Both Guido's and Manual's humility make this such a shining example for the entire global ham community to imitate! Thank you both ... and your predecessors! 73 - KF6IF
"They're a lot of fun, even if you build it as a kit." Even? Building it as a kit is by far the very best way to get a (tr)uSDX. The soldering is easy since all of the SMT parts are already in place. All you have to do is thread wire through quarter inch holes, and stick parts in holes, then solder them. Then you get the pleasure of learning what Class E RF is all about, and moving wires around until you have an efficient rig putting out the power level you want. For many of us, that's more satisfying than making some contest QSO's. We LIKE radio electronics. We LIKE building things. We LIKE tuning things. We like LEARNING things. Ham radio doesn't exist so some people can legally run high power CB's. It exists because the government wanted to encourage people to learn about RF communications. We really need to keep that in mind. These 2 guys exemplify the spirit of ham radio.
Yes, but...not everyone wants to build. I was originally licensed in 57 and have done a lot of it, most recently an Elecraft K2 and KX3 and a Softrock Ensemble, my first SMT experience. But the arthritis in my hands means it is a lot less fun. VE7VIE and WV2J
@@barrybogart5436, I understand. I built my first Benton Harbor Lunchbox in '63 when I was 13. It was a whole lot easier to wrap a wire around a tube socket pin and hit it with a 150 W Weller gun than it is today. I'm still managing, but barely.
This little radio I think... it will change the world of ham radio as much as Baofeng did.. talking about new hams with no equipment. I had no HF transceiver and this one made my introduction into radio waves hehe. I have my first QSOs made on it. A nice little TRX that I was not expecting to like since I don't really like digital stuff. I'm more into analog builts... but the amount of work they put into it and the results are remarkable. I have to appreciate that.
Fantastic radio! Just had my first qso with my (tr)usdx, worked a station in Pugachev (Russia) from a beach in Hejlsminde (Denmark), 2570 km with a Hyendfed antenna and 5W :-)
Thanks for this interesting chat on this project with Manuel and Guido. First time I saw their real faces, and not only Manuel‘s hands doing soldering jobs 😃. I like the (tr)uSDX and appreciate Manuel‘s and Guido‘s great work. Chris DL1GKC
excellant transceiver guys i worked a cw station from here in yucca valley ca to michigan . 2154 miles on 20 meter 559 report using a doublett antenna and a dipole. very cool.. ki6pxv rod
That was very cool. Between your review vid and this one I'm excited for my unit arriving. Definitely need to craft up a mic solution, this was a good reminder to start on that and a speaker so I can hit the ground running!
Cheers to Guido and Manual for this great wee radio, i own 2 , 1 via group buy build and second via Sunny's shop on AliX , i will say that Sunny version i better, nicer soldering and winding than my efforts. Looking forward to upgraded version with a little waterfall and spectrum display like Kieth's SDR 👾in the future
4:44 DNT, nice. I was always a "Stabo" guy during my CB radio years. I even rigged it (shhhh, don't tell) to connect it to an external antenna. I think I am fine with admitting this, because the statute of limitations have expired long ago, and I live in "exile" now in the US ;)
It would, indeed, be interesting to explore the possibilities using a more modern multicore microcontroller. (Dreaming of things like spectrum, maybe even waterfall, but also all kinds of digital modes.)
@@nehem11e i know, and its a miracle (not really: its the result of really incentive programming work). But getting everything possible out of a tiny microcontroller is - with, again lots of respect for the work of Guido! - more hobby than practical now there are way more powerful controllers available for a few cents more.
This was great. I bought one based on your review and others. I wanted something smaller and lighter than my KX3 for outdoor use. I wish a 10-20 version had been available as it seems like an outdoor radio should have bands that work in daylight! Anyway AliE/Uptech sent me TWO units as my order was somehow duplicated. If they do not allow me to return one, I guess I'll try to modify it for the top bands. Did I understand correctly that it could be done ONLY by replacing caps, 'in order' as Manuel said? Or is it also required to rewind toroids, or make other mods? Or could I just buy a replacement RF board? Actually I really want 6/10/12/15/17 as they are the bands I actually use during the day. 72, VE7VIE and WV2J
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I did, but it isn't clear that you can replace the RF board with no other changes, or if an ASSEMBLED top band RF board would be available.
Thank you. Have you considered hf transiever with 1 single frequencie? This is a requirement for certain companies using maritime sets. Non ham operators are not allowed change frequincies.
Sorry, I know this is a year later, but this is where the open-source uSDX (which is also Guido's design) could be used: it would just be a matter of hard-coding the frequency in the firmware so that the frequency could not be changed. However, most countries require FCC type acceptance for all non-amateur radio transmitters, so there would be some additional expense involved.
Question: One thing not discussed seems to be what antenna would be appropriate for a true noob. Not all of us is a Josh with a long suffering wife and too much metal on our roof.
Both Guido's and Manual's humility make this such a shining example for the entire global ham community to imitate! Thank you both ... and your predecessors! 73 - KF6IF
Agreed 💯
100% true!!!!! great comet...honestly....you don't find that quality too often...so when you, you have to appreciate it....!!! '73
"They're a lot of fun, even if you build it as a kit."
Even? Building it as a kit is by far the very best way to get a (tr)uSDX. The soldering is easy since all of the SMT parts are already in place. All you have to do is thread wire through quarter inch holes, and stick parts in holes, then solder them.
