SignaLink™ Product Comparison

This table compares the features of the SignaLink USB and SignaLink SL-1+ to other sound card interfaces.  A typical multimode TNC is also shown for comparison.  For a comparison of supported modes, please click here.

 

Manufacturer

Tigertronics

Tigertronics

West
Mountain
Radio

West Mountain Radio

West Mountain Radio

MFJ

BuxComm

Typical Multimode TNC

Model

SignaLink
USB

SignaLink
SL-1+

RIGblaster
Plus

RIGblaster
Standard

RIGblaster
NOMIC

1275

Rascal

Various
Description
Sound Card Interface
Sound Card Interface
Sound Card
Interface
Sound Card
Interface
Sound Card
Interface
Sound Card
Interface
Sound Card
Interface
TNC
Price
$99-$104
$69-$74
$139
$109
$59
$89
$44 - $55
$400 Average
Software Included
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Jumper configurable for different radios
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
Detachable radio cable (easy to switch radios)
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
Built-in sound card (Doesn't use your computer's soundcard!)
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Ultra-Simple two cable installation
YES5
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Easy software volume control setup
(No guessing!)
YES6
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Can be powered from the radio
N/A

 USB port powered
YES1
NO
NO
N/A

Serial port
powered
NO
N/A

Serial port
powered
Depends on model
Auto-PTT™ circuit keys your radio WITHOUT a connection to the computer's serial port
YES
YES
NO

Requires serial port
connection
NO

Requires serial port
connection
NO

Requires serial port
connection
NO

Requires serial port
connection
NO
Requires
 serial port connection
NO or N/A
Completely Immune to serial port related transmit Problems
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Can be used  with computers that don't have serial ports
YES
YES
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
Completely isolates the radio from the computer
YES
YES
NO3
NO3
NO3
YES
YES
N/A
Adjustable Transmit
and Receive Audio Levels
YES

Front panel adjustable
YES

Internally adjustable
NO
(TX Audio is adjustable)
NO
(TX Audio is adjustable)
NO
(TX Audio is adjustable)
YES
NO
Depends on model
Supports
Direct Keyed CW
YES4
YES4
YES
NO
YES4
NO
YES4
Depends on model
Supports
Voice Operation
(EchoLink®, etc.)
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
YES
YES
NO
Separate jack for microphone 
NO
(Not needed - See below)
NO
(Not needed - See below)
YES
YES
NO
YES
NO
N/A
Can be connected to ALL radio "Data" or "Accessory" ports, so that  your Mic can stay connected. 
YES
(Also works with Mic jack!)
YES
(Also works with Mic jack!)
N/A
N/A
YES
N/A
Depends on model
Depends on model
Manufactured with "state of the art" surface-mount components on robotic equipment
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
Depends on model
Commercial quality, professional looking enclosure
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
YES
 

NOTES:

1.  The SignaLink SL-1+ requires only 6.75 to 15 volts DC at 10 ma (nominal), so it can usually be powered from the Accessory Voltage found on the Mic jack, Data Port, Accessory Port, or rear panel of most radios.  The SignaLink USB is always powered by the computer's USB port, and NEVER needs external power.

2.  To use these other units on a computer that does not have a serial port, you will need to purchase a USB to Serial adapter for an additional $20 to $35. 

3.  Receive Audio does not pass through the RIGblaster units, so you must connect a cable directly between the radio's speaker output, and the sound card.  This will result in no isolation between the radio and the computer, and may cause receive problems because of mismatched audio levels.

4.  The SignaLink and these other units can operate direct-keyed CW by connecting them to the radio's CW Key jack.

5.  Only two cables are required for most SignaLink USB installations; one cable to the computer's USB port, and one cable to the radio's Data or Accy Port.  If you are attaching the SignaLink USB to the radio's Mic jack, then one additional audio cable connection may be needed if the radio doesn't have RX Audio on the Mic connector (every SignaLink USB is supplied with this audio cable just in case it is needed).

6.  Because the SignaLink USB has it's own built-in soundcard, we are able to greatly simplify the audio level setting procedure.  Instead of adjusting by trial and error, you simply set one control at 100% and the other at 50% (see the SignaLink USB manual for details).

The information shown in this table was gathered from manufacturers advertisements and is correct to the best of our knowledge.

Tigertronics - All Rights Reserved  |  BayPac, SignaLink, and TigerTrak are trademarks of Tigertronics
APRS is a trademark of Bob Bruninga | EchoLink is a trademark of Synergenics, LLC
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners