uSDR Transceiver Part 2: The POTA test from K-4635. Nov. 10, 2021

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I purchased the cheapest HF transceiver I could find on Ebay and now it's time to test this little radio in a POTA environment. I slung the backpack on my shoulder and hiked into Pine Log State Forest k-4635 to see what this radio would do.
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/ bobplank
Music credits:
The Beacon by Zachariah Hickman
Camera equipment:
GoPro Hero 8 Black (while adventuring or outdoors)
Canon Vixia HF R800 (in the studio)
Editing software:
Corel Videostudio Ultimate 2018
My favorite radio equipment for outdoor portable ops or RaDAR:
Radio: Icom IC-705
Tuner: Elecraft T1 tuner
Antennas: Chameleon F-Loop magnetic loop antenna (does not need a tuner)
End fed antenna with 9:1 unun (needs tuner)
Sotabeams Bandhopper 20/30/40 linked dipole
Digital software: FLDigi and WSJT-x

Опубликовано:

10 ноя 2021

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Комментарии : 64

@mimiheaven1951 2 года назад

I have this exact radio. I have had amazing success using it with my hex beam. I have made ssb voice contacts to Australia, Japan, Sth America, Spain, Hawaii and New Zealand all from Las Vegas. I’m seeing about 2.7 to 3.3 watts out on 15 to 20 meters. It’s just a fun radio and to be able to talk 6000 miles on 3 watts is a total rush!

@TruthVSLies Год назад

Wow! What antenna you using? 73.

@TridentMissileTech 2 года назад

I have this radio. I like that i can easily do cw and listen to ssb on 8 bands. Im not much of a talker but like to listen for band conditions etc. Before getting this I used a qcx mini from QRP labs. I love the QCX, but it is a single band. Instead of carrying four Qcx, I carry just this. I still love my Qcx mini though

@theexperimentalcqdx4208 2 года назад

I think what make Pota and Radar really nice in combination with radio, is the different sceneries you operate in, You must be so happy such a small rig gets out so nice, Bob. 73

@BobPlank_KK4DIV 2 года назад

I was very pleased at how well I was getting out with this little rig. Yes, you are correct. Being able to operate from new and different locations is one of the best parts about POTA and RaDAR.

@kd4kzz 2 года назад

Thanks. I had been looking at this radio. Glad you reviewed it.

@BobPlank_KK4DIV 2 года назад

It certainly is affordable. It performed surprisingly well.

@maikerumine 2 года назад

This video SOLD this radio. What a deal, really!!! Thanks for making the video and testing!!!

@aglandorf75 2 года назад

Before buying check DL2MAN video. I think this radio is a knock off from the radio built by DL2MAN.

@kennethblackwell1137 2 года назад

Excellent review. THANKS 😊

@n4jaw 2 года назад

I'm SOLD. Thanks for the demonstration

@MagicRoosterBluesBand Год назад

That radio is actually a uSDX. The uSDR is a different radio.

@KX4UL 2 года назад

Another successful activation. Nice work Bob! Thanks for the review of the uSDR transceiver. I have wondered about these little radios. At only $125 your evaluation of the rig is about what I expected. Although I must admit I was surprised at how well it got out. As far as the overheating, I can see where the steady transmitting in the sun for nearly an hour would be an issue. This radio is a borderline novelty compared to the more expensive QRP rigs you mentioned. As such, it would be fun to tinker with and/or perfect for someone considering upgrading to full HF privileges to monitor the HF bands. I liked your intro music on this video...73!

@speedbuggy16v 2 года назад

I am a complete newbie to ham, and am very impressed with the contacts on QRP with that rig!

@Bootyhunter1971 7 месяцев назад

A perfect shtf hf rig. Runs low power, self contained battery, easy to recharge with a dynamo or solar or power bank, can gather or pass critical information and set up and tear down quickly. Its not an everyday ragchewing base type rig. Buy if you use a screwdriver when you need a screwdriver instead of a hammer, then you get it.

@pietrogazzera5733 2 года назад

Right considerations!

@TruthVSLies Год назад

Great little radio! Does the job with little battery power!

@dwatson4 26 дней назад

California and Alaska on 5 watts?! USDX+ should be paying you for that endorsement

@davidg5308 2 года назад

Well done! I bought the version with the battery (knob on top) and it's pretty much as you described. A primary or main SOTA/POTA radio...no, but one to play with...maybe. I was thinking of it as one to keep in my car and as a walk home SHTF HF radio with a 49:1 long wire and at least you can hear what is going on. Has a purpose, albeit a small one. Hoping someone figures out the adjustments that are needed to get this thing at least on frequency.

