SDRPlay RSP1B

[ChrisSmolinski]

The RSP1B is an enhanced version of the RSP1A our popular entry-level receiver—it is a powerful wideband full featured 14 bit SDR and perfect as an all round general coverage communications receiver plus much much more. 

The key advantages over the RSP1A are that it comes in strong black painted steel case instead of plastic, and it has significantly improved noise performance below 1MHz (i.e for MF, LF and below), and in the 50-60 MHz region. There are also noticeable noise improvements in the 3.5-5.5MHz and 250-320MHz spectrum. It also has It has improved signal handling at HF frequencies.

https://www.sdrplay.com/rsp1b/

[RobRich]

More specs:

https://www.sdrplay.com/docs/RSP1BdatasheetV1.0.pdf

Launch video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYCbWNRChwI

Low frequency noise appears considerably improved:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OLHFAwBnDA

I might have to order one for further evaluation.

Anyone using SDRconnect? If so, feedback?

[~SIGINT~]

Anyone using SDRconnect? If so, feedback?

Nope, still using SDRuno v1.42.1014 with both my RSPduo and RSPdx. When I first looked at the SDRconnect videos I was not impressed by the user interface plus how I was going to have to go through an unnecessary learning curve.

I see that SDRuno 1.42.1128 was released on January 26th 2024 so I will have to go and check out the release notes. I have been running my RSPduo since at least 2018 (if not earlier) alongside RSPuno and dump1090 / Virtual Radar and I am pleased with how everything works hence my reluctance to change.

[cyphermatic]

I just watched TechMinds' YouTube video demo of the RSP-1B on longwave, compared to the '1A.  The lower internal noise was quite audible on weak NDB stations. Not bad at all. It would be nice to know how different the B model is from the A version on the upper end of HF. 

[RobRich]

I started down the SDR rabbit hole with RTL-SDR and Airspy products, so I am usually more at home with SDRSharp on Windows and SDRangel on Linux.

My potential interest in SDRConnect is primarily because it is a native Linux app. I am focusing more on receiving and getting a KiwiSDR 2 running (hopefully) in the near future, but I will keep the RSP1B in mind for afterwards.

BTW, checked the SDRuno release notes. Only note is adding RSP1B support.

[ChrisSmolinski]

Anyone using SDRconnect? If so, feedback?

I've been running it here on an old Win10 system, mostly to generate I/Q recording files so I can add support for its file format to my apps. The file format is different than SDR Uno 

Seems relatively OK, although it's still somewhat sparse feature-wise. I haven't used it seriously for listening yet.  I need to try out the Mac version.

[NJQA]

Now in stock at HRO.  The difference in price between the RSP1A and RSP1B is $20.  The steel case alone is worth that.

[MDK2]

I was disappointed that after a years-long gap between new models, following about five years of a new one being introduced annually, that this was what they had. Not entirely - I understand that times have been tough for everyone and a lot of things are definitely outside of their control, plus it's plain to see that developing SDRconnect has been their main focus in recent times. But I really want to see them make a leap in hardware development, and this isn't it. Still, I like the product (I have an RSPdx) and hope this model sells well.