.
If all you have on your computer is a USB socket then use the supplied USB to DB9 converter cable instead.
Refer to centerfold of this manual for a hookup diagram.
If you use the DB9M to DB9F continue to step 5 otherwise if you use the USB cable continue to the next step.
4. USB CABLE DRIVER INSTALLATION (Skip this step if you are using a actual RS232 serial port on your com-
puter)
The following procedure is to install the software drivers in order to make the USB cable hardware communicate
PAGE 2

Typical RIGblaster nomic USB station hookup diagram.
TRANSMIT AUDIO: Supplied 3.5 mm, 1/8” stereo
phone plugaudio cord from computer’s headphone* out-
put to RIGblaster’s audio in.
PTT CONTROL: Use either supplied DB9M to DB9F serial cable connected between the
RIGblaster’s serial port and the computer’s RS232 serial port. If the computer doesn’t have a
DB9 (9 pin) serial port, use the supplied USB to DB9 serial converter. (The USB converter cable
requires a driver installation)
RECEIVE AUDIO: Supplied 3.5mm, 1/8” stereo phone
plug audio cord from radios speaker or fixed level output
to computer’s mic* input.
MICROPHONE TRANSMIT AUDIO & PTT: Mic.
cable supplied with RIGblaster connects to radios
mic. input.
COMPUTER AUDIO MONITOR: Connect computer
headphones or amplified computer speakers.
* For desktop computers use the computer’s line input in
place of the mic. input and use the line output in place of
the headphone output.
Note: This is only a sample station hookup diagram; what might be used for portable operation with a RIGblaster nomic.
A desktop computer would have similar connections with different sound card connections.

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 possible 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 ONLY to the
CDROM drive letter that has the West Mountain CD in it.
F) At each prompt select whatever response that will cause Windows to complete the hardware installation. (DO
NOT cancel, go back, 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 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
PAGE 3

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).
Open your Windows sound card playback "Volume control" panel (double click the little speaker icon in the system
tray). Un-mute or select the "wave" output and the left hand "Volume Control" output. Set the virtual "Volume" and
"Wave" sliders about one notch down from the top. Set the virtual balance sliders to the center.
If you have computer speakers hooked up and they have a volume control knob, turn that knob most of the way,
but not all of the way, down. If your computer speakers do not have a volume knob they may be too loud when
your sound card is properly set to transmit with your radio. You may have to disconnect them or turn them off.Set
your software to transmit. Your radio should indicate PTT activation and your computer audio should be going to
your rig and you should be transmitting at full power. The audio level will probably be much too high. Turn down the
wave output, master volume and RIGblaster audio level as necessary. You must achieve something less than full
RF output using your normal mic. setting, with the RF drive (power output) set to maximum.
With an FM rig you must set the audio level using a deviation meter or by comparing the level of your transmit audio
to other stations by using a second receiver. For EchoLink® system operation use the 9999 test server.
The sound card sliders should end up between 1/4 and 3/4 of the way up and the RIGblaster audio level control set
between 1/8 and 7/8 of the way up. You should be able to achieve a happy balance between controls when they
are all set properly. Remember that there are multiple audio controls cascaded and all interact. If any one of the
controls is turned down too much it will give the appearance of NO TRANSMIT SIGNAL, NO RF OUTPUT. Little or
no RF output is usually caused by setting the sound card too low, setting the RF power less than max or the wrong
speakers or headphones plugged in.
HINT: If you didn't configure your software to control PTT as was explained in steps 4, 5 and 6 you will not be able
to transmit. Nothing will happen unless you set up your radio for VOX operation or you manually activate PTT with
a MOX switch.
HINT: if you are using PSK software, make sure that the transmit audio frequency is between 500 Hz and 2500 Hz
otherwise you may be outside the limits of your radio's audio pass band and you may not be able to transmit.
HINT: While the software is in transmit check for the presence of transmit tones by listening at the RIGblaster's
audio output jack with either headphones or computer speakers. Do not use low impedance un-amplified speakers
or headphones, they will effectively short out your sound card output.
8. WORK LOTS OF DX AND HAVE FUN: You are on the air! Try all the modes, not just one; experiment!
This completes the basic instructions of this manual. For more information please read further, or visit our
RIGblaster nomic support page.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/supportno.htm
NOTES ON SETTING THE AUDIO LEVEL TO YOUR RIG:
Before using the RIGblaster you should set your radio properly for normal SSB operation. Changing your
microphone settings on your rig after setting up the RIGblaster will require that you re-adjust the RIGblaster or
computer.
To have the best possible signal, you need to understand how your rig is adjusted. Modern rigs may have several
adjustments for transmit audio, including; mic. gain, mic. equalization and/or transmit shift, speech compression
and ALC (automatic level control). The objective of setting these adjustments is to have clean clear signal and
minimum splatter or RF bandwidth.
The primary adjustment is mic. gain which sets the amount of audio amplification for the microphone. A speech
compressor basically makes loud speech softer and soft speech louder, reducing the range between soft and
PAGE 4

