West Mountain Radio RIGblaster duo User manual

www.westmountainradio.com
1020 Spring City Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-522-6503
[email protected]
©2014 West Mountain Radio, All rights reserved. All trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
RIGblaster Blue
with Bluetooth®Wireless Technology

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Introduction to RIGblaster Blue ..................... 3
RIGblaster Blue Features ......................... 3
About the Supplied DVD .......................... 4
Introduction to Digital Mode........................ 4
Package Contents ................................. 5
Controls, Connections and Features.................. 6
Choosing the Correct ISC........................... 7
Bluetooth®Wireless Technology
Adapter Installation .............................. 8
Pairing RIGblaster Blue to your Windows PC with a
Broadcom or Microsoft stack....................... 8
Pairing RIGblaster Blue to your Windows PC with a
CSR stack ..................................... 12
 UsingtheWMRDiagnosticsoftwaretocongurethe
RIGblaster Blue ................................. 16
Pairing a headset to the RIGblaster Blue without a
Windows PC ................................... 19
Transceiver Connections
Required Connections............................ 20
Optional Connections ............................ 21
Transceiver Settings
Operating Mode................................. 21
Receive Settings ................................ 21
Transmit Settings................................ 22
Digital Mode Software Conguration ................. 23
Reference
RIGblaster Blue Connection Diagrams ............... 25
Icom CI-V CAT Cable Schematic ................... 28
ISC & Jumper Wiring............................. 28
ISCs for Some Common Radios .................... 31
Optional Cables................................. 32
Digital Modes, Software & Frequencies .............. 33
AT Commands.................................. 34
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks
by Bluegiga Technologies is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Introduction to the RIGblaster Blue
We understand you have a choice when buying Amateur Radio products
and we would like to take a moment to thank you for choosing West
Mountain Radio.
We think the RIGblaster Blue is a revolutionary and innovative product
whichintegratestheexibilityandconvenienceofBluetooth®with a solid
and trusted platform of Amateur Radio interfaces. Whether you are
interested in digital modes or hands-free phone operation, the RIG-
blasterBluehasbeendesignedtogiveyouthemostexibleapproachto
leveraging Bluetooth®technology for use in Amateur Radio. It has many
outstanding features which will at the same time enhance and simplify
your operating.
RIGblaster Blue Features
• Pair with a traditional PC*, smart phone or tablet for untethered digi-
tal mode operating.
• Pair with a Bluetooth®headset for untethered hands-free phone.
• ProvidesasounddeviceandserialporttoWindows,LinuxorMac
whichcanbeusedwithexistingAmateurRadiosoftware.
• Audio level controls (both RX & TX) on the front panel.
• Pre-wiredInstantSetupConnectors–nomorecomplexjumper
wiring!
• TTLrig-control(CAT/CI-V)withRS-232Cexternalization.*
• VOXpush-to-talkwithadjustabledelay.
• Separateaudiojacksforreceivedandtransmittedaudio.
• Headsetdiscoveryandaudioleveladjustmentwithouttheuseofa
computer.
• Foot-switch PTT input.
• TX inhibit switch (listen-only mode).
• Fully isolated transmit and receive audio. Bluetooth®connection
givesextradegreeofisolation.
Pleasereadthroughthismanualrst(especiallytheBluetooth®installa-
tionsection)andyouwillndtheRIGblasterBluewillprovideyouwith
manyyearsofreliableserviceandenjoyment.
* Rig control is only available on certain transceivers.

