Is it goodbye, ZLP?

I've been complaining a lot recently about ZLP Electronics' interfaces no longer having on-board volume controls for input and output.  These are a much faster, more convenient way to adjust levels than having to do it from the computer.  The ZLP also had connections for two rigs, which means no swapping cables or separate units when there is a HF and VHF radio sitting side-by-side.

A perfect ZLP interface (with conections for two rigs), spoiled by abandoning on-board level controls.

 

So, with little prospect of ZLP changing things back, and there being a very limited choice of good quality soundcard interfaces, I semi-gave up on moving beyond the two ZLP units I have for now.  But in the end, something will fail and change must happen.

Then, a chance contact with a reader of this blog told me about the HB9ZHK DigiLink Nano.  Unlike the ZLP units, this is much smaller, also has no volume controls - something we seem to be largely stuck with now - and sells for about the same price as a ZLP, when international currency and postage charges are taken into account.

A new, smaller way forward?  The DigiLink Nano.  Image: HB9ZHK.

 

So, this morning, I decided to buy one, and see how well it does compared to my existing interfaces.  Delivery is, of course, likely to be slow in the current environment of pandemic and Brexit in the UK; we like things as difficult as possible, apparently!

At least volume adjustment via alsamixer on Raspberry Pi is pretty easy, using a text-based graphical interface that is similar in use and effect to a Windows machine.

No doubt there will be a period of careful WSPR monitoring to come in the coming weeks...