Marius Lubbe ZS1ML
Meet DigiRig, a breath of fresh air in the world of amateur radio technology. This open-source integrated digital modes interface is the brainchild of Denis Grisak, an electrical engineer and ham radio enthusiast. Denis, known by his call sign K0TX, started his ham radio journey in July 2020. He quickly found himself wrestling with a jumble of cables, breakout boards, and dongles that connected his radio to his computer. This was even more of a challenge when he tried to operate mobile, with cords sticking out from every side of his laptop.
But Denis didn’t let this deter him. Instead, he saw an opportunity. The market was filled with overpriced, bulky products with limited functionality. The leading product was outdated, only supporting a VOX based PTT and boasting of a corporate trademark that had been abandoned since the early ’90s. Denis knew he could do better, and so, DigiRig was born.
DigiRig is a compact, user-friendly device that requires just a single USB connection to your computer. It’s a small package that packs a big punch, including a USB hub, audio codec, a fully featured serial CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) interface, and even a GPS receiver for time synchronization.
What sets DigiRig apart is its commitment to the spirit of amateur radio. It’s open-source, encouraging learning, experimentation, and collaboration. Denis hopes that the project will evolve with the participation of others, welcoming comments, requests, and tester feedback. All of the specs, drawings, and other materials are publicly available on Github, making it a truly community-driven project.
DigiRig is often described as turnkey, just works, and plug-n-play. However, the complexity of radio and computers means that there may be some learning curve involved. But don’t worry, there’s a DigiRig user group and forum where users can share knowledge, troubleshoot issues, and discuss various topics related to DigiRig and amateur radio.
In conclusion, DigiRig, under the leadership of Denis Grisak, is a game-changer in the world of amateur radio. It simplifies and enhances the experience of amateur radio enthusiasts. By leveraging open-source principles, DigiRig has fostered a community of users who contribute to the continuous improvement and evolution of its products. So, if you’re a ham radio enthusiast looking for a more streamlined, functional, and affordable solution, DigiRig might just be the breath of fresh air you’ve been waiting for!