[Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
In response to my comments in another post, I have gotten a couple of emails that seem to indicate the perception out there is that it is somehow difficult to set up a SDR-1000. I have 2 SDR-1000's and I have all 3 sound cards, so I have done a lot of "settin up". I also use one of my SDR-1000's as an IF for my VHF transverter, and I use each radio to control multiple linear amps. I designed a little breakout box to automate antenna switching as well. The point being is that I have some experience with what might be considered "advanced setup". The basic set up of the SDR is not more difficult than the setup of any radio. You basically hook up a key, a mic, a power supply, and a ground. The only extra setup is adding the cables between the sound card and the radio. For my SDR's I plug my mic straight into the sound card. I have the SDR's up on a top shelf, and I have the sound cards (FA-66 and a firebox) down on the desk next to my monitor. The sound cards next to the monitor allows me access to a phone jack for headphones as well as a audio gain control on each sound card. It makes it convenient to change mics if I want as well, as well as adjust mic gain. I use a condenser mic (for that hifi experience) and need the phantom 48V each of these sound cards provide. For CW I plug my CW key straight into the 1/8" jack on the back of the radio. I played with the "serial connection" method and I didn't find it any faster in terms of turn around than with the 1/8" jack. I use an external keyer, either a logikey or a usb version winkey. Presently I use the winkey since it allows 2 radios to be hooked up with software switching between radios. I don't use any relays or other means to key the radio, just the open collector in the keyer. When I had the serial keying method hooked up I had to use an FET buffer between the keyer and the port in order to get the port to work. The serial port method was really a fix for using the internal (software) keyer with a paddle and I don't think it was really intended for using an external keyer. Maybe some others could comment on their experience but I can't see any difference from 10 to 60 wpm between the 1/8 jack and the serial port when using an external keyer with the present iteration of the software. The more advanced set-ups such as transverters are easy to implement as well. It's a matter of adding the transverter to the line, and adding some data to a form in PowerSDR which tells the radio how to behave when hooked to a transverter. Very easy. To get control out of the SDR you need to hook things up to X2. For this I used an old 15 pin monitor cable cut in half and some RCA jacks. I have my linears connected to pin 7 and I use a foot switch and have a push button connected for PTT duties. This radio is not a hard radio to set up. What you do need is an Elecraft signal gen, and a good quality dummy load. You can get a good quality dummy load for cheap from here: http://ridgeequipment.com/store/index.html I use the 200W version but the cheapie 75 watter would probably work fine as well for the duty required for SDR tune up. These are good quality and are swept in terms of impedance well into GHZ. So if your on the fence about an SDR because it seems too complicated, fergetaboutit. The radio is not hard to get running and it is a ton of fun to use. I use mine in contests, weak signal DXing, rag chewing, PSK31, as a lab receiver, as a signal generator. I have a LP-100 meter and I'm in the process of hooking it up as a transmitting VNA as well. When reading the reflector do not take what is posted as common experience. If it was common experience there would be 50 replies to a topic instead of 5. The reflector is one of Flex radio's crowning achievements. The helpfulness and lack of rancor on this reflector is amazingly positive, and I think it encourages people to ask even the simplest or oddest of questions without fear of the retribution that often plagues list members on other less well behaved lists. It's a good radio which sells at a good value from a good company with a good bunch of people both expert and amateur willing to lend a helping hand when there is a question or trouble. It doesn't get much better than this. 73 W9OY The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archive Link: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ FlexRadio Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/
[Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
I believe that this has been hinted at over the years, but forgive please for asking the obvious...How about a "software defined calibrator" built into sdr code? I do not understand the need to purchase an external calibration source when all the required components/functions necessary to calibrate within the precision of an gnat's patootie already exist in the hardware/software...Don't they? regards, Paull -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.29/673 - Release Date: 2/6/2007 5:52 PM ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archive Link: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ FlexRadio Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
