Messages

1

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: KiwiSDR, SDR-14 and possible cheaper options?

« on: February 04, 2021, 2159 UTC »

Thanks, Chris.  I do believe I still do have the SMA adapter around somewhere.  I collected a LOT of adapters over the years.  I also have several unused routers and I'll be using one for the unit.  Would appreciate recommendations of a cheap GPS antenna and power supply.  I assume it is best to not using a 5V switching supply.  I probably have several "walwarts", but of course will have to check DC voltage output as they are often far higher than labelled. 

2

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: KiwiSDR, SDR-14 and possible cheaper options?

« on: February 04, 2021, 1910 UTC »

So, a bit of luck came my way, and it looks like I may be able to afford the Kiwi after all.  I have a few questions:

1)  Since the kit is unavailable, it looks like I will need a Beagle card and a 5V transformer based power supply, is this correct?  Is GPS antenna really needed or can I forego that for now?

2)  How reliable is the unit and/or card?  History of failures, etc, welcome.  I still debate whether it or the SDR-14 is the better choice, if I can find the '14 used.  I read that at one point, there were Beagle card failures apparently due to manufacturing problems. 

Anything else I should know? 

Thanks again.   

3

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: KiwiSDR, SDR-14 and possible cheaper options?

« on: February 02, 2021, 2229 UTC »

Then I'll have to wait or look for a used SDR-14.  I have seen those occasionally show up on the used market.  In fact, the one I had I bought used. 

4

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: KiwiSDR, SDR-14 and possible cheaper options?

« on: February 02, 2021, 2041 UTC »

Unfortunately, I have had trouble with Chinese electronics almost every time I've made a purchase, so won't be going with those. 

It looks like one of the earlier Airspy's had a special program written for it that would cover the HF spectrum, but the current unit doesn't support it.  I should have mentioned early on I guess that I desired seeing the entire HF spectrum for crude spectrum analyzer purposes.  I just didn't think the area would still be so specialized/ expensive, especially since the years have passed since the SDR-14 was in production. 

Well, under the circumstances, I think I'll wait until I can at least get a Kiwi board on sale and pick up the Beagle somewhere else.  Budget really is limited so have to watch funds closely..  I don't see the Kiwi coming up for sale used all that often, so the sale looks like the best bet. 

5

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: KiwiSDR, SDR-14 and possible cheaper options?

« on: February 02, 2021, 0546 UTC »

The airspy covers all of HF (0-30 MHz) plus some of VHF. 768 kHz is the sampling bandwidth, you can view that much of the spectrum at one time. By comparison the SDR-14 was around 150 kHz.

I'm not sure we're talking about the same figure.  I'm referring to the maximum amount of bandwidth that can be viewed at once.  With my SDR-14, this was the entire HF spectrum.  Perhaps I should have said maximum display bandwidth as mentioned here: https://www.scannermaster.com/SDR_14_Receiver_p/43-501311.htm?Click=20907 which is 30 Mhz.  Can the Airspy do this also? All I've found so far is the 768 Khz figure you mentioned.   

6

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: KiwiSDR, SDR-14 and possible cheaper options?

« on: February 01, 2021, 2140 UTC »

Thanks, the only issue I see with the Airspy is that it doesn't seem to cover the same bandwidth (768 Khz from what I read) as the Kiwi or SDR-14.  Looking for something covering the entire HF.   

7

SDR - Software Defined Radio / KiwiSDR, SDR-14 and possible cheaper options?

« on: February 01, 2021, 1842 UTC »

Hello,

First time posting here and I am considering obtaining an SDR.  I am no stranger to SDR's as I owned Softrock Ensemble II receivers (both LF and HF) as well as an RFspace SDR-14.  The Softrocks did ok and I still have them, but not hooked up (was trying to get one working in the latest Ubuntu but a definite no go .  My prize was the SDR-14 and I used it for listening to Jupiter back around 2010 or so.  Being able to see and record full HF spectrum helped determine whether a emission was from Jupiter or not.  Unfortunately, that SDR had to be sold due to much needed funding!  I sort of regret that now as it was a wonderful performer. 

So, sort of getting back into the swing of things.  Over the last three years, I came across something that at least on the surface appears much like the SDR-14 and that's KiwiSDR.  I don't know if it has direct sampling or not, but tuning into the many web based stations definitely shows full HF coverage simultaneously.  The price appears to be significantly less than the SDR-14, although I do see one big drawback and it seems to need a web interface to work?  It looks like for at least the board and that little computer it plugs into would run around $250 US or so. 

Well, I'd still like to do better than that price and have the features of the Kiwi, assuming that it is, in fact, much like the SDR-14 was.  I have read some threads at other sites suggesting sales sometimes of the boards, but I don't see that coming up very often.  So, what about any Kiwi clones?  Any comparable to the original or no go?  Options other than Kiwi/ SDR-14 offering same features and quality (and less price)?

Thank you in advance,
Jon