Laren

LazyWeb time:

Alright, so, my digital setup is basically laptop plugs into radio via USB A to USB C connection (odd note: C to C doesn't work. Irrelevant here.)

Question is this: I know shielded USB cables are a thing, but given I'm transmitting at a max of 10w, and about 20 feet away give or take based on cable run from the antenna, do I need to worry about shielding? I'll probably shove a few toroids on because I have them and, y'know, but am I right in thinking the shielding is a tad overkill?

If not, I'm open to cable suggestions. <3

#AmateurRadio #HamRadio

Jul 31, 2023 at 7:37amWeb
Show threadAlex H  VA7XF CN89Jul 31, 2023
@laren even 5W is enough to kill my track pad while FT8 is transmitting. Even when I have a choke between the antenna and radio. Putting a small toroid on each end of the USB cable was enough to fix it.
Show threadLarenJul 31, 2023

@ajh Geez. Alright, toroids it is.

Not exactly expensive or a problem, and though I haven't experienced issues yet... 🤷‍♀️

Show threadOssi OH8HUBJul 31, 2023

@laren Don't do anything special before you have problems. No point spending time and energy on issue you don't have.

I had issues. Keying the radio killed the USB-connection between laptop and IC-705. I made a hack (see photo), but it works. Maybe I'll clean this some day and downsize the toroid (FT240-43).

#ic705 #interference #usb #toroid

Show threadChristian HB9HOXJul 31, 2023
@laren Pragmatic approach. Do you have issues? No, then nothing to worry about. Yes, start with some ferrite beads and then progress from there (RFI from imbalanced antenna, SWR, grounding, shielding).