Lee that is a very well written email. I totally agree with all the comments. I also have 2 SDR100,s one for HF and one for EME. Best wishes Ross ZL:1WN - Original Message - From: "Lee A Crocker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Flexradio" Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 5:34 AM Subject: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000 > In response to my comments in another post, I have > gotten a couple of emails that seem to indicate the > perception out there is that it is somehow difficult > to set up a SDR-1000. > > I have 2 SDR-1000's and I have all 3 sound cards, so I > have done a lot of "settin up". I also use one of my > SDR-1000's as an IF for my VHF transverter, and I use > each radio to control multiple linear amps. I > designed a little breakout box to automate antenna > switching as well. The point being is that I have > some experience with what might be considered > "advanced setup". > > The basic set up of the SDR is not more difficult than > the setup of any radio. You basically hook up a key, > a mic, a power supply, and a ground. The only extra > setup is adding the cables between the sound card and > the radio. > > For my SDR's I plug my mic straight into the sound > card. I have the SDR's up on a top shelf, and I have > the sound cards (FA-66 and a firebox) down on the desk > next to my monitor. The sound cards next to the > monitor allows me access to a phone jack for > headphones as well as a audio gain control on each > sound card. It makes it convenient to change mics if > I want as well, as well as adjust mic gain. I use a > condenser mic (for that hifi experience) and need the > phantom 48V each of these sound cards provide. > > For CW I plug my CW key straight into the 1/8" jack on > the back of the radio. I played with the "serial > connection" method and I didn't find it any faster in > terms of turn around than with the 1/8" jack. I use > an external keyer, either a logikey or a usb version > winkey. Presently I use the winkey since it allows 2 > radios to be hooked up with software switching between > radios. I don't use any relays or other means to key > the radio, just the open collector in the keyer. When > I had the serial keying method hooked up I had to use > an FET buffer between the keyer and the port in order > to get the port to work. The serial port method was > really a fix for using the internal (software) keyer > with a paddle and I don't think it was really intended > for using an external keyer. Maybe some others could > comment on their experience but I can't see any > difference from 10 to 60 wpm between the 1/8 jack and > the serial port when using an external keyer with the > present iteration of the software. > > The more advanced set-ups such as transverters are > easy to implement as well. It's a matter of adding > the transverter to the line, and adding some data to a > form in PowerSDR which tells the radio how to behave > when hooked to a transverter. Very easy. To get > control out of the SDR you need to hook things up to > X2. For this I used an old 15 pin monitor cable cut > in half and some RCA jacks. I have my linears > connected to pin 7 and I use a foot switch and have a > push button connected for PTT duties. > > This radio is not a hard radio to set up. What you do > need is an Elecraft signal gen, and a good quality > dummy load. You can get a good quality dummy load for > cheap from here: > > http://ridgeequipment.com/store/index.html > > I use the 200W version but the cheapie 75 watter would > probably work fine as well for the duty required for > SDR tune up. These are good quality and are swept in > terms of impedance well into GHZ. > > So if your on the fence about an SDR because it seems > too complicated, fergetaboutit. The radio is not hard > to get running and it is a ton of fun to use. I use > mine in contests, weak signal DXing, rag chewing, > PSK31, as a lab receiver, as a signal generator. I > have a LP-100 meter and I'm in the process of hooking > it up as a transmitting VNA as well. > > When reading the reflector do not take what is posted > as common experience. If it was common experience > there would be 50 replies to a topic instead of 5. > The reflector is one of Flex radio's crowning > achievements. The helpfulness and lack of rancor on > this reflector is amazingly positive, and I think it > encourages people to ask even the simplest or oddest > of questions without fear of the retribution that > often plagues list members on other less well behaved > lists. It's a good radio which
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
