The Digirig: don’t FT-857 without one

This is a review for the digirig mobile. The unit was supplied to me free of charge by digirig (thank you Denis), but the options expressed are mine alone.
73!
Jonathan
Email me: [e-mail]

[@jans4636]

Many thanks from Finland, Jonathan! Your video encouraged me to order the Digirig plus some cables for my good old FT-857d that I use for WWFF, POTA and Emcomm out in the field. Also a pleasant surprise to be able to program the rig with this configuration. 73 de OH2CJI

[@stevejackson3021]

Great review, thank you. I bought my 857D to celebrate earning HF privileges 20 years ago. Great how it just keeps chugging along.

[@DucatiMTS1200]

Great video Jonathan - I was not aware of this device and the interface info you have described so clearly. I really must get my FT857D installed into the car and progress it’s operation. You are an impressive communicator so keep up the good work. 73 de GI8WFA.

[@M0JSX]

Thanks William. Kind of you to say. 73!

[@wild-radio7373]

Really appreciate your showing us that second feature!♡ honestly didn't even consider this :)

[@M0JSX]

You’re welcome. Makes it a very versatile unit. 73!

[@Not_So_Weird_in_Austin]

Thanks for the review I have a Digiirig for an Icom 706 great piece of gear.

[@RobertKunzman]

Thank you! This helped me out.

[@Ray_M0MXN]

Thanks Jonathan, great stuff.

[@M0JSX]

Thanks Ray

[@bruceroaf5750]

Hi Jonathan thanks for posting this video

[@M0JSX]

Thanks Bruce! 73

[@reidlanham2011]

Very nice setup! I recently got an 857D and haven't tried anything digital yet, so this might be the answer. Thanks! 73, K8JLW

[@M0JSX]

Thanks Reid. Enjoy! 73

[@AndrewMorkunas]

Thank you for touching all the bases I needed to know about the Digirig. I use the BuildaPi by KM4ACK with a SingaLink. The SingaLink is very clunky for portable operations (I do a lot of POTA). It served its purpose over the years but now it is time to scale down with more features. I will be buying the DigiRig soon.. 73 de N7JRR

[@M0JSX]

You’re welcome Andrew. Happy POTAing! 73’

[@kd5you1]

I use both the Digirig and Signalink but for different purposes. The Digirig is in my bug out bag along with a Yaesu FT-818, and the Signalink is connected to a FT-891 which I use while operating portable in the back yard and any events that I attend. I like having audio and CAT control on the Digirig, but one benefit of the Signalink is that the audio levels can be controlled easier and quicker than with the Digirig. If the ALC is too high while on HF I can simply drop it down without having to pull up the audio levels in Windows 10. 73 KD5YOU

[@danielemanuelsson4233]

incredibly nice radio

[@Russ-]

Very interesting thank you 73

[@M0JSX]

Thanks Russy

[@hoofie2002]

I bought one a year ago - works perfectly

[@M0JSX]

Yep, I’ve used this one with good regularity and it never misses a beat.

[@brianfields4479]

Nice presentation, but cw only here, but I do look forward too your next video, which might appeal to those who do not like digital modes, cheers mate.

[@M0JSX]

Thanks Brian. 73

[@robertallbright]

Well done Jonathan I’m very pleased to now be using an XIEGU X6100 which has a built in sound card👍 73 Rob G3RCE

[@johnroberts9332]

Jonathan, Excellent presentation. What would be a great help is to post the settings on both the FT857 and the computer. I know you described the computer side, it would be a great service to give both on your video. Thanks in advance.

[@M0JSX]

Thanks for the feedback John. 73!

[@philipchandler330]

Excellent

[@M0JSX]

Thanks Philip

[@G_C340]

100 % best way for me, also cables available for tx500.

[@M0JSX]

Yep, and I know a few people using the digirig with the tx500

[@rjy8960]

I've got one on order for my TX-500 due to its small size. I've also been using the Signalink for a good few years with the FT-817 and 857 when portable and it does have a couple of advantages over the Digirig. Firstly it that the audio is transformer coupled - I have had issues with direct connecting the line / mic audio from a Toughbook laptop to audio I/O on a radio (FT-817 in my case) where the laptop would stop responding if I transmitted FT-8 on 15m. I've never seen with the Signalink - this was also operating without CAT. I can only guess that RF was getting into the laptop because of the lack of isolation? Digirig is non-isolated. Secondly it has an inbuilt PTT circuit which is pretty useful if you aren't using CAT so can key the transciever via the same connector as the audio. I've pretty much stopped using CAT when out /P where I can and the TX-500 can operate VOX on digital so it's really not an issue with this use case - it will be interesting to see how it performs on 15m with the same laptop.

