The Timewave Navigator is a full-featured, multi-mode digital interface designed to connect an amateur radio transceiver to a personal computer (PC). It functions as a sound card modem and rig controller, providing all necessary audio and control functions for sound card modes, precise FSK (Frequency Shift Keying), CW (Continuous Wave), and rig control. The device connects to a PC via a single USB cable.
Function Description:
The Navigator acts as a bridge between your amateur radio transceiver and your PC, enabling various digital communication modes. It integrates a 4-channel USB Hub controller, a USB audio codec, serial port converters, and microCPU controllers for FSK and CW. This integrated design ensures compatibility with both modern PCs and existing amateur radio software, providing a stable hardware/firmware platform.
Key Interface Components:
- USB Audio Codec: Provides 2-channel audio input and output, compatible with standard Microsoft Audio Device AC '97.
- Dual USB UARTs: Three dual USB UART devices provide six USB COM ports, each assigned to specific interface functions for compatibility with various software applications.
- WinKeyer V22 CW Controller: Offers precise CW operation with support for both paddle and keyboard input.
- FSK & Config Controller: Manages FSK operation, including baud rate, stop bits, and polarity settings.
- Auxiliary RS232 Port: A general-purpose RS232 DCE port for additional serial communication.
- Audio Monitor: An internal speaker allows monitoring of sidetone for audio-generated modes (like PSK) and sidetone from the WinKeyer CW and FSK controllers.
Operating Modes:
The Navigator supports a wide range of operating modes, primarily dependent on the software used with the interface:
- Audio Codec Generated Modes: These modes utilize the sound card architecture and audio frequencies within a 400 Hz to 5 kHz bandwidth (though typical transceivers limit this to 400-2700 Hz). Examples include BPSK31, BPSK63, QPSK31, FSK31, RTTY (AFSK), SSTV, Packet, AMTOR, MFSK16, THROB, MT63, Helleschreiber, Olivia, WSJT, and audio-generated CW.
- CW Mode:
- Direct Keying (DTR line): CW can be generated directly using the DTR line of a COM port, primarily from the keyboard and application software.
- WinKeyer V22 Keyer: A more robust CW control is provided by the built-in WinKeyer, supporting both paddle and keyboard input. It addresses key bounce issues and provides sidetone via the audio monitor. A special training mode feeds sidetone back to the audio codec input, allowing software with CW copy functionality to decode paddle keying, aiding in improving "fist" readability.
- FSK Mode: Direct FSK keying is provided by an on-board FSK Controller, which acts as a UART for amateur RTTY modes. It overcomes the baud rate, word length, and stop bit limitations of typical USB UART devices. The FSK controller generates a serial data stream for Ham RTTY, with configurable baud rate, stop bits, and FSK polarity via the Navigator Option software. An audio FSK sidetone is generated and routed to the audio monitor.
- General Purpose RS232 Interface: Provides a standard RS232 DCE device on one COM channel, supporting TxData, RxData, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, and DCD signals.
Important Technical Specifications:
- USB Hub: Bus-powered, with total current draw for the Hub and all interface devices less than 160 mA (less than 30 mA during enumeration). Features soft power control of VBUS for downstream devices and removes VBUS when in suspend mode.
- USB Audio Codec:
- 2-channel Output DAC: 16-bit
- 2-channel Input ADC: 16-bit
- Sampling Rates: Up to 48,000 Hz (normal application rate 12,000 Hz)
- Analog Input Channels (2 channels):
- Transformer isolated, analog ground isolated from digital ground.
- 10,000 ohm audio transformer per channel.
- Level controlled by front panel potentiometers.
- Software settable input attenuation: 0 dB and 15 dB.
- Supports dual receiver transceivers.
- Analog Output Channel:
- Right channel used for audio drive to the transceiver.
- Transformer isolated, analog ground isolated from digital grounds.
- 10,000 ohm audio transformer.
- 1 uF Blocking capacitor on output.
- Level controlled by front panel potentiometer "RF OUT".
- Software settable output attenuation: 0 dB and 20 dB.
