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

I'm not a big user of SDR's Mike, but ignorance has never stood in the way of an opinion, I'm afraid. I own an RFSpace SDR-14 (and use several more at work in a type of wideband sonar system), and have used a borrowed SDR-IP; both have been used with their own software, Spectravue, as well as with SDR-radio, which seems to be in continual development. 
As a long time tinkerer with receiver hardware, I have to agree with 
you that they are the future, but I just haven't quite got there yet 
myself.   Part of it is wanting to continue to be a tinkerer rather 
than an appliance operator, and my limited software skills aren't up to it.

However, there are a number of very bright people who are churning 
out software to run these beasts, much of it free, or open source, 
and that using continuously evolving software has been an exciting 
ride for many SDR owners as you probably know.

Just the act of recording either a portion of the MW band, or the 
whole band, at the top of the hour, or  during a TA opening, or 
during dawn or dusk enhancement of overseas stations can provide 
hours of DXing enjoyment during periods of poor DX.   Being able to 
play back an RF signal using different filter bandwidths, 
demodulation techniques etc. allows a "second chance" at that elusive 
ID, that mere audio recording and post-processing couldn't really 
match.   But you already know this, I'm sure.

I find however, that I still enjoy the excitement of "being there" 
during an opening, when I can nail shortwave parallels on another 
receiver, or streaming audio parallels on the PC.   However, this 
isn't to say, that an SDR shouldn't be recording, just in case I've 
missed something.    In addition, I have cobbled together a couple of 
programs that use the SDR-14 to grab and display signal strengths of 
9kHz channels, as I find that it's difficult to really see split 
channels pop up on a spectral display of  the entire MW band.

For me, a real advantage of SDR's is the possibility of more 
sophisticated demodulation of DX in the presence of splatter and 
noise.   The ECSS in SDR-radio is pretty nice, and it will likely get 
better.  And if you're a programmer yourself or willing to learn, you 
can dive in and contribute to the search for perfect demodulation 
somewhat more easily than in the days of solder, transistors and ICs.

The downside is one or more computers generating electrical noise in 
the shack, but most people have them in the shack anyway now, so have 
needed to come to terms with it.   There's also finding the time to 
actually listen to the files of that good DX!

However, I don't think that will stop me using SDR's more in the future

Thanks for raising the topic.


best wishes,

Nick


At 06:34 07-01-11, you wrote:

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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