Hi there, following on from earlier videos reviewing my portables and desk-top receivers, here is the next in the series focussing on SDRs. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for watching, Keep safe, 73.
That blue nooelec was my first SDR then I bought the RTL SDR with that Ham It UP Upconvertor then right into the SDRPlay Rsp1 then the RSP dx. I also own the Airspy HF+ Discovery. I wish to own a Elad or Perseus SDR someday. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day Clint. 73
I’m about to make to move to an SDRPlay DX after watching your videos. Just purchased a new laptop. I’m worried about the learning curve but quite inspired by what you have done. Thanks, Clint!
Thanks Clint some good points on the use of an SDR receiver . Mine only gets used for antenna testing and comparison. I like the knobs and would if I could afford it go for the Elad Duo .
Good reviews. I have the Duo, I have been extremely impressed with the little box and at a fairly reasonable price. I have had a few instances of oddities with it, with some images showing up on HF bands, maybe due to overload and very strong signals. But it’s intermittent (usually not seeing that).
I use the SDRplay RSPdx with the Elad TM-2 USB controller which gives you a tuning dial, frequency and signal strength display as well as two other rotary encoders a 6 function keys. Works nicely. I bought the RSPdx primarily for working through the QO-100 satellite but have been known the listen to the top band comedy nets and listen further down the band with the Wellbrook.
In some cases you can ID a MW station based on frequency offset. I have a QS1R and could estimate the station frequency to 0.1 hz using HDSDR. On some "graveyard" US channels you can literally see 30 carriers! I'm not sure what antenna you have (perhaps a Wellbrook loop?), but you might be interested in phasing. You can null a local AM station by 60 db (of course you might not have so many of those in the UK as everyone is leaving the dial - we have a ton of them in the US). I just got a RSPDuo and am hoping that it's phaser (disguised as "diversity" reception) will work well. I also strongly recommend the Quantum Radio Phaser if you can find one (out of production).
Same goes for tropical band DXing on HF, some of the South American stations are a few Hz out...I've got an mFJ noise cancelling unit, but it doesn't seem to help much. Thanks and 73
Im wanting to get into this with the RSPduo or RSPdx. Thank you for the video. what can I do with it, what can I expect out of it and last which is the better bang for the dollar ? Looking forward to hearing back from you and to anyone else that share to this question. 5/10/23
With the duo you have two receivers so you can monitor two separate frequencies with two spectrum scopes. With the DX you have enhanced sensitivity below 2MHz. If you're into MW DXing, go for the DX, otherwise, go for the duo. 73!
I still use the RSP1 (non-A) every day practically. SDR got me back into the hobby as well with the rtl-sdr years ago. Do you know what the noise floor should be for the RSP1 or others? I'm now trying to optimize my receive antenna. I've found improvement by just laying it on the ground amazingly enough. But it made me think about how much I should expect out of these units. I'm quite an amateur so maybe I'm asking the wrong questions here.
Hi, it was SDR that also got me back into the hobby in 2015, so a similar pathway to you. The noise floor at my QTH is around -120 to -130 dB on HF from LW to the upper end of SW. On VHF and UHF it can be as low as -145 dB. Antennas on the ground - such as a BOG (Beverage on ground) are usually very quiet compared to more conventional arrangements. Keep experimenting - or buy a wideband magnetic loop. Good luck and 73.
Interesting video… still waiting on your thoughts of the win radio military spec SDR receiver… how does it compare to the ELAD? I was expecting the win radio to be more sensitive looking at the price tag😊 Also do you use your Kenwood TS 990for any medium lefty axing how does it do in that portion of the spectrum???
Hi, you should download my Radio User magazine article - it gives all my thoughts. The Kenwood covers 30 kHz to 60 MHz but I don't use it for Dxing (well not yet!). 73
@@OxfordShortwaveLog Yes Clint! I am very happy with my SDRplay devices (SDRplay RSPduo and RSP1A). A smaller device of SDRplay would be a nice development.
Well, I received my SDRPlay DX got it installed, no issues. Learning the software controls and not as hard as I feared. It’s up and running. My issue is the antenna. I jerry-rigged a long wire. Antenna A plug to mono 3.5mm plug with a mono to mono connector to a thirty foot wire from an old reel antenna tossed out the 2nd floor window. I get local stations on MW and a few powerful SW stations on the meter bands. I can see the potential of this SDR. I purchased an MLA30+ but I am antenna challenged putting this thing together. The connectors confuse the heck out of me I’m not sure what Antenna C connector is or what I’m supposed to get to connect it. I come from the age of screwing in wire leads on my Realistic DX-160 a hundred years ago! I don’t know how you Amateur guys can figure this stuff out! And here I thought SDRUno would make me crazy and it’s the easiest part of the process. Ha - I’ll let you know how I make out.
Thanks my friend - you chose a great receiver in the RSPdx! Not sure abou the MLA30 - probably not as good as a Wellbrook - but a lot cheaper! Let me know how you get on. 73!
@@OxfordShortwaveLog Here is an SDRplay video using the RSPduo to compare the MLA-30+ and Wellbrook loop antennas: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6PTu0g5W9do.html Wellbrook closed shop at the end of April 2023 due to the retirement of the owner.
New to this having my rsp1b for 2 wks now, my question is which software suite where you using on your PC, is it commonly available? (The one on the right hand screen)
