RigExpert TI-8 Digital Mode and Radio Control Interfaces

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RigExpert TI-8 Digital Mode and Radio Control Interfaces are clever all-in-one devices for connecting your transceiver audio, data, keying and control ports to your computer.

Join in the fun of working digital voice, CW, RTTY and dozens of other keyboard digital modes, including PSK31 and JT65, using your personal computer via its USB port. Software AFSK keying and "true" RTTY FSK keying (if available on your transceiver) is supported. As a huge plus, these all-new TI-8 interfaces have a CW output jack for true CW keying with logging and contest programs that support WINKEY mode!

TI-8 interfaces provide all of these exciting operational features:

Transceiver Audio Interface:
Their 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). These audio interfaces enable operating digital modes, recording and playing voice and performing other useful functions (such as measuring signal levels) by using your computer. Two channels of input audio (main and sub) and the output volume levels are adjusted by level controls on the front panel of the interface.

CAT Interface:
Computer Aided Transceiver (CAT) systems provide control of the transceiver's frequency, operating mode and other functions via computer software. Normally, modern transceivers have serial ports providing CAT interface capabilities.

FSK Output:
Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) is a popular method of transmitting digital messages in radio teletype (RTTY) mode. A separate COM port is assigned for the FSK output when using a RigExpert TI-8.

Transceiver PTT and CW output functions:
Available Push to Talk (PTT) and Continuous Wave (CW) keyer outputs are provided for software control and CW keying. TI-8 PTT and CW outputs are assigned to the RTS and DTR lines of a separate COM port, used by some popular logging and contesting software systems.

Squelch Input:
Some software, such as EchoLink, requires digital interfaces to provide a squelch input to detect if the radio channel is busy. With a TI-8, the squelch input is assigned to the DCD line of the COM port used for PTT and CW outputs. Note: the squelch connection is not available in all cables manufactured by RigExpert. The user may have to add this connection, if necessary.

Technical details:

Computer connection:
* USB-A (Universal Serial Bus) computer connector
* USB-B connector (on rear of TI-8)
* Powered from the computer's USB port
* Current drain: 100 mA maximum

Transceiver connection:
* 25-pin interface cable provides connections from interface rear panel
* Many transceiver models supported
* Information for custom cables provided (supports almost ANY rig)

Audio interface:
* Isolated from digital noise
* Maximum input/output level: 1V
* Input/output sample rate: 8 to 48 kHz
* DAC/ADC: True 16-bit
* Levels adjusted by front-panel potentiometers

CAT serial port:
* Baud rate: 300-115,200 baud
* Compatibility: RS-232, CI-V, TTL or inverted-TTL

PTT/CW outputs:
* PTT output: open collector and TTL-level
* CW output: open collector
* Maximum current: 500 mA

FSK output:
* Baud rate: 45-1200 baud
* Open collector output

System requirements:
* Computer with USB 1.1, 2.0, or 3.0 compliant port
* Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10 (32 or 64-bit)
* RigExpert Navigator Software download is provided free
* Requires USB-A to USB-B cable (not included) 15 ft. maximum length
* Requires rig-specific cable (sold separately)

Note: For additional product information, please look at the files under the "Documentation" tab.

Enjoy the fun of digital mode operations with your transceiver and computer! Order TI-8 Digital Mode and Radio Control Interfaces from DX Engineering and join the digital revolution!