Hi Walt. Yes I agree with you with the whole QRP bit.. Like you said it brings you up the list and as the low power station you need all the help you can get. It's nice to see people holding the pile up to bring you in. I has a similar thing the other day on a 2m net pile up. I was brought to the front of the list as I was the only station mobile. Nice job Motters M7TRS 🇬🇧 73 👍🏻
Yes, agree, "QRP" can help. Many stations will give priority to /QRP, /P, /M. I have heard and experienced this many times. Just goes to show, when the propagation is right, a few Watts is all you need 😉. One possible dilema is, "what is QRP"? It is well accepted that for CW/digi, this is 5W average or less. However, for SSB some consider the PEP limit to be 5, 10 or 20W. For some SSB contests, I think I have seen "low power" defined as 100W or less!
Hi Walt, many thanks for another great video. I purchased a Slidewinder after seeing your results, this is going to be paired with a uSDX+Plus and a QRP-40 ATU. Amazed that you are DXing over such a distance using QRP. Excited to get to the beach to test mine :) 73
Awesome, I have the uSDX+ as well and I like that little rig. You'll love the Slidewinder and get ready to be amazed when you hit the beach with it. Good DX and 73! Walt K4OGO
Nice. Those little bricks are great radios. I modded mine to have a better volume control. Sweet little radio, sometimes I think it’s better ‘n the X5105. 73 de W8IJN
Well done, I enjoyed this video Walt. Looks like a you had a great time out there. While I may not agree with signing QRP I would not complain or fault someone for it either. I just don't think it's necessary.
Thanks for watching, I try to make my videos short and direct. I’m sure folks would rather go out and make their own contacts instead of watching mine LOL
Thanks for watching! It’s a fun little radio. I’ll be operating in Europe all of August and September as SP/K4OGO, hope to catch you on the bands! 73, Walt
Man, I've really been enjoying your videos. I just discovered your channel after renewing my license a couple weeks ago. Your reviews of these little QRP radios are especially interesting! Do you have any advice for a Tech (hope to upgrade soon) that wants to get into QRP? Right now I'm kinda QRP with my old Radio Shack 10m rig (25w) but I would rather have something I can easily take down to the beach or out camping with. So I'm looking for something small, beginner friendly, and with SSB modes.
There are two radios I would absolutely recommend and that’s the Xiegu X5105 and the Xiegu G90. Both have built in ATUs. X5105 is 5 watts and has internal battery. G90 (my favorite) has an output up to 20 watts and has a SDR screen. Thanks so much for the kind words and I hope to catch you on the bands!!
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES funny enough I just got to try out the G90 and I love it. Not as portable as I'd like but man it sure seems like a lot of radio for the price! Thank you very much for the reply.
Another great one, Walt. I upgraded to General after being inspired by your channel and some others. I am about to get my first qrp rig. Curious if you have a preference between the uSDX or the (tr)uSDX. I have been leaning towards the (tr)u, because of the quality control oversight from DL2MAN, but I like that the uSDX runs 8 bands. If you had to choose one, which would it be? Thx mate!
I love the little (tr)uSDX but I would absolutely get this uSDX over it as a first QRP rig. This rig with external power will give you 10 watts, plus the extra bands. I really like the 17 meter band when portable. This thing is also very solid with the metal case compared to the plastic (tr)uSDX. With the internal battery this by far is my choice for a first QRP rig.
Thanks Mike! I got mine on the Chinese site Banggood. I’ve had others ask me this as well and went back to the seller’s site and they don’t carry it anymore. I’ve also done a uSDX search on the site and have found nothing. I’ve seen a couple US sellers on eBay that offer them which may be the way to go because it took over 6 weeks to get mine in the mail.
Hi Walt, I have the same radio and have been surprised how well it works. Unfortunately, something has recently happened to my audio signal. Getting reports saying my audio is muffled and distorted. Guessing it's something internal in radio. Any thoughts on what to check and where to get parts, if needed? Tried resetting back to factory settings but no luck. Thanks.
