USDX USDR+ 8 Band HF SDR Transceiver

Here we take a look at a cheap clone of a uSDX Transceiver.

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#TechMinds #SDR #HamRadio

[Johnmfoss]

Well, I have this radio and I have found some of the defects you noted. I only bought it for cw, so the ssb issues are not so obvious or important. The audio feedback issue is really annoying - gain cannot be used above 10 (or maybe 12 outdoors) and at lower audio levels, the signals are obscured by noise. I secured an adhesive felt pad over the speaker which helps the shrillness of the audio, and have had several contacts. I keep telling myself that it’s a toy at this price point… it’s just a toy. Thanks for your video.

[WadeAbout]

My take away is that there is a market for light and cheap HF simple TRX. Was so disappointed that the recent QRP labs unit had such a limited run. Sold out in 15 mins. How do you stop these Chinese clones? Simple. Make available what the market wants at a price they will pay. It’s nonsense IMHO to have $1900 qrp radios with a pretty screen without the opposing end of the spectrum

[spudnickuk]

so glad I got to see this as did see these up for sale the other week and was thinking of getting one.
I am glad that I have learned to research before buying rubbish.

[andyandresen]

You do a great job on the reviews that I have seen from you, but you missed the mark on this one. I think it’s the best of all the uSDX units. Audio is clear and loud. DNR works well for a unit of this price. And audio reports are excellent.i believe you got a bad one. I’m not a big QRP guy but I have enjoyed using this rig and find it easy to work on and upgrade firmware. I should note I’m running revision 4.000d

[Simon-qnwm]

Thanks for saving me, so glad I saw your video as I too was thinking of buying one. Not any more

[dimitarmilkov]

I got it for about $ 150 without a microphone. This is not a problem because it has a built-in and I will use it by hand. I made several connections with colleagues from Bulgaria over short distances with the Horizontal Windom antenna. They give me a score of 59. But my built-in FWR-SWR doesn't work. Maybe I'll change the firmware with the latest one, open it and see if everything is inside or if there is a cut element. 73 de LZ1MD

[temporarilyoffline]

Hey TM, its TO! Thanks for the wave off on this one!

[KLNCH]

I wired up one of those mics for my KX3 (the Elecraft MH3 is just so expensive for a Chinese Icom HM36.) It was simply apalling and within two minutes I just salvaged the TRRS plug. I know you said you tried the internal mic too, but that's likely the same element. Dumb question; any mileage in trying a different mic? Although cheap does seem to be synonomous with Chinese, it's not as simple as that. With constant oversight and satisfactory quality control, the Chinese make first class equipment. I'm a little more open-minded, but I too have been stung on several occasions after being taken in by a giveaway price and nowadays I look on it as money better put towards the extra cost of superior items. The bottom line is if you insist on paying peanuts you'll get what's coming and the Chinese are more than ready to fill any such perceived market opportunities. Many thanks anyway because videos such as these are immensely helpful to those unwilling to be beta testers whatever the price point.

[homebrewham]

been waiting for you to review this matt, thanks for the info mate 👍

[Yosemite_Sam]

Great video. Interesting all these portable qrp SDR radios. Apache Labs are still producing the Hermes boards from the Anan 100 at $390 USD. Not portable and not plug and play either. 500mw out but they offer a 10w amp for it. I attached one to a Sailor T1130 for 500 watts out with pure signal and diversity. I would love to see a review running Thesis. Cheers

[yveda]

Thanks for the video! I received mine as a gift with very good references Matt! I used it a couple times on SSB with no problems. I want to test it with Winlink. Do you know any guide or reference to the cable build? Thanks in advance!

[Lugeix]

I have the Black Brick. The output was 1watt and below above 20m. The LP filter was wand on t37-2 toroids. I change that to T37-6 toroids. As well as adjusted their value to get 6 watts out on all band. I did update the firmware to 4.00. But the audio is still not right. Also, the output is very noisy. its OK on CW.

[Hultis-Funkbude]

Thanks for the video! 73 from JO30QK - Germany

[chopchop]

I just bought one because that YouTuber said it was wonderful

[ChristianKoehler]

I have a similar one in blue.
It's terrible. On CW it constantly transmitts a strange whining tone without me even touching the PTT. That signal can be picked up easily across the neighborhood with a pocket shortwave radio recover.
When transmitting on 7.1 harmonics on 14.2 and 28.2 can be picked up at some distance as well.. SSB / AM /FM audio is just as bad as yours.
My unit picks up only hum at 160m even though it is advertised as 160 to 10. No CE logo, of course.

And there was a loose screw rattling around in the case. Quality control? Ouch. Returning it to Amazon.

Just got the license a month ago, really had hoped for my first HF experience to be more enjoyable.

73 from Berlin / DC6CK

[gnad]

Wish I’d seen this video before buying one, thanks Matt for an accurate review as always. My unit just about has modulation using the internal mic but the external one is just a noise source. Terrible and unusable Tx on SSB, ok’ish for RX. Avoid.

[craigbuck]

Recently received one of the above (Dec 2021). It came with no mic and no instructions. I wasn't happy the power supply came with a European 220 plug but the picture on eBay is accurate. I just missed it. The receiver seemed decent but without instructions, I'm sending it back. Too bad, it seems like a solid little package.

[wolframkoppisch]

my radio doesnt switch on with the dsislay, only shoe black stripes like battery charching??

[haramanggapuja]

Plenty comments on the uSDX group list about this and other versions of the same clone. I had one of 'em and modified the blazes out of it to get it to have an acceptable AF level. As a CW rig on transmit it wasn't that bad, but DL2MAN's review of the spectral purity showed serious defects. The one you have here (and reviewed) appears to use the same "no name" toroids in the one I had and which Manuel reviewed. So there's t hat problem too. Looking at the online offers & even this one, I have my doubts about the quality of the build as well. Broken bits on the red bumper surrounds were the biggest point. The layout & ergonomics of the tuning knob & the CW paddles port were another'n. And we all know how horrible the SSB sounds on a real radio. Oh, and that output tranny hanging off the board like it does, well, that's another'n. So yeah, not much worth it, truth up. I'll keep my X5105. Thanks for the view and review. 73 de W8IJN

[georgealbertacanadaeh]

Thank you. I was going to buy this based on a $104 advertised cost! Glad I searched it and watched this video!