Then you get the pleasure of learning what Class E RF is all about, and moving wires around until you have an efficient rig putting out the power level you want. For many of us, that's more satisfying than making some contest QSO's. We LIKE radio electronics. We LIKE building things. We LIKE tuning things. We like LEARNING things. Ham radio doesn't exist so some people can legally run high power CB's. It exists because the government wanted to encourage people to learn about RF communications. We really need to keep that in mind. These 2 guys exemplify the spirit of ham radio.
Yes, but...not everyone wants to build. I was originally licensed in 57 and have done a lot of it, most recently an Elecraft K2 and KX3 and a Softrock Ensemble, my first SMT experience. But the arthritis in my hands means it is a lot less fun. VE7VIE and WV2J
@@barrybogart5436, I understand. I built my first Benton Harbor Lunchbox in '63 when I was 13. It was a whole lot easier to wrap a wire around a tube socket pin and hit it with a 150 W Weller gun than it is today. I'm still managing, but barely.
This little radio I think... it will change the world of ham radio as much as Baofeng did.. talking about new hams with no equipment. I had no HF transceiver and this one made my introduction into radio waves hehe. I have my first QSOs made on it. A nice little TRX that I was not expecting to like since I don't really like digital stuff. I'm more into analog builts... but the amount of work they put into it and the results are remarkable. I have to appreciate that.
Fantastic radio! Just had my first qso with my (tr)usdx, worked a station in Pugachev (Russia) from a beach in Hejlsminde (Denmark), 2570 km with a Hyendfed antenna and 5W :-)
Thanks for this interesting chat on this project with Manuel and Guido. First time I saw their real faces, and not only Manuel‘s hands doing soldering jobs 😃. I like the (tr)uSDX and appreciate Manuel‘s and Guido‘s great work. Chris DL1GKC
How cool was this? Nice video Josh! You did really well here. Great guests and ideas shared. Good job Josh.
Great looking project radio guys - I can't wait to order this in the next couple of weeks. Need to get the 3D printer up and running.
excellant transceiver guys i worked a cw station from here in yucca valley ca to michigan . 2154 miles on 20 meter 559 report using a doublett antenna and a dipole.
very cool..
ki6pxv rod
That was very cool. Between your review vid and this one I'm excited for my unit arriving. Definitely need to craft up a mic solution, this was a good reminder to start on that and a speaker so I can hit the ground running!
Headphones are really the best way to listen to a ham radio. You can almost tell how serious a ham is by their headphones.
This was a great interview... 😊
Cheers to Guido and Manual for this great wee radio, i own 2 , 1 via group buy build and second via Sunny's shop on AliX , i will say that Sunny version i better, nicer soldering and winding than my efforts. Looking forward to upgraded version with a little waterfall and spectrum display like Kieth's SDR 👾in the future
4:44 DNT, nice. I was always a "Stabo" guy during my CB radio years. I even rigged it (shhhh, don't tell) to connect it to an external antenna. I think I am fine with admitting this, because the statute of limitations have expired long ago, and I live in "exile" now in the US ;)
Thank your
It would, indeed, be interesting to explore the possibilities using a more modern multicore microcontroller.
(Dreaming of things like spectrum, maybe even waterfall, but also all kinds of digital modes.)
The latest firmware for Trusdx has a frequency scope
@@nehem11e i know, and its a miracle (not really: its the result of really incentive programming work). But getting everything possible out of a tiny microcontroller is - with, again lots of respect for the work of Guido! - more hobby than practical now there are way more powerful controllers available for a few cents more.
Josh, what hand-mic is that? I have been looking and asking around. I would rather NOT make a cord if I can find one that works.
I wish I knew. It came with some other Chinese radio.
This was great. I bought one based on your review and others. I wanted something smaller and lighter than my KX3 for outdoor use. I wish a 10-20 version had been available as it seems like an outdoor radio should have bands that work in daylight! Anyway AliE/Uptech sent me TWO units as my order was somehow duplicated. If they do not allow me to return one, I guess I'll try to modify it for the top bands. Did I understand correctly that it could be done ONLY by replacing caps, 'in order' as Manuel said? Or is it also required to rewind toroids, or make other mods? Or could I just buy a replacement RF board? Actually I really want 6/10/12/15/17 as they are the bands I actually use during the day. 72, VE7VIE and WV2J
Yeah. They have a high band option now. Check it out.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I did, but it isn't clear that you can replace the RF board with no other changes, or if an ASSEMBLED top band RF board would be available.
@@barrybogart5436 I suggest you reach out to the truSDX web forums on that question. But I believe the answer is you can just swap the RF board.
Thank you.
Have you considered hf transiever with 1 single frequencie? This is a requirement for certain companies using maritime sets. Non ham operators are not allowed change frequincies.
Sorry, I know this is a year later, but this is where the open-source uSDX (which is also Guido's design) could be used: it would just be a matter of hard-coding the frequency in the firmware so that the frequency could not be changed. However, most countries require FCC type acceptance for all non-amateur radio transmitters, so there would be some additional expense involved.
Question: One thing not discussed seems to be what antenna would be appropriate for a true noob. Not all of us is a Josh with a long suffering wife and too much metal on our roof.
I have a K6ARK EFHW that I use. Works great