Inspecting and disassembling an assembled (tr)uSDX from approved seller (China) - UNCUT and HONEST
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- čas přidán 9. 10. 2022
- I´ve requested a built (tr)uSDX from Sunny, after what happened to @loughkb. This is an uncut and honest experience, I´m sharing with the average customer, so you´re aware what you´ll get and what to look out for.... Take you some time, and please watch until the end...
- Věda a technologie
So, (ha), Certainly better than mine was, but I expected that. I've heard from others that inspected theirs and had much cleaner solder work. Most of the feedback I've had has been from people that received a working unit and have had no problems. I think overall, they're doing a decent job on assembling these. Mine was just a rare example.
I actually have to make another close pass inspection on mine. I'm still getting an occasional garbage display and reboot. Not very often, but once right in the middle of a QSO. I suspect there's still a bit of loose solder flake in there that's making an intermittent short on pins somewhere.
Other than that, I'm enjoying the little radio and have made many contacts with it on both CW and SSB.
After watching this I want to hug Sunny and thank her for checking all my boxes. I'm not that caring about flux left behind but I accept the standard of the designer. And Manuel - thank you for double-checking your test setup and showing that backend problems are real and the producton crew is not always to blame, necessarily. Manuel - I appreciate your integrity in this live test. At no point when results were questionable did you not double-check your setup. I now have a lot more confidence in my purchase. And isn't that what most matters? I haven't even made a contact with my (tr)uSDX because I don't have an antenna up yet, but I'm very confident that it is going to perform per the designer's wish. And mine.
I repaired and re-calibrated a NIST PCB and returned it to them. Then the next day I got a phone call from them. It seems they fully characterize all of their PCB's, and they really wanted to know why the board's noise floor had dropped an additional 10 dB from its previous reference levels. I told them I'd cleaned the flux off the board. That's the difference removing the flux can make on high impedance circuits.
Honestly, I figure hams who buy these rigs should go through them thoroughly and make everything just right. It's a matter of pride in your gear, your signal, and your hobby.
Mine, bought nearly a year back, along with the one I bought for Piero Begali, met all specs. Had many QSOs on both. Piero got his after Dayton Hamvention. I haven’t heard from him about his experiences, but I am very satisfied with mine. At the moment I have the high-band board kit in process but am stalled at the T2 windings. Can’t figure how the secondary is supposed to go, which wining sense to follow ;-). Great little radio. Works great. Oh, and the firmware revision is marvelous! 73 de W8IJN
Thank you for not cutting out that first section with the low output. I enjoyed watching how you worked to confirm the problem.
The real fun starts with troubleshooting ! And it´s always good to fail, as you only learn this way.
Even the group buy boards with soldering by jlcpcb come through sometimes with solder bridges and what look like suspect joints. I think perhaps the smart thing to do before the smoke test is to closely inspect and fix anything that seems lacking. I did soak one of my main boards in flux remover overnight before going over it with an ultrasonic tooth brush and the soak was too much, a part of the OLED display delaminated but I was able to glue it back together and it still funtions well. Removing all the flux does make inspection easier. Loved the video, not all the details could be clearly seen but the process was good and yes, those coax jumpers, including nice looking commercial ones that I bought, some times get flakey and intermittent.
I now have viewed the video and have gathered together all I require to carry out measurements and calculation and then if necessary adjust the Shunt in the menu section ..
Well done on the great explanation and video ....
I received my kit a month ago and only "problem" that I had was the T2 (got confused about the new 3 turns 21 turns setup). I really love this project! Good job man!
I’m stalled at the T2 winding. Need a foto so I can see how the winding sense goes on the secondary ;-) 73 de W8IJN
just purchased from your ebay approved seller. I paid the $9.99 for the 2 year insurance. Can't wait to try it out!
Soo, I think everyone involved can be happy that sunny is doing such a good job. And if we're sure it's just rosin, we don't need to be scared. But we have to be sure! Thanks for the video. And I don't want to know how many errors are blamed on it, which actually have their origin between the ears of the users. :-D Thank you Sunny!
Great guide on how to test a radio. Have you thought about publishing a diagram of known voltages or readings? Might be useful to track down other issues.
What the flux did I learn from this video ? Made in China is holding up it's reputation. That you for the honest and open review.