I have occasionally gotten muffled reports with mine as well. I’ve lowered the mic gain a little and it’s gone away. I really don’t know of any internal fixes but you might want to tinker with the mic connection and mic gain and see what happens
Great video Walt. Truly inspirational. Can you pls advise the construction idea of the WHIP ANTENNA used by you in the video. 73s De VU3OSA Mumbai INDIA 🇮🇳
@@emanoeldeoliveira8943 I’m not sure of the total life but I have used it for about 3 hours straight without issue. That’s a good question, I’ll have to test it in the future for accurate numbers.
Another great frustrating video. lol. I work portable QRP here in S. California with different antennas. I spend hours trying to find even one QSO on any band, never mind dx. The bands here suck. No matter where I operate, wether the beach or the mountains, the same story. I am wondering if anyone else in S. California is having the same issue. I use a KX2 plus a few other QRP rigs on cw and ssb. 73's WA6MOW
Man that sucks. Would be interesting to hear from other California QRPers. I worked QRP in Hawaii and was successful although it took a long time just to make a couple contacts. I guess I'm very lucky to be in the location I'm at. Thanks for watching and 73! K4OGO
Honestly this spot right here which I guess we call bay side because the surf is not so rough which makes things a lot easier. But the best DX I’ve ever worked is in the Outer Banks of NC which could have just been a good day condition wise but I almost always make incredible contacts down there on the ocean. I once had a QRP contact there on the ocean with a guy in Moscow that said I was 59 plus 10 and he didn’t believe I was QRP LOL.
2.5mm I.D. straight DC power plug with an O.D. of 5.5mm. It's the same power jack I use for my Xiegu X5105. Good luck with your new radio. 73, Walt K4OGO
The uSDX was purchased on Banggood: usa.banggood.com/Portable-uSDX-8-Band-SDR-All-Mode-Transceiver-USB,LSB,CW,AM,FM-HF-SSB-QRP-Transceiver-QCX-SSB-with-Battery-p-1915485.html?cur_warehouse=CN&ID=515244&rmmds=account-you-may-also-like The antenna and coil are available from M0ECC Antennas: www.m1ecc-antennas.co.uk/
Hi Walt: Thanks for the video - i really enjoy your channel. I have both the (TR) uSDX and the uSdx (the "brick") and I enjoy using both. Keep up the good work. 73 de AE6FE
I purchased mine on Banggood, it took a long time to arrive but obviously worth the wait as mine functions well. Here’s the link: usa-m.banggood.com/Portable-uSDX-8-Band-SDR-All-Mode-Transceiver-USB,LSB,CW,AM,FM-HF-SSB-QRP-Transceiver-QCX-SSB-with-Battery-p-1915485.html?rmmds=search&act_poa=POA9298445&cur_warehouse=CN
It’s a Manpack HF whip, basically a folding military antenna. Here’s the link: www.m1ecc-antennas.co.uk/Slidewinder_DX_Portable_antenna/cat7313407_4884748.aspx 73, K4OGO
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Many thanks , Walt! You're so "quick on the trigger"! Any difference between the Mantech and other military style antennas that I should be aware of? Thanks, 73 N4ANO
@@usernamemykel not really and I found that same antenna on Amazon, I use it on my Wolf River Coil as well. It works 10 meters without coil with decent SWR. I think it’s 112 inches long
Yes I’ve been experimenting with radials in the ocean for quite a while. I’m starting to believe it’s not very noticeable. Thanks for watching! 73 K4OGO
Yeah but look at who you're working. Big guns on mountain tops or 200 foot towers with 4 element Yagis. These are the same guys on the radio every single day, over and over again. There's no merit in that. Anybody can work that. What you should do, and you CAN do, is spend a day and make a long video working 100 watt and a wire stations. I run 100 watts most time and I've worked many QRP stations. So you can too. Forget these easy DX stations. Work it for real man. And post another great video like this because the idea and location was brilliant! Also I agree that you should always say QRP at the end. Well done video. Heed my suggestion please :)
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Not a criticism at all. Please don't take it that way. Accept a suggestion. Maybe it's something you never thought about before. I can't praise you enough for your great videos. Hope you simply keep in my mind what I said. That's what an open comment section is for : )
