Comparing QRP Transceivers On-Air

Logging onto the SSB QRP Net with my uSDX, (tr)uSDX and RS-918 to compare the signal and audio. #truSDX #uSDX #RS918 #QRP

Antenna used was the Sigma EuroComm HF-360 Multiband Vertical.

Kevin K0KLB YouTube:

QRP SSB Facebook Group:

I Love QRP Facebook Group:

[Aimsport-video]

I think only my grandmother would be more gracious with the S reports… but THIS type of real world testing is SO helpful! Thank you.

[daveh]

You've demonstrated something I learned years ago: it's unusual for other hams to give you accurate reports of audio quality. If they can hear you, you're broadcast quality.
Some years ago I was trying to build a headset to go with my VHF handheld. (This was before PC headsets were a thing, and I didn't want a big Heil headset.) Once I got it built I asked my buddy to meet me on simplex to tell me how it sounded. He claimed it was perfect, not muffled, not overdriven, very clear. I thanked him and went on my way.
A few days later I discovered I hadn't even soldered any wires to the mic element. If my buddy had heard me, it's because the mic in the radio on my belt was picking me up.
After that whenever I needed a radio check I'd give it to my buddy and have HIM talk on it so I could listen.

[dwyn]

Star Wars has nothing on that first test.... it was clear, very audible before the power drop, but sounded like an intercepted message between Vader and Emperor Palpatine... i was waiting for you to say "What is thy bidding, my master?" despite this nostalgic moment, this was a great test of all three rigs, and I went into this completely ignorant of what QRP even is or means, you have slaughtered my ignorance!!! This was a good demo.... people can talk about whatever they want to talk about, but nothing shows you the money like a real, live, demo! Well done, good Sir, well done!!!

[d.jensen]

What amazes me is how Guido was able to trick the SI5351 and Hans' key shaping circuit into producing SSB at all! This is the first time I've heard received audio from that effort. Thanks for posting this. It was _very_ interesting.

[pasjeihobby]

Great QRP devices. Props for supporting Manuel team because he is dealing with lot of crap lately. 73 and thanks for effort!

[CC-hkvy]

Just discovered this video on June 1st 2024, very good material, I'll be looking at these radios thanks again Walt de WO8USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[Mandarin]

really like the way you got him to do the video and show his side!

[tommycheshire]

Again, an encyclopedia of information. I have purchased the tr USDX and going to try it on the beach next week. Thanks again for the Facebook links. I have managed to stay away from Facebook, but I am going to give it a try. Without your channel, none of this would have been possible, plus I would have a few more dollars in my wallet!

[LibertyEver]

Thanks for the great QRP transceiver comparison. I've been very interested in the QRP Labs QDX because my primary interest is digital modes, particularly JS8, but the ability to use voice could be very useful. I've been looking into the (tr)uSDX. I love the open source development and the portability for ultralight and compact field comms. I'd probably run an end fed dipole, and mostly operate on 40m.

[hamradioqrp-kklb]

Hey Walt.. Thanks for joining the net on Friday night.. I am just as interested in hearing about those radios so it was a great experience for me too.. Thanks for making all those purchases to make the comparisons.. I'm still deciding which one I want to purchase and your videos are an excellent resource for making my decision.. I did notice your audio sounded a little off frequency, but I guess I kind of expect that type of quality from such a low $$ radio. It wasn't something that bothered me and heck, some folks go off freq on purpose, LOL... I guess in my little "QRP SSB world" the two things I look at are, can I hear the audio and can I understand it.. if you meet those two objectives, You're Golden ! !, LOL... Thanks for doing all the hard work of video production and editing to make such great videos.. Awesome Job, keep it up... Kevin ~ k0klb

[romanomorelli]

Very good comparison i was impressed with your 1 watt SSB i mainly 1w cw 73s Walt and Kevin de EI5EN.

[Spencer.]

Thank you for the great comparison video!

It was very well done and was much needed to determine which of the cheap QRP rigs is best! 73, N7JSX

[stuarttankersleyzlpid]

Thanks for the video. I wondered how the compared and sounded. Now I know. Keep up the great videos.

[antenaseinterfacescb]

Tks Mr Walt fer very nice comparison, so the USDX its better in audio then the other´s. Pretty cool to see transmitting with 0, 5 watts and the signal 345, amazing. I´ve made a contact in my attic with a home brew Magnetic loop in QRP 10 watts, and contact a station from USA. that´s amazing into the attic.

[kennethblackwell]

Great job, Walt. I enjoyed it. For sure Kevin does well also. I watch his YouTube channel....with qrp and all the crazy farm antennas.

[migalito]

I agree, the third transceiver had a more natural audio.

I'd say it had more lows, a nice full midrange and not the harshness by emphasized highs that the other transceivers seemed to have.

Why we might ask?

Mucking around with guitar transducers and preamps tells me that it could be the microphone itself because not all electrets are equal and some are really fabulous or it could be the filtering aka equalization thats built into the audio chain. Hard to say, I doubt it has anything to do with compression because thats used to keep dynamic range or amplitudes within a set envelope and when applied compression should be frequency independent.

Yea, I definitely liked it best and kind of doubt the others can do as well unless they have some really good tone adjustments available to the operator.

[johnleonardelli_VEIPS]

Tks buying the approved version of Guido's radio

[vkye]

Walt. Agree with your comments on the first two. Third was less smooth than the first two. I'd say the tru SDX would be the best of the lot with maybe a 50 Hz change in frequency. But I'm guessing that either an IC705 or FT818 (with a better microphone) would sound slightly better than all.

[thebuggy]

To achieve a qso with about 5 Watts SSB is nice.
You don't need a lot of money when you have the basics right to be on the air.

I agree in the qrp world you need a perfect ssb signal and cw with no chirp or clicks to be competitive to other stations with higher power. I run all my transceivers from a rechargeable battery and I avoid power supplies.

[DaveWOOD]

I just got my (Tr)usdx. I tried it today and ended up using the RBN to correct my reference frequency. I had forgot about it until my freq reports came back 800hz higher than it should have. After correcting the 27mhz to 27.001600 it was showing up correctly. (I figured the corrected adjustment would have been 1560hz). It’s a learning experience all around.