- Audio Monitor:
- Monitor sound level controlled by front panel potentiometer.
- Internal speaker: 800 Hz to 2500 Hz.
- Monitors all audio codec generated modes and CW/FSK sidetones.
- CAT and Rig Control:
- Serial COM channel dedicated to CAT functions, data rate settable up to 115,200 baud.
- Supports various CAT interface combinations: Half duplex TTL (Icom C-IV compatible), Full duplex TTL (two-wire, three-wire, inverted TTL), and Full duplex RS232.
- Rig Interface Control Signals (DB25S connector):
- Output Control Signals: PTT, CW, FSK (all open collector transistor outputs).
- Input Signals: SQUELCH (connected to DCD, DSR, and CTS pins for application use).
- RFI Filtering: All input and bi-directional signals are filtered with capacitors to reduce stray RF.
- CWPTT- and CWPTTRet: Opto-isolated signals for external RF amplifier control in CW mode (shipped after May 1, 2007).
- RS232 Serial COM Port (DB9P connector): Supports DCD, RXD, TXD, DTR, GND, DSR, RTS, CTS. Ring Indicator (RI) is not supported.
- I/O Signal Levels:
- TTL: Outputs: High 4.5V min (source 24mA), Low 0.45V max (sink 24mA). Inputs: High 3.15V min, Low 1.35V max.
- RS232: Outputs: High 5V min (7V typ), Low -5V max (-7V typ). Input switching point: Pos going Typ 1.7V, Max 2.4V; Neg going Typ 1.2V, Min 0.8V. Input level: Max ± 30V.
- Open Collector Drivers: Low Max 0.3V @ 20mA, Sink 20mA.
- Audio Output: 410mV rms (Normal attenuation), 24mV rms (20dB attenuation) into 4.7 kOhm load.
- Audio Input: 60mV rms (Normal attenuation), 500mV rms (20dB attenuation) for full level signal into Audio Codec.
Usage Features:
- Front Panel Controls:
- Potentiometers: CH1 IN, CH2 IN (audio input levels), RF OUT (audio drive level to transceiver), MONITOR LEVEL (audio monitor sound level), CW WPM (WinKeyer speed).
- LED Displays: PTT (Red, rig PTT active), CAT (Yellow, control data transfer, blink/steady options), FSK (Yellow, FSK data sent), CW (Yellow, CW sent), PWR (Two-color, Orange during setup, Green after setup, indicates interface power state).
- NavOptions Software: A control program for managing interface options, which are software selectable (no jumpers on the board). Settings include CH1/CH2/RF Attenuation, FSK Polarity/Side Tone/PTT/Baud/Stop, WinKeyer PTT, and LED Brightness/CAT LED behavior. Settings are saved in non-volatile memory.
- Multiple Interfaces: Windows can uniquely identify multiple Navigators on a single computer, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple software instances. Custom USB serial numbers can be provided for additional interfaces.
- Rig Hookup: Connects to transceivers via a DB25S connector. Specific cable drawings are available for various transceivers (e.g., Icom 756). Auxiliary CI-V (3.5mm stereo jack) and Paddle (6.3mm stereo jack) connectors are also provided.
- COM Port Management: Users are advised to understand COM port assignments and limitations of ham software. Recommended COM port assignments are provided to ensure compatibility with popular applications.
Maintenance Features:
- Driver Installation/Uninstallation: Detailed procedures are provided for installing and uninstalling USB drivers.
- Application Software Setup: Comprehensive guides are included for setting up popular ham radio software like MixW and MMTTY with the Navigator.
- Troubleshooting (FAQ): Addresses common issues such as FSK stop bit settings, FSK polarity, RF OUT control in FSK mode, WinKeyer macro issues, WinKeyer speed limits, and power level adjustments.
- CD-ROM Contents: The device comes with a CD-ROM containing installation manuals, driver files for various Windows versions (2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8), NavOptions software, WinKeyer software, and configuration files for popular ham radio applications.
- FCC Class B Certified: Ensures compliance with FCC standards for USB digital devices.
- RoHS, European CE, and Industry Canada Compliant: Meets international regulatory standards.
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