@@624radicalham sorry, I took “there’s no merit in that” and “anybody can work that” as being critical. I guess we’ll call it constructive criticism. I could post several videos working 100 watt guys but I’ve found that most of those contacts I make are with POTA guys and UA-cam has plenty of POTA videos I really don’t need to post another one. As far as DX contacts I’ve done that (see the mag loop video). I try to keep my videos short, I’m trying to focus more on the rig, antenna, setup, etc. not so much a bunch of QSO’s. Just trying to show that something works. All the best and good DX. 73/K4OGO
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES It works and that it does. My comment relates to my experience in hearing many new hams overjoyed working DX not realizing they are working the same 6 stations that can hear a pin drop on the other side of the world. So yes, there is no real merit in that and anybody can work them. Your answer demonstrates you seem to know better and that's great. After a while one realizes there is more challenge in NOT working those same 6 stations. As a proof of concept for a wonderful, lightweight, portable station it was a superb success. Do what you want in your hobby. Do not be so sensitive to comments on an open forum. All the best
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Let me add please that you seem like a great guy and your video quality and framing is awesome. Not every comment is going to be a high five. Some people actually think and have opinions hihi. Look forward to seeing more of your content. 73
I’m thinking about ordering one. Do you have to worry about SWR feedback into unit ?? One guy ,forget his channel, took it apart looks well-built on the inside. I think he was in London. Any information on the SWR, which should be appreciated thank you !! KE4TDG. < 73
I ordered one with the Ham Geek tunable telescoping vertical ? Should get me started out !! Not sure if my LDG auto tuner will go that low ?? Ke4tdg 73
So sweet for TI5VMJ to clear the frequency for a QRP..NICE!
Gee, that was fun! Motivating me to keep studying for my General.
Thanks for watching! Good luck with the General!! 73, Walt K4OGO
Totally agree Walt always use the QRP suffix,makes a difference in a pile-up.
Yes it does! Thanks for watching, 73
Hi Walt. Yes I agree with you with the whole QRP bit.. Like you said it brings you up the list and as the low power station you need all the help you can get. It's nice to see people holding the pile up to bring you in.
I has a similar thing the other day on a 2m net pile up. I was brought to the front of the list as I was the only station mobile. Nice job
Motters M7TRS 🇬🇧 73 👍🏻
Thanks so much, yes I just don’t understand why anyone would have an issue with it. Thanks for watching! 73, Walt 🇺🇸 K4OGO
Nicely done! I love minimalist operation and you hit it out of the park!
Thank you so much and thanks for watching! 73/K4OGO
Really impressed with the quality
I think I got a good one. I’ve seen some pretty bad reviews of this radio but mine is a solid winner.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks I also commented on your FB post. Have you tried using external power for 10w?
@@3asyrider75 yes I’m my first video with this the QSO to Wisconsin is on an external battery.
Yes, agree, "QRP" can help. Many stations will give priority to /QRP, /P, /M. I have heard and experienced this many times. Just goes to show, when the propagation is right, a few Watts is all you need 😉. One possible dilema is, "what is QRP"? It is well accepted that for CW/digi, this is 5W average or less. However, for SSB some consider the PEP limit to be 5, 10 or 20W. For some SSB contests, I think I have seen "low power" defined as 100W or less!
Fantastic video. Cheers from Chicago.
Thanks! Cheers!
Another enjoyable video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for the kind words!
Hi Walt, many thanks for another great video. I purchased a Slidewinder after seeing your results, this is going to be paired with a uSDX+Plus and a QRP-40 ATU. Amazed that you are DXing over such a distance using QRP. Excited to get to the beach to test mine :) 73
Awesome, I have the uSDX+ as well and I like that little rig. You'll love the Slidewinder and get ready to be amazed when you hit the beach with it. Good DX and 73! Walt K4OGO
Nice. Those little bricks are great radios. I modded mine to have a better volume control. Sweet little radio, sometimes I think it’s better ‘n the X5105. 73 de W8IJN
I love mine, sure has a lot better audio than my X5105. Thanks for watching! 73, Walt K4OGO
How cool, I’ve gotta get over to the beach and do that. I’ll add it to my bucket list!
You'll be amazed at the dB gain you'll get being beside the salt water. Thanks for watching!
