Yes it works well...but if you like SSB, you will need to use the PTT input as the relay chatters (i.e. it works but will drive you mental with the noise without it). Thanks for the comment. Been having fun of late! 73 de VK2AOE
Mine arrived with a defective 3.5mm plug for the PTT switching, I'd advise testing before connecting to a rig if you make up a PTT cable using the supplied plug. Also the unit draws 45mA, not the 200mA stated so you are good to use a low current output pin to power the device if your rig has one. I use an RSPduo and the isolation is -68db at 10w and -48db at 100w with IF and software AGC disabled. Well within safe limits for the RSPduo, but your results may differ. HTH.
My PTT was good to go. I wonder how the attenuation is thru it? I need to check this. At the moment the plan is connect antenna on it to my loop on the ground and listen on the SDR HF DISCOVERY. The PTT is activated by the Hermes Light II …. My HOMEBREW antenna switch box has an isolation on transmit detect (that sometimes works?). So the SDR will be my listen rig when playing with my dodgy QRP xmitters! 73 de VK2AOE
@@TheArtofEngineering Sounds good, be interesting to compare your findings with my own. I've yet to get around to testing the insertion loss but when in shared mode (SDR & Transceiver) it is noticeably higher than the stated figure. To be expected I supposed as it is behaving as a switched RX splitter in this mode. 73's
I note it states upto 30MHz. Given that I will switch it with the PTT control line could I also pass UHF / 437MHz at 5watts safely through this device ??
No idea, but doubt it will work well? The attenuation will be very high and perhaps the SWR. I still need to check the attenuation, as rumour has it that attenuation even within the quoted frequency range is high?...let me know if you find out! 73 de VK2AOE
Question: I have not yet transmitted yet as I want to ensure I have the jumper open or shorted. I have been listening ONLY, and no TX yet. Can you tell me if I am to pull the jumper or not? I do not want to fry up my SDRplay RSPdx OPEN: Dual receive when RX SHORT: Normal Operation Thank you!
@@scramick it states on the PCB what the link does. I think link in is receive on both the transceiver and SDR… with link out only the SDR is listening. Unfortunately the lag time is not adjustable so if you use the “rf sense mode” then in SSB the relay will chatter. I use the PTT port on the back and I’m QRP with a Hermes Lite. I don’t trust RF sense. You could put some back to back diodes in as protection too but I don’t trust “sense” on its own. 73 de VK2AOE
Time, time, I wish I had more time! Two Yes's. Yes the construction looks to be very sturdy and well put together. Yes, there is nothing like single malt. 73 VK5WB
I just received one in the mail. I thought I would need the PTT connection to a radio to disable the transmit to the SDR. Does it just disconnect when you transmit? So you only have power, antenna and sdr connected?
Technically yes it disconnects. Other users I researched said quick enough not to damage SDR. I use 5 watts QRP and it worked without PTT and didn’t cook my Airspy SDR …. BUT on SSB the relay chatter will drive you mad and wear the relay out prematurely. Also I’m yet to check attenuation on it. It also will not detect lower QRPP type rigs ( which is what I wanted it for). I did hook up the PTT on my Hermes and it worked well that way (less clatter etc). 73 de VK2AOE.
Great! I have one too, i was think about to make a mod for J5 jumper and put a "on/off switch! on the front but if i do need to use cable and those need to be shield can make interference or or problem? 73 de iz3qvb
I appreciate the graphic emonsrationon how to configure the internals for bed operation. Thanks VE6LX
I like your Red station gardians
Ha ha… a nice find at a thrift store 😂
why not swap out the female pl259s for some chassis mount BnC jacks and not use the adaptors.
Yes would lower insertion loss. I still need to check this out. Thanks for the comment 73 de VK2AOE
Mate, looks like a perfect switch for SDR pan adapter. Will have to investigate it. Good content as always.
Yes it works well...but if you like SSB, you will need to use the PTT input as the relay chatters (i.e. it works but will drive you mental with the noise without it). Thanks for the comment. Been having fun of late!
73 de VK2AOE
I'm trying to free up some time so I can setup my workshop.
