02/01/2024 17:23 FX-4CR-User-Manual (V1.

6)

HF/50MHz TRANSCEIVER

FX-4CR
bg2fx.com

Operation manual
(Firmware Version 1.6 - 23.12.30)

Table of contents
1 - Specifications
2 - Panels description
3 - Display
4 - Keypad function
5 - Basic operation
5.1 - Switching power (PWR)
5.2 - Volume adjustment (AF)
5.3 - Squelch (AF)
5.4 - Frequency selection (TUNE)
5.5 - Band selection (F)
5.6 - Mode selection (SSB)
5.7 - Mode selection (CW)
5.8 - Mode selection (AM.FM)
5.9 - VFO or MEMORY mode (M.V)
5.10 - VFO A.B and SPLIT (A.B)
5.11 - VFO A.B (A.B)
5.12 - Offset frequency (RIT)
5.13 - Manual Gain Control (MGC)
5.14 - Attenuator (ATT)
5.15 - Bandwidth (FILTER)
5.16 - DSP noise reduction (NR)
5.17 - Microphone Gain (MG)
5.18 - Transmit power (PWR)
5.19 - Receive mode only (RX)
5.20 - Key lock (LOCK)
5.21 - Menu (MENU)
6 - Menu setting
7 - Connectors
8 - Data communication
8.1 - CAT via Bluetooth
8.2 - Connection with USB cable
8.3 - Setting up digital mode software e.g. WSJT-X
9 - Firmware update
10 - Development mode
10.1 - Enter in development mode
10.2 - Calibrate output power
10.3 - Calibrate the power limits of each band
10.4 - Receive IQ balance setting
10.5 - Example of frequency tunning

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1 - Specifications
Transmitter: 3.5 MHz - 54 MHz (amateur radio frequencies)
Receiver: 3.5 MHz - 54 MHz
Operating modes: USB, LSB, CW, AM, FM
Frequency steps: 10 Hz, 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz
Receiving sensitivity: -121 dBm (0,20 µv)
SSB: 1,5 kHz, 1,8 kHz, 2,1 kHz, 2,4 kHz, 2,7 kHz, 3,0 kHz
CW : 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 300 Hz, 500 Hz, 800 Hz
Filter bandwidth:
AM : 6 kHz, 9 kHz
FM : 5 kHz, 10 kHz
Power range: 0,1 - 20 W continuously adjustable (54 MHz/5 W)
Frequency stability: +- 0.5 PPM
Spurious emission: -43 dB (Second and third harmonic)
Carrier Suppression: -50 dB
Antenna impedance: 50 Ohms
Microphone impedance: 2,2 kOhms
Audio output power: 1 W
10 V – 18 V DC
Voltage range:
(~ 14 V recommended, keep maximum voltage below 16V for long term operation)
Receive: ~ 210 mA (DC - 13.8 V)
Power consumption:
Transmit: ~ 3.3 - 4.0 A (20 W)
Operating temperature: -20 ℃, +40 ℃
107 mm L x 65 mm W x 43 mm H, 0.44 Kg
Overall height and weight:
4.2" L x 2.6" W x 1.7" H, 0.97 Lbs
Radio weight: 0,46kg
2.0″ TFT display screen
SDR receiver circuit design (24 kHz digital intermediate frequency)
Spectrum display and waterfall plot
Adjustable DSP noise reduction
Dual VFO operation VFO-A and VFO-B with split operation mode
Functional characteristics: Dial speed acceleration
Built-in microphone
99 Memories channels
Bluetooth and USB connection for sound card and serial port
Ultra wide input voltage: 10 V - 18 V
Quick switching among various frequency bands and convenient operation
Transceiver
Hand microphone
Power cable with spare fuses
Included Items:
USB data cable
Instruction manual
Box Carrying Case

Important
Monitor SWR and output power when using digital modes, especially when using higher supply voltages.
Using high powers with high SWR can damage the radio, especially when running high duty cycle digital modes.
SSB mode can use 20W.
CW mode must use less than 10W *.
FT8 power usage is limited to 5W *.
* (depending on the ambient temperature)

