The EchoLink system Carrier Detect Provision (the orange ground wire)

The EchoLink system comes with a setup wizard that allows you to select a RIGblaster interface. This setup works will all models of RIGblasters by detecting receive audio with a software based "virtual" VOX feature. The VOX implementation works quite will and has some advantages over using hardware based carrier (COR) detection. The RIGblaster Plug & Play has provision for hardware carrier detect.

The Plug & Play will detect open squelch and relay that information to the computer and the EchoLink system on the COR/Squelch pin of the radio is connected to the Plug & Play COR circuit and relays the COR state to the DCD, DSR and CTS pins of the Serial side of the Plug & Play's USB to serial converter.

If your radio has this feature and you wish to use this feature you may need to open the Plug & Play and solder the unconnected end of orange wire on the txgnd lead to the COR- pad. We do not connect this ground as it is not needed with most radios and it avoids ground loops in station installations.

NOTE: You must also configure the EchoLink system manually in the Sysop mode for carrier detect on one DCD, DSR or CTS and disable VOX carrier detect. You must also configure carrier detect for the correct logic polarity to match the COR output of your radio.

Check your radio manual to see if your radio even supports carrier detect before even trying to do this. If you need further assistance on setting up the EchoLink system check the help files and on-line documentation. If you wish to use this The EchoLink system Sysop feature and you need further help on the connections, please contact us by phone or email.