Why US Interface Navigator?

[Dave Agsten]

I see folks using the US Interface box along with HRD. What are the advantages of using Navigator with HRD over just using HRD alone? I have LP-Pan here but have not yet set it up.

I primarily operate low band CW on 160 and 80 ( 40 when there's not much on the lower bands). I'd like to play around with RTTY but that's about it for now. I'm also interested in CW Skimmer. Is the Navigator really going to be of much benefit for any of this other than add another level of complexity?

Tnx es 73,
de Dave N8AG

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[KK7P]

> I see folks using the US Interface box along with HRD. What are the
> advantages of using Navigator with HRD over just using HRD alone?

The Navigator is a USB-to-rig interface box (hardware); HRD is control
and digital mode software.

The computer running HRD has to connect to the radio somehow.

For a K3, you only need a serial cable and two audio cables, assuming
your computer has a "sound card."  Most (but not all) of what an
interface such as the Navigator provides is built in to the K3.

Specifically, the Navigator provides a USB interface to the computer,
and provides the sound card function as well as direct FSK and an
internal windows-friendly CW keyer.  Other interfaces from microHAM,
RigExpert, MFJ, SignaLink and so forth provide varying degrees of this
sort of convenience.

For what it's worth, I just use a serial cable and two audio cables with
my K3.

73,

Lyle KK7P

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[Julian, G4ILO]

Lyle Johnson wrote

> I see folks using the US Interface box along with HRD. What are the
> advantages of using Navigator with HRD over just using HRD alone?

The Navigator is a USB-to-rig interface box (hardware); HRD is control
and digital mode software.

The computer running HRD has to connect to the radio somehow.

For a K3, you only need a serial cable and two audio cables, assuming
your computer has a "sound card."  Most (but not all) of what an
interface such as the Navigator provides is built in to the K3.

Specifically, the Navigator provides a USB interface to the computer,
and provides the sound card function as well as direct FSK and an
internal windows-friendly CW keyer.  Other interfaces from microHAM,
RigExpert, MFJ, SignaLink and so forth provide varying degrees of this
sort of convenience.

For what it's worth, I just use a serial cable and two audio cables with
my K3.

Actually as far as I am aware (I don't actually own one) the US Interface Navigator includes a sound card and a WinKey keyer. So you just need a single USB connection to get full CAT control, PTT operation, sound card functionality for data modes, and reliable high speed CW keying. Most of the RigExpert interfaces are similar. It's handy if you want to keep your PC sound card for normal PC uses, and it does reduce the usual rats nest of cabling.