@pathopkins4500 2 года назад

Thanks Bob for the advice on the little rig =) Might be fun to play with and a knock-about rig in a small fanny pack with a SOTA 40m - 10m "Doublet Antenna" ( "ZIP-Cord antenna" ) hung from a Crappy pole =) de N5VMO Pat see you Saturday at the meeting =)

@samcollins6394 2 года назад

I have one of these radios on the slow boat coming my way. It'll be used for sota WAB activations with my sotabeams 40/20 dipole and 10 pole also. Can't wait to try it out

@BobPlank_KK4DIV 2 года назад

That's great! The sotabeams dipole is a great antenna. Should be a good combination for SOTA.

@Johnyrocket70 2 года назад

Mine arrived today

@willieb6529 2 года назад

have one of these on the way, but i do have the buttons-on-top and built-in battery version... bought mine for casual logging and as CW trainers due to the CW decoding and 'practice' feature in the firmware... fun little toys, but for QRP /p i will take my TX-500, 705, or CTX-10

@swenner64 2 года назад

I bought the battery version of this radio and I can't wat to try it. It a perfect little low power radio with built in battery go put in a backpack with a simple resonant end fed a play around. Would it replace my ft-891, no way, but a nice prepper option.

@stevesummersell3068 7 месяцев назад

PCB! 😎

@alzeNL 2 года назад

Very impressive, from such a modest transceiver, I think you done amazingly well making QRP SSB Phone contacts. What is the antenna you used please ? (apologies if I missed it) - I think that is the key of just how well you done here. Similar to other notes below I think upgrading the mic will improve the performance, but based on your contacts, including alaska, what a brilliant radio.

@jamesgeorge1709 2 года назад

great place i used to fish it alot when i lived down there used to be wide open, when they built the new airport. have you ever thought about activating the sunny hills country club?

@jimgraham6722 2 года назад

I have heard some versions of this radio use substandard semiconductors in the class E final amp. This could be a source of heat and distortion as well as spurs. I might be possible to replace the semis with faster switching items.

@martinsmith8732 2 года назад

Sorry you changed your mind Bob. From my perspective, getting 20 contacts is wonderful for a QRP radio. Sounds like most of your discrepancies were coming from your speaker mic, ie sound thinny on transmit and hard to hear on speaker. Maybe using a Kenwood or generic there of speaker mic would resolved those issues. They have a larger speaker and larger electric mic. Reports on those smaller Baofung mic's are famous for the same issues you brought up. I see on Amazon the BTECH QHM22 mic's are big improvement over the smaller Baofungs. 73, WH6XY.

@nolanhartough 4 месяца назад

Hold down the rotary encoder button whole you turn it and it will change the volume without going into the menu

@Johnyrocket70 2 года назад

The tyt or baefeng Mic should work.

@ulfunflieger 2 года назад

Hi Bob, could you please try to compare this rig with a G1M from XIEGU but not with an IC705? I've got both of this rigs and would prefer the G1M... but you will have 4 Bands only. The quality is better anyway. Before I buy a 705 I would buy another 7300 for portable use... But: the uSDR transceiver is still a funny device to do qrp... 73 from DG4BAD (Martin)

@EndtimeWatchman777 2 года назад

Do you have a link to where you can buy a power cable for this radio thanks ?

@jamesgeorge1709 2 года назад

Question can you still put in at the bridge and fish crooked creek/ i 73used to fish iy pretty often was GREAT fun lots of Bass and at the bay inlet lots of speckled trout. 73 KI0AD

@tommycheshire5508 2 года назад

That looks somewhat impressive. Did you ever find a manual? I will buy one if I can find a manual to reduce the frustration. N4KBM. Thank you for your kindness and time.

@heartofdixieradio 2 года назад

Do you know what type of cable is used for the cat ptt connection in the back...I'd like to use mine for ft8 but can't find a manual or any info online. Tnx K4MTW

@Johnyrocket70 2 года назад

Can you make a video showing how to work that radio.

@johnkaelberer237 2 года назад

Interesting. Did you try a better quality hand mic ? It could make a difference. I'd sure go with something like a Ziegu G-90 at $425.oo given the choice of a low price radio. This might make a good radio for a SHTF back up (protected from EMP) or something you throw in your vehicle if you don't want to take a more expensive radio with you due to theft or damage concerns. Thanks for the test, if nothing else, it was surprising how well it did at it's price point.

@usernamemykel 10 месяцев назад

I've both - the G-90 is much bigger and heavier.

