Mat, I believe the incandescent bulb is used as a fusible link for the SDR and is in series withe the coax center conductor. The neon bulb is supplying static protection. John, k0ebc
Thanks for the great video overview. I got mine today and replaced the MFJ switch for my Icom IC-9100. When I turned it on, the red TX light was lit, and SDR did not work (SDRUno). I finally figured out that even though I didn't need to connect anything to the "SEND" port in the back, I did need to put a plug into that port to defeat the transmit and allow receive to occur. Once I did that, SDRUno received perfectly with the TX light no longer lit until I was actually transmitting on the radio. The one drawback to this unit is a lack of instructions. Otherwise I love it.
Another quality video Mat. The SDR switch you featured 3 years ago is currently selling for $44 USD. The MX-S1 is $122 USD. How would you explain the cost difference? They both seem to do exactly the same thing although the cheaper one goes up to 160 MHz. Thoughts?
4 Relays, wow. I wonder how good the isolation is between TX and SDR at 60 MHz? I also wonder how they split the receive RF between the HF Transceiver and the SDR? Do they just connect them in parallel? I believe the Toroid in the right is probably for the SWR bridge, and I don't see anything that looks like a 2 way rf divider.
The MFJ unit has a control for the T/R switching delay with a minimum delay of, I believe, 50 milliseconds. This is too slow to support QSK keying. Does the MXS1 provide any indication of its switching delay time?
I tapped the IF on my TS-850 and could use an RTL-SDR receiver. It did not last long before RF in the shack blew the SDR chip. You have to be very careful about isolation.
@@danielymilva I've never used it but I think it just allows you to also switch the audio source as well. I suppose if you wanted to use monitor on the transceiver when transmitting for example. Then you'd have SDR audio only for receive.
in the first one you showed I'm working, but with the jumper to hear the reception sound from the transceiver it gives two outputs. One for the transceiver and one for the sdr, they have 25 ohm impedance each. Did they fix this? does anyone know?
Is there any appreciable attenuation caused by this new kit? I watched a video just before this on a new feature in SDRAngel. I’m curious about the attenuation because the signal in the SDRAngel vid was neatly buried in the noise floor and if it had been attenuated even slightly the signal would’ve never been discernible. Thanks for the video!
Yes, exactly that. But you need to connect an SDR to the SDR connection on the switch, as shown and demonstrated in the video. If you have the 7100, then check out one of my past videos where I show how to tap into the low level RX output. That way you do not need a switch. Cheers
Or a 101d, FTDX3000, IC-7300 with PRTX board.... Loads of radios which have IF or RX out, so not entirely sure what value your comment makes. thanks though, always appreciated.
@TechMindsOfficial not sure about loads of radios, only a few as you mentioned. The 590 and ftdx3000 were top of my list when shopping because it included RX out, without any accessories switches or boards. My comment was to highlight that all modern radio's should include this feature.
I totally agree, I wish the FTDX 10 had an RF or IF out without modification, but I guess that’s one reason to buy the 101D. IC7300 has the PTRX board which works really well. I guess this switch is more geared towards radios that don’t have that option, cheers.
Mat, I believe the incandescent bulb is used as a fusible link for the SDR and is in series withe the coax center conductor. The neon bulb is supplying static protection. John, k0ebc
This is a relay with a baseband audio tap. I would add a diode in the SDR antenna line.
Thanks for the great video overview. I got mine today and replaced the MFJ switch for my Icom IC-9100. When I turned it on, the red TX light was lit, and SDR did not work (SDRUno). I finally figured out that even though I didn't need to connect anything to the "SEND" port in the back, I did need to put a plug into that port to defeat the transmit and allow receive to occur. Once I did that, SDRUno received perfectly with the TX light no longer lit until I was actually transmitting on the radio. The one drawback to this unit is a lack of instructions. Otherwise I love it.
Very nice and the fact that you can change frequencies at the same time is a plus.. Bringing life to old rigs!! Good stuff!
make a vidoe on how to hook everything up from the begging to the end to the monitor please KD9JRU
Another quality video Mat. The SDR switch you featured 3 years ago is currently selling for $44 USD. The MX-S1 is $122 USD. How would you explain the cost difference? They both seem to do exactly the same thing although the cheaper one goes up to 160 MHz. Thoughts?