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
About The Supplied DVD
The supplied DVD is mostly a collection of various digital-mode software
programs for use with sound card interfaces such as the RIGblaster
Blue. The programs contained on the disc were not written by West
Mountain Radio. Some are completely free while others are commercial.
Wehavehowevertestedourproductsonthemajorityofthem.
Amateur radio software is constantly evolving and we encourage you to
visit the various authors’ websites to check for updates for software you
wish to use.
We maintain a list of website addresses for the software we place onto
the DVD (as best we can) and you can access this page from
http://www.westmountainradio.com/links
Introduction To Digital Mode Operating
Most modern digital-modes can be operated on the RIGblaster Blue.
Some of these may already be familiar to you. For instance PSK31, JT65
& RTTY are very commonly heard on the bands. If you have the abil-
itytrytuningto14.070MHz(usb)andchancesareyouwillhearmultiple
PSK31 QSOs taking place.
Movingupto14.073MHzyoumayhearthetonesoftheMFSKmodes
suchasOlivia,Contestia,ThorandMFSK-16.Youwillalsondthe
“cricket-like”chirpingofFeldHell.Tuneto14.076MHzandyouwillhear
JT65signals.Goingupanother10KHzlandsyourightinaverypopular
RTTY segment.
Movingupthrough14.100MHzyoushouldhearpacketnetworks,Win-
MOR and the wider band digital modes signals such as MT63, ALE and
Pactor.
14.230MHz(usb)yieldsaveryactiveSSTV(SlowScanTV)frequency.
ThisistraditionalanalogSSTV.Another3KHzup(14.233MHz)isthe
main watering-hole of digital SSTV enthusiasts.
14.236MHziscurrentlyverypopularwiththedigitalvoiceexperimenters
using FreeDV software.
It is worth noting there are some modes in use which cannot be used
with the RIGblaster Blue (nor any “sound-card” based interface). These
are the arq modes Pactor, G-TOR, Amtor and Clover. These modes
require very precise timing cycles which Windows is unable to deliver.
Amtor, G-TOR and Clover are very seldom used these days but Pactor is
commonly employed for mail messaging using the Winlink 2000 system.

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
InpracticethisisnotmuchofalimitationastheRMSExpresssoftware
(using WinMOR) makes mail/e-mail messaging simple using the RIG-
blaster Blue.
Many digital-modes (such as PSK31) will work far down into the noise
level. It is not uncommon to see copy on your screen even when you
havedifcultyhearingthesignalonyourspeaker.
This also implies you do not need to run high power levels during normal
conditionsandformostdigital-modesyouwillnd20-40Wample.Infact,
runningclosetomaximumoutputonyourradioisself-defeating.Inthis
case you stand a very good chance of having a spread-out badly distort-
ed signal (think QRM!) and you may even damage your rig on long overs
as many transceivers are not designed to run high duty-cycle transmis-
sionsforextendedperiods.
Atthebackofthismanualyouwillndasimplechartofdigital-modes,
softwareandfrequenciestotry.Thesearejustsuggestionsbutwillhelp
you get started navigating the world of HF digital-modes.
Package Contents
The following is a list of the contents for the RIGblaster Blue. Verify that
all the following items were included:
1 — RIGblaster Blue Unit
Note: Cover is loose so you may easily remove it to
installjumpers)
1 — Accessory ZipLock® bag. Contains the following:
8—Singlepinjumperwires
5 — Mini blue shunts
4 — #6 black sheet metal screws (for cover)
4 — Adhesive pads and Rubber Feet
1 — Baggie of Instant Setup Connectors
1 — Microphone cable (RJ-45 to 8 pin screw-on)
1 — 1/8 inch stereo mini plug cable
1 — RIGblaster & RIGtalk DVD
1 — 9V DC Adapter
1 — Bluetooth®Wireless Antenna
1 — Owner’s manual