@@walthudson5884 is it also the case that static noise is lower when listening by the ocean?
Yes, I've found that to be true especially when band conditions are good. 73, Walt K4OGO
Can't beat being on the beach!
It's the best! I'm blessed to live here, saves me money on amplifiers LOL
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES O mar é o melhor amplificador LOL
Well done, I enjoyed this video Walt. Looks like a you had a great time out there. While I may not agree with signing QRP I would not complain or fault someone for it either. I just don't think it's necessary.
Thanks for watching!
Short and sweet. Thanks for the stats (distances)
Thanks for watching, I try to make my videos short and direct. I’m sure folks would rather go out and make their own contacts instead of watching mine LOL
Totally agree Walt --- definitely use "QRP" after my call or else I would have no chance in pile ups. Heck, chances are slim enough. 73
Yes indeed, we QRPers need all the help we can get! 73
Very nice video and demonstration of the radio. I'm thinking about getting one too. Greetings from Europe OK1MBA 73.
Thanks for watching! It’s a fun little radio. I’ll be operating in Europe all of August and September as SP/K4OGO, hope to catch you on the bands! 73, Walt
Nice job!!!! Love working with salt water vertical!!!!!!
Me too! As they say "Horizontal by land, Vertical by sea". Thanks for watching! 73, Walt K4OGO
That was super cool, QRP is so much fun. Great video. -KI5WPJ
Thanks!!! 73 de K4OGO
That salt water amplifier sure does a lot for ya. :)
Great contacts.
Thanks Adam! It’s was a great evening.
Man, I've really been enjoying your videos. I just discovered your channel after renewing my license a couple weeks ago. Your reviews of these little QRP radios are especially interesting! Do you have any advice for a Tech (hope to upgrade soon) that wants to get into QRP? Right now I'm kinda QRP with my old Radio Shack 10m rig (25w) but I would rather have something I can easily take down to the beach or out camping with. So I'm looking for something small, beginner friendly, and with SSB modes.
There are two radios I would absolutely recommend and that’s the Xiegu X5105 and the Xiegu G90. Both have built in ATUs. X5105 is 5 watts and has internal battery. G90 (my favorite) has an output up to 20 watts and has a SDR screen. Thanks so much for the kind words and I hope to catch you on the bands!!
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES funny enough I just got to try out the G90 and I love it. Not as portable as I'd like but man it sure seems like a lot of radio for the price! Thank you very much for the reply.
Well done Walt, de 4X1PD 73!
Thank you!! 73!
Another great one, Walt. I upgraded to General after being inspired by your channel and some others. I am about to get my first qrp rig. Curious if you have a preference between the uSDX or the (tr)uSDX. I have been leaning towards the (tr)u, because of the quality control oversight from DL2MAN, but I like that the uSDX runs 8 bands. If you had to choose one, which would it be? Thx mate!
I love the little (tr)uSDX but I would absolutely get this uSDX over it as a first QRP rig. This rig with external power will give you 10 watts, plus the extra bands. I really like the 17 meter band when portable. This thing is also very solid with the metal case compared to the plastic (tr)uSDX. With the internal battery this by far is my choice for a first QRP rig.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I couldn't agree more!
@@Bootyhunter1971 thank you!
Walt, that's fantastic....great DX. My FT-818 has died. I think that I'll try one of these.
These are great radios for the price. Not the best radio you can buy but for $150 it’s worth having.
LAURO - GRO Great guy, talked to him all the time 🙂
That was awesome!
Thanks for watching! 73/K4OGO
Hi Walt, where did you get this red version? 73, love your channel.
Thanks Mike! I got mine on the Chinese site Banggood. I’ve had others ask me this as well and went back to the seller’s site and they don’t carry it anymore. I’ve also done a uSDX search on the site and have found nothing. I’ve seen a couple US sellers on eBay that offer them which may be the way to go because it took over 6 weeks to get mine in the mail.
i liked VA beach... good buddy of mine and his wife used to own Lynnehaven pier
Cool! I was very close to the old Lynnhaven pier in this video!
Nice job Walt! Look at you get'n all down with your funky self and slamm'n DX! 73 - KF6IF
Hahaha thanks Phil, 73!