See my comments inline between the === === >From: Lee A Crocker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: Flexradio >Subject: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000 >Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 08:34:08 -0800 (PST) > >In response to my comments in another post, I have >gotten a couple of emails that seem to indicate the >perception out there is that it is somehow difficult >to set up a SDR-1000. === Difficult is a relative term. Perhaps we should use the term "more involved". === > >I have 2 SDR-1000's and I have all 3 sound cards, so I >have done a lot of "settin up". I also use one of my >SDR-1000's as an IF for my VHF transverter, and I use >each radio to control multiple linear amps. I >designed a little breakout box to automate antenna >switching as well. The point being is that I have >some experience with what might be considered >"advanced setup". === I have 1 SDR-1000 and it took me about an hour and a half before I was on the air. On the other hand I have a Yaesu FT-847 and it took me about 5 minutes to get it on the air. == > >The basic set up of the SDR is not more difficult than >the setup of any radio. You basically hook up a key, >a mic, a power supply, and a ground. The only extra >setup is adding the cables between the sound card and >the radio. == 9 out of 10 times when I tell a fellow ham that I'm using an SDR-1000 the first question is "how hard was it to set that thing up?" I always respond that it was not plug and play but it takes more time to set up. One must follow the instructions to the letter. When I opened the box that I received from Flex there was a warning to read the instructions or the radio can self destruct or somesuch. I'm not sure if that was a joke or not but I took it seriously. == > >For my SDR's I plug my mic straight into the sound >card. I have the SDR's up on a top shelf, and I have >the sound cards (FA-66 and a firebox) down on the desk >next to my monitor. The sound cards next to the >monitor allows me access to a phone jack for >headphones as well as a audio gain control on each >sound card. It makes it convenient to change mics if >I want as well, as well as adjust mic gain. I use a >condenser mic (for that hifi experience) and need the >phantom 48V each of these sound cards provide. = I never knew what phantom power was until I read the primer on the types of mikes. Plug my mike into the sound card? What does that mean? The radio has a mike jack on the front. Shouldn't I plug it in there? Doing that can cause ground loops? Then why is there a mike jack on the front panel? > >For CW I plug my CW key straight into the 1/8" jack on >the back of the radio. I played with the "serial >connection" method and I didn't find it any faster in >terms of turn around than with the 1/8" jack. I use >an external keyer, either a logikey or a usb version >winkey. Presently I use the winkey since it allows 2 >radios to be hooked up with software switching between >radios. I don't use any relays or other means to key >the radio, just the open collector in the keyer. When >I had the serial keying method hooked up I had to use >an FET buffer between the keyer and the port in order >to get the port to work. The serial port method was >really a fix for using the internal (software) keyer >with a paddle and I don't think it was really intended >for using an external keyer. Maybe some others could >comment on their experience but I can't see any >difference from 10 to 60 wpm between the 1/8 jack and >the serial port when using an external keyer with the >present iteration of the software. == The paragraph above needs to be read a few times before a non flex owner could understand what is being discussed. Terms to review: Serial connection method logikey winkey FET Buffer Port (what port?) = > >The more advanced set-ups such as transverters are >easy to implement as well. It's a matter of adding >the transverter to the line, and adding some data to a >form in PowerSDR which tells the radio how to behave >when hooked to a transverter. Very easy. To get >control out of the SDR you need to hook things up to >X2. For this I used an old 15 pin monitor cable cut >in half and some RCA jacks. I have my linears >connected to pin 7 and I use a foot switch and have a >push button connected for PTT duties. == You mean I have to start building my own cables? Can't I just by one from Flex? I've never used a separate PTT in my life. The few radios that I have always had a mike with a PTT. Now I have to
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
Think of this transition as being similar to the change that came with SSB replacing AM 50 years ago. 73, Larry K2LT > > >> From: Lee A Crocker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: Flexradio >> Subject: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000 >> Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 08:34:08 -0800 (PST) >> >> In response to my comments in another post, I have >> gotten a couple of emails that seem to indicate the >> perception out there is that it is somehow difficult >> to set up a SDR-1000. >> > > === > > Difficult is a relative term. Perhaps we should use the term "more > involved". > > === > ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archive Link: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ FlexRadio Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
