Author Topic: Software Defined Radio  (Read 8808 times)

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DragoSapien

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Software Defined Radio
« on: March 05, 2015, 07:44:36 PM »
A friend of mine on my website asked me about this SDR he found. Iv never seen it and said I would ask you guys about it and what you think.
Wasn't sure to put this, but you do have to build it.

http://www.eprepper.net/2015/03/build-powerful-widebandshortwaveham.html

AD

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2015, 08:47:50 PM »
Never seen this one. Keep us up to speed please if he desides to build.
The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!!

spacecase0

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2015, 11:19:26 PM »
they work,
not sure what use they have that would be better than a standard portable short wave receiver, maybe good if you want to use in conjunction with a regular transceiver so that you can see what else is going on in the band where you are not tuned
by the way, the USB TV dongles seem not so reliable, mine broke after 3 months, they are cheep, so get 2 when you order it

if you want a good one that transmits as well,
then try this one
http://www.genesisradio.com.au/G59/
one of my friends built the previous version and it works amazingly well
better audio and RF quality than any traditional radio I have ever played with

Tempstar

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2015, 04:26:41 AM »
I have two of these, one for general use as a cheap spectrum analyzer. and the other is tapped to the first IF on my 480 which gives me about 4mhz of band scope. I can just click where I see an interesting signal and the radio tunes there. I plan on rocking Field Day this year!
"Preparedness is a lot more than just buying stuff"

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2015, 07:25:27 AM »
Correct me if I am wrong, but this is a SDR for SWL:view/listen only?   
The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!!

spacecase0

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2015, 03:32:27 PM »
the first one linked by the original poster is listen only

the one I linked to is a full transceiver

Tevin

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2015, 06:40:03 PM »
Somewhat off topic, but that eprepper.net website is very well done! I'm impressed. The electronics content is especially good. That dude knows something.

The Genesis radio (in Spacecase0's link) seems a bit of a stretch. $399 for a radio you have to put together yourself, supply your own computer, and only puts out 10mW (yes, milliwatts)? If you want the ten watt kicker, that'll run ya another two-fiddy. And you have to put that together yourself too. You would have to be a pretty serious kit builder to go for a deal like that. The same price gets you a ready-to-go FT-817ND

I'm gonna bookmark eprepper.net. Good find!
« Last Edit: March 06, 2015, 07:27:40 PM by Tevin »

spacecase0

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2015, 08:48:09 PM »
eprepper.net is a fantastic find

by the way,
even if the Genesis radio was way over 1K$ and you had to build it yourself, it would worth it
I have the FT-817ND, and it is a nice radio, but the Genesis radio out classes it for performance,
is even better than the 4K$ rigs I have played with
you will likely want amps for the 817 as well,
not that the Genesis radio is portable in any reasonable way
and who here is not up for winding there own coils ?

BTPost

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2015, 01:16:43 PM »
Speaking of Software Defined Radios.... Have a look at this.....


EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: BEARTOOTH ADDS VHF AND UHF VOICE AND DATA COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY TO SMARTPHONES


You have all heard of Bluetooth and some of you may be familiar with goTenna. Now add a new communications device called Beartooth that adds VHF and UHF voice and data communications capability to smartphones. We get more from George Thomas W5JDX:


--


According to its experimental license grant WH2XLW, the Beartooth can operate anywhere in the 137 to 174 MHz and 400 to 470 MHz bands with an Effective Radiated power of two watts. According to Comsearch's FCC emission designation decoder the license appears to cover amplitude modulation and phase modulation transmitting voice, data and telegraphy for automatic reception.


The Beartooth unit is described as a software-defined radio receiver and transmitter that interfaces with supported devices and includes a battery to double smartphone battery life. Uses include personal communications, industrial communications services, and public safety.


Since the device is an SDR with a wide frequency range, it not only supports the same type of personal communications provided by the the recently introduced goTenna, but also adds the ability to communicate with any analog radios operating on Family Radio Service, General Mobile Radio Service or Multi-Use Radio Service spectrum. The device is also said to be usable on the amateur 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands.
Bruce in alaska AL7AQ

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2015, 04:38:57 PM »
Thx BT. This is very interesting.  Looking forward to learning more.

Here is there website

http://www.beartooth.com/#about
The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!!

BTPost

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2015, 01:55:14 PM »
I am on the first Public Sale list..... Have no idea what they will sell for, YET... I just want two, ASAP..... then I will add an External Antenna Mod and open up the Tx, to Full Band, capability, like all my other RF Gear.... These will be WAY NICE for Momma and I to use for Private Comms, and maybe even for the neighbors, way out here in the Alaskan Bush.... after they seehw they work...
Bruce in alaska AL7AQ

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Re: Software Defined Radio
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2015, 03:06:12 PM »
I signed up to when I went to there site.
The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!!