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2 - Panels description
FX-4CR SDR HF.Transceiver

IF.ATT PWR
21 24

MENU
28

FILTER F
50

SSB M.V A.B

3.5 5 7
(mic)

CW AM.FM RIT
10 14 18
AF TUNE

Press to switch attenuator between ATT, ATT1, ATT2 (ATT=none)

IF.ATT
Press and hold and then turn AF to adjust the MGC setting (Manual IF Gain Control).
Press to power on.
PWR Press and hold to power off.
Press and then turn AF to adjust the RF output power setting.
Press to change loudspeaker or headphones.
MENU
Press and hold to enter the menu.
FILTER Press to change the filter bandwidth.
Press to enter band selection mode.
F
Press and hold to lock the keypad.
Press to switch to SSB mode.
Press to select LSB or USB.
SSB
Press and hold in SSB mode to turn Noise Reduction ON or OFF.
Press and hold in CW mode to select the upper or lower carrier.
M.V Press to toggle between VFO and MEMORY.
Press to switch between VFO A and VFO B.
A.B
Press and hold to swap vfo.
Press to enter CW (Iambic electronic keyer or straight key).
CW
Press and hold to reverse the dit and dah paddles.
Press to switch to AM and FM mode.
AM.FM
Press and hold to activate wideband receive mode (RX only).
Press to turn RIT ON or OFF.
RIT Press and hold for CW practice mode (E).
(Can be set as PTT when you want to use the internal microphone).
Turn to adjust the volume.
Press and then turn to adjust the squelch.
AF
In SSB mode adjusts mic gain and DSP.
In CW mode adjusts the speed, volume and pitch of the CW sidetone.
Turn to adjust the frequency.
TUNE Press and turn to adjust the tuning step.
When in Memory mode: press and turn to select memory channel.

USB CW.KEY PTT.OUT PHONES EXT.SP MIC

- + ANT

USB USB connector PHONES Headphones connector

CW.KEY Keyer connector EXT.SP Loudspeaker connector
PTT.OUT PTT control output connector MIC Handheld microphone connector
- + Power XT60 type connector ANT Antenna BNC type connector

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3 - Display

T=R ATT2 F 13.6V

CW L
VFO A
7. 016. 80 200Hz

30. 000. 00 RIT + 0

CW M -- E SIVOL 21
S 1 3 5 7 9 20 40 60dB T≠R T=R RX Split, Normal or RX only
VOL 29 SITON 700
ATT ATT1 ATT2 Receive attenuator
SQL 0 Po 2 10 20w KEYSP 20
Bluetooth connection
CW mode
Loudspeaker or headphones
T=R ATT1 M 13.6V SMF AGC speed (slow, middle, fast)
LSB
VFO A
7. 090. 00 2.4k
DIG
13.6V
Digital mode (no sound)
Supply voltage
30. 000. 00 RIT + 0
7.016.80 VFO A
NR NB MIC 80
S 1 3 5 7 9 20 40 60dB
VOL 29 DSP 15 30.000.00 VFO B
SQL 0 Po 2 10 20w LEN 60 -124dB Current RSSI
LSB mode CW L Current mode
VFO A Current VFO
T=R ATT DIG M 13.6V
200Hz Filter bandwidth
USB
VFO A
14. 074. 00 3.0k S Po S-meter or Pwr indicator
30. 000. 00 RIT + 0 2.7W Current power output
NR NB MIC 80 SWR 1.3 Current SWR
S 1 3 5 7 9 20 40 60dB
VOL 29 DSP 15 CW M --E Electronic or straight key
SQL 0 Po 2 10 20w LEN 60
VOL 29 Audio volume
2.7 W -124 dB SQL 0 Squelch
SWR 1.3 RIT+ 0 Offset frequency

USB DIGITAL mode (transmission) KEYSP 20 Auto keyer speed

NB NR Noise reduction, noise blanker
RX ATT1 S 13.6V MIC 80 Microphone Gain

VFO A
AM
9. 550. 00 9.0k
DSP 15 Depth digital noise reduction
LEN 60 Noise reduction network length
30. 000. 00 RIT + 0

