Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
uSDX Kit
May 12, 2025
Build-A-Thon Set For July 19
Warm up your Weller!* MARS is planning a kit build for Play Day July 19, 2025 at the Josey Ranch Lake Library. The project is a uSDX 5-Band multimode QRP transceiver available from Amazon for only $83. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YH2V2ZP
Amazon stocks this kit in the US so it will ship quickly. This kit has the LO band RF board for 80/40/40/30/20 meters. The LO board is easiest to build and tune, so that’s best to start with.
All the surface mount components are preinstalled! Everything else is through-hole. The trickiest part of the build is winding some toroids and transformers.
You’ll want a case and Dave Lane, N5GDL, has a 3D-printed case much better quality than available online for $7. A big thank you to Dave for doing this.
What You’ll Need
• A good temperature-controlled soldering station
If you don’t already have one, Weller and Hakko make good ones but you can get an inexpensive Elenco for $28 https://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Soldering-Station-Holder-Sponge/dp/B002KIYSHQ. This kit by YiHUA includes extra tips, helping hands, tweezers, solder and a solder sucker for $40 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B082F1WKP9.
• Rosin core Solder 60/40 or 63/37 (recommended)
• A solder sucker
This one is much better than the one in the YiHUA package. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFTGBV79
• A magnifying glass
If your old eyes aren’t what they used to be, you’ll need one to check your work. Wearable magnifiers are handy as well.
• Lighting
Don’t count on the overhead lights to let you see. A desk lamp is a must. An LED will be much cooler for you.
• A good flush cutter to trim your leads
There are some nice ones at Home Depot but Harbor Freight has an inexpensive pair. https://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-precision-flush-cutter-57794.html.
• A power strip
Here are some handy links to help you get going.
Manual https://dl2man.de/4-trusdx-manual/
Assembly https://dl2man.de/2-trusdx-assembly/
Troubleshooting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKdHepDbjkc
Setting the frequency https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpQtqIrVFOk
If you have any questions, contact George Williams, KG5GXU or David Gilpin, K5GIL. They’ll be glad to help
*Leave your “gun” at home.
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