Good story Edwin, I feel the same. I have my way with documentation and manuals, however good they may be, you need to familiarise with new techniques and systems. AND a wire cutter, screwdriver and soldering iron..:-) (I rest my case) 73 groeten Peter petervn(a)hetnet.nl <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ; pa0pvn(a)hetnet.nl <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ; pa0pvn(a)gmail.com ; pa0pvn(a)amsat.org . Van: [EMAIL PROTECTED] namens Edwin Marzan Verzonden: ma 5-2-2007 6:50 Aan: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Onderwerp: Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000 See my comments inline between the === === >From: Lee A Crocker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: Flexradio >Subject: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000 >Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 08:34:08 -0800 (PST) > >In response to my comments in another post, I have >gotten a couple of emails that seem to indicate the >perception out there is that it is somehow difficult >to set up a SDR-1000. === Difficult is a relative term. Perhaps we should use the term "more involved". === > >I have 2 SDR-1000's and I have all 3 sound cards, so I >have done a lot of "settin up". I also use one of my >SDR-1000's as an IF for my VHF transverter, and I use >each radio to control multiple linear amps. I >designed a little breakout box to automate antenna >switching as well. The point being is that I have >some experience with what might be considered >"advanced setup". === I have 1 SDR-1000 and it took me about an hour and a half before I was on the air. On the other hand I have a Yaesu FT-847 and it took me about 5 minutes to get it on the air. == > >The basic set up of the SDR is not more difficult than >the setup of any radio. You basically hook up a key, >a mic, a power supply, and a ground. The only extra >setup is adding the cables between the sound card and >the radio. == 9 out of 10 times when I tell a fellow ham that I'm using an SDR-1000 the first question is "how hard was it to set that thing up?" I always respond that it was not plug and play but it takes more time to set up. One must follow the instructions to the letter. When I opened the box that I received from Flex there was a warning to read the instructions or the radio can self destruct or somesuch. I'm not sure if that was a joke or not but I took it seriously. == > >For my SDR's I plug my mic straight into the sound >card. I have the SDR's up on a top shelf, and I have >the sound cards (FA-66 and a firebox) down on the desk >next to my monitor. The sound cards next to the >monitor allows me access to a phone jack for >headphones as well as a audio gain control on each >sound card. It makes it convenient to change mics if >I want as well, as well as adjust mic gain. I use a >condenser mic (for that hifi experience) and need the >phantom 48V each of these sound cards provide. = I never knew what phantom power was until I read the primer on the types of mikes. Plug my mike into the sound card? What does that mean? The radio has a mike jack on the front. Shouldn't I plug it in there? Doing that can cause ground loops? Then why is there a mike jack on the front panel? > >For CW I plug my CW key straight into the 1/8" jack on >the back of the radio. I played with the "serial >connection" method and I didn't find it any faster in >terms of turn around than with the 1/8" jack. I use >an external keyer, either a logikey or a usb version >winkey. Presently I use the winkey since it allows 2 >radios to be hooked up with software switching between >radios. I don't use any relays or other means to key >the radio, just the open collector in the keyer. When >I had the serial keying method hooked up I had to use >an FET buffer between the keyer and the port in order >to get the port to work. The serial port method was >really a fix for using the internal (software) keyer >with a paddle and I don't think it was really intended >for using an external keyer. Maybe some others could >comment on their experience but I can't see any >difference from 10 to 60 wpm between the 1/8 jack and >the serial port when using an external keyer with the >present iteration of the software. == The paragraph above needs to be read a few times before a non flex owner could understand what is being discussed. Terms to review: Serial connection method logikey winkey FET Buffer Port (what port?) = > >The more advanced set-ups such as transverters are >easy to implement as well. It's a matter of adding >the transve
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
the elecraft sig gen is such a simple, elegant and reliable solution it is the thing I use most. Personally I don't see why an "average" ham like yourself would not want such accuracy in his operation. Wouldn't it be nice when in a QSO with someone who is testing an antenna to be able to give him accurate A-B comparisons instead of half a..ed FT-870 comparisons? As to a dummy load, its a handy reference as well. If things are acting goofy in your system, it's nice to have a reliable load to do trouble shooting, as well as set up the PA in the SDR for best operation. Facility with test equipment is one of things are what turns an average ham into a slighly above average ham. With respect to test equipment it's true no one NEEDS a SWR bridge. When I got into ham radio SWR bridges were uncommon. But find me a shack now a days that doesn't have a SWR bridge. With respect to easy, it's true you can flip a wire out the window and stick it in the back of the radio and load it up. Flipping a wire out the window is easy. It takes maybe 5 minutes. You can make contacts flipping a wire out the window. It has its instant gratification. But most