Hahahahaa.... you are a wise man (young ladies and old men... I'm an old man!)! Good troubleshooting on the dummy load, I was scared for a minute! Your logic and processes are quite superior... many people in many different areas of study or different industries or different sciences could learn much from your logic-flow!!! Also, your integrity as an engineer, designer, creator of things is quite superior as well. Most people create things and never empathize with the actual customer experience, and have no customer loyalty at all! I think your loyalty has to be quite high, because you are also a customer!!! And your self-censorship (beeeep) at 14:27 is hilarious!!!
tnx
Kudos for your diligence and the support you offer to your customers. Not sure how your distribution works but I was wondering if the supplier knew who you were when you ordered these test inspection units?
I´m just the designer. They are an independent company. They of course knew who got it, as they programmed my callsign in it. 73 Manuel; DL2MAN
Thank you Manuel, that’s very helpful, especially for beginners!
One question and one wish: I’d like to know which power supply you are using or which one you would recommend for a newbie? And in case you run out of ideas, I’d appreciate a video on tweaking coils for the 10 and 15m bands. I know it’s kind of covered in the other video already but I’m having a hard time with these bands.. 73!
Thanks. Regarding power supply: It depends on what you want to use it for. I would not use my workbench power supply for radio use, as it is noisy. But a workbench Power supply should have adjustable voltage and support current limitation. built in Meters to read out voltage and current makes your job easier. The smaller switching Power supplies (3-10A) also seem noisy. At least I have one, even though especially marked for radio use. For Radio use, I bought a switching power supply 9-15V, rated 30A (PS30 - I have the one with digital Display for Voltage and Current) available under different brand names. Totally Overkill for (tr)uSDX, but it´s affordable, does not create noise and can be used for 100W Radios later as well. Regarding coil tuning: If you apply the instructions of the existing Video, you can tweak the higher bands as well. The coils just react more sensitive. 73 Manuel; DL2MAN
I feel kinda like I'm working along with you, but without moving a finger. I've become such a consumer. :)
You´re a content creators dream ;) Thanks for your support.
Thank you for this video. I will take my own (built out of the kit) trusdx to the tests you did here. And I doubt, it would work out as good… If you are looking for a quick winning advice to give the manufacturer about the solder jobs, especially with snapped off legs, just tell them to reflow all solderjoints after snapping off the excess legs. 73 DB6YC
This was already communicated, directly after the "Kevin" Incident....
Thank you for the video. Can I measure the efficiency like you did without oscilloscope? With some RF probe and digital multimeter?
You just need an accurate method to measure Output Power (which is what I did with oscilloscope). The rest stays unchanged. 73 Manuel; DL2MAN
Hello Manuel,
thank you for your video. Is it possible that you make the measured and calculated values available on your homepage? Then everyone can read later what you have found out.
Thanks and greetings
Stefan
I doubt this would be of great value, as this is just a momentary snapshot.... Yours will be different for sure. 73 Manauel; DL2MAN
It is a great value for all of the work done! Thanks Manuel ..... honest and "Soooo" ... 🍺! 73 - KF6IF
I Manuel.
Remember my sugestion for you to make some $ on the project ? It was more than fare....
And I'm glad that you are following up on the quality...
After all, that was the main issue with the chinese units....
73's from CT1BIL , João Manuel
I still don´t make money off the prject and I won´t. It´s just for the fun of it. I do have a dayjob and can make my living ;) Amateur Radio is my Hobby. Even if you enjoy it: As soon as you MUST do it, because you make a living off it, it stops being fun.... 73 Manuel, DL2MAN
@@dl2man I really understand you, Manuel.
Thanks for the explanation 🙏
73's from CT1BIL , João Manuel
Hello! How to unlock menus 1.3 to 1.7 (and some more)? Thanks :)
Cannot be "unlocked" in latest Beta. It was removed to save space. Please check the changelog.
where are you finding the Tx and Rx amps Im really confused
From my workbench power supply. It can be seen in an older Video: czcams.com/video/Q1bTomgTMhQ/video.html
I noticed that the Chinese /green box/ uses a modified connection of the SWR bridge - T2 toroid has 3:21 turns. What is the real benefit, has anyone measured it?