loud. If your rig has transmit shift or audio equalization you can adjust the tone quality of your microphone audio.
An ALC circuit is provided to minimize the possibility of too much audio over driving the rig, causing flattopping or
splatter. You should understand the interaction of these circuits, and their adjustments. Consider your microphone
and personal voice characteristics. To get the best audio from your station and work the most DX you need to set
your radio carefully. Turning everything up for maximum smoke will NOT make you more intelligible....you will only
be distorted.
The main idea of adjusting your rig is to not overdrive it. If you set your RF drive on the radio to full power and you
adjust your computer audio drive to less than full power you should ALWAYS have a clean signal whether your using
your mic. or the computer. Always check that the audio level is BELOW the ALC activation or protection point.
It you adjust your transmit shift and/or transmit audio equalization (tone controls) for the best on-the-air reports with
your mic. you may need to center them for computer sound card operation
Speech compression is not used with most sound card software, but there are exceptions with pure FSK operation.
Usually you should turn of your speech compressor before using the RIGblaster.
Be sure that your radio is set up properly for voice operation at full power before you set the audio drive level from
your computer to your rig with the RIGblaster. Do not change your basic mic. settings.
For most modes of operation with a sound card turn off your rig's speech compressor. Confirm that your RF drive/
transmit power control set to maximum. Double click the little speaker icon in your computer's system tray. Adjust
the master volume control (the one on the left) and the wave volume as high as needed to drive your rig properly;
generally between 1/4 and 3/4 of the way up. The RIGblaster's "audio level" control is used to match the computer
audio level to the radio, a one time setting. Set all of these controls so that none of them are near all of the way up
or down. Remember that all of the adjustments are all cascaded (in series), and they all interact.
Your final setting should produce approximately 50% RF power output from your radio. Warning: you should not
exceed the AM, FM or RTTY power ratings of your radio. After all settings are completed, check to make sure
your ALC meter is below activation and that your are putting out less than full power with the radio's drive/power
setting at max.
NOTE: if you run your sound card turned all the way up and compensate by turning the RIGblaster far down, you
may distort the sound card output and have poor quality signal. A similar thing will happen if you set your radio to
very low power and try to turn up the RIGblaster and computer too high to compensate.
VOX OPERATION
To use the VOX in your radio to transmit with the RIGblaster set everything as outlined previously in this manual. If
you do not have a serial port connected for automatic PTT control use your MOX button to activate transmit during
level setting. Connect your mic. and turn rig's VOX on and set the VOX level, delay and anti-trip controls so that
they work well with your mic. Connect the RIGblaster. The same settings should work with the computer as the
computer audio should be matched, almost exactly in level, as your voice from your mic.
SWITCHES, CONNECTIONS, INDICATORS AND FEET
The serial in jack connects the RIGblaster nomic to the computer's serial port for automatic PTT activation. It
responds to a steady high state of either the RTS or DTR line of the computer's serial port. If software or firmware
of the computer sets either of those lines high any PTT control interface will be stuck in transmit.
The audio in accepts a standard 1/8" stereo mini plugs. It is a stereo connection from the computer, both channels
are summed together and that feeds the transmit audio signal in to the RIGblaster.
The audio level adjustment potentiometer gives a great range of adjustment to match the nominal output of the
computer to your radios mic. jack. Clockwise is maximum.
The audio out jack is wired in stereo and in parallel with the audio in jack. It is intended to monitor the audio from
the computer with computer speakers or headphones.
PAGE 5

PAGE 6
The mic. out connects the RIGblaster to a radio using an appropriate West Mountain Radio mic. cable that matches
the mic. jack of the radio. The wiring is set, or adapted, to match the radio with the installation of jumpers inside the
RIGblaster. This cables carries both the microphone transmit audio signal and it connects the radios PTT circuit.
We have included your choice of protective feet and stick on pads in the package.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If you have installed the RIGblaster following the steps in this manual you need not go back to a previous step. The
problem is isolated to the step that you found the problem on. Please be sure you know which step of this manual
you are stuck on before contacting us for support, it will be a big help.
Most common problems are software related and are fixed with a mouse but require reading the software docu-
mentation or help files.
TYPICAL PROBLEMS:
1)The software has no receive signal displayed because the sound card input is not turned on or up. Use the
Windows® sound card "Recording Control" panel not the playback "Volume Control" panel, duplex sound cards
cannot be adjusted for receive from the Windows® playback "Volume Control" panel.
2) The ham radio software is not set to the correct serial port for PTT control. All programs must be configured to
control PTT, they will not work unless you do this.
3) The sound card wave and volume outputs are set too low because the computer speakers are too loud. Turn
down or turn off your computer speakers and turn your sound card up.
4) The RF power / Drive control on the radio is not set to maximum causing the computer not to have enough audio
to drive the radio even to half output.
5) Low impedance headphones or speakers are loading down the RIGblaster's audio output from the sound card.
Disconnect them or replace them with computer headphones or speakers.
6) The computer is "stuck in transmit" (RTS and/or DTR is high). This is a computer problem common with Dell®
Windows® XP® computers, you would have the same problem no matter what brand of interface you are using.
A work around for this is to load a ham radio program, hit transmit and then go back to receive. This should fix the
problem temporarily so that you may operate. The permanent fix is to get the computer manufacturer to support
and fix their hardware.
If the computer is running an early version of Windows® Me® you will have the same problem. Go to our support
page and use the link for the official Microsoft® Windows® ME upgrade .
If you would like further help, see our support page, for the latest help and suggestions: http://www.westmountain-
radio.com/supportno.htm
Please understand that the RIGblaster will not work if the software and computer do not work. Make sure that you
have your software operating properly BEFORE connecting the RIGblaster and expecting it to work. You must read
the documentation that comes with the software! Software instructions are not included in this manual. We did not
write the software and we cannot properly support the software. The best thing to do if you have software problems
is to try a different software package. If you have problems with two or more sound card programs you probably
have a problem with your Windows sound card software installation, not your sound card hardware.
Enjoy operating and work lots of DX!
The hams at West Mountain Radio