Link to the $44 version?
ua-cam.com/video/jKqXBvsrGsI/v-deo.htmlsi=VVPNWHCrVGjMoN9H
Bidenomics and inflation radio gear I bought 4 years ago at a good price now sells 50 to 100 percent more .
@@DCDura ua-cam.com/video/jKqXBvsrGsI/v-deo.htmlsi=bbQMtEC6fDs-8uRW
The $44 dollar one comes from Banggood and I've had one 2 years on my FTDX10 for over 2y without problems.
Great piece of kit. I may need to look into it:)
A very handy bit of kit Matt, the board looks very tidy
Thanks Mat! Another FB review. 73.
My pleasure!
4 Relays, wow. I wonder how good the isolation is between TX and SDR at 60 MHz? I also wonder how they split the receive RF between the HF Transceiver and the SDR? Do they just connect them in parallel? I believe the Toroid in the right is probably for the SWR bridge, and I don't see anything that looks like a 2 way rf divider.
Wouldn't a diode in the SDR antenna protect the SDR from any TX power from the radio going into the SDR ?
The MFJ unit has a control for the T/R switching delay with a minimum delay of, I believe, 50 milliseconds. This is too slow to support QSK keying. Does the MXS1 provide any indication of its switching delay time?
Thanks, Matt 👍
My pleasure!
What’s the insertion loss of the switch?
Nice overview video, God bless.
I tapped the IF on my TS-850 and could use an RTL-SDR receiver. It did not last long before RF in the shack blew the SDR chip. You have to be very careful about isolation.
The discount code is not working outside UK and Australia 🙂
Looks like it worked for me in the US.
I know it says that it's only rated up through 6m, but does anyone know if it will work on VHF/UHF, say up to 432 Mhz?
Well done as usual!!! Thanks Mat!! 73 de N9RAN
Thank you too!
I have (and still prefer) the old one - this is almost triple the price for a few LED's...
Hi, I also have the "old" one but have difficulties to figure out for what there are these sockets SDR, TRX, AUDIO OUT. Can you help?
@@danielymilva I've never used it but I think it just allows you to also switch the audio source as well. I suppose if you wanted to use monitor on the transceiver when transmitting for example. Then you'd have SDR audio only for receive.
@@stewartrv Thank you for your feedback Sterwart. Will try this.
hi Mat, interessting as always. Does the unit come with manual because there are quiet some interfacing possibilities?
Could you use this on a 10/12 meter rig?
in the first one you showed I'm working, but with the jumper to hear the reception sound from the transceiver it gives two outputs. One for the transceiver and one for the sdr, they have 25 ohm impedance each. Did they fix this? does anyone know?
Great ...
Is there any appreciable attenuation caused by this new kit? I watched a video just before this on a new feature in SDRAngel. I’m curious about the attenuation because the signal in the SDRAngel vid was neatly buried in the noise floor and if it had been attenuated even slightly the signal would’ve never been discernible.
Thanks for the video!
Can you explain exactly what this does ? I have the 7100 too. Does this provide a full color scope on your computer?
Yes, exactly that. But you need to connect an SDR to the SDR connection on the switch, as shown and demonstrated in the video. If you have the 7100, then check out one of my past videos where I show how to tap into the low level RX output. That way you do not need a switch. Cheers
Or buy a Kenwood 590 sg that does it for you
Or a 101d, FTDX3000, IC-7300 with PRTX board.... Loads of radios which have IF or RX out, so not entirely sure what value your comment makes. thanks though, always appreciated.
@TechMindsOfficial not sure about loads of radios, only a few as you mentioned. The 590 and ftdx3000 were top of my list when shopping because it included RX out, without any accessories switches or boards. My comment was to highlight that all modern radio's should include this feature.
I totally agree, I wish the FTDX 10 had an RF or IF out without modification, but I guess that’s one reason to buy the 101D. IC7300 has the PTRX board which works really well. I guess this switch is more geared towards radios that don’t have that option, cheers.
De vu2sto