Re: [IRCA] Testing New SDR software

[Walter Salmaniw <canswl@xxxxxxxxx>]

I think that Brett hit the nail on the head when he said about "seeing" the
band.  This was the pivotal change for me, when I can, at a glance,
immediately see whether conditions are good or not.  I often just have my
Perseus running in the background without audio.  I can see the MUF
clearly.  Who is open.  Whether there are any TA signals propagating.  When
I momentarily went back to using my AOR 7030+, it was as if I was blind
(reminded me of that old joke about a blind man feeling an elephant and
describing what he was feeling....totally dependent on where he happened to
be).  The visual effect gives me a HUGE advantage in DXing.  I would never
go back to the old style of DXing.  Heck, one doesn't need to record hours
and hours of SDR files.  I sure don't at home, anyway.  I reserve these for
my trips to my DXpedition cottage way up north.  Now, when conditions stink,
I can continue to explore those files all I want.  I know of at least one
very distinguished DXer who does just that....rarely listens at home, but
goes on DXpeditions, and then spends months digesting the SDR files
afterwards.....Walt

On Sun, Jan 9, 2011 at 9:37 PM, Brett Saylor <bsaylor@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
>
> For me, though, there have been two key benefits of the SDR: (1) the
> ability
> to record some outstanding conditions at DXpeditions, the summer beach
> house, or even a nearby location using a beverage antenna and listening to
> them later at my leisure, and (2) the ability to "visualize" the conditions
> on the band (signal strength, modulation, IBOC/interference, multiple
> carriers, etc.) that were just theoretical in my mind prior to the
> waterfall
> display of an SDR. I feel as though I have a greater understanding of
> what's
> taking place now that I can both hear and see the station's signal.
>
> I guess the real indication of the impact of SDRs on me has been how seldom
> I listen to my "regular" receiver since getting the Perseus - other than
> taking it out of the box once or twice a year for a DXpedition, the Drake
> spends most of its time in a box in the basement. It makes me sad that my
> regular radio isn't used much anymore, and I may end up selling it, but I
> never see myself turning away from the SDR path in the future,
>
> Brett Saylor
>
>
>
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