Icom® 8 pin round screw on
Pin # Connection
1 Microphone audio
2 not used
3 not used
4 not used
5 Push to talk, PTT
6 PTT common (Ground)
7 Mic. common (Ground)
8 not used
8 PIN ROUND SCREW ON JUMPER DIAGRAMS
PAGE 7
Alinco® 8 pin round screw on
Pin # Connection
1 Microphone audio
2 Push to talk, PTT
3 not used
4 not used
5 not used
6 not used
7 Mic. common (Ground)
8 PTT common (Ground)
Kenwood®, Elecraft® and SGC® 2020 8 pin round screw on
Pin # Connection
1 Microphone audio
2 Push to talk, PTT
3 not used
4 not used
5 not used
6 not used
7 Mic. common (Ground)
8 PTT common (Ground)
Yaesu® and JRC 8® round pin screw mic. connectors.
Pin # Connection
1 not used
2 not used
3 not used
4 not used
5 not used
6 Push to talk, PTT
7 PTT and Mic. common
8 Microphone audio

PAGE 8
RJ45 MODULAR PLUG-IN TELEPHONE STYLE JUMPER
DIAGRAMS
Icom® RJ45 (8 wire) Modular mic. connector radios
IC706 (all versions), and Icom FM radios
Pin # Connection
1 not used
2 PTT common (Ground)
3 Microphone audio
4 MIC common (Ground)
5 Push to talk, PTT
6 not used
7 not used
8 not used
Kenwood® RJ45 (8 wire) Modular mic. connector radios
Pin # Connection
1 not used
2 not used
3 PTT common (Ground)
4 Push to talk, PTT
5 MIC. common (Ground)
6 Microphone audio
7 not used
8 not used
Typical Yaesu® RJ45 (8 wire) Modular mic. connector radios
Most but not all FM rigs. including FT817,FT897,FT857
Pin # Connection
1 not used
2 PTT common (Ground)
3 Push to talk, PTT
4 Microphone audio
5 MIC. common (Ground)
6 not used
7 not used
8 not used
Radio Shack® RJ45 (8 wire) Modular mic. connector radios
HTX242 etc., FM radios
Pin # Connection
1 not used
2 not used
3 Push to talk, PTT
4 Microphone audio
5 not used
6 not used
7 PTT common (Ground)
8 not used

RIGblaster WARRANTY
The RIGblaster is warranted against failure due to defects in workmanship or
materials for one year after the date of purchase from West Mountain Radio.
Warranty does not cover damage caused by abuse, accident, misuse, improper
or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions, improper installation, altera-
tion, lightning, or other incidence of excessive voltage or current. If failure
occurs within this period, return the RIGblaster or accessory to West Mountain
Radio at your shipping expense. The device or accessory will be repaired or
replaced, at our option, without charge, and returned to you at our shipping
expense. Repaired or replaced items are warranted for the remainder of the
original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or replacement of the
RIGblaster or accessory made after the expiration of the warranty period.
The Compact Disc of Radio Amateur Software Collection is excluded from any
and all warranties by West Mountain Radio. Note that the programs have been
provided as shareware or freeware by the software authors to the amateur
radio community for their use and enjoyment. The CD is to be used at your
own risk.
West Mountain Radio shall have no liability or responsibility to customer or
any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss, or damage caused
directly or indirectly by use or performance of the products or arising out of
any breach of this warranty, including, but not limited to, any damages result-
ing from inconvenience, loss of time, data, property, revenue, or profit, or any
indirect, special incidental, or consequential damages, even if West Mountain
Radio has been advised of such damages.
Except as provided herein, West Mountain Radio makes no express warran-
ties and any implied warranties, including fitness for a particular purpose, are
limited in duration to the stated duration provided herein.
IF YOU CAN’T FIND IT HERE GO TO OUR SUPPORT PAGE:
http://www.westmountainradio.com/supportno.htm
West Mountain Radio
http://www.westmountainradio.com
34 Smith Street, Norwalk, CT 06851 tel [phone] fax [phone]