This was upon recommandation by me. See this for further details: forum.dl2man.de/viewtopic.php?t=395
@@dl2man After looking at the picture from FLIR cam, all clear. Thnx
Hi I am not sure if you can help me but. I have a battery powered 8 band usdx usdr transceiver 5w on battery 10w on power supply. In the user settings it has Tx Drive ? Then PA min Bias and finally PA bias.
TX Drive is 4
PA Bias min is 0
PA Bias 188
I dont understand what TX Drive does. Theres no instructions with the radios. I have signals reports saying my audio is distorted. On TX. Any help would be appreciated. I have set PA bias to 188 as it matches output power to to 5w and 10w etc. Cheers from old George in the UK
I´m sorry, I´m not supporting chinese knock off radios. I´ve talked multiple times why. (Using parts of my work without acknoledging (no credits), Bad PCB design, wrong PA FET, No Schmeatic available and so on ), Please contact your seller.
@@dl2man Fully understand just thought I would ask. Just got back into radio after many years and didn't know what was available for my money at the time. I will say its certainly changed the hobby and not for the better. Cannot understand why people spend thousand of pounds on kit just say 5 and 9 and 73,s. QRP calling freq blocked out with high power users. Etc. I will give the hobby a few months through the winter months. Then decide if I want to continue. Ps joined QRP Club UK. Not made a single contact as yet. Cheers from old George
@@MakeDoAndMend1 If life has no sunshine for you, you gotta make your own. Fun is what you make out of it. I had a long 14 year break without radio as well. When I re-entered the game, we developed uSDX and (tr)uSDX. And while I have no problem with your decision to buy a knockoff, I will not ruin my day by getting into supporting other people´s "work". 3000+ (tr)uSDX out in the Wild create enough voluntary work. So: What´s my suggestion for you ? Get 1 decent commercial TRX (like IC705) and build your own (tr)uSDX from a Kit. Use your U01 Antenna, and have fun.... 73 Manuel; DL2MAN
@@dl2man No I will buy a newer motorhome and have more travel Adventures instead. Plenty of time when I get older to sit in front of telly or listen to radio when I am less able to walk, hike, cycling, camping. Get out there a get a life.
Hallo Manuel. Zunächst einmal vielen Dank für die Konstruktion dieses Gerätes. Ich verzweifle nur leider an der Audio. Die Mikrofon Kapsel wurde auch schon gewechselt und TX auf 1 reduziert. Es klingt immer völlig übersteuert. Gibt es noch einen Trick für eine SSB Nutzung?
Hi, der (tr)uSDX wird nicht wie ein ICOM/YAESU/KENWOOD klingen, weil wir SSB komplett digital erzeugen. Aber schau Dir mal das Video an: czcams.com/video/dHttnDdADqo/video.html Vielleicht bist Du betroffen.
What type of mic will work with this radio?
Every HT Mic can be modified. Watch this as an example: czcams.com/video/dEL74xyqwKM/video.html
As someone starting out in ham radio, I have no idea if this is a stupid question but I want to know nonetheless: where can I buy or build this dummy load?
There is no stupid questions, only stupid replies. Hope, this helps: shop.qrp-labs.com/kits/dummy
Hi Manuel. I would like to know where I can get a assembled usDX. only because it has a larger display than your (tr) uSDX model
The only available assembled uSDX are unauthorized chinese "Clones", that we do not support. uSDX Sandwich (the original, that was cloned) was only a DIY Project. Documented here: dl2man.de/sample-page/ (tr)uSDX is the successor of uSDX, but no longer supports bigger LCD Screens for better CAT Control.
The SWR on mine always reads high 1:2.19 into a 50ohm dummy load, on 2 metres.
We don´t have 2m in (tr)uSDX. Did you mean 20m ? There´s probably something wrong with eitehr your cable, the adapter or in worst case with the SWR Transformers.
@@dl2man Absolutely correct on both counts. I re-wound both SWR transformers and now all is OK. Just got a nanovna today, so I can align it properly. On RX it is brilliant I have heard stations from all over, best was probably Tasmania on 20 metres using just a random wire!
