In my uncalibrated-ear testing with an A/B switch on satellite downlinks, I found my RSP1A is noticeably more sensitive (with HDSDR driving it) than the FT-857D, FT-818ND, and the TH-D74A, and comparable (on 2 meters) to the KX3. While none of these are really proper satellite base station rigs, I have to believe all of these are better receivers than a $20 SDR dongle. The downside with the SDR is the almost one full second delay I experience in hearing the downlink, but I'm starting to get used to it.
73, Ryan AI6DO
On Monday, June 10, 2019, 6:42:58 PM PDT, Phil via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
On 11/6/19 10:36 am, Scott via AMSAT-BB wrote:
My receive setup for that particular configuration was the 70cm X-Quad w/ SP-70 LNA on an AZ/EL rotator to the SDRPlay RSP1.
Is the RSP1 superior to rtl el cheapo $20 SDR dongles in regards to receive sensitivity? My experience with rtl dongles is that although I can hear strong signals they are nowhere near as sensitive as say a Chinese handheld radio.