# LimeSDR USB: which type of USB connector?

**URL:** <https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [17 June 2020 20:07 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221 "2020-06-17T20:07:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@ab1](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/ab1)\
**Post date:** [17 June 2020 20:07 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221/1 "2020-06-17T20:07:41Z")

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Greetings! I’ve just started looking into SDR the last couple of days and the LimeSDR USB board looks like a good candidate to get.

If I order the board now, what USB connector does it come with? A male USB-A or female USB micro-B or something else?

(I ask because there is inconsistent info on both the [myriadrf.org](http://myriadrf.org) product page and on the [crowdsupply.com](http://crowdsupply.com) website. The product page says it has a micro-B connector, but all but one photo there shows a USB-A male. The description on [crowdsupply.com](http://crowdsupply.com) where you click the “add to cart” button says “LimeSDR USB Type-A”.)

Thanks,  
Allan

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**Author:** ![AA7QQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/13edae/32.png) [@AA7QQ](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/AA7QQ)\
**Post date:** [18 June 2020 09:46 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221/2 "2020-06-18T09:46:47Z")

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If you can get the Micro B, it is less prone to damage.

Ed

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**Author:** ![ab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@ab1](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/ab1)\
**Post date:** [18 June 2020 16:21 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221/3 "2020-06-18T16:21:41Z")

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I agree Ed, that’s why I’m asking. I think a male type-A on something like this just makes no sense so I want to be sure it comes with the female micro-B when I order it, even if the order page still says “type-A”.

Of course I’ve contacted [crowdsupply.com](http://crowdsupply.com) with the same question, but no response yet, which is why I was asking here too.  
Cheers,  
Allan

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**Author:** ![andrewback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@andrewback](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/andrewback)\
**Post date:** [19 June 2020 10:08 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221/4 "2020-06-19T10:08:23Z")

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Type A. Micro B variant is no longer available.

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**Author:** ![AA7QQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/13edae/32.png) [@AA7QQ](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/AA7QQ)\
**Post date:** [19 June 2020 16:33 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221/5 "2020-06-19T16:33:01Z")

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THe Micro B was much less prone to damage. I (Very tediously) replaced my A connector. Wouldn’t want to do that again.  
I have improperly abused that unit over time & it’s still kicking.

Ed

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**Author:** ![ab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@ab1](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/ab1)\
**Post date:** [19 June 2020 18:22 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221/6 "2020-06-19T18:22:05Z")

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Thanks for clarifying Andrew. I’d have to follow in Ed’s footsteps and replace the connector.  
Ed - I agree. Did you find a micro-B connector with the same footprint for the solder pads, or was the job worse than that?  
Cheers, Allan

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**Author:** ![HansKarel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90db22/32.png) [@HansKarel](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/HansKarel)\
**Post date:** [20 June 2020 07:24 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221/7 "2020-06-20T07:24:00Z")

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Why should you replace it? I bought a USB3.0 hub, a heavy one with metal case.

 ![20200508_112334](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/myriadrf/original/2X/0/0662076cf25fa52322715cb520d15cc9edae2490.jpeg)  
No chance of damage and you have an external power supply for the lime sdr which is advisable.  
Here is my lime sdr mini, used as transceiver for oscar-100 satellite.

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**Author:** ![ab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@ab1](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/ab1)\
**Post date:** [20 June 2020 19:25 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-usb-which-type-of-usb-connector/6221/8 "2020-06-20T19:25:56Z")

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Looks like a nice setup Hans. I don’t have a board yet so I’m definitely not complaining about actual system reliability here - I did want to know what would arrive (and yes I’m disappointed with the USB connector choice).

I guess I’ve accumulated enough scars over my professional career to make me shy of adding unnecessary failure points to a system - and more scars from USB than other serial hardware.

I’ve seen USB connectors, cables, hubs, repeaters all fail in particularly nasty aggravating ways: flaky connections, occasional corrupted data, intermittent dropped connections. Also, reviewing other posts here there seemed to be many support-type questions from folks having trouble because of USB cable/comms issues. So for me I’d rather avoid it as much as possible. On the other hand I would have felt warm all over if the board used GigE instead of USB…  
Cheers,  
Allan