NR NB MIC 80
S 1 3 5 7 9 20 40 60dB
VOL 29 DSP 15

SQL 0 Po 2 10 20w LEN 60

AM (RX only)

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4 - Keypad function
Each button or knob has several functions
Press: just hit it
Press and hold: press and hold more than one second
Turn: turn right or left to change values
Press then turn: hold down the knob and turn right or left to change the values

Note
When a setting is selected it is highlighted with red contour.
To exit a setting, it is necessary to press button or knob again. If no action is taken, the transceiver will automatically exit
the setting after a few seconds.

5 - Basic operation
5.1 - Switching power (PWR)
Press PWR to power on.
Press and hold PWR to power off.

5.2 - Volume adjustment (AF)

Turn AF to adjust the audio volume. (The volume setting ranges from 0 to 99).
Press to adjust MIC gain. When (NR) is active, press to switch between MIC, DSP, LEN.
In CW mode, press to adjust KEYSP, SITON or SIVOL.

5.3 - Squelch (AF)

Press and hold AF until SQL is highlighted, then turn AF to adjust the squelch.
Press and hold AF again to exit the squelch setting.

5.4 - Frequency selection (TUNE)

Turn TUNE to adjust the frequency.
Press TUNE then turn TUNE to change the frequency multiplier.
Turn clockwise: 1k, 100, 10
Turn counterclockwise: 1k, 10k, 100k

5.5 - Band selection (F)

Press F to enter the band selection menu.
Turn TUNE or select a band by pressing the BUTTON containing the band name in the lower right corner.
Press F again to exit the band selection menu.
Ham bands T=R or T≠R (RIT)
80m (3.500 4.000), 60m (5.350 5.365), 40m (7.000 7.350), 30m (9.998-10.150), 20m (14.000-14.350),
17m (18.068-18.168), 15m (21.000 21.450), 12m (24.800 25.000), 10m (27.000 30.000), 6m (50.000 54.000)
Broadcast bands RX only
90m (3.200 3.900), 75m (3.900 4.000), 60m (4.700 5.600), 49m (5.900 7.000),
41m (7.100 7.800), 31m (9.400 9.900), 25m (11.600 13.100), 22m (13.570 13.870),
19m (15.100 15.800), 16m (17.480 17.900), 13m (21.450 21.750), 11m (25.600 27.405), 10m (28.000 29.999)

Note:
By default, transmission on the 60m band and 6m band is disabled.
To activate transmission on 60m, press and hold M/V and then PWR hold M/V until "60m TX" appears.
To activate transmission on 6m, press and hold FILTER and then PWR hold FILTER until "6m TX" appears.
Repeat the operation to disable transmit on these bands.

5.6 - Mode selection (SSB)

Press SSB to select SSB mode.
Press SSB to switch between (LSB), (LSB-DIG), (USB) and (USB-DIG).
(In digital mode, DIG appears on top of the screen. The speaker mute and the audio filter is set to 3.0 kHz).

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5.7 - Mode selection (CW)

Press CW to select CW mode.
Press CW to switch between the Iambic electronic keyer (CW A) and the straight key (CW M).
In (CW A) press and hold CW to reverse the dit and dah paddles.
Press and hold SSB to select the higher or lower carrier. (Which can be useful to avoid interference on nearby
frequencies).
Press then turn AF to adjust keyer speed KEYSP, press again to adjust Sidetone frequency SITON, and press again to
adjust Sidetone volume SIVOL.

5.8 - Mode selection (AM.FM)

Press AM.FM to select (AM) or (FM) mode.
Press and hold AM.FM until (RX) appears to activate broadcast bands receiver mode.
Press and hold AM.FM will revert to ham bands again.