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
PTT in/out RCA Connector (used with footswitch or other PTT switch or connection.
Audio Monitor Jack
Bluetooth Antenna Jack
CAT RIG Control at RS232 Levels
DC Power Jack (Accepts 7-20VDC @ 200 mA center positive. Connection to a RIGrun- ner available with SKU#58257-1069. 2.1mm plug, center positive.)
Bluetooth Mode Switch: Top:“Cong“-Allowsforsoftwarecongurationfrom a PC and Blue unit into discoverable mode Middle: “PC” - Allows for pairing with PC, smarphone or tablet Botton: “Headset” - Allows for pairing with a Bluetooth headset Toggling: See manual section on “Pairing to a headset without a PC”
XMIT LED (lights when PTT is active)
Microphone input for 8 pin round mic (Mic output with RJ45 connector radio)
Transmit audio level: increase/ decrease TX audio (drive)
Receive audio level: increase/decrease TX audio (e.g. waterfall brightness, headset receive audio)
VOX Delay: increases/decrease PTT release time
Bluetooth status LED Solid: Bluetooth is paired and connected with computer, tablet, smartphone or headset SlowBlink(1Hz):Bluetoothnotconnected Short Flash followed by long delay (2 sec): Discovering and automatically pairing with a headset (when no PC is available)
TX Mode Switch: Top: “VOX” - VOX PTT is enabled. A TX signal (from a paired device) will cause the radio to transmit Bottom: “OFF” - Transmit inhibit (listen-only mode)
CTLIN/OUTrigcontroljack-for connection to a radio with TTL CAT
LINE IN: connects to RX audio from transceiver
RJ-45 Microphone Jack
SPKR OUT: Connect speaker for RX audio monitoring (onlyifLINEINisconnectedtotheexternalspeakerjackoftransceiver)
Controls, Connections And Features

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Choosing The Correct ISC
ConguringtheRIGblasterBluewithatransceiverisverysimplebyuse
oftheInstantSetupConnectors(ISC).Thesetaketheplaceofjumper
wiring for many common radios. They can be regarded as a “personality
module” for a particular radio.
EachISCisrespectivelyidentied:IcomRoundMetal,IcomRJ45Modu-
lar, Yaesu Round Metal, Yaesu Round Metal – Isolated, Yaesu RJ45
Modular, Kenwood Round Metal and Kenwood RJ45 Modular. Depend-
ing on the transceiver in use, one of these ISCs will need to be installed
inside the RIGblaster Blue before use. They take care of all the micro-
phoneconnectionwiringthatpreviouslywasdonebyinstallingjumper
wiresandshunts.Ifusinganon-standardmicrophonewiring,jumper
wires and blue shunts have been provided in the package contents. The
ISCs cover most popular brands and models of radios.
Observe the microphone connector on the radio. Typically it will be
one of two types – either an 8-pin round metal connector or an RJ- 45
“square”modularjack.TheRIGblasterBlueisdesignedtointerfacethe
transceiverthroughthemicrophonejack.BesuretoselecttheISCthat
matches the connector on the radio. Refer to the back of this manual for
a chart of common radios and the correct ISC to use.
Installing The ISC
Locate the correct ISC for the radio and install it on the ISC header (2
rows of 13 pins) located inside the RIGblaster Blue ensuring pin 1 on the
ISC matches pin 1 on the header.
Some radios use a 4-pin round micro-
phone connector, these include older
Kenwood and Yaesu transceivers and
some Ten-Tec radios. An adapter will be
needed to use the RIGblaster Blue with
these radios. The correct adapter is
SKU 58136-1000 and available online
for purchase.
Radios with 6 pin microphone connec-
tors such as the Yaesu FT-100D will
require our optional “Yaesu Modular
6” cable (SKU 58118-982). This cable
comeswithajumperdiagramanda
resistor for correct operation.
PTT in/out RCA Connector (used with footswitch or other PTT switch or connection.
Audio Monitor Jack
Bluetooth Antenna Jack
CAT RIG Control at RS232 Levels
DC Power Jack
(Accepts 7-20VDC @ 200 mA center positive. Connection to a RIGrun- ner available with SKU#58257-1069. 2.1mm plug, center positive.)
Bluetooth Mode Switch: Top:“Cong“-Allowsforsoftwarecongurationfrom a PC and Blue unit into discoverable mode Middle: “PC” - Allows for pairing with PC, smarphone or tablet Botton: “Headset” - Allows for pairing with a Bluetooth headset Toggling: See manual section on “Pairing to a headset without a PC”
XMIT LED (lights when PTT is active)
Microphone input for 8 pin round mic (Mic output with RJ45 connector radio)
Transmit audio level: increase/ decrease TX audio (drive)
Receive audio level: increase/decrease TX audio (e.g. waterfall brightness, headset receive audio)
VOX Delay: increases/decrease PTT release time
Bluetooth status LED
Solid: Bluetooth is paired and connected with computer, tablet, smartphone or headset SlowBlink(1Hz):Bluetoothnotconnected Short Flash followed by long delay (2 sec): Discovering and automatically pairing with a headset (when no PC is available)
TX Mode Switch: Top: “VOX” - VOX PTT is enabled. A TX signal (from a paired device) will cause the radio to transmit Bottom: “OFF” - Transmit inhibit (listen-only mode)
CTLIN/OUTrigcontroljack-for connection to a radio with TTL CAT
LINE IN: connects to RX audio from transceiver
RJ-45 Microphone Jack
SPKR OUT: Connect speaker for RX audio monitoring
(onlyifLINEINisconnectedtotheexternalspeakerjackoftransceiver)
Figure shows installation of a Kenwood
RJ45 Modular ISC inside the RIGblaster
Blue. Notice the orientation of the ISC
and the location of pin 1.

