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Looking for basic help with the SDR-1000

HB9DDS
HB9DDS Member ✭✭

Hello everyone,

I came across an SDR-1000, like a **** giving birth.

I have no idea about this version, but I want to get it up and running.

What I know:

  1. It is the QRP version.
  2. I still have a 2-meter transverter board.

That's all. Maybe I can get it working with the help of SDR-1000 owners.

Problem:

  1. I don't have the actual PIN assignment for the parallel port, despite the diagram, which doesn't provide much information.
  2. When I connect the SDR-1000 to 12V, nothing happens. Should something click or light up?
  3. Are any boards missing (apart from the 100W PA)?
  4. How do I proceed now?

I also don't kno which Version this is

Bildschirmfoto 2025-08-24 um 20.39.53.jpg

I think I first need to connect to the PC, install the software (which one?) and then see what happens.

But first, I need the parallel PIN assignment or a ready-made USB to parallel adapter.

Daniel

HB9DDS

IMG_3170-2.jpeg

IMG_3171-2.jpeg

IMG_3172-2.jpeg IMG_3173-2.jpeg

If all is running, this is the secons step.

IMG_3174-2.jpeg

Answers

  • Dudley  WA5QPZ
    Dudley WA5QPZ Member ✭✭✭

    Daniel,

    Bring an SDR1000 to life will be a challenging due to the number of dirivers no longer available or useable on current OS . You can use the on board soundcards, but was a much better performer with external sound cards, running XP or maybe Win7 .

    1. As I remember, the parallel port was a 25 pin straight through.
    2. On power up, there is nothing to light up, until you have the parallel port connected to a true printer port. I never worked with a USB to lpt port, so you need a motherboard with a LPT port or a true LPT card.
    3. I think all the sound cards were ISA cards, unless you use the Ediral Firewire sound adapter (then you will need a FireWire port, run with old drivers.
    4. I presume that there never was a 100W board with that stack, there were a couple of jumpers on the stack if there were a PA..

    Without a better sound card, the radio is pretty limited with lots of spurs and limited to 48K at best.

    If you have an older PC , with XP and ISA and LPT port, there might be some luck.. They did sound great on AM..

    And as I remember you can only run older versions of PowerSDR , version 7.53 pops up in my mind, last version to support the LPT port.

    Flex1500 is a better choice , connects via USB, and can run the later versions of PowerSDR by Darrin , KE9NS - https://www.ke9ns.com/flexpage.html

    Hope this helps, it can be done, but with an older PC should you still have one ..

    73,

    Dudley

    WA5QPZ

  • HB9DDS
    HB9DDS Member ✭✭

    @ Dudley

    My first step would be to connect the SDR-1000 to the PC.

    According to the manual, there should be a parallel port to USB adapter.

    Bildschirmfoto 2025-08-24 um 22.36.30.jpg

    However, to my knowledge, a USB cable has 4 wires.

    Bildschirmfoto 2025-08-24 um 22.17.37.jpg

    Now I'm wondering how to connect to the parallel port. Do I need another converter in between? If not, which parallel port pins are important?

    That's my problem. The manual does not describe this.

    There was a 100W module, according to the manual.

    Bildschirmfoto 2025-08-24 um 22.36.21.jpg

    Daniel

    HB9DDS

  • Dudley  WA5QPZ
    Dudley WA5QPZ Member ✭✭✭

    Daniel,

    A regular USB to Parallel will not work, there was a special one built by a user that has long since gone SK , was the only adapter that did work, but it long since gone since around 2008. Use a LPT port , (some motherboards have LPT ports, but no header, you can buy the headers on Amazon, but look at your BIOS of the motherboard….

  • HB9DDS
    HB9DDS Member ✭✭

    Hello Dudley

    I thought so.

    ———————

    So, I can inherit a laptop with a serial port. Let's see what's still working on it.

    But my question is:
    Where does the video signal come from so that something appears in PowerSDR? Via this serial port?

    Daniel

    HB9DDS

  • HB9DDS
    HB9DDS Member ✭✭

    And …

    How and where can I get a Powersdr Software, which ist working with the SDR-1000?

    Daniel

    HB9DDS

  • HB9DDS
    HB9DDS Member ✭✭

    So the laptop (IBM Thinkpad 2626 390X) with Windows XP and PowerSDR 1.18.6 is running. That was an adventure... and it takes time (slowly).

    Now the problem with the sound card.

    Can I only use the sound cards that are listed in Powersdr under Audio? That would be awful.

    Does anyone have any tips on how I can proceed? I just want to see if the SDR-1000 works.

    The IBM Thinkpad 2626 390X also has a built-in sound card...

    Daniel

    HB9DDS

  • HB9DDS
    HB9DDS Member ✭✭

    Key Question is:

    —» Can I only use the sound cards that are listed in Powersdr under Audio?

    If that's the case, which USB sound card works?

    Daniel

    HB9DDS

  • HB9DDS
    HB9DDS Member ✭✭

    I now have a different laptop in use. PowerSDR can now be installed and opened (Start).

    But... MOX is immediately active... There is no power either...

    I think I have a problem with the SDR-1000.

    PS: I'm surprised that no more tips are coming in. Too bad.

    Daniel

    HB9DDS

  • VE7ATJ_Don
    VE7ATJ_Don Member ✭✭✭✭

    Hi Daniel… sorry we're not able to provide more help but as you have probably surmised, very frew of us are using the 1000 any more. I think most have been relegated to the 'treasure trove' shelf.

  • HB9DDS
    HB9DDS Member ✭✭

    I realize that, but the knowledge shouldn't just be sitting in /on the rack…..

    Maybe someone has a working SDR-1000 (+ PA) in their rack and can offer it...

    Daniel

    HB9DDS

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