5.9 - VFO or MEMORY mode (M.V)

(Prior to entering Memory mode select 1 kHz VFO step for easiest setting of frequency).
(Empty channels are assigned 3500 kHz).
Press M.V to switch between VFO or MEMORY mode.
In VFO mode turn TUNE for frequency adjustment.
In MEMORY mode press then turn TUNE to select a memory from 1 to 99.
Adjust the frequency by turning TUNE Frequency, mode and filter bandwidth will be automatically stored in the selected
memory.

5.10 - VFO A.B and SPLIT (A.B)

In VFO mode press A.B to toggle between VFO A and VFO B.
In MEMORY mode press A.B to toggle between CH A and CH B.
Press and hold A.B until (T≠R) appears to enter split mode.
Press and hold A.B until (T=R) appears to exit split mode.
(In split mode, while transmitting, the main frequency display shows the transmit frequency and the sub frequency
display shows the receive frequency. Cross-band operation is possible in split mode).

5.11 - VFO A.B (A.B)

Press A.B to toggle between VFO A and VFO B.
Press and hold A.B to swap frequencies.

5.12 - Offset frequency (RIT)

Press RIT to turn (RIT) ON or OFF. (RIT) will be highlighted when active.
Press TUNE to adjust the receiver offset.
Press TUNE to select the frequency step.
(See MENU RIT_PTT to define function)

5.13 - Manual Gain Control (MGC)

Press and hold IF.ATT and then turn AF to adjust MGC level. (32 is the std level)

5.14 - Attenuator (ATT)

Press IF.ATT to switch attenuator between ATT, ATT1, ATT2. Indicator appears on top of the screen.
(For ATT1, the incoming signal power is reduced by 15dB and for ATT2 it's reduced by 35dB)

5.15 - Bandwidth (FILTER)

Press and hold FILTER and turn AF to adjust the I/Q balance.
Press FILTER to toggle between filter bandwidth options in each mode.
SSB: 1,5 kHz, 1,8 kHz, 2,1 kHz, 2,4 kHz, 2,7 kHz, 3,0 kHz
CW : 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 300 Hz, 500 Hz, 800 Hz
FM : 5 kHz, 10 kHz
AM : 6 kHz, 9 kHz

5.16 - DSP noise reduction (NR)

Press and hold SSB to turn noise reduction ON or OFF. (NR) will be highlighted when active.
Press and hold AF until DSP is highlighted, then turn AF to adjust DSP and LEN strength.
(The DSP may be unstable in some scenarios. If the noise reduction system freezes, reset it by turning the device OFF
and ON, then turning the (DSP) back on).

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5.17 - Microphone Gain (MG)

Press AF to enter microphone setting, then turn AF to adjust the microphone gain.
Press AF again to exit the microphone setting.
(In practice, the gain setting should not be advanced further than 10 to avoid distortion).

5.18 - Transmit power (PWR)

Press PWR to enter power setting, then turn AF to adjust the power.
Press PWR again to exit the power setting.
(The power setting ranges from 0.1 to 20 W, 54 MHz/5 W).

5.19 - Receive mode only (RX)

Press and hold AM.FM until (RX) appears on the top of the screen.
Press and hold AM.FM until (T=R) appears to return to transceiver mode.

5.20 - Key lock (LOCK)

Press and hold F until LOCK is appears on the top of the screen.
Press and hold F until LOCK disappears.

5.21 - Menu (MENU)

Press MENU to mute the speaker.
Press and hold MENU to enter the menu.
Press and hold MENU again to exit the menu.
Turn AF or press MENU to scroll through menu options, then turn TUNE to change the value of the selected menu
item.