hams do a little more than that. They actually take a little time and install something a little more technically superior. For example they might actually measure the wire they flip out the window so it was a 1/4 wave long on the band of interest so the impedance of the rig might better match the impedance of the wire, or they may actually measure 2 wires 1/4 wave long solder it to a feedline and make a dipole. Of course to do this you need a piece of test equipment. You need a ruler. So yes you can have easy. Yes you can make contacts with easy, or you can spend a little more time like an hour and a half and have something superior. You knock me on using some terms like logikey and winkey. I find this outright bizarre as an argument. Everyone enters ham radio as a newcomer devoid of a clear understanding of the jargon, and its part of the "job" of a newcomer to learn the meaning of some terms. Terms are the coin of the realm. It is how people communicate their ideas and it is how you steep yourself in the culture. It is how you move from being a newcomer into becoming that "average" ham you describe yourself as. I bet none of those terms I used were foreign to you. Terms are not hard to learn. You just think about them in the context. For example I used the terms logikey and winkey in the context of external keyers. Most would be lead to believe those must be particular instances of external keyers. I used the term Port as in we were talking about using a serial port. It's really not that hard Edwin, unless your goal it to pick the nits. This brings me to my point Edwin. I think this post of yours is not about how hard or easy it is to set up the flex. I think this post is about your condescension. It's tone is one that presumes the "average" ham is a dope and too stupid to set up something as "complicated" as a SDR-1000. Well I consider myself an average ham, and my bet is most people on this list consider themselves as average hams, and there are thousands of us, and many if not most own and run SDR-1000's daily. We all bring to the mix what we bring, and none of us are dopes. I had radios like the FT870. I basically lost interest in ham radio using a radio like that. After 45 years of the same fare they were too boring. Turn it on, tune the knob, bla bla bla, I might as well have shot myself in the head it was so boring. I started playing with SDR radios starting with the TT Pegasus, and my interest in ham radio, which was at best on life support renewed back into a healthy enthusiasm. So Edwin is appears what you bring to the mix is a kind of abject negativity, but then negativity is a RELATIVE term isn't it? vy 73 W9OY --- Edwin Marzan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > See my comments inline between the > > === > === > > > > >From: Lee A Crocker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >To: Flexradio > >Subject: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the > SDR-1000 > >Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 08:34:08 -0800 (PST) > > > >In response to my comments in another post, I have > >gotten a couple of emails that seem to indicate the > >perception out there is that it is somehow > difficult > >to set up a SDR-1000. > > === > > Difficult is a relative term. Perhaps we should use > the term "more > involved". > > === > > > > > >I have 2 SDR-1000's and I have all 3 sound cards, > so I > >have done a lot of "settin up". I also use one of > my > >SDR-1000's as an IF for my VHF transverter, and I > use > >each radio to control multiple linear amp
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
Well said Lee. You would be surprised to find out how many private emails I have received supporting my position. 23 and counting. Including from some of the "super stars" you refer to. The Flex is a great radio. This is a hobby. Lets have fun and lighten up. No one is being negative or condescending. I apologize if you took my email the wrong way. It was not intended as such. However I do not apoligize for its content. I will respond to you email in greater detail off of the reflector when I have the time. But please do me a favor and have fun! And most of all, be well. Sincerely, Edwin Marzan AB2VW From: Lee A Crocker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Edwin Marzan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: RE: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000 Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 08:52:06 -0800 (PST) Edwin You claim to be an average ham, maybe not very technical and certainly I expect you wouldn't claim to be one of the super stars that populates this reflector, yet as an average ham it only took you 1 1/2 hours to set up the SDR-1000. No it is not as easy as a FT-847, but then as an average ham, I spent at least 1 1/2 hours programming my Yaesu VX-5 handi talkie, so neither would I consider 1 1/2 hours as a sign of difficulty. I spent at least an hour going through the menu's on my Orion, and given what I have read on the FT-2000 reflector you could spend a month going through the menu on that radio, so I would guess 1 1/2 hours is about "average". You clearly make contacts with your SDR-1000 since the first question your contacts ask you is how hard it is