Oh man I cannot thank you enough for this... there is literally zero instructions online and have been struggling with cabling for days... Would love to see when you made CAT as well.
Mine works extremely well. I just use my simple interface. Mic, and Spkr connection from an old earpiece wire etc. No cat control. Works perfectly on my DIY mag loop. Vid = "FT8 Digital Mode. Ham Radio. Magnetic Loop Aerial" cheers from old George
@@LB0FI The only thing I have done is fitting matching resistors such as 10ohm to simulate loads loadspkr is connected and 35ohm left and right channel to simulate headphones connected on phone I use. Plenty vids on my Ham Radio playlists etc. George
I'm using a USB sound card into my laptop, and finally found some useful settings: Speaker 10%. Mic 50%. On the radio: Vol 7, Filter full, AGC off, Vox on, Noise Gate 12. Only using JS8Call so far. Also, found some 4 pole 3.5mm plugs on Amazon, color coded for easy wiring (tip=red, 2nd=white ground), to any 3 pole 3.5mm plug (tip=wire, 3rd=ground).
I wanted to put my µSDR on FT8 but didn't want to deal with not having schematics, putting in time on a maybe, spending time on a mode that I only use from time to time, and isolation and ground loop issues between various devices. My solution was to acoustically couple the µSDR to my smartphone. Just like the old FAX machines. I made a video about it and it's a fast and dirty method. I don't know if UA-cam allows pasting a link in a comment section however if you search for my video by name I'm sure you will find it. The name of the video I posted is: "Acoustic coupling a µSDR transceiver to work FT8 on a smartphone or tablet." Good job on the cables Morten and thanks for providing the info on hard wiring in the audio cables. FT8 isn't the most pleasant sound HI HI. 73,
FYI this setup works excellent on JS8Call as well. No CAT control needed for me, as I only use a 40m NVIS antenna configuration. Now... can this little radio work with Winlink... 😎
I fight with ft8 long time . Today is success 🎉. Now need litlle setings beaciuse sometimes RX/TX is like crazy but FT8 start working . Thank You for the plug audio/ mike description.
@@LB0FI I love QRP portable. camping and trips. I bought this radio without knowing its options. for such little money it is really great. Thank you very much. without instructions was a problem for me and many who bought them. Greetings from Poland, SQ8MFQ (now more on QRP)
I tried many times but I could not get a stable tx. I tried to make a cat cable but it didn't work. Looks like I've missed a lot of settings on this radio. Thank you for the informative video. Please go on. TA2YNN 73.
Looking at the wiring I wonder , if a Signalink USB with a Yaesu type cable connector might do the trick,too..Wiring would be done at the jumpers area. Only one way to know! Only difference, if any, I have a red-corner USDR. Thanks for the helpful video !
You can use the CW-Key port as the Mic input, I have the same radio work well and I do FT8 using the VOX works well also with the VOX I use only two cables You do not need all that other junk to setup with
The connection became unstable. Somehow the whole thing was getting out of tune. So I put a 1 kohm resistor between the output from the PC and the microphone input to the trx. Now it broadcasts superbly. Noise gate 5
Great video Morten! I have a similar Chinese radio, the USDR+ (known as the "Red Corners") but I can't find info about the audio wiring. This one have the same connections like yours, SPK, TO-PA, UART, MIC and KEY. Do you have a guide or diagram to build the cables? Thanks in advance. Jorge VE3EAD
The closest thing to a diagram I have is what I show in the video. I have wired it the following way. The tip on the TRRS connector is wired to the tip of the TRS (Audio) and the outer ring of the TRRS connector is wired to the sleeve of the TRS connector (ground).
So I managed to break it up on vox. Noise gate 25. My microphone is wired differently. Grounding is at the plug. I will try to connect the cat tomorrow.
Thanks for the info. I don't think I am going to attempt a firmware update on this radio, as I would think the risk of bricking it is too high. As of a proper review I don't think I am going to do that. I have a couple of videos out on that radio, and more are coming.
@@LB0FI My radio shows version 1.02v (spose to have CAT) and I have a USB serial adaptor, I will try it out and let you know. For the time being I made a cable up for the Mic port following your diagram and have been getting lots of FT8 contacts some up to 7000 kms away with just a short random wire/tuner. This is a great radio for FT8 and JS8CALL.
