SDR Reccomendations??

[Carl WA1KPD]

Ok I tried the web SDR that W1AEX posted the other day and really liked it.
I'd like to get my own SDR receiver to bring on the road with my laptop and to play with at home. Anyone have recommendations on the software and hardware?
Thanks,
Carl
/KPD

[kc2ifr]

Carl,
I assume u need hardware as well as the software. This is what I use but it aint cheep.....
If u want cheap, this is NOT for u......
http://www.winradio.co.uk/home/g313e.htm

[WA1GFZ]

QSR1 would be my first choice. Perseus is a little older but also fine
Both are nice and small.

[W3RSW]

I second the QS1R.  Especially if you just want the receiver now.  Transmitter coming later.

Excellent rig.  Phil's (N8VB) "Quicksilver 1 Receiver."

http://www.software-radio-laboratory.com/

and for discussions,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qs1r/
 
I've dubbed it the "IQuick"
... at the risk of trademark infringement and with a slight twist of pun for an I/Q SRD's.

[Pete, WA2CWA]

If you can wait till early Fall, the Flex SDR-1500 ( http://www.flex-radio.com/ ) will be available. Order price is less then $600 and you get a QRP transmitter too.

[KF1Z]

For on the road with a laptop.
I'd suggest the SDR-IQ

< $500.   powered by the usb port.

15khz to 30mhz

Comes with proprietary software.


Next choice QS1R.
Need seperate power supply, (and the RFFE1 front end.)

Price  $1,018.00 (includes shipping) , plus $ .??   for the RFFE1 front end when available.

Software is open source.


(With either one of these, the computer requirements are FAR less than for the Flex radios.   not much horsepower needed)

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

Or you could set up one the the SDRs (or other remotely controllable receiver)at home, and access it via the Internet when on the road. Less hardware to tote and probably a far better antenna. No reason why you couldn't transmit this way too (using the right hardware at home, of course).

[KF1Z]

Or you could set up one the the SDRs (or other remotely controllable receiver)at home, and access it via the Internet when on the road. Less hardware to tote and probably a far better antenna. No reason why you couldn't transmit this way too (using the right hardware at home, of course).

Yup, very true!

Thanks for adding that Steve.

[N2DTS]

I had the sdr-iq, its really small, like cigarette pack or smaller, works real well on all modes, etc.
It goes 100 Hz to 30 MHz I think, something really low, people use it to copy bat speech, no kidding.

I sold mine for $300.00 a month ago, so you can pick them up cheaper sometimes.

For the price and size, you cant beat it.

Brett

[WA1GFZ]

Flex is still using the DDS / QSD. Spend a couple extra bucks and get real performance, Perseus is also a nice RX. I would go for the A/D over a QSD.

[W3RSW]

'1Z mentioned:

Next choice QS1R.
Need seperate power supply, (and the RFFE1 front end.)

Phil includes a 120vac to very stiff and clean 5v/1a switching supply with the QS1R.  Several threads devoted to some homebrew, etc. 5v supplies not being adequate on the yahoo site. During start-up it pulls a pretty good draw for a few milliseconds.

   Also you can obtain the exact same enclosure for way less than $99 from Hammond, with blank ends.  Phil's drilled his out for the connectors and pin-outs, etc. and etched his nomenclature.  I begrudge him nothing in his pricing for all his efforts in bringing his baby to life.

Also see Phil's write-up, previously copied on this board in tech. section for why you may not need the front end board. Really good reading. 

    Latest on Phil's (N8VB) SDR board QS1R & RFFE1 front end (new video Feb 18)
« on: February 04, 2009, 11:09:11 AM » Quote Modify 

 

[KF1Z]

'1Z mentioned:

Next choice QS1R.
Need seperate power supply, (and the RFFE1 front end.)

Phil includes a 120vac to very stiff and clean 5v/1a switching supply with the QS1R.  Several threads devoted to some homebrew, etc. 5v supplies not being adequate on the yahoo site. During start-up it pulls a pretty good draw for a few milliseconds.

   Also you can obtain the exact same enclosure for way less than $99 from Hammond, with blank ends.  Phil's drilled his out for the connectors and pin-outs, etc. and etched his nomenclature.  I begrudge him nothing in his pricing for all his efforts in bringing his baby to life.

Also see Phil's write-up, previously copied on this board in tech. section for why you may not need the front end board. Really good reading. 

    Latest on Phil's (N8VB) SDR board QS1R & RFFE1 front end (new video Feb 18)
« on: February 04, 2009, 11:09:11 AM » Quote Modify 

 

Right on all Rick....

Comments based on the statement of wanting to take it "on the road..."
How often do you have a good antenna to put up while you're on the road...
Sometimes maybe.

(Even with a gain antenna, for 40 meters and up, the QS1R needs a pre-amp.)



And the power supply, while simple enough, is an extra accesory to pack when traveling.

The enclosure, yup, I bought mine for $10. on ebay.
But the other unit I compared with, the SDR-IQ comes in an enclosure for it's price.


That's all, just trying to compare units for that type of use.

[W3RSW]

Agree on all; exciting stuff, huh? - Then there's the computer you have to haul around.

Phil's going to supply pre-cut & drilled end panels for the retro-fit of the RFFE board, I guess on top of the main board, both still fitting in the orig. Hammond 4x6x1 3/4 case.   The QS1T though.. I don't know. Still won't have a 100w pep amp.

I guess you don't want to just drop a resistor out of your cigar lighter for 5 volts, way unregulated  .  ...   subtitled, ^{"How to really ruin your QS1R"}   Ought to be a way to get a >1 amp. 5v. regulator inside a not too fat plug.

[N2DTS]

I see the sdr-iq has new software out, with freq memories, bandwidth slider, etc.

http://www.moetronix.com/beta.htm

Brett

[Carl WA1KPD]

For on the road with a laptop.
I'd suggest the SDR-IQ

< $500.   powered by the usb port.

All
Thanks
I found the SDR1-Q at http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commrxvr/0106.html and am placing an order
Thanks the input and information. I have to travel with a laptop so that is not a big deal
73 all
Carl
/KPD

[n4wc]

Does the SDR1-IQ offer coherent or synchronous detection of AM signals?
Anybody know?

Bill Cook

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Does the SDR1-IQ offer coherent or synchronous detection of AM signals?
Anybody know?

Bill Cook

http://www.rfspace.com/SDR-IQ.html

[KF1Z]

Does the SDR1-IQ offer coherent or synchronous detection of AM signals?
Anybody know?

Bill Cook

Yup Sync AM is available on the IQ ( it's all in software)

You can use "Winrad" software with the IQ....
Which may be better than the current packaged software....

[Carl WA1KPD]

For on the road with a laptop.
I'd suggest the SDR-IQ

< $500.   powered by the usb port.

15khz to 30mhz

Comes with proprietary software.

Thanks again all.
Got the SDR-IQ running today and have had a lot of fun with it.
Really enjoyed playing BCB DX this evening finding a lot of no-US sigs tucked away on the waterfall display. Also it is amazing to see what a mess HD AM radio makes.
Discovered that my wireless mouse operates up on 27 MHZ and found a pirate on 1710.

I use gotomypc on the road and unfortunately it is incompatible with my sound card. Otherwise I would leave it on all the time and listen from the hotel
Thanks for all the advice. Fun little package
73
Carl
/KPD