[@M0JSX]

Interesting. I’ve not had that issue with mine. I suspect a ferrite ring on the USB/audio cables would help.

[@fotografm]

Great video ! What Yaesu HF or HF/VHF rigs need no such interface ? I like to be minimalist...

[@M0JSX]

Thanks very much. FT-991A for a HF/VHF/UHF option, or anything except the FT-891 in the HF lineup. 73!

[@fredhillhousejr943]

I bought one a month or two back and haven't fired it up yet. I am working on a portable box and been distracted by life. I was wondering what controls you may have set internal to the FT857. Did you swap out an antenna port on your radio or was that the way yours shipped? I like it! Thank you!

[@M0JSX]

I Fred, you’ll just need to set CAT/Linear to CAT and ensure the same baud rate is set on both the radio and computer. As for the antenna port: the FT-857D (along with most other Yaesu HF/VHF/UHF radios) are sold with the N connector for VHF/UHF in Europe and Asia. Yaesu seems to use two SO239s in the North American market only. 73!

[@fredhillhousejr943]

@@M0JSX What tool are you using to control the CAT (HAMLIB, FLRIG, ETC.? I am mostly interested in JS8CALL.

[@M0JSX]

@@fredhillhousejr943 Hi Fred. As I showed in the video I use FLRIG. This will work with JS8Call as I understand - I don’t use JS8Call myself so can’t be 100% sure.

[@fredhillhousejr943]

@@M0JSX Thanks! It has been a few days since I watched the video and i am sitting at work and can't watch again. I have two of the DigiRigs and I just finished setting one up with DigiPi, DigiRig (v1.8), and a Baofeng. It just works when you get the settings right. I am now moving forward on my FT857D/DigiRig/DigiPi build. Thanks again for the video! I like the fact it confirms the direction I was working on.

[@raydavidsonm0ray.777]

Hi Jonathan, Great video as per usual, but how come us in the UK have to pay well over THRICE the price for all thats needed, compared toTHAT OF THE USA, & considerably more than most of the rest of the world, EG Mainland Europe who are mainly using Euro's. remember that 1 Euro = approximately 75P to 80P., & we are paying much more for it than the USA price, (see above Much more than TWICE the Price). I already have 2 tigertronics units, 1 is the original release version, the other is the current USB version. I know that you are a great ICOM fan & I'm surprised that you didn't do this demo with an ICOM rig., I too, and apart from a couple of boufang handsets, I am all ICOM only. Missing you at the Lynch Mob Shop too, lol. Once again Jonathan, Many thanks for another Great Video. Kind Regards, Ray, M0RAY.

[@M0JSX]

Hi Ray, for price I don’t know, but I suspect that it is to do with transport costs and VAT. I demoed it with the 857, as it is the most logical choice out of the radios I own. Both my 7300 and 705 have built in sound cards, which render any interface including the digirig redundant. 73!

[@frankwc0o]

Did you discover if this device would record your QSOs? Both Tx and Rx in some fashion? thx.

[@M0JSX]

Hi Frank, I’m afraid the digirig is only an interface, it offers no recording functionality. 73

[@frankwc0o]

@@M0JSX True, it is not a recording device, but does the interface allow other programs on the PC to record the QSO on a FT-857? thx.

[@M0JSX]

@@frankwc0o yes, but with limitations of the radio you are using. Received audio will not pose a challenge, however transmitted audio will depend on whether your radio offers a monitor functionality. Some do, the FT-857 I used does not.

[@frankwc0o]

@@M0JSX Yup, you can't monitor the audio on the FT-857D. Funny thing is that the Tx audio is attenuated when transmitting. If you record the audio from the front panel, you can see the wave form of the Tx. I'm wondering if there is a MOD to get rid of the attenuation and get a stronger signal.