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Bluetooth®Wireless Technology
If you are planning on using the RIGblaster Blue on a Windows PC, then
you will require a USB Bluetooth®Adapter if your computer does not
already have one. Suitable adapters (SKU #58140-1505) are available
from West Mountain Radio.
Follow the Bluetooth®Adapter installation instructions. Note there are no
specicRIGblasterBluedriversrequired.Werecommendyoufullyinstall
the Bluetooth®Protocol Stack (The CD software) that accompanies your
Bluetooth®Adapter.
Your installation may differ slightly from what’s documented below due to
different versions of Windows or different versions of Bluetooth®stack.
FordenitivedirectionsrefertothemanualthatcamewithyourPCor
Bluetooth®adapter.
Pairing RIGblaster Blue to your Windows PC with a
Broadcom or Microsoft stack
The Microsoft and Broadcom stack work and operate very similar. The
differences between them will be detailed during the documentation of
the pairing process.
1. Makesurethe‘BLUE’switchontheRIGblasterBlueisinthe‘Cong’
position. The RIGblaster Blue will not be discoverable if it is not in
this position.
2. On the PC, open the Bluetooth®Devices window. You should be able
to get this by double clicking on the Bluetooth®icon in the system
tray on the bottom right of Windows (near the clock).
If you do not have a Bluetooth®
icon in your status bar, you can
open Bluetooth®Devices from the
Windows Control panel. To get to
the Windows Control panel, press
the Start button and select ‘Control
Panel’ from the start menu.
On Windows 8, best way to get
the control panel is to type “con-
trol panel” from the main tile Start
screen.

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
3. On the PC’s Bluetooth®Devices window, press the ‘Add Device’ but-
ton.
4. The PC will search for and discoverable Bluetooth®devices. Eventu-
allyitshouldndtheRIGblaster.Highlight/selecttheRIGblasterand
pressthe‘Next’button.
5. Windowsshoulddisplayasuccessmessage,press‘Close’toexit
this message.

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
6. The RIGblaster Blue should now be shown in the Bluetooth®Devices
window.
7. Double click on the RIGblaster icon in the Bluetooth®Devices win-
dow. If it opens a RIGblaster Device control window, then you have
the Broadcom stack installed.
When using this stack, sometimes you have to go to this Window
and press the ‘Connect’ button to connect either the headset
(audio)orserialport(COMx)functionality.TheMicrosoftstack
does this automatically.