Because the Sun SDR only has 20 W output I would be planning on using it with my SPE Expert 1K amplifier. I'm assuming I would need to use the ALC? How does one do this? I don't need to do this with my ICOM 7800.

ALC is via the usual connection to the 1K-FA. It is not mandatory. There are PA level trimmers in software so that you can avoid accidental excessive input to the amp.

See the RADCOM review at sunsdr.eu/sunsdr2_pro_-_radcom/

Hello Erik,

Thank you for the reply. Funnily enough, I contacted someone who had left the review on Eham and they said you were the man to talk to about the Sun SDR Pro.

Before I spend the money on one I want to be absolutely sure it will do everything I need it to do. Obviously, it only generates 20 W which isn't a problem because I can run it through my amplifier if necessary. I'm pleased that I can just operate the same way as I have done for the past seven years with my 7800 just reduce the power until I get the desired output from the linear.

What I really want to get right is what microphone I get for the SDR. I have been using the Heil Pro 40 on my ICOM 7800, that will be staying on the radio. I've also got a Heil 781 which was made for the ICOM but I don't really want another boom in front of me. So what I was contemplating getting either a Heil headset or possibly a good quality gaming headset which could just plug into the front using the jack. I've been led to believe that if I do want to use the Heil then it will have to be modified in order to work properly. If a gaming headset will produce good quality audio then I think that is the route I will go down. Your thoughts on my idea would be very much appreciated

I have not heard of a Heil headset having to be modified. It does need the correct adapter.

I see no reason why a quality gaming headset would not suffice. There are a myriad of equaliser and TX processing adjustments in the software that should make anything of quality sound as you want it.

If I were you, I'd contact Martin Lynch & Sons who are the EE dealer and also exceptionally helpful. They will know what is proven to work well.

Erik.

I have spoken to Martin Lynch and they have been helpful. However, it seems they have only tested one microphone so they couldn't actually guarantee that another microphone of my choice would work. From what I can tell they've used the same microphone connector on the SDR as some of the Yaesu 2 meter radios, so I'm assuming that I could get one wired for the Yaesu and it would probably work on the SDR. However, I do quite fancy getting a gaming headset so that I could take advantage of the VOX which I have read works extremely well.

Mind you, in that review, the guy said he tried one of the Logitech webcams that has a built-in microphone and he said it worked okay. So if that works okay then I would imagine a good quality gaming headset that is made especially for communication between players should be very good

I would say so too, based on a local friend who uses a 15 euro computer microphone (!) and it's audio output, after attention from the superb TX processing in the ESDR2 s/w, is very good.

Yes, you are correct about Yaesu - the mic that some people use is the MH-31 with modular connector. I don't recommend that one but it shows that the Yaesu wiring scheme is what is used in the SunSDR2.

Do gaming headsets only come with one Jack that goes into the soundcard? I've just been looking at some on the Currys website and I can only see one Jack plug. I'm sure I'm right in saying that if you try using this on the Sun SDR the only thing that will work as the microphone, you won't hear anything coming through the headphones.

EDIT: ACTUALLY, I FOUND THESE

I use a Koss SB45 headset in exactly the set-up you require and it works very well both as a headphone and mic. I also have a Expert 1K-FA connected to the SunSDR2pro which also works well.

GW4OGO пишет:
I see, those are USB microphones aren't they? I take it you have plugged them straight into your PC/Mac and then select the microphone from the SDR software?

Can you tell me in detail how you have connected your SPE amplifier to the SDR, please? Somebody else suggested I make up an interface. However, that is beyond my capabilities because of my disability. So I contacted Martin Lynch and quite frankly I was astounded by their reply. They basically told me that if they were to make this cable for me it would cost a minimum of £60 (one hour labour). Also, because it wouldn't be tested they couldn't guarantee a, plus they didn't have time. So I'm really questioning whether I will buy the SDR from them now.

Not sure these headsets come in USB - mine has 3.5mm jacks which I connect directly into PC front panel and then select the PC's internal mic and spkr connection within ExpertSDR setup. As the SPE amp can utilise RF sensing, I don't use any additional cables between it and the SunSDR2pro other than one for PTT which is connected from PTT on the SPE to appropriate pins on the ext ctrl socket (maybe pins 5 and 2) as per the hardware manual. Hope this helps you.

Thanks for the information. When I googled the headset that you have got I did find some that were all USB. Don't suppose it would make much difference whether it's a jack all USB, if it's plugged into the computer then it will work the same I would think.

As for the SPE amplifier, that's interesting what you have said. So you just have your antenna connected to the antenna socket on the back of the SPE amplifier and then have another patch lead going from one of the two radio sockets on the amplifier to the antenna sockets on the back of the SDR? And then you have a PTT switch. I actually use a Heil foot switch that I operate with my hand because I am disabled and can't use a standard microphone. I've got a spare Heil foot switch so I'll try using that. Mind you, somebody told me that the Vox works really well on me SDR so I might just use that.

A question about your amplifier. When you tune the SDR and go from band to band and up and down the bands does the amplifier follow the frequency? Personally, I don't see how it can because I've had to set up my ICOM 7800 using a separate cat cable, plus a little jack plug that goes into my CT-17 and I think this is the part that enables the amplifier to follow the frequency on my ICOM 7800. I'm going to assume that you will have to do find the different sections yourself and tune the amplifier to the SDR

There is no issue with CAT to the SPE. But I'll let your GW respondent answer.

I just wanted to say that if you use anything into the computer, i.e USB instead of mic/phones connectors on the radio, you can expect a degree of latency that is high enough to make the operation nonviable.

Okey dokey, I'll stick to the jack plug is most of the gaming type headsets I have are looking at do actually use jack plugs over a USB.