[@M0JSX]

@@frankwc0o I don’t know on that I’m afraid. Good luck with it 🙂

[@chrisnixon2179]

What is the best cable to connect the digirig to the ft-857d there seems to be a few options and im not sure what cable to order?

[@M0JSX]

Hi Chris you want the cable set labelled for ft8x7. 73!

[@Martin_PA0KGB]

What advantage does this unit have compared to the XGGComms which is about the same price. Plus a SCU-17 costs also around 100 euro.???

[@M0JSX]

For me it is the ability to swap the cable set and use a different radio. It is also much smaller than both units. 73!

[@anonymous_friend]

Im receiving in wsjtx, but not sure how much power im transmitting or if my transmit levels are correct. Can you help me out? Should I install FLrig?

[@M0JSX]

FLRig can give you some indication, but for accurate measurements get yourself an external power meter. Nissei make some good ones

[@michaelg1tzz293]

Thanks for informative video. Just purchased digirig so I can use my ft818 on ft8. 73

[@M0JSX]

That’s excellent Michael! I’m sure it’ll work brilliantly for you. 73!

[@joel6221]

Good luck getting it working with a FT-2980

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Is there a detailed procedure to instal the DigiRig driver?

[@M0JSX]

It uses an off the shelf codec and installs automatically on Windows/MacOS/Linux* (at least the distros I’ve tried) 73!

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Got it. Nice bit of kit. Tnx!

[@richmorrison8507]

After installing the driver I can send everything to the laptop (Win10/Chirp-daily build), but can't seem to send back to the radio...keep getting an error. No matter what port I plug the USB into, the device manager always assigns com port 5. Any ideas?

[@M0JSX]

Hi Rich. The com port it assigns shouldn’t cause any issues. In the extremely rare case where it is, you can change it in device manager. Is the digirig working for rig control in other applications?

[@richmorrison8507]

@@M0JSX Thanks for the reply. I actually got it to work finally. I uninstalled CHIRP-daily and installed CHIRP-next...same issue. Uninstalled that and installed CHIRP-daily (again) and now it works. Who knows, but it's all working now.

[@richmorrison8507]

@@M0JSX I actually got it working. I had to uninstall CHIRP-daily and install CHIRP-next; same issue. I uninstalled "next" and installed "daily" (again)....and it worked. No idea what happened, but all is well; for now. Thanks again!

[@i8BBQ4Lunch]

At 10:46 you display channel 37 - Harwell, a narrow 2M FM channel. What is that channel? 73 AC7SR

[@M0JSX]

In the UK/Europe we use 12.5kHz channel spacing, rather than the 10kHz or 25kHz used your side of the pond. It is just a simplex channel in Europe. 73!

[@KJPage]

I believe the problem with these is that they are not RF isolated.

[@M0JSX]

That is true, they aren’t, but I’ve not had many RF feedback problems with it.

[@MrSportphysio]

Flat Earth in the Background 👍

[@M0JSX]

Or an azimuth maps as it is better known

[@donalfinn4205]

No matter how you dress it up, this is NOT Amateur Radio.

[@M0JSX]

Thanks for your view. I beg to differ though. There are still radios waves going from my antenna to the other station (and vice versa). Embracing technology and moving forward can only be good for the hobby. 73!

[@grahamauld8894]

Off to buy one. Just what I've been looking for. Thanks, Graham - 2M0IJU. Edit - out of stock everywhere.....you've cleaned 'em out! Further edit: Bought direct from Digirig in the States with wonderful customer service from Denis. He explained the difference between using it on an 857 and a KX2 (I have both) so have bought two!

[@M0JSX]

Thanks Graham, I know that MLS haven't had a delivery yet, get a pre-order in. 73!

[@grahamauld8894]

@@M0JSX See further edit: Bought direct from Digirig in the States with wonderful customer service from Denis. He explained the difference between using it on an 857 and a KX2 (I have both) so have bought two!

[@M0JSX]

@@grahamauld8894 fantastic news. I hope you receive them nice and quickly! 73!

[@W0BNC]

@@grahamauld8894 Denis is a great guy, and fairly local to me. I helped him beta test the Digirig for the KX series. My first one was a version 1.5, wouldn't work on my KX2, and I beta tested a V1.6 on it. Now he's up to V1.9! Great little item. Bob, W0BNC.