Comments on: FA-SDR-TRX part #1 – Systems View

By: Pascal

Pascal — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:11:14 +0000

Hi Tobias, I just ended to build my FA-SDR – It works pretty well and seems really confortable to use. I just received a call from another french builder who needed help. So the user community grows up. Do you think a google or yahoo group could help – may be one exists that I don’t know ?

By: Niko Safaric

Niko Safaric — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:21:53 +0000

Dear Tobias,
I found a mistake. In the original FA distribution is an incorrect name for driver extension “Sdr 1kUsb.dll-09jan”. The mistake is small, so I need two days to rename it :) . Hand keying is enabled now.

73,
Niko S53A, 9J3A

By: Niko Safaric

Niko Safaric — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 11:51:55 +0000

Hi Tobias,
thank you for your quick answer.
Straight keying does not work despite the change of level of CW input signal at pin 18 of SY1, which is modified according to instructions. As well it does not work PTT via the serial port using RTS. Iam using X61 tablet computer and its soundblaster as I/Q primary card .
73,
Niko, S53a

By: Tobias

Tobias — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 19:50:13 +0000

Hey Niko,
Could you provide us with some additional information? Can you produce a CW Signal with a straight key connected to the FA-SDR?
Did you perform the modifiaction of FA-SY1 in order to use it correctly with FA-SDR?

73 Tobias

By: Niko Safaric

Niko Safaric — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 18:37:37 +0000

Hi Tobias,
few days ago I have received FA-SDR, which contains FA SY1. All is well, except CW does not work. To use CWX keyboard is not solution for me, as I am using logging program with external keyer K1EL. I am asking for advice, how can I connect keyer on to FA SDR?

Regards,
Niko Safaric S53A

By: Tobias

Tobias — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:10:02 +0000

Hey Tore,

Coming back to your questions:
1. The FA-SDR-TRX is designed to host max. 1 Watt PA. Due to physical and thermal limitations it is not possible the interchange the 1 Watt PA with the 5 Watt PA. However the 5 Watt PA can be used as a separate component with the FA-SDR-TRX. in this case there is no need for the 1Watt PA, the few milliwatts output power are sufficient to drive the 5 Watt PA.

2. No, the FA-SDR-TRX does not provide any QSK. as far as I know there is not a single SDR based TRX available which provides QSK like your TS-940. Maybe the Flex5000 is the transceiver which can provide you a kind of QSK. This is a difficult topic since it involves latencies, buffering within your sound card and the way they are integrated in the operating system of your Computer.

3. What kind of computer are you using with your Softrock Kits? Similar to the Full-BK issue, latencies and computer speed can have major impacts on realtime events like using your CW key.

4. absolutely, you can use the FA-SDR-TRX on 8.83 MHz as an Bandscope attached to your transceiver. Just be sure that you don’t transmit into the IF stage of your receiver!

By: Tore Sandström SM7CBS

Tore Sandström SM7CBS — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:07:44 +0000

Hello!
I tried to find the e-mail to DL2EWN with no sucess! But I hope you Tobias can comment some questions.
I am not so good in german so I hope information will be in english one day. So my wunderings….:
1. Is it possible to put in the 5 watt PA instead of the 1 watt?
2. As far I can se there is no QSK so one has the manually change from tx to rx.
I prefer CW and have full qsk in my TS940. Any idea when this kit will have automatic qsk?
3. I have built some softrocks kit and know that the sidetone will have a delay that make it difficult to use the sidetone for doing CW manually. But you have probably solved this? If not…when and how do you plan to do it?
I am very interested so I need to know above before decision.
BTW. There is a SDR-IF from USA called LP-PAN and it can bu used as an IF-rx to my TS940 that has an IF of 8,83 mHz. Would it be possible to by such a FA-SDR for just that frequency from you?
Regards
Tore Sandström SM7CBS

By: Tobias

Tobias — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:44:43 +0000

Hi Carmelo,
it is very likely that FA-SY2 is NOT working properly with the FA-SDR-TRX. The reason is, that FA-SY2 provides (a much lower) LVDS level. On the other hand, FA-SY1 provides CMOS level.
It is not possible to control the FA-SY1 in a FA-SDR-TRX with the FA-SY-SP out of the Box. However changing the controller in the FA-SY1 might be a feasable workaround. But take into consideration that PTT and CW won’t be available anymore with the changed controller.

By: Carmelo

Carmelo — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:05:19 +0000

Hello,
I’m IW4BYK and I have a question to ask in the FA-SDR kit proposed FA-SY1 and the new FA-SY2 be used both? Which is better to use?
And another, I can use FA-SY-SP to directly control the frequency of FA-SY# using FA-SDR?

Many thanks for your very comprehensive article.

Regards, Carmelo Toscano.

By: Kees PA5CW

Kees PA5CW — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:38:15 +0000

Just build the FA-SDR, most time took the software installation, read carefully.
1. replace DLL from CD
2.in Power sdr define Softroc at setup with correct xtal freq from si 570,
then select flex1000 as tranceiver!

Also tick the USB box, or else PTT will not work.

(seems strange but else you dont get flat frequency on display).

Kees PA5CW