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Reviews For: Square SDR

Category: QRP Radios (5 watts or less)

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Review Summary For : Square SDR
Reviews: 3MSRP: $480
Description:
Software radio SDR (Software Defined Radio) is a modern radio technology that uses direct digital signal processing. This design includes a 100 x 100 mm printed circuit board on which the receiver, transmitter, output stage, HPF and LPF filters are integrated together. Inspiration: Existing Hermes-Lite 2 transceiver SDR project (hereafter also HL2). This board can work independently or other expansion hardware can be connected to it via pin headers inside and on the edge of the board. Realization: In order for the production of a printed circuit board (hereafter also PCB) to be as efficient as possible, its dimensions must fit within the size of 100 x 100 mm. This size is used and the board has a square dimension. That's why there is “SQUARE” in the name. For easier mounting, the board is designed for single-sided SMD mounting. The box and mechanical structure is designed in FreeCAD . The topography of the layout of the connectors on the front panel is identical to the HL2. The orientation of all connection signals is identical to the entire HL2+N2ADR design. In terms of maintaining the front side topology of the original HL2 PCB and the predetermined dimension for the new PCB design, it was not possible to logically change the orientation of the connectors to their connection nature. Basic specifications: supply voltage 11 – 15 VDC frequency range RX 100 kHz – 30 MHz / TX 1.8 – 30 MHz (160 – 10 m amateur bands) integrated HPF and LPF filters ( N2ADR ) output RF power max. 5 W power consumption when receiving without the fan switched on approx. 3.6 W power consumption during transmission (CW 5 W) without the fan switched on approx. 18 W 12-bit ADC/DAC Gigabit Ethernet External Clock I/O LED indication of the relay on the board SWR (PSV) meter internal fan 80 x 80 mm. From PCB version 05 with independent control that does not collide with PWM Band Volts integrated TTL 3V3 voltage interface of the serial interface including pull-up resistors on the data lines. Hardrock-50 connection option (DB-9 ACC connector on rear panel) integrated SMA (RX) connector for connecting the "Pure Signal" probe protection and indication of incorrect supply voltage (undervoltage) or incorrect connection (reverse polarity) full SW, GW compatibility and functionality with Hermes-Lite 2 PCB 4 layers, size 100 x 100 mm one-sided SMD assembly total external dimensions in the box 126 (w) x 46 (h) x 110 (d) mm weight approx. 490 g
Product is in production
More Info: https://www.wideservis.cz/square-sdr/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
2535
DM1TX Rating: 2024-11-10
A dream SDR TX of exquisite manufacturing and performance ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have always wanted a HL since its first inception. However I opted to buy a Flexradio some years ago since I have left the knobs and buttons boxes some time ago. Having to build and solder wires to have a functional HL2 does not appeal to me. I always love to "see" what I "hear" :-) So I heard of a fellow OM which is manufacturing its own version of HL2. And it is for me (DL) just across the border. You have to see the building quality of this Square SDR! Amazing! Everything works out of the box and you do not care about improving anything! Pure Signal and ANAN/FLEX reception quality ! Well the price is somehow waaaaay lower! Connect with Thetis (A special version is built and maintain by MI0BOT - Thank you!!!) and SDR Console and everything you may need for logging, SSB, CW and Digital Modes. What I love is you can really customize everything to your own taste and save it in the Thetis Database. Side by side on same antenna I have a serious problem to admit there is any difference in receiving/transmitting quality between the Flex and the Square SDR.
I put also my trusty KX3 online and ...yes same quiet reception. I am still discovering everyday something new. Given the great community using the HL2 you will never be alone. I am using it with a Juma PA-100D but you can hook it up with a lot of other PAs too.
Rene is very fast to answer all your questions (if any) of technical nature and supporting you along the way. Congratulations for that Rene!
If you can afford waiting, as there is a waiting list (after I have got mine I understand why it is so high in demand) just order it and you will never look back again on your other radios. Sorry for big and heavy radio boxes fans who still believe the superhet radio is the future.
Honestly for me was like a revelation. 73 and good DX! de DM1TX
WD8BP Rating: 2024-11-08
Excellent quality built & performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, let me say that I have had many different sdr radio's over the yrs....from FLEX, ANAN, HERMES, just to name a few. I placed order for this unit in July '24. Radio arrived recently, and first impressions are: total quality built piece of equipment. Using same software Thetis from previously owned HERMES...same profile also. Results= if you were to blind fold yourself and listen to stations you'd be hard pressed to know which radio you were listing too, Hermes, or Square. The receive is outstanding, and already has pure signal ability right out of the box. No need to grind shim's, or things as such. This unit has built in fan, and you never hear it on. Transmit audio is total excellence. Receive noise floor is just like Hermes,Anan,etc. Auto band changing ability with external amp..no fussing here either. So, I'm liking the SQUARE SDR totally. I also have Yaesu FTdx101MP in the shack and both receivers are superb with having low noise. Designed using 3D modeling CAD software and everything is quality assembled, form and finish. If you are looking for an excellent sdr that really does offer outstanding performance, you might want to check out SQUARE SDR website. 73 Thanks for reading. Feel free to email me at callsign if you have any questions.
N1IG Rating: 2024-06-21
Great Quality Built SDR Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
When I saw that a European company was making a redesigned HL2 type radio and building it with quality parts, I jumped at the chance to buy one from the first production run. Without a doubt the build quality far exceeds what I have seen with other radios in this class, and works amazingly well.

I especially like that band switching/amplifier data control is built in to the unit (and not an add on), and that it is preconfigured to use Pure Signal, without having to do any additional internal wiring or soldering. It may not have the ability to install the "add on" audio/IO boards available for other SDRs, but that wasn't a factor in my decision to buy it.

The higher quality case with included cooling fan, and the appearance of better quality components and the construction are.

This SDR works so well that I sold my other SDRs, and have bought a second Square SDR for my shack.

Also, and very much as important as the build quality of the radio, is that all of my interactions with Wide-Servis have been extremely positive. Every email has been replied to within a day, and with all of the information I asked about.

If you are seriously considering getting in to SDRs, this is the one you should get.