Hi Walt, I have the same radio and have been surprised how well it works. Unfortunately, something has recently happened to my audio signal. Getting reports saying my audio is muffled and distorted. Guessing it's something internal in radio. Any thoughts on what to check and where to get parts, if needed? Tried resetting back to factory settings but no luck. Thanks.
I have occasionally gotten muffled reports with mine as well. I’ve lowered the mic gain a little and it’s gone away. I really don’t know of any internal fixes but you might want to tinker with the mic connection and mic gain and see what happens
haha.. I got a big smile when you did on the Brazil call listening to his reaction, LOL.. Good job.. fun stuff.. thx for the entertainment.. k0klb
Thanks so much Kevin!!!
Nice 👍
Thanks!
Great video Walt. Truly inspirational.
Can you pls advise the construction idea of the WHIP ANTENNA used by you in the video.
73s
De VU3OSA
Mumbai
INDIA 🇮🇳
Thank you! Yes I purchased the antenna from www.m1ecc-antennas.co.uk
73, Walt K4OGO 🇺🇸
great job 73 from kb2uew
Thank you! 73 de K4OGO
wow how amazing. is it really easy to get contacts with so little power?
Yes in the right location with the right antenna
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES What is the output power when using the equipment's internal battery?
@@emanoeldeoliveira8943 about 5 to 7 watts.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Interesting. What is the average battery life in this power range?
@@emanoeldeoliveira8943 I’m not sure of the total life but I have used it for about 3 hours straight without issue. That’s a good question, I’ll have to test it in the future for accurate numbers.
Can you please guide me about the antenna you are using.
Hi Neil, I did a video on the antenna and all the info is in the description: ua-cam.com/video/STSgwGDhtZk/v-deo.html
Another great frustrating video. lol. I work portable QRP here in S. California with different antennas. I spend hours trying to find even one QSO on any band, never mind dx. The bands here suck. No matter where I operate, wether the beach or the mountains, the same story. I am wondering if anyone else in S. California is having the same issue. I use a KX2 plus a few other QRP rigs on cw and ssb. 73's WA6MOW
Man that sucks. Would be interesting to hear from other California QRPers. I worked QRP in Hawaii and was successful although it took a long time just to make a couple contacts. I guess I'm very lucky to be in the location I'm at. Thanks for watching and 73! K4OGO
FINALLY UTUBERS THAT OPERATE......
Thanks for watching!
What do you like better: bay side or ocean side? 73 de K3JRZ
Honestly this spot right here which I guess we call bay side because the surf is not so rough which makes things a lot easier. But the best DX I’ve ever worked is in the Outer Banks of NC which could have just been a good day condition wise but I almost always make incredible contacts down there on the ocean. I once had a QRP contact there on the ocean with a guy in Moscow that said I was 59 plus 10 and he didn’t believe I was QRP LOL.
Can you tell me the size of the external power jack on that bad boy? I've got one coming from China and need to get to work making cables for it.
2.5mm I.D. straight DC power plug with an O.D. of 5.5mm. It's the same power jack I use for my Xiegu X5105. Good luck with your new radio. 73, Walt K4OGO
whats the ali link for the uSDX you used here? also ow much and model of antenna?
The uSDX was purchased on Banggood:
usa.banggood.com/Portable-uSDX-8-Band-SDR-All-Mode-Transceiver-USB,LSB,CW,AM,FM-HF-SSB-QRP-Transceiver-QCX-SSB-with-Battery-p-1915485.html?cur_warehouse=CN&ID=515244&rmmds=account-you-may-also-like
The antenna and coil are available from M0ECC Antennas:
www.m1ecc-antennas.co.uk/
Hi Walt:
Thanks for the video - i really enjoy your channel. I have both the (TR) uSDX and the uSdx (the "brick") and I enjoy using both.
Keep up the good work.
73 de AE6FE
Thank you so much! 73/K4OGO
Please post link to purchase one.
I purchased mine on Banggood, it took a long time to arrive but obviously worth the wait as mine functions well. Here’s the link:
usa-m.banggood.com/Portable-uSDX-8-Band-SDR-All-Mode-Transceiver-USB,LSB,CW,AM,FM-HF-SSB-QRP-Transceiver-QCX-SSB-with-Battery-p-1915485.html?rmmds=search&act_poa=POA9298445&cur_warehouse=CN
Interested in the antenna setup - Did you say" Mantech HF Collapsible Whip? May I have a source link, please?
