[amsat-bb] SDR Recommendations

[Mike Lucas]

Using Windows 10 here on all PC's so sounds safe...LOL. 
I've got Doppler working well on the 736R but would like to expand my horizons out to the SDR world for some new challenges.
Thanks for the great input!
Mike N7ASZ

-----Original Message-----
From: Greg D <ko6th.greg at gmail.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2020 9:17 PM
To: Mike Lucas <documike at comcast.net>; amsat-bb at amsat.org
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SDR Recommendations

Hi Mike,

What operating system are you running?  SDRplay units have great specs, but support on other than Windows is non-existent to dangerous.  I tried getting one to work on my Linux system, and ended up breaking the system's support for the RTL-SDR dongles and now neither work.  The RSP2 sitting on the bench, unused, and the RTL-SDR is in a Raspberry Pi, accessed over the home network.

Which brings me to the RTL-SDR dongles.  Really cheap, easy to use, and great support pretty much everywhere.  A good learning platform.  But their receivers aren't the best for anything weak due to a high noise figure, and not good in a high RF environment due to limited filtering. 
So overall not the greatest for doing satellite work, but they can work.

Doppler tracking will depend on what software you are using, but they often support the SDR devices.  I was using Gpredict + Gqrx with mine.

Greg  KO6TH


Mike Lucas via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> I'm thinking of acquiring an SDR unit for the station for downloading 
> sat telemetry etc.  I'm new to the SDR world but learning.  I'm 
> currently using a Yaseu 736R which has served me well.
>
> Not sure how you configure SDR for Doppler tracking etc. so looking 
> for links to info I can educate myself on what all I need etc.
>
> Are there any particular SDR radios that lend themselves best for 
> satellite work more than others?  The SDR Play boxes look solid, are they recommended?
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike N7ASZ
>
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