I hadn't been expecting much from my (tr)uSDX and was skeptical as to whether or not QSO's could be made that were not pre-arranged.
After 3 POTA activations with the tiny rig, it's clear to me that QSO's are quite easily made on either of the two modes I used.
The popping sound while sending CW is annoying, but not overly so. It is evident whether using headphones or the built-in speaker. For a long CW ragchew, it would - for me - be a showstopper...but for a POTA activation, it's not so bad. I even got used to it after a few exchanges.
I was pleasantly surprised at the reports of the rig's audio. For a tiny embedded mic, I think the reports are better than I'd hoped. I had been considering an external mic, like the kit offered by the QRP Guys but I think I'll just leave the rig as is - I'm really not a phone op anyway.
It'll be fun to watch this rig develop over the coming months. DL2MAN has plans to add more bands to the rig's capabilities. Right now it covers 20, 30, 40, 60 and 80 meters. 10-17m coverage is, I believe, in the works.
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I love quirky radios (digging my TR-35 these days), but man that popping is dreadful.
ReplyDeleteYep, it's not gonna be a rig I use for anything other than quick exchanges on infrequent park outtings. But then again, it's an all-mode, 5-band rig for $150 - it was meant to be tinkered with and modded. I'm wondering if the fix could be as simple as a small cap across the audio outputs...
Delete73,
John
**Thanks** for the report and video. The thump on the CW part does seem a bit...disconcerting, to say the least. Hopefully a mod will be out shortly to sort this out.
ReplyDelete73
Don//KL7KN
Hello Don - I don't know of this characteristic affects all (tr)uSDX radios or just mine.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the radio - and the support for it - are hindered by the fact that the forum is on a privately owned website, not io.groups as with other similar radios. A topic for another day...
73,
John
A radio like this was pure science fiction when I was building my 40M qrp transmitters for my community college course projects in 1980. I sure wished for a couple of Elmer's' specializing in it back then, it was good that 2n2222a's were cheap, LOL.
ReplyDeleteThe size and capabilities could only be dreamed of back then - and we never would have believed the $86 price tag of such a thing. It makes me wonder what lies ahead...
Delete73,
John