Many aquatic thanks!
It’s a Manpack HF whip, basically a folding military antenna. Here’s the link:
www.m1ecc-antennas.co.uk/Slidewinder_DX_Portable_antenna/cat7313407_4884748.aspx
73, K4OGO
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES
Many thanks , Walt! You're so "quick on the trigger"!
Any difference between the Mantech and other military style antennas that I should be aware of?
Thanks, 73 N4ANO
@@usernamemykel not really and I found that same antenna on Amazon, I use it on my Wolf River Coil as well. It works 10 meters without coil with decent SWR. I think it’s 112 inches long
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Great to know - thanks!
What's the setting you have
hola en donde compro esa antena esa antena?
It would be interesting if you put on a few more radials , to see if it made any noticeable difference . 2E0GQL
Yes I’ve been experimenting with radials in the ocean for quite a while. I’m starting to believe it’s not very noticeable. Thanks for watching! 73 K4OGO
The salt water probably did more of the work for you than the radio. I have one and I'm really disappointed in it.
WTF?? 5 watts? With a vertical?? Antenna tuner?
It’s all about the saltwater ground plane!
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES damn. That's super impressive!
💎💎💎💎👋💎💎💎💎👋🍀
Como se llama la antena
Slidewinder DX by M1ECC Antennas
Yeah but look at who you're working. Big guns on mountain tops or 200 foot towers with 4 element Yagis. These are the same guys on the radio every single day, over and over again. There's no merit in that. Anybody can work that. What you should do, and you CAN do, is spend a day and make a long video working 100 watt and a wire stations. I run 100 watts most time and I've worked many QRP stations. So you can too. Forget these easy DX stations. Work it for real man. And post another great video like this because the idea and location was brilliant! Also I agree that you should always say QRP at the end. Well done video. Heed my suggestion please :)
Thanks for watching. Just checked out your UA-cam channel. Interesting criticism. Good luck and 73
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Not a criticism at all. Please don't take it that way. Accept a suggestion. Maybe it's something you never thought about before. I can't praise you enough for your great videos. Hope you simply keep in my mind what I said. That's what an open comment section is for : )
@@624radicalham sorry, I took “there’s no merit in that” and “anybody can work that” as being critical. I guess we’ll call it constructive criticism. I could post several videos working 100 watt guys but I’ve found that most of those contacts I make are with POTA guys and UA-cam has plenty of POTA videos I really don’t need to post another one. As far as DX contacts I’ve done that (see the mag loop video). I try to keep my videos short, I’m trying to focus more on the rig, antenna, setup, etc. not so much a bunch of QSO’s. Just trying to show that something works. All the best and good DX. 73/K4OGO
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES It works and that it does. My comment relates to my experience in hearing many new hams overjoyed working DX not realizing they are working the same 6 stations that can hear a pin drop on the other side of the world. So yes, there is no real merit in that and anybody can work them. Your answer demonstrates you seem to know better and that's great. After a while one realizes there is more challenge in NOT working those same 6 stations. As a proof of concept for a wonderful, lightweight, portable station it was a superb success. Do what you want in your hobby. Do not be so sensitive to comments on an open forum. All the best
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Let me add please that you seem like a great guy and your video quality and framing is awesome. Not every comment is going to be a high five. Some people actually think and have opinions hihi. Look forward to seeing more of your content. 73
Amazing! 73 de US7IGN!
Thanks for watching! 73 de K4OGO
I’m thinking about ordering one. Do you have to worry about SWR feedback into unit ?? One guy ,forget his channel, took it apart looks well-built on the inside. I think he was in London. Any information on the SWR, which should be appreciated thank you !! KE4TDG. < 73
Using only resonant antennas I’ve not had any issues with feedback into the unit. 73, K4OGO
I ordered one with the Ham Geek tunable telescoping vertical ? Should get me started out !! Not sure if my LDG auto tuner will go that low ?? Ke4tdg 73