[amsat-bb] Fun Cube Dongle

[Lizeth Norman]

Steve,
I spent almost three weeks until I was confident enough with the
station, computer, software and connections to use the FCD  for the
linear satellites. Lasted two weeks. Do suspect that some RF made it's
way down the downlink coax and gave the FCD RF amp a knockout blow.
Tried to listen to ANTELsat this am. Couldn't hear it. Wasn't sure
what the problem was. MANY VARAIBLES!!! Turned out to be the FCD. Was
able to reconfigure the station to use another radio so that I could
prove the bug.
I can try the RTL SDR I got from ebay tonight and let you know how it stacks up.
Norm n3ykf

On Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 11:51 AM, Steve May <steve.w5iem at gmail.com> wrote:
> So the Million Dollar Question (actually, I guess it is the "$180-higher
> cost + shipping" question) is whether the Funcube Dongle is significantly
> better than one of the cheap $20 RLT-SDR tuners? I have been experimenting
> with the cheapo version the last couple of days, and so far I have been
> able to pick up my local repeaters fairly well with a mag-mount antenna. I
> tried to pull in AO-73 late last night with an Arrow and a preamp but had
> some issues with SATPC32 that I have since resolved. I am pretty sure I
> heard something but I am still getting used to using SDR#. I need to do
> some more tuning.
>
> I am going to keep on working with this, at least for the next few days,
> but should I just plan on shelling out the money for the Funcube Dongle if
> using the computer to receive the linear satellites is my long-term plan?
>
> --
> Steve May, W5IEM
> Amateur Extra - Georgetown, KY
> (520) 261-7847 - Cell
> Skype: USHorseman
> Steve.W5IEM at gmail.com
>
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> On Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 11:11 AM, Lizeth Norman <normanlizeth at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> It'll receive Wx sats with the final IF at 50kHz width, FM
>> demodulation. Some modes/software packages are more configurable than
>> others. Using HDSDR here.
>> Be aware that there are several versions of the FCD. The newest are
>> the best, by miles.
>> Use these with transmitters at your own risk. I killed one of my two,
>> this morning, this way, I think. Most of the time
>> I was using 5W from a handie scratchie. YMMV!
>> SDR is the wave of the future. Being able to click anywhere in the
>> passband of the receiver and then having Satpc32 go there while
>> driving the transmitter rocks. The only better feature is that finding
>> elusive signals became way easier.
>> There's a stocking Winradio dealer less than an hour from me. Bad
>> news: $800 plus tax.
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 9:52 AM, Rich/wa4bue <richard.siff at verizon.net>
>> wrote:
>> > What is the maxium band width?
>> >
>> > Rich W4BUE
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