to set up, so apparently it wasn't too hard for you to set up the SDR. As to the signal generator and the dummy load. The dummy load is not necessary nor is the signal gen kit, but they do have their advantages to get the most out of your radio. Each radio is sent with calibration data that you can use to plug into the table for setting up the PA. You can use any strong stable signal source to do the image rejection. You can use WWV to calibrate frequency. The advantage of the Elecraft sig gen is it turns your radio into a superior radio. Unlike your FT-870 the S meter on the SDR-1000 is actually accurate across its range from about -140dBm to greater than 0dBm. The S meter in your FT-870 would have long ago pegged out at 0dBm as the AGC loop would be far far into saturation. Also unlike your FT-870 the SDR gives you options. For example if your FT-870 was off frequency you basically would have to buy a service manual and go inside the radio and try to figure out how to calibrate it, or being an average ham you would have to box it up and send it off to yaesu for a couple months at some large expense, or you would have to live with it. With the SDR-1000 I tune to WWV and push a button and voila' I'm on frequency. With the FT870 if the image rejection went out of whack You would need to get a service manual and some test equipment and re-align the radio, or box it up and send it back to Yaesu for maybe 6 months, with the SDR I put on a $39 dollar signal source press a button and voila' I have a lab grade receiver once again. With the FT-870 if my power output was out of spec I would have to get a dummy load and an accurate power meter and a shop manual and go inside and try to adjust various stage gains and biases to get things back in alignment, or I could box it up and send it back to Yaesu, or just run the thing out of whack until it finally blew up. With the SDR if I notice things aren't quite right I can whip out my trusty dummy load and push a button and voila' my radio is back in spec. Seems to me the average ham might like the "flexibility" to not have to schlep the thing back in the box and ship it off to neverland for 6 months, or just have to "live" with the poor design or the radio. I had a FT-1000. I got it on the air in about 5 minutes with my FT-1000. The FT-1000 had some design flaws. It had terrible key clicks. It's noise blanker control circuit was also mis-designed. It had those problems when I bought it and it had those problems when I sold it ten years later. I bought the SDR-1000 a couple years ago. It had some problems with T-R turnaround in those days on CW. In about 6 months those problems were totally cured through re-coding of the software. TOTALLY SOLVED! I had a Pegasus. It was billed as the last radio I would ever need to own. Beside having a crummy receiver which never got better regardless of firmware updates, the last firmware update for the Pegasus was in 2003. It is clearly not the last radio I ever owned. It lacked performance. And it was not really a software defined radio. It was more of a firmware defined radio, and it was totally dependent on TT to keep upgrading the firmware. Once TT lost interest the radio became an orphan. The SDR-1000 OTOH is upd
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
Paull wrote: >I believe that this has been hinted at over the years, but forgive please >for asking the obvious...How about a "software defined calibrator" built >into sdr code? > >I do not understand the need to purchase an external calibration source when >all the required components/functions necessary to calibrate within the >precision of an gnat's patootie already exist in the >hardware/software...Don't they? > >regards, Paull > >-- > The manual is likely being overzealous here and probably needs clarification (I haven't read it lately, but too many newcomers are concluding they have to buy this thing, so whatever we think it says, too many people read it as a requirement). WWV is just fine for frequency calibration. I got 185+ DXCC countries on my SDR to prove it. I haven't even bothered to do the I/Q thing. You do need some sort of external source, but it doesn't have to be actual gear. Larry WO0Z ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archive Link: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ FlexRadio Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
A radio being able to calibrate itself (to an actual reference) is a tall order. This is equivalent to saying that your bathroom scale should be able to calibrate itself. It should be able to so _with a reference_. Out of the box it is going to be pretty close (within a few dBm) when using a recommended soundcard. Environmental elements such as the exact voltage on the PCI/Firewire bus, the temp of the room, quality of cables, and other things can impact the fine measurements. This is why we recommend having a stable signal source so that YOU can calibrate in YOUR environment. As previously mentioned, the level calibration will be very close to begin with and the frequency cal can just be done on WWV or another strong stable RF signal. The image rejection cal is the only one that varies enough from one station to another that it really needs to be done with a stable