I have version 1.02v of the firmware/ USB serial adaptor and have tried everything to get CAT to work to no avail. There seems to be data coming out of the radio but even using a serial terminal I could not make sense of it. I can get the USB serial adaptor to talk back to itself so I know that works but no joy from the radio... still using VOX and audio cables which seems to work fine.
@@Centar1964 According to the USDR manual online, the UART CAT control uses a 4 barrel connector: Tip = RXD, 2nd = TXD, 3rd = RST, 4th = GND. Hope this helps.
@@dennycouncil2282 I'm the guy whose UA-cam channel you are being an a-hole commenter in. Here's another video for you: ua-cam.com/video/LVhoOQqk0fE/v-deo.html
Oh man I cannot thank you enough for this... there is literally zero instructions online and have been struggling with cabling for days... Would love to see when you made CAT as well.
You're more than welcome. I am not done playing with this little radio yet :)
This video is what a was looking for a loong time. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome!
Mine works extremely well. I just use my simple interface. Mic, and Spkr connection from an old earpiece wire etc. No cat control. Works perfectly on my DIY mag loop. Vid = "FT8 Digital Mode. Ham Radio. Magnetic Loop Aerial" cheers from old George
You absolutely do not need cat control, and as long as you keep it simple it usually just works.
@@LB0FI The only thing I have done is fitting matching resistors such as 10ohm to simulate loads loadspkr is connected and 35ohm left and right channel to simulate headphones connected on phone I use. Plenty vids on my Ham Radio playlists etc. George
According to the USDR manual online, the UART CAT control uses a 4 pole connector: Tip = RXD, 2nd = TXD, 3rd = RST, 4th = GND. Hope this helps.
I'm using a USB sound card into my laptop, and finally found some useful settings: Speaker 10%. Mic 50%. On the radio: Vol 7, Filter full, AGC off, Vox on, Noise Gate 12. Only using JS8Call so far.
Also, found some 4 pole 3.5mm plugs on Amazon, color coded for easy wiring (tip=red, 2nd=white ground), to any 3 pole 3.5mm plug (tip=wire, 3rd=ground).
JS8Call is all you need! I use JS8spotter together with JS8Call to easily send text and email via HF with the little 5 watt USDR. Works great!
Well done Morten, good work in making it work. Thanks for sharing, 73
Thanks for commenting!
Forgot to mention . They work well on SSTV as well with same interface I made. George
I wanted to put my µSDR on FT8 but didn't want to deal with not having schematics, putting in time on a maybe, spending time on a mode that I only use from time to time, and isolation and ground loop issues between various devices. My solution was to acoustically couple the µSDR to my smartphone. Just like the old FAX machines. I made a video about it and it's a fast and dirty method. I don't know if UA-cam allows pasting a link in a comment section however if you search for my video by name I'm sure you will find it.
The name of the video I posted is:
"Acoustic coupling a µSDR transceiver to work FT8 on a smartphone or tablet."
Good job on the cables Morten and thanks for providing the info on hard wiring in the audio cables. FT8 isn't the most pleasant sound HI HI.
73,
@@samradioman3843 There is a video on my channel as well. It's best to 10ohm load amplifier and around 30ohm to match earpieces etc. George
FYI this setup works excellent on JS8Call as well. No CAT control needed for me, as I only use a 40m NVIS antenna configuration. Now... can this little radio work with Winlink... 😎
Thanks you so much for this information. So hard to find info on this cool little uSDR radio (which I own).
You’re welcome!
Cool to see. Thank you.
You're welcome!
I fight with ft8 long time . Today is success 🎉. Now need litlle setings beaciuse sometimes RX/TX is like crazy but FT8 start working . Thank You for the plug audio/ mike description.
Happy to help!
@@LB0FI I love QRP portable. camping and trips. I bought this radio without knowing its options. for such little money it is really great. Thank you very much. without instructions was a problem for me and many who bought them. Greetings from Poland, SQ8MFQ (now more on QRP)
I tried many times but I could not get a stable tx. I tried to make a cat cable but it didn't work. Looks like I've missed a lot of settings on this radio. Thank you for the informative video. Please go on. TA2YNN 73.
Thanks! It was a matter of trial and error until I made it work. Next step is to get a working cat cable.
excellent I will to try it with my USDR , the best video I have seen from today, tks and 73 alain 8feo
Happy to help!
Nice work.
Looking at the wiring I wonder , if a Signalink USB with a Yaesu type cable connector might do the trick,too..Wiring would be done at the jumpers area. Only one way to know! Only difference, if any, I have a red-corner USDR. Thanks for the helpful video !
