Re: [IRCA] Testing New SDR software
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Re: [IRCA] Testing New SDR software

Some popular SDRs can be had for under $1000. The RFSpace SDR-IQ retails for about $500 and Grove is offering the Winradio Excalibur for $850.
I've owned an SDR-IQ for about 3.5 years and like it quite a bit. The main drawback is you can "only" record 196 kHz of spectrum at a time.
I also bought an Excalibur a couple of days ago. My initial impressions are very favorable - it's loaded with features and can record up to 2 MHz of spectrum (assuming you have a computer that's a lot more powerful than the one I'm using). 

On 1/7/2011 9:01 AM, Russ Edmunds wrote:

SDR's are lower in cost ? I suppose that might be true if you could find a high end receiver new, but the prices I see for any of the newer generation SDR's are quite high. Well north of $1000 would be beyond what I'd want to spend for a hobby receiver whether SDR or traditional, and I'm certain a lot of other DX'ers would view it similarly.

As more and more manufacturers stop making standard receivers, perhaps the demand for SDR's will dictate some price moderation.

Russ Edmunds
15 mi NNW of Philadelphia
Grid FN20id
<wb2bjh@xxxxxxxxx>
FM: Yamaha T-80&  Onkyo T-450RDS w/ APS9B @15'; Grundig G8
AM:  Modified Sony ICF 2010's barefoot


--- On Fri, 1/7/11, Mike Bates<mjbates@xxxxxxxxxxxx>  wrote:


From: Mike Bates<mjbates@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [IRCA] Testing New SDR software
To: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Friday, January 7, 2011, 1:34 AM
I have been trying out some new
software on my QS1R SDR and have found the results to be
quite good. I currently am running the receiver using
several different software packages, including the SDRMAXII
that comes with the QS1R. This evening I was using Winrad
version 1.5 and had the occasion this evening to log on 1370
WSPD in Toledo OH @ 9:55PM CST this evening, 1/6, using a KIWA loop. Also heard CFRY on 920, on top in the 
null of semi local KDHL. Good but not exceptional catches.

I have not seen a lot here regarding SDR's, with the
possible exception of some using the Perseus. I think that
they are the future, as more and more companies are dropping
production of their higher end receivers. RL Drake, Japan
Radio Company, Yaesu, and Kenwood are  prime examples.
SDR's are lower in cost and provide the equivalent, or
better performance of these older receivers. The added
benefit is spectrum analysis, which works better than the
scopes built into the stand alone ham rigs of recent years.
You can see a split frequency station before you can hear
it. Another benefit is spectrum recording and play back
using the receiver software.

There is now a version of the Soft Rock series, which is a
kit that sells for around $60.00 and covers from 180KHz to
3MHz. The down side is that you need a computer and a high
quality sound card to run this, but computers these days are
also lower in price than in days gone by. There is also a
pre built receiver the Lazy Dog LD-1B which sells for about
$275.00. Of course there are the direct sample SDR's that
are more expensive  such as the SDR IQ, Perseus,
WinRadio Excalibur and the QS1R. These are still lower in
cost than the Drake R8B was when it went out of production,
and have top flight performance.

I would be interested to know if there are others using
SDR's and what they think of them for MWDX, as well as tips
for use.

Thanks  and
73,

Mike Bates KA0KLQ

Inver Grove Heights, MN


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