Re: [IRCA] Testing New SDR software

[Russ Edmunds <wb2bjh@xxxxxxxxx>]

Unless we're still talking about tube gear, I'm past the tinkerer stage <g>. 

I understand and agree that SDR's are very likely the future, and I have no problem with that conceptually. After all, over the past 5-6 years, probably 90% of my BCB DX outside of the LBI DXpeditions has been via unattended recordings. Not only that, this past season probably 75% of my FM DX was via unattended recordings because so many E-skip openings occurred during working hours.

But the SDR poses two problems for me - first, obviously, is cost. I'm nearing retirement, and the economy being what it is, I don't know either how long I'll be able to work nor what the investment scene will hold, so I'm not looking to spend $850 or $1000 for an SDR and then add whatever an external drive may cost. The second is that with all of that recording capacity, one could record one night when conditions were good and have enough material to last several months before completing - during which time you either might miss a better opening, or worse yet never get to listen to it all. 

I find that I have trouble now reviewing the results of three sets of unattended recording for an FM E-skip session of perhaps 4 hours' duration. I can't even think about having an SDR! But I also have to wonder if I'll be able to use conventional receivers of any type for that many more years either without permanent breakdowns. It's a major dilemma, for sure.

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 Sat, 1/8/11, Nick Hall-Patch <nhp@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: Nick Hall-Patch <nhp@xxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Testing New SDR software
> To: "Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America" <irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Saturday, January 8, 2011, 6:41 PM
> 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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