Clockwork uConsole - making the perfect portable SDR cyberdeck using a USB hack

It started as a quick investigation on how to use the two internal bussed USB ports, but soon escalated into something much much cooler!

The Clockwork uConsole lends itself perfectly into making the perfect portable SDR using a simple USB hack that anyone can do. Its cyberdeck format is perfect for on the move fun! ADSB reception was surprisingly amazing, and I was able to see LoRA signals - it would be interesting to see if there is a meshtastic modem on Linux for this!

I will investigate GPS receivers with external antenna connections so I can bolt in that functionality as well.

Let me know if you would be interested in seeing this happen!

Previous video about the Clockwork uConsole:

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Thanks you lovely people, and keep on tinkering!

[backofficeshow]

Thinking of finding a USB GPS receiver with external antenna to make use of that second USB interface. Let me know if you would be interested in seeing that!

[Chadthaniel]

Subscribed and followed just because you zoomed in on the schematic and explained what the design was doing. Absolutely love it sir. Thank you.

[Baxxunderslash]

I don't know what half these words mean much less the abbreviations, but this is super cool.

[Sashasdoc]

Amazingly clear directions, wonderful cinematography, informative and entertaining narration--no idea why you don't have a million subscribers. You've gained one more towards that goal, sir. Well done!

[RockTo]

I just got my uConsole. This is an inspiring video for my upcoming projects.

[ChristianKoys]

the uConsole definitely need a Meshtastic add-on!

[dsn]

Brilliant work! That's an amazing job you've done there!

[supremegrandmasternoah]

This is seriously a cool project. Definitely a good backpack rig, absolutely going to build one myself.

[bassobalalaikka]

Great video thanks. some comments at 10:28 you attempt to use your fingers while you just put away the tool that could do separation of flat cable better than knife: the side cutters, just align them accurately in the middle between two wires and you get what you need. 10:52 the cut bit blade (Utility knife 9mm) gets particularily sharp if you cut a new portion off the blade when you need sharpness.

[brandonw]

that tape is called wire harness tape. Its used in cars and works great. I love to use it on my fpv drone to hold motor wires to frame.

[millbean]

This is great, I’m going to try it too once clockwork console arrives. For those without electronics background, and honestly I can probably figure out which lead goes where just by following along and stopping the video a bunch, but if possible, could you post a little pic of the wire routing for connecting the sdr? I’m sure people will read this and go, “what? He just showed you what goes where?” But it’d be nice for those of us REALLY new to this kind of stuff. Thanks. 🙏🏼

[michaeleber]

I don't even have a radio and you got me searching for Clockwork uConsole. Great job.

[zhalberd]

cool. I want to make the same mod with my console. Great idea. Thanks for the vid!

[Chubsky]

This is a great video. I appreciate how much time you take to explain things. I also have a uconsole and would like to add internal usb for storage.

[brycenarcisomercines]

Great video man! this is awesome stuff

[iblackfeathers]

i’m a bit torn on doing this project or getting the usb c port expansion slot when stock returns. with a usb hub it can provide more ports for other versatile functionality as well as a way to plug in an sdr (but less elegantly than this way).
i love that you don’t have to drill on the case (just widen a hole) for the antenna like how others have done so with theirs.

[pdahandyman]

Very, very cool, but DUDE, get a third hand for soldering! You can get them online for cheap. Heck, even some gator clips on the end of a gooseneck will work :)

[BeckiMuttley]

will you sell one of these please in the UK? This is awesome.😊

[mzimmerman]

I'm definitely making my own! thanks for sharing.

[Freddysmiddlefinger]

Could you use an inexpensive vehicle radar detector for the GPS unit? The one i have has a micro usb for updates and has built in GPS with an internal antenna. I feel it would be fairly easy to utilize those circuits?