[time-nuts] SDR Radio Opinion- Next Question

[Bob Camp]

Hi

If it's cheap enough to make disappointment a minor issue - go for it. 

There will be spurs at the clock frequency(s) and harmonics there of.   At some input level you will seeintermod issues. Weather they are bad enough for you to care about - only a trial can tell. 

Bob

On Aug 5, 2013, at 6:45 PM, J. Forster <jfor at quikus.com> wrote:

>> Hi John,
>> 
>> I don't think you quite got it yet.  All of those types of "Dongles"
>> have no frontend filtering and no gain control (AGC).
> 
> Oh, I'm all too familiar w/ SAs without YIG preselectors. That's why I've
> always preferred AILtech to HP.
> 
>> Basically it is a
>> "diode" (so to speak) looking at the spectrum from DC to Daylight, even
>> though they have a limited range.
> 
> Understood. But, there are Image Rejection Mixers.
> 
>> So, yes, there will be birdies and
>> aliasing issues.  There is no software from a unit's manufacturer for
>> the "All Frequency" observation mode that Amateur radio and other
>> hobbyists are using it for.
> 
> What I'm looking for is something like the W-J, ACL, or CEI ELINT
> receivers, in digital form, and much cheaper. I just would like to play
> with one a bit.
> 
>> Aside from all that , they do come in a plastic case and there is some
>> excelent control software, notably Simon Browns HDSDR,  that can control
>> a number of these types of umits.  As for spectrum software, the best
>> one is Spectrum Labs which can take I/Q input.  See the respective web
>> sites for more information.  Both of these packages are FREE.
> 
> Free is good! LoL.
> 
>> http://www.hdsdr.de/hardware.html   The SDR software hardware page
>> 
>> http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html    The Spectrum Lab software.
>> 
>> Bill....WB6BNQ
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> -John
> 
> ================
> 
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