You can use the CW-Key port as the Mic input, I have the same radio work well and I do FT8 using the VOX works well also with the VOX I use only two cables You do not need all that other junk to setup with
The connection became unstable. Somehow the whole thing was getting out of tune. So I put a 1 kohm resistor between the output from the PC and the microphone input to the trx. Now it broadcasts superbly. Noise gate 5
Great video Morten! I have a similar Chinese radio, the USDR+ (known as the "Red Corners") but I can't find info about the audio wiring. This one have the same connections like yours, SPK, TO-PA, UART, MIC and KEY. Do you have a guide or diagram to build the cables? Thanks in advance. Jorge VE3EAD
The closest thing to a diagram I have is what I show in the video. I have wired it the following way. The tip on the TRRS connector is wired to the tip of the TRS (Audio) and the outer ring of the TRRS connector is wired to the sleeve of the TRS connector (ground).
@@LB0FI Thanks!
Thanks Morton I like js8 can you run js8call as well for a test on that rig. Cheers vk5cz..
I can see no reason why you shouldn't be able to do that. As I always say; Go ahead and try it!
So I managed to break it up on vox. Noise gate 25. My microphone is wired differently. Grounding is at the plug. I will try to connect the cat tomorrow.
For CAT control you need version w of the firmware. I'd like to see a review of this radio.
Thanks for the info. I don't think I am going to attempt a firmware update on this radio, as I would think the risk of bricking it is too high. As of a proper review I don't think I am going to do that. I have a couple of videos out on that radio, and more are coming.
@@LB0FI My radio shows version 1.02v (spose to have CAT) and I have a USB serial adaptor, I will try it out and let you know. For the time being I made a cable up for the Mic port following your diagram and have been getting lots of FT8 contacts some up to 7000 kms away with just a short random wire/tuner. This is a great radio for FT8 and JS8CALL.
I have version 1.02v of the firmware/ USB serial adaptor and have tried everything to get CAT to work to no avail. There seems to be data coming out of the radio but even using a serial terminal I could not make sense of it. I can get the USB serial adaptor to talk back to itself so I know that works but no joy from the radio... still using VOX and audio cables which seems to work fine.
@@Centar1964 According to the USDR manual online, the UART CAT control uses a 4 barrel connector: Tip = RXD, 2nd = TXD, 3rd = RST, 4th = GND. Hope this helps.
Is the TRRS connector the same as Apple/Android type (back when they had HP jacks)?
The connector is the same, but the wiring is not the same at all.
Link to your USB sound card?? Nice vid, thanks!!
Any cheap USB sound card will do.
Which Chinese uSDX did you buy? 73
I'm not exactly sure since I bought mine used, but it looks like this: www.banggood.com/custlink/3KDVep18AQ (affiliate link)
I have it working on one of the other USDX models..
Awesome
Hooked it up and radio won’t transmit any thoughts?
Check if it’s wired correctly
Great, I'll do a similar test with the FT8-CN Android app, respecting the connections, hoping that the tablet doesn't explode (LOL)
It probably will not 😀
Have you figured how to control Cat via Uart?
No, I have not unfortunately. No matter what settings I try, it won't connect.
@@LB0FIwhat kind of USB to uart interface did you tried?
but your schema shows PTT. why USB sound card? why not "regular one"
Honestly, I have no idea what you are asking. Please rephrase.
Merci beaucoup pour cette belle vidéo intéressante
Pouvais vous s'il vous plaît nous donner le schéma des câbles jack lié avec la carte son
73
There’s a diagram shown in the video.
pointless and meaningless! Of course it doesn't work!
How to tell me that you didn’t watch the video without saying that you didn’t watch the video. How’s your UA-cam channel doing?
@@LB0FI absolutely not true! The video shows NOTHING... not a single schematic or process of how to solder the makeshift "cable", no nothing!
@@LB0FI do I need UA-cam channel? What have I missed? I'm sorry, who are you?
@@dennycouncil2282 I'm the guy whose UA-cam channel you are being an a-hole commenter in. Here's another video for you: ua-cam.com/video/LVhoOQqk0fE/v-deo.html
@@LB0FI yeah... Sorry man... Forgive me!
Thank you, you answered my questions perfectly! I have everything I need, but a bit busy right now but I hope to be on FT8 in a few days. 73 CT7AOX.