Powered Speakers that use USB Port for Power

Mark Griffin

GA Flexradio Users,

There are many Powered Speakers out on the market that are powered by USB Cable.

I know that the 6400M has 2 USB ports on the back. So my question is this, If I purchase a set of powered speakers powered by USB cable. And plug them into the back of my 6400M, would that work?

Thanks!

Mark Griffin, KB3Z

Mike-VA3MW

As Neil and Bret mentioned, the USB ports are device control and have limited power.

Neil D Friedman N3DF

Sec 31 of the manual suggests the answer is no. I had no trouble finding powered speakers with 3.5 mm TRS plug.

WX7Y

The USB on the Radio is not for higher current loads like speakers but rather devices like FTDI Serial chipped devices or External Powered USB HUB's for more then 2 USB devices and items like the USB speakers because the USB Hub doesn't pull voltage from the USB ports on the radio.

Here are the ones I have found to work great and can be powered from the same 12 Volt power supply as your radio and have a metal case to help shield against RF,

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Port-USB-Power-Adapter/dp/B07Z59NCL9/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=powered+usb+3.0+hub&qid=1633114825&sr=8-16

There are some others that are generic from China that look identical and seem to work okay but StarTech branded are the one I use.

Here is a chinses brand 10 Port USB2 that may work to for a lot less money, https://www.amazon.com/Sipolar-Port-Great-Bitcoin-Miner/dp/B01K4LYX7U/ref=sr_1_37?dchild=1&keywords=powered+usb+2.0+hub&qid=1633115262&sr=8-37 .

Mark Griffin

Thanks Mike!