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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : SDR recommendations?

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BrianP
Senior Member

Joined: 30/03/2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 292
Posted: 08:48am 02 Jun 2018
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Hi all

I'm thinking about acquiring a USB SDR to use for spectrum analysis, ideally up to 3ghz or so, or 5ghz if affordable.

Does anyone have a pet recommendation, ideally with a supplier?

Thanks in advance for your time...

Brian P
 
Chopperp

Guru

Joined: 03/01/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 1106
Posted: 11:19am 02 Jun 2018
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Silicon Chip had this feature May'13. May help

LINK
ChopperP
 
Phil23
Guru

Joined: 27/03/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 1667
Posted: 09:21pm 02 Jun 2018
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They also did an updated article in Nov 2017, based on a kit from Banggood.

Being based on TV dongles, they are not going to make it to 2Gig.

Here's the kit anyway.

Cheers.
 
Phil23
Guru

Joined: 27/03/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 1667
Posted: 09:25pm 02 Jun 2018
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A down converter would get the range higher.

Bit of info here.
 
BrianP
Senior Member

Joined: 30/03/2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 292
Posted: 01:56am 03 Jun 2018
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Thanks guys

I have ordered an RTL-SDR R820T2 (RTL2832U v3) SDR with Dipole Antenna Kit from a local supplier for $45 including delivery - I didn't think that was a bad deal from a local company. I'll work on a down converter later after I've been through the learning curve with the base unit.

The journey begins...

Thanks again
B
 
cs41
Newbie

Joined: 08/08/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 28
Posted: 06:53am 04 Jun 2018
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I too have been researching SDR modules for receiving meteorological weather satellite transmissions around 1700 MHz and so far the best I have tried which is reasonably priced is the Nooelec Extended range model

http://www.nooelec.com/store/sdr/nesdr-smart-xtr-sdr.html

I have one and quite satisfied with the results so far up to about 2200MHz.

Some of the other ones I have tried are rather unreliable above about 1600 MHz, especially when warm.

cs
 
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