[NLRS] 2m IF rig quest

[Jon Platt]

Thanks for the idea Chris.  In your configuration what is the purpose of the small USB hub as the RigBlaster Advantage appears to have USB (single cable connection) to connect it directly to a laptop?
Looks of good ideas from lots of folks, thanks.  I will do a summary and repost later today.
73, JonW0ZQ

 

    On Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 08:53:34 AM CDT, Chris Cox, N0UK <chrisc at chris.org> wrote:   

 Whilst not exactly meeting your goal of being a single turnkey 2m i/f with fully embedded USB CAT & audio, our current 10GHz rover and base rig is fully integrated and is ready to run once set on the tripod.

I went with a RigBlaster Advantage that is mounted on the dish and a small USB hub providing a single cable connection to the computer and automatic switching between microphone and digital.



73 Chris Cox, N0UK
Chrisc at chris.org
LinkedIn.com/in/Chris-Cox-CISM


> On Mar 26, 2025, at 08:40, Chris Elmquist <chrise at pobox.com> wrote:
> 
> Not sure about the "bank breaker" metric but Yaesu FT-991A also has
> internal sound card interface, HF, 6m, and 70cm in addition to 2m
> all-mode.
> 
> And when you're bored, you can work the world via Fusion :-)
> 
> Chris NØJCF
> 
>> On Wednesday (03/26/2025 at 07:39AM -0500), Thomas Murphy wrote:
>> That probably leaves only the IC-705 (since a 905 would be most everything
>> or you're after a companion to fill in the Region 2 bands with
>> transverters). A 9700 would likewise also be out of your desired specs. The
>> upcoming Yaesu FTX-1F QRP is pre-release marketed as supporting single-USB
>> CAT/audio/TX, if you're interested in getting on the reservation list for
>> that whenever it comes available.
>> 
>> For headless radios, I see that the Expert Electronics SunSDR2 base and PRO
>> models offer 8 W on 144. Unfortunately the QRP version foregoes the 2m
>> capabilities. That they are a Russian-based company might make them less
>> attractive for a new build right now. Most other
>> direct-sampling/direct-synthesizing SDRs seem to cap out at 6 or 4m without
>> doing Nyquist folding (with extra filters) and having a fast enough DAC.
>> 
>> Something like the ADALM-Pluto you might as well build completely around
>> rather than going the IF route given its minimal filters and power. I also
>> can't tell how friendly of interfaces are available for it once you're on a
>> PC.
>> 
>> And, since it came up in a search, the DSP-10
>> (https://www.janbob.com/electron/dsp10/dsp10.htm) is presumably the thing
>> you really don't want. A kit project developed in the '90s that would
>> probably be best only for inspiration to design something with newer parts
>> these days.
>> 
>> - Thomas / WN1C
>> 
>>> On 3/25/25 11:46, Jon Platt via NLRS wrote:
>>> Hello NLRS land
>>> 
>>> Checking in with the brain trust here.  I am in the search for a "radio"
>>> to use as my microwave IF rig.  It needs to have 2m (2m only is OK), QRP
>>> preferred, with the desire to have an internal sound card/USB feature to
>>> reduce the number of boxes needed when doing digital from the rover.  It
>>> appears to be a limited field. Not breaking the bank would be nice too. 
>>>  A FT 818 or 817 sort of fits the bill but they dont have an internal
>>> sound card.  I hate all the boxes and cables when I rove, prefer the
>>> KISS approach.
>>> 
>>> Any ideas out there?
>>> 
>>> 73, Jon
>>> W0ZQ
>>> 
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> 
> 
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> 
> --
> Chris Elmquist
> 
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