@genereddington1686 2 года назад

Hi bob will this little radio tx on 160meters as it says it covers the band but i would imagine no harmonic traps.......... .i my self love topband 160 meters AM and wounded f it will tx with AM BUT WITH USING MY ATU would reduce harmonic levels lol..... Does any body have experience with the AM on these types of transmitter also would be interested in knowing how well it receives around medium wave ....?Ps in g6zdb in the middle of sleepy old England and love building transmitters ?

@usernamemykel 2 года назад

Can this radio be used with 12vdc or must it have 13.8? Thank you.

@Andrew524476 2 года назад

Hi, you said that adjusting the volume is done via menu, I have a similar rig, it has a pressible nob, and if rotating it while it is pressed - volume changes. Try with yours, might be the same

@w3jdr 2 года назад

Bob Great vid! As others said, volume is easily adjustable by rotatjng the knob while holding it pressed. Frequency accuracy can be adjusted in the menus...read the manual. TX audio is a know issue and is a function of the simplicity of the SDR technique used for transmitting. Joe W3JDR

@dovpauzner5093 2 года назад

Very nice video , can you provide a link to where you purchase this uSDR and what is a firmware version ? KK4DIV de 4X1PD 73!

@swenner64 2 года назад

Ebay expect 1 1/2 to 2 months shipping to get one.

@BobPlank_KK4DIV 2 года назад

Sorry for the slow reply. Yes, ebay is where I got mine. I waited a little over a month for it.

@marcelbottcher9044 2 года назад

You should take into consideration, that this radio is an expensive copy :) The original was sold as an (half) kit at 50 €. This copy doesn't meet the requirements of the inventor.

@mssippijim Год назад

I believe a Baofeng mic is compatible.

@jamesgeorge1709 2 года назад

Me again ever thought about making a leg mount to wear on your thigh?

@gecko4ever Год назад

Forgive my ignorance, but what does “K-4635” mean? I guess it’s some coordinate, but it neither looks like Maidenhead nor UTM

@gliderrider Год назад

It’s for POTA or Parks On The Air. Most state or national parks are given a number like k-1234. Similar to SOTA or summits on the air. Great fun if you’re in the parlor in your home ‘hunting’ various parks. Type parks on the air in your search

@georgealbertacanadaeh1038 2 года назад

Cannot hear the radio? But sounds as noisy as the first video?

@jamesl2513 2 года назад

To adjust the Volume Press and Twist the Knob at the same time

@jamesl2513 2 года назад

You can also use another kenwood speaker mic can help with audio quality

@chase1535 2 года назад

Hello, I just received this radio today, and see it does not come with a battery installed. I'm just getting back into HF, so what battery or power supply can i use on it. Tnx. 73s, N7BFT

@BobPlank_KK4DIV 2 года назад

I have been using this Talentcell battery from Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B00ME3ZH7C/ref=as_sl_pc_as_ss_li_til?tag=73outdoors-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=d669d90346d711362a587a5a1afc8f9d&creativeASIN=B00ME3ZH7C Or any 12 volt battery will work. If you use the Talentcell battery, you will need to make a barrel-to-barrel dc connector to go between the radio and battery. I am uploading a video tonight showing me using this radio and battery at a local park.

@chase1535 2 года назад

@@BobPlank_KK4DIV Tnx Bob, being a newbie to speak, what is a barrel to barrel dc connector, do you have a pic of one or a link, i looked at this Talentcell battery, and it looks good for 39.95. I bought a pyramid ps3kx power supply,it is 13.8, and seems to work ok, but still dont have a battery for remote work, so look forward to seeng your latest update, tnx again- Chuck - N7BFT

@BobPlank_KK4DIV 2 года назад

It will be something like this: amzn.to/3Fv5qwa The link I provided is for a 3 ft cord with barrel connectors on both ends. A 12V barrel connector is cylindrical with a center conductor. The outside is ground and the center of the barrel is (+). I made my own with some parts laying around so I only have about a 6 inch cord between the radio and battery. Both the Talentcell battery and radio have the same size barrel connector. Hope this helps.

@chase1535 2 года назад

@@BobPlank_KK4DIV Tnx Bob, ordering this now, and also bought the 20metter antenna on EBay that you used....now where to get your bamboo pole and the RG174 coax from? I Have the Radio, getting the battery, cable barrel to barrel adapter....have several old laptop bags and many laptops, im a retired former computer tech blind in one eye, so your help id gr8ly apprecited. Think im remember in the old days we called a Ham teacher an ELMER, is that term still used? 73s

@BobPlank_KK4DIV 2 года назад

I purchased the RG174 from Ebay. ebay.us/ZYggX9. You can buy several different lengths, I got 20ft. The bamboo pole I got on Amazon years ago, but I have not been able to find them on a recent search. I have found some similar bamboo poles on Ebay. ebay.us/5MaHmQ