Re: [IRCA] Elad FDM-S2 initial testing

[Guy Atkins <dx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

âHi Mark,

ââI can second what Chuck has said-- modern Atom processors can handle SDRs
with CPU cycles to spare as long as you don't go crazy and try to run too
many programs at once.

I have a Asus T100TA Transformer tablet/keyboard combination that has the
Bay Trail-T Z3740 processor and runs my FDM-S2 well, including MW recording
to an external SSD. I haven't used this combo since last fall and don't
recall the CPU percentage when recording or playing back files.

Here's a YouTube video I made of an older HP Stream 7 tablet (Atom Z3735)
running the Elad SDR, at around 13% CPU:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FAwxwI95Zg

It's worth noting that the other external bits and pieces needed to run a
WAV file recording, Atom tablet or laptop powered SDR setup can be fiddly,
with OTG adapters, possibly powered USB hubs, and external drives and
cables. However, I've found that the faster MicroSD cards or USB flash
drives like this Sandisk Extreme model
<http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-usb-3-0-thumb-drive/> can
substitute for an SSD drive for a few hours of MW recording depending on
size (Gb). I have also used the tiny Sandisk Ultra Fit flash drive
successfully.

73,

Guy Atkins
Puyallup, WA

> â

>

>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Mark Connelly <markwa1ion@xxxxxxx>
> To: nhp@xxxxxxxx, irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2017 12:05:12 -0500
> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Elad FDM-S2 initial testing
> With the Perseus I had a similar experience.  Atom-based netbook (MSI
> Wind) gave me OK record / playback up to 800 kHz bandwidth but it couldn't
> cut the mustard for 1600 kHz wide captures.  Core i3 or higher: no problem.
>
> Are DXers using any netbook form-factor PC's (screen 10 to 13 inch range)
> that have i3 or better CPU's?  Seems like that's what you'd really want for
> backpacking.  Battery life in excess of 4 hours (including the receiver's
> loading) would be a plus.
>
> Of course you still have to deal with getting an antenna out there,
> hopefully a directional one.  Roll of skinny wire to stretch on the ground
> + a matching / isolation transformer might work but grounding still has to
> come into play.  Directivity would be sketchy at best.  A wire loop is
> likely better (whether cardioid or figure-of-8 pick-up).  The support
> structure for that (when trees are lacking) is going to be a bigger
> impediment to backpacking than the laptop + SDR combo.  Tuned loops, of
> course, can be quite compact but then you're essentially limited to one
> frequency at a time (live) DXing instead of wideband capture for later
> analysis.  Active whips are also compact but they can be "noise getters" if
> placed within 20 ft. or so of the laptop.  No directivity with those
> either, although a shore site produces directivity independent of the
> antenna.  Single stick pattern of my 1240 local demonstrates that:
> http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/patg?id=WBAS-AM&h=D
>
> (That map shows why Florida, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, etc. bomb in
> here ... Midwest not so much.)
>
> I would always take a competent ultralight portable in the backpack as
> well, just in case something with the PC + SDR goes "kerflooey."  No sense
> to go out there and come back with nothing, especially if considerable
> flying, driving, biking, or hiking was involved.
>
> Mark Connelly, WA1ION
> South Yarmouth, MA
>
>
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