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{
    "url": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/email/JG555SBIVDKRM7C26FPUGNRHYNUJ26KK/?format=api",
    "mailinglist": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/?format=api",
    "message_id": "F0D6AD19FBE27346BC5FBD7D34D1A07F1CAECCC8B5@NDMSSCC02.ndc.nasa.gov",
    "message_id_hash": "JG555SBIVDKRM7C26FPUGNRHYNUJ26KK",
    "thread": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/thread/JG555SBIVDKRM7C26FPUGNRHYNUJ26KK/?format=api",
    "sender": {
        "address": "Patrick.L.Kilroy (a) nasa.gov",
        "mailman_id": "c9b52fa97df54f41a91536e2a434c685",
        "emails": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/sender/c9b52fa97df54f41a91536e2a434c685/emails/?format=api"
    },
    "sender_name": "Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680)",
    "subject": "[amsat-dc] Re: Join a FUNcube Eval",
    "date": "2011-05-06T20:38:17Z",
    "parent": null,
    "children": [],
    "votes": {
        "likes": 0,
        "dislikes": 0,
        "status": "neutral"
    },
    "content": "An update: \n\nI received my FUNcube Dongle!  Initial bench \ntest results receiving a strong PICetSat signal \n(see http://simsat.net/carrollsat/) look good \nso far to me.  \n\nOne reluctant evaluator, however, questioned \nwhether the tiny unit was little more than a \ntoy.  So, I would like to run some formal \ntests on it and other receivers at the same \ntime under the same conditions, and then \ncompare results.  More testing and \nevaluation will follow.  \n\nIn the mean time, one fine group in Texas \nmay have stolen my thunder.  See below for an \ninsightful message from Ken N8KH, who uncovered \nthe recent NTMS test results and offered \nadditional helpful comments to us.  \n\nBut, as an aside about Ken's pre-amplifier \nrecommendation, I found several amplification \nstages in the FUNcube Dongle itself that are \nvariable and can be easily changed.  I will \nexperiment with them before purchasing another \nsatellite-grade low-noise pre-amp.  I also \nhave a nice big DCI filter for 145 MHz and \nanother for 435 MHz to insert between the \ndongle and antenna if and when needed.  \n\nImmediately below Ken's message, please see \nthe related links of interest for your \nconvenience.  \n\nDid YOU order a FUNcube Dongle yet?  \n\nKeep trying.  The next sale should be \nannounced on the FUNcubeDongle Web site \nsoon.  \n\nCheers,\n\nPat\nN8PK\n\n\n-----Original Message-----\nFrom: Ken Hendrickson [mailto:[email protected]]\nSent: Thursday, May 5, 2011 11:19 PM\nTo: [email protected]\nSubject: MDS & NF Tests (Including FUNcube Dongle)\n\nThe North Texas Microwave Society (NTMS) just did \nsome testing of minimum detectable signal (MDS) \nand noise figure (NF) measurements for common IF \nreceivers, including the FUNcube Dongle Pro [and \nthe IC-910H].  (It was published tonight.)\n\nThe FUNcube performed very well.  On both 435 MHz \nand also 1296 MHz it was within 3 dB of the best \nout there. As you know, 3 dB is just barely \nmeasurable in the laboratory with expensive test \nequipment, and only barely noticeable on the air.  \nTheir report/slides: \n\nhttp://www.NTMS.org/files/MDS_NF_Measurements_IF_Rigs_RevC.pdf\n\nIf you want to make up that 3 dB, just add a very \ngood pre-amp to the front end.  But be careful, \nand do not overload the FUNcube with too much \nsignal.  You don't want much gain -- only the \nlower noise figure and enough gain to overcome \nfeedline losses.  Make sure to measure dynamic \nrange after adding the preamp, to ensure you \nhaven't degraded dynamic range.  But to be \nhonest, 3 dB probably isn't worth it.  \n\nHere are some quick and easy rules of thumb: \n\nIf you want to double range, you need +6 dB.  \n\nIf you cut the bandwidth in half, you will add \n+3 dB of performance (at the expense of time).\n\nSo if you need 6 dB, you can cut the bandwidth \nin half twice.  Use slower signaling, and longer \nintegration times at your receiver, and you will \nhave your 6 dB and doubling of range.  \n\nThe first step to deciding if your FUNcube will \nreally work in your application is to do a link \nbudget.  Do you have antenna gain pattern \nfigures?  Bandwidths?  Power output?  Perhaps \nI can help you out with the link budget.\n\nMy gut level feel is that your system will work \nwell, but math is better than a gut feeling.  \n\n73,\nKen N8KH\n\nPS Please send the address of the Carroll County \namateur radio club meeting on Monday night.  \n\n--------------------------\n\nLINKS\n\nFUNcube Dongle Pro\nhttp://www.funcubedongle.com/\n\nSoftRock SDR\nhttp://www.wb5rvz.com/sdr/\nhttp://homepages.wightcable.net/~g4zfq/Si570.htm\n\nPower SDR\nhttp://www.flexradio.com/Products.aspx?topic=PowerSDRv2\nhttp://flexradiowiki.com/frsradoiowiki/index.php?title=Main_Page\nhttp://support.flex-radio.com/Downloads.aspx\n\nHP 83712A\nhttp://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&nid=-536900197.536901304&pageMode=OV\n\nMDC High-Altitude Balloon Experiments\nhttp://simsat.net/carrollsat/\n\n\n--------------------------\n\nSent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 11:08 AM\nSubject: Join a FUNcube Eval\n\nCross-posted from [email protected] ...\n \nYesterday I ordered a FUNcube Dongle Pro \nfrom Howard Long, G6LVB, and AMSAT-UK \nat http://www.funcubedongle.com/ for \nunder $200 USD to evaluate.  []  \n \nI am evaluating this SDR receiver for dual \nuse on the Amateur Satellites and my STEM \nproject of SimSat, specifically, currently, \non quality of reception of my high-altitude \nballoon experiment PICetSat flight modules.  \nWe will fly again this summer.  \n \nPart of the FUNcube Dongle Pro technical \nFAQ is reproduced below, FYI.  \n \nI am looking for others who wish to also \nevaluate the same receiver for whatever \none's purpose.  Please let me know if you \ngot one or when you get one, and what \nsoftware you are trying.  \n \nThoughts?    \n \nTHANKS and 73,\n \nPat Kilroy, N8PK\nAMSAT Area Coordinator\nMDC Area\n \n>From http://www.funcubedongle.com/ . . . \n\nTechnical FAQ\nQ. What is the FUNcube Dongle Pro frequency range?\nA. 64-1,700MHz, although straw poll tests on \npre-production units indicate that units can \nbe stretched down to 51.5MHz or so.  Upper \nfrequency limit is beyond 2,000MHz.  In testing, \nwe have determined that there is a gap between \nabout 1,100MHz and 1,270MHz where the design of \nthe local oscillator VCO, PLL and divider chain \nin the tuner chip don't provide seemless \ncoverage.\n\nQ. What can the FUNcube Dongle receive?\nA. The FUNcube Dongle has no restriction on \nmodulation schemes: it is limited only by the \napplication program running on the host computer. \nAs long as the signal fits within about an 80kHz \nbandwidth, the FUNcube Dongle is capable of \nreceiving the radio signal.  So, for analogue \nreception, as well as narrow band FM and SSB, \nit is also possible to receive, for example, \nsound subcarriers for TV broadcast. Similarly \nfor data reception, as long as a data demodulator \nhas been written that will accept standard \nsoundcard quadrature I/Q reception, that will \nwork too.\n\nQ. What is the bandwidth?\nA. 96kHz is the quadrature sampling rate.  Once \nthe ADC's decimation filter skirts have been \ntaken into account, you have about 80kHz.  \n\nQ. What applications work with the FUNcube Dongle?  \nA. As well as the forthcoming FUNcube front end \napplication, any application that understands \na standard stereo soundcard configured for \nquadrature, or I/Q, reception should work.  \nExamples include Linrad, Spectravue, Rocky \nand M0KGK.\n\nQ. What is the sensitivity?\nA. Each unit is tested for 0.15uV for 12dB \nSINAD NBFM at 145MHz and 435MHz.\n\nQ. What operating systems are compatible?\nA. Currently Windows 2000 SP4, XP 32 bit, and \nVista and Windows 7 32 and 64 bit have been \ntested.  The sound card element works with \nMac OSX and Ubuntu 10.10 32- and 64-bit, but \nthe frequency setting application has not \nbeen ported yet.  \n[snip]\n\n\n\n\n",
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