signal. This signal can just be a strong steady transmit signal from another rig though. The long and short of it is that you don't have to have a single piece of test equipment to enjoy the SDR-1000. If you want to squeeze out the S-Meter to a tenth of a dB, then get an accurate signal source. If you want the frequency to be dead on, then buy the clock kit and hook it to a stable 10MHz source. If you want the best image rejection the radio can provide, then hook up a strong signal source and do the RX Image Cal. Some people might describe this as complicated or limiting. I would call it FLEXibility. ;) Eric Wachsmann FlexRadio Systems > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > radio.biz] On Behalf Of Paull > Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 6:30 AM > To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz > Subject: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000 > > I believe that this has been hinted at over the years, but forgive please > for asking the obvious...How about a "software defined calibrator" built > into sdr code? > > I do not understand the need to purchase an external calibration source > when > all the required components/functions necessary to calibrate within the > precision of an gnat's patootie already exist in the > hardware/software...Don't they? > > regards, Paull ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archive Link: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ FlexRadio Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
At 04:30 AM 2/7/2007, Paull wrote: >I believe that this has been hinted at over the years, but forgive please >for asking the obvious...How about a "software defined calibrator" built >into sdr code? > >I do not understand the need to purchase an external calibration source when >all the required components/functions necessary to calibrate within the >precision of an gnat's patootie already exist in the >hardware/software...Don't they? Nope.. the SDR1000 doesn't have the standards built in. You need some sort of external frequency and/or level standard to calibrate against (or have it included in the radio).. For frequency, one could use WWV or similar (that will get you "few Hz" sort of precision for frequency, depending on where you are etc.) To calibrate on transmit, you'd need some sort of calibrated power meter (for power output) and some sort of measuring receiver (for image/carrier rejection). The SDR1000 can *almost* serve as the measuring receiver, except that in it's current incarnation, it can't receive and transmit at the same time, so you can't do a "loopback" type calibration. Certainly, if you had two SDR1000s, you can do this, and even better. Jim, W6RMK ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archive Link: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ FlexRadio Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000
Hallo Paul, Sounds great build in calibration. But not very practical I am afraid. You do not incorporate e soldering iron and universal meter in your transceiver. Also these devices are usable for any other transceiver and more. - S-meter calibration, Here you need an RF source with a defined level. The Elekraft is a simple device that is good enough. I use an (out of calibration) HP RF generator that seems to bee still very good. - Frequency calibration. You need an RF source with very precise frequency. WWV is good, even in Holland on some parts of the day/night. I have also a 10MHz precision ovenised X-tal source. Same idea applies for the rejection calibration. That it is necessary to do this has to do with the fact that you more or less are building you transceiver. The SDR black box, the soundcard and the computer all have their influence. With a complete out of the box rice cooker you do not have this, but is the S-meter there so good calibrated ? Happy experimenting 73 peter pa0pvn groeten Peter petervn(a)hetnet.nl <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ; pa0pvn(a)hetnet.nl <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ; pa0pvn(a)gmail.com ; pa0pvn(a)amsat.org . Van: [EMAIL PROTECTED] namens Paull Verzonden: wo 7-2-2007 13:30 Aan: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Onderwerp: [Flexradio] How hard is it to set up the SDR-1000 I believe that this has been hinted at over the years, but forgive please for asking the obvious...How about a "software defined calibrator" built into sdr code? I do not understand the need to purchase an external calibration source when all the required components/functions necessary to calibrate within the precision of an gnat's patootie already exist in the hardware/software...Don't they? regards, Paull -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.29/673 - Release Date: 2/6/2007 5:52 PM ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archive Link: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ FlexRadio Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/ -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/attachments/20070207/c8a1b803/attachment.html ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archive Link: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ FlexRadio Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/
