What is a good SDR radio? Does not have to be top dog. But would like one that works well. I plan to use it some for satellite communication but mainly for coping weather satellite images. Thanks73 Mike K4MIA
Mike,
There are some options that won't break the bank. I have used the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ and the different SDRplay receivers (RSP1 for a couple of years, RSP2, and now an RSP1A) for working satellites. These are all decent receivers, and I use them with the inexpensive 8- to 11-inch Windows tablets, so I have access to more software than I would using an Android device.
The FUNcube Dongle Pro+ is available through its UK-based manufacturer's web site http://www.funcubedongle.com/ . The SDRplay receivers are sold in the US by HRO. The FUNcube Dongle Pro+ can be used directly with the FoxTelem software for AMSAT's Fox-1 satellites and the various AMSAT-UK FUNcube satellites including AO-73, but the SDRplay receivers can handle a larger bandwidth (up to 10 MHz) than the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ (up to 192 kHz). I have been using the SDRplay RSP1 for a couple of years, and have just picked up its replacement RSP1A.
Good luck, and 73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 9:41 PM, radiomb radiomb@bellsouth.net wrote:
What is a good SDR radio? Does not have to be top dog. But would like one that works well. I plan to use it some for satellite communication but mainly for coping weather satellite images. Thanks73 Mike K4MIA _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Also, the DXPatrol Mk4 is an option. It is designed by CT1FFU and available in US from Vibroplex. 73 Brad WF7T
On Jan 10, 2018, 4:21 PM -0600, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) amsat-bb@wd9ewk.net, wrote:
Mike,
There are some options that won't break the bank. I have used the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ and the different SDRplay receivers (RSP1 for a couple of years, RSP2, and now an RSP1A) for working satellites. These are all decent receivers, and I use them with the inexpensive 8- to 11-inch Windows tablets, so I have access to more software than I would using an Android device.
The FUNcube Dongle Pro+ is available through its UK-based manufacturer's web site http://www.funcubedongle.com/ . The SDRplay receivers are sold in the US by HRO. The FUNcube Dongle Pro+ can be used directly with the FoxTelem software for AMSAT's Fox-1 satellites and the various AMSAT-UK FUNcube satellites including AO-73, but the SDRplay receivers can handle a larger bandwidth (up to 10 MHz) than the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ (up to 192 kHz). I have been using the SDRplay RSP1 for a couple of years, and have just picked up its replacement RSP1A.
Good luck, and 73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 9:41 PM, radiomb radiomb@bellsouth.net wrote:
What is a good SDR radio? Does not have to be top dog. But would like one that works well. I plan to use it some for satellite communication but mainly for coping weather satellite images. Thanks73 Mike K4MIA _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi Brad!
Have you used the DXPatrol receiver for working amateur satellites? I haven't worked anyone who has used it for the downlink side of their station, nor have I tried one, so I didn't list it in my earlier message. Besides the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ and various SDRplay receivers I mentioned in my earlier e-mail, I have also tried some of the RTL dongles in my satellite station. They were no good - no front-end filtering, and they stopped receiving whenever I transmitted with an HT or FT-817 on a different band than where I was receiving. That's why I first went with a FUNcube dongle, and later on the SDRplay units.
I went to the DXPatrol web site and downloaded its PDF manual. It looks like an RTL dongle with an upconverter for its coverage below 25 MHz. Its price is a little less than the SDRplay RSP1A sold by HRO.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 10:27 PM, Brad Brooks brad.wf7t@gmail.com wrote:
Also, the DXPatrol Mk4 is an option. It is designed by CT1FFU and available in US from Vibroplex. 73 Brad WF7T
Yes Patrick, To clarify I have used both the DXPatrol and FCDPro+ but in RX duties only thus far. I am configuring a tracking panadapter on my RX side, so I will look for degradation when TXing. My progress/experiments have been delayed due to flu and weather.
I find the DXPatrol to be better performing than a generic RTL dongle, of which I have several. Even the FCDPro+ suffers from front-end overload in my location unless I use an FM BCB filter in front.
I also intend to use a duplexer unit in front of the SDR if 2M overload is experienced.
I will keep posted if there is interest. 73 Brad WF7T
On Jan 10, 2018, 4:56 PM -0600, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) amsat-bb@wd9ewk.net, wrote:
Hi Brad!
Have you used the DXPatrol receiver for working amateur satellites? I haven't worked anyone who has used it for the downlink side of their station, nor have I tried one, so I didn't list it in my earlier message. Besides the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ and various SDRplay receivers I mentioned in my earlier e-mail, I have also tried some of the RTL dongles in my satellite station. They were no good - no front-end filtering, and they stopped receiving whenever I transmitted with an HT or FT-817 on a different band than where I was receiving. That's why I first went with a FUNcube dongle, and later on the SDRplay units.
I went to the DXPatrol web site and downloaded its PDF manual. It looks like an RTL dongle with an upconverter for its coverage below 25 MHz. Its price is a little less than the SDRplay RSP1A sold by HRO.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 10:27 PM, Brad Brooks brad.wf7t@gmail.com wrote:
Also, the DXPatrol Mk4 is an option. It is designed by CT1FFU and available in US from Vibroplex. 73 Brad WF7T
participants (3)
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Brad Brooks -
Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) -
radiomb