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6 - Menu setting
(Note values ​here before any changes) → Notes
0 MENU Changes the automatic menu exit delay.
The intermediate frequency of the device is 24.000 kHz.
1 IF 1 The IF setting ranges from 20.000 kHz to 28.000 kHz.
(Can effectively avoid some interference in the intermediate frequency part)
Adjusts the delay between CW transmit and receive after input.
2 CW_DELAY
(0 - 99 by 5mS, Ex: 20 = 100mS)
Selects the time constant for the Automatic Gain Control circuit:
0. Slow
3 AGC_SPEED
1. Medium
2. Fast
Wireless Bluetooth: (name: FX-4CR)
4 BLUETOOTH 0. OFF
1. ON
The RIT can be used as PTT when you want to use internal microphone:
5 RIT_PTT 0. OFF (RIT as RIT)
1. ON (RIT as PTT)
The tuning step automatically changes, depending on the TUNE rotating speed:
0. current step * 1
1. current step * 2
6 ENCODE_FREQ 2. current step * 3
3. current step * 4
4. current step * 5
5. current step * 6
TX Filter Bandwidth:
0. 1.5kHz
1. 1.8kHz
7 TX_FILTER 2. 2.1kHz
3. 2.4kHz
4. 2.7kHz
5. 3.0kHz
8 TX_AF_COMP Audio compression level. (1 to 99)
Backlight control:
9 LCD_BL 0. Delayed off
1. Always on

7 - Connectors
Usb Key Ptt.out
GND 5V D- D+ GND KEY KEY GND LOW HI

Phones Ext.sp Mic

GND AF AF GND AF GND PTT IN

Ptt.out, LOW: low level on transmit, HI: hight level on transmit.

(LOW and HI options available for different PA input/TTL levels)
(All connectors standard 3.5mm stereo / 3 or 4 poles coaxial plugs).

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8 - Data communication
8.1 - CAT via Bluetooth
For Bluetooth connection with the Android based FT8CN (an Android based FT8 software), set Bluetooth to 'on' in the
Menu, and pair transceiver with Android device.
In the FT8CN app the transceiver should appear as 'FX-4CR'.
In FT8CN settings set Rig to FX-4CR or TS-590S.
(For detailed settings refer to the FT8CN app / documentation).

8.2 - Connection with USB cable

Connect the supplied USB cable to the transceiver and the computer, and turn on the transceiver.
Transceiver should show in COM port list as well as two audio channels (USB PnP device).
(Because Windows assigns data to physical USB ports, always try to reuse the working COM port).
For software, set Rig to Kenwood TS-590S, baudrate to 115200 and PTT to RTS.

8.3 - Setting up digital mode software e.g. WSJT-X

Launch your digimode software and set the following parameters:
Rig: Kenwood TS-590S
Baud-rate: 115200
Ptt: RTS
Com: port as noted above
Audio-tab: “USB PnP device” for both channels
Digimode frequency setting and PTT/tune should now control the transceiver.
Adjust settings as follows:
Receiver, with antenna connected: adjust AF level via Windows sound control sliders until RX level is roughly
mid-scale (50 or 60 dB) in dB meter at the bottom of WSJT-X main screen. Waterfall should now show signals
and main screen decoded messages
Transmitter, with dummy load connected: Hit “tune” key in digimode software and set power slider (e.g. of WSJT-
X) to 100%. Adjust computer audio level controls until power no longer increases. Then reduce level e.g. to -30%
from maximum, not exceeding 5W.
Reconnect antenna. You're set to respond to CQs or send CQ calls yourself on a free sub-channel. For more details
refer to the individual software user documentation.

9 - Firmware update
Important
Plug the USB cable on the transceiver side first, and then insert in computer.
Unplug the USB cable from computer, then from transceiver.

On transceiver
1. Start by connecting transceiver and computer in respect of procedure.
2. Press and hold F press PWR and then release F KEEP HOLDING PWR
(REMEMBER, not to let go during the entire download process)
If you let go of the button, you will lose the connection to the STM32Cube Programmer.

On computer
1. Download the latest BG2FX firmware file from:
https://bg2fx.com/downloads
2. Unzip firmware file to a location on your computer.
3. Download and install the STM32Cube Programmer from:
https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stm32cubeprog.html
4. Install and run STM32Cube Programmer.
5. Select USB from the top right menu of the STM32Cube Programmer.
6. If you do not see your USB port listed, you might need to hit the Refresh button next to the port dropdown.
7. Click on the green Connect button.
8. Click the Open tab and select the unziped firmware file. (Example: FX-4CR_2023.xx.xx.hex)
9. Click the Download button in the STM32Cube Programmer.
10. After the download is completed, let PWR
This will disconnect the transceiver from the STM32Cube Programmer.

