HFU HF Underground

Technical Topics => SDR - Software Defined Radio => Topic started by: ChrisSmolinski on April 02, 2013, 2112 UTC

Title: Ham it Up HF Converter for RTL Dongle
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on April 02, 2013, 2112 UTC

I just heard about this. It is an up-converter, so you can use an RTL dongle SDR on HF. Sounds like a very low cost way to get into SDR and use it on HF.

(http://opendous.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/Current_Designs/Upconverter/Upconverter_Picture.jpg)

It's based on this hardware project: http://code.google.com/p/opendous/wiki/Upconverter

There is a review of the up-converter here: http://www.hamradioscience.com/ham-it-up-hf-converter/

There's several links for buying one, on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ham-It-Up-v1-0-RF-Upconverter-For-SDR-Funcube-RTLSDR-MF-HF-Converter-E4000-/160973393858?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257ac30fc2

And directly from NooElec: http://www.nooelec.com/store/software-defined-radio/ham-it-up-v1-0-rf-upconverter-for-software-defined-radio.html#.UVtI246Qmz8

I don't have one of these converters (although I do have an RTL dongle which I have written about before). The converter is about $50 with shipping. The RTL dongles are around $20, so for $70 you have an SDR for HF use.

Title: Re: Ham it Up HF Converter for RTL Dongle
Post by: K5KNT on April 02, 2013, 2128 UTC

I recently purchased one direct from NooElec. I received notice that it shipped today. Now I need to get an antenna! No chance right now to put one outside, so I'm thinking about something in the attic (a dipole or loop). If worse comes to worse, I may have to string some wire around the room where the computer is.

Title: Re: Ham it Up HF Converter for RTL Dongle
Post by: desmoface on April 02, 2013, 2249 UTC

Hi Kent, I'm curious to see how it plays for you.  I'm hoping to pick up my Afedri tomorrow, if I can drag myself out of bed early enough to hit the post office before work, LOL.  I know you said that you couldn't get a wire outside, but that would surely be your best option..That said, I've heard good things about these, although they are a bit costly  http://www.wellbrook.uk.com/antennashop/

73's de kb8viv

Title: Re: Ham it Up HF Converter for RTL Dongle
Post by: K5KNT on April 03, 2013, 0045 UTC

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the link. We are in the middle of job hunting so the wife isn't real keen on the idea of putting an antenna outside if we end up having to move. Anything should be better than what I have now, a Grundig G3 Traveler with the telescopic antenna. I also have a Kaito KA33 active loop, but I haven't noticed any improvement.

Title: Re: Ham it Up HF Converter for RTL Dongle
Post by: desmoface on April 03, 2013, 0047 UTC

Ahh.. Understandable.  Well, good luck with the job hunting.

Steve