SDRplay RSP1 & FT-2000

Ernst

 

Previously I ran the SDRPlay RSP1 via the IF-out (delivered by the RFSpace IF-2000, 10,55 Mhz). But there are a couple of disadvantages (switching pre-amp, att, etc. affects also the SDR, so you have always adjust the gain on the sdr too).

Luckily for most of the Yaesu FT’s (and for some Icom’s) there is an easy solution: I use now RX-in/RX-out from the FT-2000 in combination with a simple splitter. So I can now listen on SDR and FT-2000 independently via main antenna.

The SDR is connected to the RX ANT OUT of the FT-2000.

On activated RX-Button, this output has the signal from the antenna during receive. In order to feed both the FT-2000 and the SDR with signal, I use a Diamond SS500 splitter. The RX ANT OUT signal is split in two. Half of the signal is fed to the RX ANT IN and half of the signal is fed to the SDR. This way both radios have an identical copy of the signal.
With the splitter the rx-signal is attenuated, but with a simple button-press (“RX”), i can disable this “loop”, and have the normal signal on the FT-2000 from main-antenna.
For the RSP1 I use the fantastic Software SDR Console V3 and Omnirig. Omnirig is connected to Yaesu’s CAT-Com-Port. So with this setup click & tune is very easy 🙂
 

RX/TX layout FT-2000 with SDRPlay and splitter

back to ‘my station’

8 thoughts on “SDRplay RSP1 & FT-2000”

  1. Hello Ernst,
    I’m using similar arrangement for my FT-2000 and SDR Airspy+, together with VSPE, OmniRig, SDRConsole and one of HAM logger (N1MM+ RCKLog, HRD, QARTest…). Without logger, SDRConsole is working fine, but as soon I include any of those loggers, there comes the problem. Frequency on SDRConsole begin jumping up and down from band to band, even on same strange band like around 110Hz! If I use FT-450 or IC-7300 in the same arrangement, all is working fine. Do you have any idea what could be wrong here?
    Best regards from Janez – S51J

    Reply

    1. Hi Janez,
      I know that problem. This happens if you are connecting a real COM-Port into 2 or more virtual COM-Ports. It only works partly.
      My workaround:
      I created a pair of com-ports (15/16) and use the inbuilt cat-interface of SDRConsole (see options, controllers, CAT). Here I “connect” SDRConsole to com15. In my logger (LogHX3) I use com16 with protocal TS2000.
      On contests, I close LogHX3 and use N1MM, which is also connected to com16 (TS2000). Of course with this setup not all cat-functions are available for N1MM, but for me it works.
      So the “chain” is:
      FT2000 => PC Com5 => Omnirig FT2000.ini => SDRConsole Com15<->16 => LogHX3/N1MM

      73 de Ernst
      OE3IDE

      Reply

  2. Hi Guy’s
    Hope you are all well…. I have just setup my FT2000 with the Diamond SS500 Splitter as per above. As far as i can tell, all is working fine, i was listening to VK’s etc this morning 30th September 2021 coming through 5/9+ to me in Sheffield UK.

    My question is that now i’ve connected the splitter to use the input & output of my rado, can i still use the radio to TX while the SDR is active?.

    I’m using a micro Keyer II as the CAT so i can use that to control the SDR if needed.
    My equipment is as follows
    Yaesu FT2000
    microHAM keyer II
    SDRPlay RSPdx
    Software is SDRuno V1.41

    Thanks
    Tim 2e0tjx

    Reply

    1. Hi,
      if you have it connected like in the picture, than you can use the FT-2000 for TX. The better way would be using an MFJ 1709 SDR Splitter… because with the SS500 you loose 3db…

      73 Ernst

      Reply

      1. Ernst
        Thanks for the advice, i wasn’t sure if i could TX on the rig while the SDRplay was attached but that clears it up. As for the MFJ-1709, I have the MFJ-1707B But not sure if it will do the same thing… The Diamond splitter is doing great as it is so not that bothered about the 3db loss….

        The MFJ-1707B is a RF SENSE, ANTENNA SWITCH. I thought it was the SDR version when i ordered it….

        Thanks….

        Reply

  3. Hello Ernst.
    I have an Icom 7600 that works just like the FT1000 as faras the RX OUT and RX IN arrangement. I have to loop the RX OUT back to the RX IN as you did. My question is…..can I use a simple SO 239 coax ‘T’ connector instead of the Diamond splitter?

    Thanks in advance & 73,
    Eden….K3AFR

    Reply

    1. Hi,
      A T-connector would provide 25 Ohms, should not be a problem in the RX-path. Although I would suggest using the MFJ-1708B-SDR. In this setup you wouldn’t lose 3db. 3db sounds not much, but on weak signals it could make the difference to copy the station or not.

      73s Ernst

      Reply

  4. Hello,
    Since is is a 3 year old thread. Has anything new come out that does a better job than what is seen above? If I wire it as seen above with the ss500. Do I have to worry about my legal limit Amp blowing the receiver of the SDRPlay? 73’s WP4PR

    Reply

Leave a Reply