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10 - Development mode
Important
Any incorrect values cause malfunctions
This section describes how to calibrate your radio. Before any modification note the values ​present in this mode.

0 POW_CORRE Internal Power Meter Calibration

1 AGC_STARE AGC starting threshold
2 S_CORRECT RSSI display Calibration
3 TCXO TCXO Calibration 25000000
4 SPE_DISPLAY Transmit spectrum display
Manual / automatic IQ balance
5 RX_AMP_MA
(receive IQ balance)
6 ALC_START MIC ALC start point setting
7 ALC_MIC MIC maximum gain setting 60
8 TX_AMP_80M Emission spurious setting amplitude
9 TX_PHASE_80M Emission spurious setting phase
10 TX_AMP_60M Emission spurious setting amplitude
11 TX_PHASE_60M Emission spurious setting phase
12 TX_AMP_40M Emission spurious setting amplitude
13 TX_PHASE_40M Emission spurious setting phase
14 TX_AMP_30M Emission spurious setting amplitude
15 TX_PHASE_30M Emission spurious setting phase
16 TX_AMP_20M Emission spurious setting amplitude
17 TX_PHASE_20M Emission spurious setting phase
18 TX_AMP_17M Emission spurious setting amplitude
19 TX_PHASE_17M Emission spurious setting phase
20 TX_AMP_15M Emission spurious setting amplitude
21 TX_PHASE_15M Emission spurious setting phase
22 TX_AMP_12M Emission spurious setting amplitude
23 TX_PHASE_12M Emission spurious setting phase
24 TX_AMP_10M Emission spurious setting amplitude
25 TX_PHASE_10M Emission spurious setting phase
26 TX_AMP_6M Emission spurious setting amplitude
27 TX_PHASE_6M Emission spurious setting phase

10.1 - Enter in development mode

Press and hold MENU and then PWR keep holding MENU until enter development mode.

10.2 - Calibrate output power

1. Set 40m band: freq 7.050Mhz.
Press PWR and set 20W.
Set (CW M .-) and press straight key or mike PTT.
Read the value on an external power meter with connected dummy load and compare with value on screen.
Turn off the radio.
2. Enter development mode.
Adjust value [0-POW_CORRE]
(if the output power is lower than the value on screen, decrease this value otherwise increase it)
Exit MENU turn off the radio and repeat the operation until the desired result.
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10.3 - Calibrate the power limits of each band

To set up correct power settings for all bands press PWR and set 20W (5W for 6m band).
Set (CW M .-) and press straight key or mike PTT.
Adjust AF to read 20W on the screen.

10.4 - Receive IQ balance setting

Press and hold IF.ATT and then PWR keep holdding IF.ATT until two lines of setting appear.

The receiver must be set to CW and be tuned to the generator frequency + 48Khz.
The image signal is suppressed by adjusting the [AMP] and [PHASE] values.
The two sets of values are adjusted in conjunction with each other.
Usually [PHASE] only needs to be adjusted once.

In normal use, you can adjust [AMP] without entering the hidden menu.
To do this press and hold FILTER and a line of setting values ​appears at the bottom of the screen.

10.5 - Example of frequency tunning

Band Receiver Generator Note

80M band 3.648Mhz 3.600Mhz
60M band 5.360Mhz 5.312Mhz
40M band 7.148Mhz 7.100Mhz
30M band 10.148Mhz 10.100Mhz
20M band 14.148Mhz 14.100Mhz
17M band 18.100Mhz 18.052Mhz
15M band 21.148Mhz 21.100Mhz
12M band 24.800Mhz 24.752Mhz
10M band 28.448Mhz 28.400Mhz
6M band 50.148Mhz 50.100Mhz

Thank you for your support and purchase

Copyright © 2023 HAM DIY - BG2FX - All Rights Reserved.
User manual by F5BUD

https://bg2fx.com/about-us

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