UK group buy #1 chat about experience with (tr)uSDX

[mm0gyx]

Some group buy members wanted a place to chat about their experience with the (tr)uSDX, here it is.

73,

Ian MM0GYX

[DL2MAN]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for doing the group buy. Thanks for your donation from the group buyers. Greatly appreciated. I will now drink a Beer on you ! I hope everyone can make it work.

73 Manuel; DL2MAN

[mm0gyx]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for doing the group buy. Thanks for your donation from the group buyers. Greatly appreciated. I will now drink a Beer on you ! I hope everyone can make it work.

73 Manuel; DL2MAN

No problem, I know I need to speak English on the forums, but perhaps I can get away with saying...prost!

[2M0ufo]

I think the most difficult thing was the relays since Ian took care of the smd components that were not fitted at factory.
I have had to repair the power connector , i guess i was too forceful , might be a good idea to put some epoxy around that or you will be making your own solder pads like i had to. Add/remove/squish/stretch windings if power is low.

[G0CVZ]

Hi All

Can someone confirm when running FT8 on WSJT-X that I can connect directly between my laptop and (tr) uSDX, i.e. no isolation interface?

73
Mike
G0CVZ

[M0MBO]

Hi Mike,

I'm running my (tr)uSDX via a Soundblaster play!3, which works very well on WSJT-X.

Cheers & 73,
Malcolm
M0MBO

[G0CVZ]

Hi Malcolm

Yes, I understand that, my question is can I wire directly?

I do have an interface, but its simpler to wire directly

My laptop has a single 3.5mm 4 pole socket which is both audio out & mic, so I would need to wire to 2 off 3.5's for audio in/out on the (tr)uSDX

73
Mike
G0CVZ

[M0MBO]

OK Mike - understand.

Haven't tried that myself - don't see why it wouldn't work, although using the interface you have may provide some useful separation.

73
Malcolm
M0MBO

[M5AEI]

Hi all,

Big thank you to Guido and Manuel for providing this project

Also thank you to Ian for arranging the 1st UK Group and doing such a great job

My 1st is built and no issues, I thought I would share my power outputs without any tweaking :-

USB
80m – 680mw
60m - 430mw
40m - 360mw
30m – 470mw
20m - 380mw
13.8V
80m - 6.8w
60m - 4.52w
40m - 4.15w
30m - 5.15w
20m - 5.2w

Very happy, hopefully find some time to operate soon

Thank you again to all,

73 Ellis M5AEI

[mm0gyx]

Hi All

Can someone confirm when running FT8 on WSJT-X that I can connect directly between my laptop and (tr) uSDX, i.e. no isolation interface?

73
Mike
G0CVZ

It’s a good question, for which I have no answer. I didn’t bother, but didn’t make a qso yet. I’m going away for two weeks so am not likely to find an answer soon.

Maybe ask Manuel on the relevant thread?

Ian MM0GYX

[mm0hvw]

Hi everyone,
With no available interface instructions, I simply connected (tr)uSDX to a laptop W8.1 running WSJTx -FT8
configured FT8 for Kenwood 480, serial port as that numbered in W8.1 Device manager, in my case this was com 7. 8 data bits , 2 stop bits, no handshake, PTTmethod CAT, left port blank, mode USB, Split none.
Found the radio display was running, being powered from the laptop USB supply.

Connected an antenna to radio, then saw FT8 Rx decodes..How is this happening with no audio interface between laptiop and radio?

The laptop is ACER Aspire V3-112P-P54R, over 5 year old, has only two USB ports, and single common AF I/O port which is not used.
Throughout the day saw decodes on 40m and 20m.

See my callsign MM0HVW on 15/2/2022 from 10:00 to 14:00 on PSK reporter for the results.
Used a 65' long wire as an antenna through a 49:1 balun , with no ATU.

Has anyone tried (tr)uSDX on FT 8 transmit? If so how was it interfaced? did you use transformers or opto-isolators?

Other wise have listened to both CW and SSB, have compared this radio with my shack resident radios Elecraft K2, QCX, Bitx, mcHF, found its a nice radio with sensitivity / selectivity, also like the 2 attenuators and variable filters.

My only issue was the OLED (which I broke a corner off) when securing same into case, and the two sensing diodes (1n4148's ) D1&D2 on the RF board, which were replaced.

Dave MM0HVW

[M0ICR]

The case I ordered from a 3D printing service has just arrived, in green as I specified. Dare to be different

[mm0gyx]

The case I ordered from a 3D printing service has just arrived, in green as I specified. Dare to be different

You aren’t likely to lose that!

Looks like a tidy print, was it expensive?

[va3rr]

That's very nice. I had mine printed locally and it didn't turn out nearly as tidy, but I only paid $15 cdn (8.67 quid).

I've also opted to use my own tuning knob, which requires the 15mm ALPS rotary encoder, instead of the 20mm encoder.

73 de va3rr