Hi, why divide by 400 and what´s that voltage squared around 45V? I think 0,08 Amp is the current consumed by the circuits not related with rf output thanks
0,6-0,08 =
0,52*12 =
6,24
45,6^2 =
2079,36/400 =
5,1984/6,24 =
0,83
The first step is to substract anything, that´s not involved in TXing from the total current, while at TX.
So: I Tx = I Total - I RX
Input Power = Input Voltage * Input Current (TX only)
Output Power = (Output Voltage over Dummy Load )^2 / Load Resistance.
The Problem now is: I measured Vpp, and the formula is valid for Vrms (the DC equivalent of AC)
VRms = 0,3535* Vpp
So the Formula would be: P Out = (0,3535* Vpp)^2 / 50 Ohms
which is the same as
Vpp^2 / 400
It´s just for ease of use, and only valid for Vpp over 50 Ohms
@@dl2man thank you very much 73´s and good DX
0,3535^2 =
0,12496225/50 =
0,002499245
1/400 =
0,0025
I'd like to see a video on how to print the case on a dual-extruder printer like the original FlashForge dual or Makerbot dual printers. Such printers need the lettering in one STL file and the hollowed-out-lettered front panel in another STL file, with a common origin. Any hints? Thanks for the excellent design. 73's, N2GX
I´ve given up on dual extruder printers, as they come with double the trouble of a single extruder printer ;) After I got my Prusa i3, there was no need anymore for Dual extruder, as the Filament change was easy and the results were clean. No need to provide special stls and so on.... But there are plenty of Videos on those printers. Just search for IDEX Printer (Independent Dual EXtruder).
@@dl2man I was hoping for a few hints on how to create the two files I mentioned above from the files that have been provided. Anyone? Thanks for your reply. 73s, N2GX
I want to get into ham radio (should I buy this or a baofang)
Hi, Baofeeng an (tr)uSDX are 2 completely different radios, that serve 2 completely different purposes (VHF/UHF vs HF). I suggest to get in contact with your local Amateur Radio club, so they´ll give you the basic information on what we amateurs can do, and how you can get your license. 73 Manuel; DL2MAN
Manuel, I noticed the first one or two times you keyed the rig, the screen indicated 99.9% efficiency. Why was that?
In this case, there was not enough current, to let the Class E do its thing. uC got confused, and showed 99,9% Efficiency.... Obviously not realistic.
@@dl2man Thank you. Confirmed my suspicion. I had a similar situation but screen showed P-out of 13+W and 99.9% Eff but my wattmeter (in line before dummy load) showed about 5W actual output. After disconnecting 12v battery and reconnecting, it showed 5.2W and ~79% Eff.
After resetting the settings, the efficiency dropped from 98% to 73%. Any suggestions how to restore the efficiency ?
98% is unlikely. It was probably false, and you should adjust RShunt, so your internal measurements mirror your external measurements as good as possible. Watch the full Video to see how to do that.
@@dl2man thank you very much for your help. I would also like to thank you that through your work I have been given the opportunity to assemble and deal with this wonderful radio transmitter.
I'd like to buy one but don't know Sunny. I'd be grateful if you could send me a link.
Thanks, Mike
dl2man.de/where-to-buy-trusdx/
A bunch of Ham nerds drinking to "SO"!! Ha Ha! I can see it now! Revenge of the Nerds - "So the party never ends" Part 3
Perhaps I'll change my screen name to 'Big Dummy Load'.
🤣
I would like one, but there is zero chance I'll buy a kit with Chinese-sourced knock-off components. Make a kit like Hans Summers with prime components and I'll reconsider.
There are no chinese knock-off components on there. Even when we used to create group buys, we ordered the pre-assembled pcbs from JLC-PCB, a chinese PCB manufacturer that buys from LCSC, a chinese electronics warehouse. Hans gets his Parts and PCBs also from China. He pays 2 chinese people to organize stuff locally, and my/our chinese local is Sunny. So where´s the difference ? Even my Icom IC705 has a label "made in china". You don´t get around china in consumer electronics anymore. It´s simply a matter of people involved and quality control. That´s why I made this video....
I want to get into ham radio (should I buy this or a baofang)
Hi, both do completely different things. I suggest to get in contact with your local radio club, and get an overview about amateur radio and possibilities to get the license in your country. 73 Manuel; DL2MAN
your asking the inventer