[amsat-bb] Best SDR for satellite reception

[Paul Andrews]

Has anyone written software to allow the Funcube Dongle to be
frequency controlled to compensate for LEO satellite doppler?   For
linear satellites, 1Hz frequency control would be required.   For FM
1KHz would be ok.   If it's not possible to control the actual FCD+
LO, it should be possible to control the baseband audio spectrum.

I first used the FCD+ as a panadapter with an FT-847 with LEO linear satellites.

More recently, I use (dual polarization) two (2) Funcube Dongle Plus
SDRs for 2M EME and they are sensitive wideband (50 KHz) receivers.
Frequency stability on 144 MHz is very good and easily decode JT65
signals bounced off the moon.   No doppler compensation is used for
144 MHz moon bounce.

WSJT-X will control a commercial radio VFO to compensate for moon
doppler.   WSJT-X does not support control the FCD+ for doppler
compensation.

The FCD+ is so widely used, I'm surprised that I have not found an
application that will control the FCD+ and support doppler
compensation.

73 - Paul - W2HRO






On Sun, Aug 13, 2017 at 7:03 AM, Andrew Rich <vk4tec at internode.on.net> wrote:
> With the proliferation of software defined radios on the market I am interested to hear what people think is the best for 137 / 144 / 440 / 1296 MHz use.
>
> I have selected the airspy mini based on the fact
>
> It's 12 bits
> It's got tracking filters
> It works with sdr sharp, hdsdr, gnuradio, gqrx
>
> Has anyone bought out a satellite specific SDR ?
>
> The funcube dongle is probably the best ?
>
> I have a hack rf as well as rtl sdr and sdr play
>
> Andrew
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb