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The Navigator is a complete USB sound card modem featuring a proven USB audio sound card chip, six FTDI USB serial COM ports, a K1EL WinKey keyer, True FSK and rig control connections for every radio.

1. Timewave Navigator Windows 10 Review
2. Timewave Navigator Windows 10 Update

After work yesterday, I went to HRO and they had a Navigator in stock, and had a good price on it as well. I took measurements to see how I could incorporate it into my very tight shelf space in the shack. To squeeze it in, Will hafta remove some other components and shuffle things around. It is about 2 1/2 inches high and a good 5 or 6 inches wide. A very sizable and formidable unit. They didn't have a Rigblaster advantage in stock, but I talked to some other hams who had one and it looks like the Navigator is the unit to score.

However, the Yaesu SCU-17 is sneaking up. The problem I am having with that one (and it is about HALF the price of the Navigator!!!) is the poor Yaesu support on it. In fact, I read on here somewhere Yaesu has pulled it from US sales! Not sure why!What I need is absolute MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE!!!

It has to just BLOW the Signaling (which is working very well!) away! Some folks say it does. But for almost FOUR times the cost of a Signalink, it DARN WELL BETTER!!!Another problem I am having with the Navigator is the Radio cable. They want (OMG!!!) $55 for it!!! I have the schematic and I can BUILD that cable if I can get all the associated connectors. With our Junk Store closing, parts are hard to come by now.

Some I should have around, but I should buy all new connectors to be sure it is 100% bulletproof.Also probably need a new COMPUTER to install for it too. The current one is an old Pentium XP computer and it is OK for internet surfing and garden variety ham programs, but I need to have a great computer for running the likes of HRD and the digital modes programs (and Logging software). I have a bunch of JUNK up on Shelf 3 above the monitor that is drawing dust, so that needs to be sent off to museum service and the computer put up there. One of those small little ones running Win 8.I didn't bite yet on the Navigator, but am close. I just want to be sure I will see a SIZABLE DIFFERENCE in performance over the Signalink!

Click to expand.Tom -Good Question!I have attached the functional diagram.Basically, it is an active 4-channel USB hub (USB bridge chip w/multiple ports); K1EL keyer;Icom CI-V interface/ Yaesu CAT support; USB Audio CODEC chip; andSound Card Interface (audio amps & isolation transformers).The US Interface Navigator was designed in 2006 by Glenn Wetherell, W3GWW (SK, April 2009) andsupported for the past 5 years by Clint Hurd, KK7UQ.Glenn's Navigator design is reported to have been derived from the earlier MixW RigExpert product (2003).Glenn was the former US Distributor of Rig Expert. In 2006, Rig Expert and Glenn parted ways.Rig Expert history touches on that period in 2006 (Usage of RigExpert domain name, business ethics, etc.)MixW / RigExpert is a Ukraine product. Founders / Authors: UT2UZ and UU9JDRRigExpert / MixW web pageTimewave purchased the Navigator Sound Card Modem in November 2013.They now sell and support the Navigator product.The Yaesu SCU-17 seems to be a Japanese design, that has some similarities to both RigExpert and Navigator.Jim, AB1RW has started an examination of the Yaesu unit (QRZ thread).There are only a handful of USB chip manufacturers with EXCELLENT support.FTDI at top of list, followed by SiLabs in Austin, TX.Prolific (Taiwan) is at bottom of list - for many reasons. What we need is someone (no,not me) to pit each of these Soundcard adapters against each other and find whichhas the best PERFORMANCE under HIGH QRM conditions. That is the only reason I am considering the Navigator is that I am NOT decoding the RTTY in pileups well enough. My Signalink works great for casual high signal level QSOs, but I need to be able to decode down in the noise weak signals in the presence of HEAVY QRM!

That was a primary reason I got the FTdx5000MP. For SSB, just about any old rig will work. But CW and RTTY take a really GREAT radio and the best Sound card unit money can buy.What I am so WORRIED about is that I would score this VERY VERY EXPENSIVE unit and find it doesn't decode a darn bit better than the SIGNALINK!That happened on an ANTENNA yesterday!!!I was at HRO and decided I didn't like the SWR on my 6 meter antenna, so we tried it on a MAGMOUNT. It worked GREAT, with a 1:1 SWR right where it should be! So I decided the MOUNT was no good and bought a whole new antenna trunklip mount.

(Yes, the set screws dug into the paint into the metal!). SWR didn't improve, so I bought a hunk of BRAID so I can run that part of the antenna RIGHT TO CHassis ground on the car. The SWR WENT UP!!!!! So lotsa money thrown at a problem with no improvement in the conditions!!!! Pat -Understood. Not sure if it will help? On the 'net' there are a couple of mods to the SignaLink USB.

Timewave Navigator Windows 10 Review

One increases/adds capacitance to the +5 input and the other does the same for a reference voltage. Seems like there is one to replace the reference with a better one that has less noise. Previous comments from memory, but the information is easily found. Author of webpage information include noise plots of before and after with noticeable difference.Mods. Seem easy to do, but can't say if it will help. I can decode JT65 and JT9 with my Signalink (stock) to within 1 or 2 db of the minimum limits.

Timewave Navigator Windows 10 Update

I really should give it a try and see if it helps. Pat -I enlarged the photo of the US Interface / Timewave Navigator PC board.The Audio CODEC used in that Navigator sound card modem is: Texas Instruments PCM2906DBThe Yaesu SCU-17 uses the Texas Instruments PCM2903B CODECThe 2903 is a 3.3 V part, while the 2906 is a 5 V part.There is a slight difference in SNR specifications between these parts.