Mine arrived with a defective 3.5mm plug for the PTT switching, I'd advise testing before connecting to a rig if you make up a PTT cable using the supplied plug. Also the unit draws 45mA, not the 200mA stated so you are good to use a low current output pin to power the device if your rig has one. I use an RSPduo and the isolation is -68db at 10w and -48db at 100w with IF and software AGC disabled. Well within safe limits for the RSPduo, but your results may differ. HTH.
My PTT was good to go. I wonder how the attenuation is thru it? I need to check this. At the moment the plan is connect antenna on it to my loop on the ground and listen on the SDR HF DISCOVERY. The PTT is activated by the Hermes Light II …. My HOMEBREW antenna switch box has an isolation on transmit detect (that sometimes works?). So the SDR will be my listen rig when playing with my dodgy QRP xmitters! 73 de VK2AOE
@@TheArtofEngineering Sounds good, be interesting to compare your findings with my own. I've yet to get around to testing the insertion loss but when in shared mode (SDR & Transceiver) it is noticeably higher than the stated figure. To be expected I supposed as it is behaving as a switched RX splitter in this mode. 73's
What are the front panel jacks used for?
@@jimmatis2919 My understanding is they are used if you want to switch audio? Not sure exactly how it is used?? No info… but pretty sure audio use? 73
I note it states upto 30MHz. Given that I will switch it with the PTT control line could I also pass UHF / 437MHz at 5watts safely through this device ??
No idea, but doubt it will work well? The attenuation will be very high and perhaps the SWR. I still need to check the attenuation, as rumour has it that attenuation even within the quoted frequency range is high?...let me know if you find out! 73 de VK2AOE
I hope you know I meant "Board" not bed and "demonstration" not emonsrationon
@@courierdog1941 Yes!! I write comments sans glasses 🤓 all the time…. Next day go “oh boy!!”. All good 👍 got it.
Question: I have not yet transmitted yet as I want to ensure I have the jumper open or shorted. I have been listening ONLY, and no TX yet.
Can you tell me if I am to pull the jumper or not? I do not want to fry up my SDRplay RSPdx
OPEN: Dual receive when RX
SHORT: Normal Operation
Thank you!
@@scramick it states on the PCB what the link does. I think link in is receive on both the transceiver and SDR… with link out only the SDR is listening. Unfortunately the lag time is not adjustable so if you use the “rf sense mode” then in SSB the relay will chatter. I use the PTT port on the back and I’m QRP with a Hermes Lite. I don’t trust RF sense. You could put some back to back diodes in as protection too but I don’t trust “sense” on its own. 73 de VK2AOE
@@TheArtofEngineering Thanks! I am using a Relay keying Cable connected to my Yaesu to the switcher.
Does the mfj 1708 .. have that feature of Dual Receive when jumper is removed ???
Sorry not sure about that? I bought the switch as I’m going to build a receive only loop to use with my Airspy SDR receiver. 73 de VK2AOE
@@TheArtofEngineering 73”
Time, time, I wish I had more time! Two Yes's. Yes the construction looks to be very sturdy and well put together. Yes, there is nothing like single malt. 73 VK5WB
Yes...but too many times the single malt has resulted in the release of smoke!! 😆😆🤣🤣 73 de VK2AOE
I just received one in the mail. I thought I would need the PTT connection to a radio to disable the transmit to the SDR. Does it just disconnect when you transmit? So you only have power, antenna and sdr connected?
Technically yes it disconnects. Other users I researched said quick enough not to damage SDR. I use 5 watts QRP and it worked without PTT and didn’t cook my Airspy SDR …. BUT on SSB the relay chatter will drive you mad and wear the relay out prematurely. Also I’m yet to check attenuation on it. It also will not detect lower QRPP type rigs ( which is what I wanted it for). I did hook up the PTT on my Hermes and it worked well that way (less clatter etc). 73 de VK2AOE.
Great! I have one too, i was think about to make a mod for J5 jumper and put a "on/off switch! on the front but if i do need to use cable and those need to be shield can make interference or or problem? 73 de iz3qvb
Actually not sure if the switch would cause a problem? My guess would be it would not cause issues… but ONLY a guess ! 😂 73 de VK2AOE