HFU HF Underground

Technical Topics => SDR - Software Defined Radio => Topic started by: Matt285 on October 22, 2019, 1542 UTC

Title: Grounding SDR receivers
Post by: Matt285 on October 22, 2019, 1542 UTC

I am thinking of purchasing an SDR receiver such as the AirSpy. I have always owned table top receivers and was curious about the grounding of such receivers. Thanks

Title: Re: Grounding SDR receivers
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on October 22, 2019, 1652 UTC

They typically get grounded through the antenna connector.  Of course there's also a ground via the USB connector, and then your computer, which can make things interesting.

Title: Re: Grounding SDR receivers
Post by: Matt285 on October 22, 2019, 1825 UTC

Are we talking about an outside earth ground? Wondering how to attach to an SMA connector.

Title: Re: Grounding SDR receivers
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on October 22, 2019, 1830 UTC

In my case I use an SMA to F connector. My coax cables run outside where they get grounded, then underground, then come back up again (and get grounded again) and then go to the antenna.  I use CATV style grounding blocks.

Title: Re: Grounding SDR receivers
Post by: Josh on October 22, 2019, 1844 UTC

Some guys have just wrapped solid bare wire around the sma connector of the sdr to ground.