We seek to understand and document all radio transmissions, legal and otherwise, as part of the radio listening hobby. We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations. Always consult with the appropriate authorities if you have questions concerning what is permissible in your locale.

Author Topic: SDRplay setup  (Read 5301 times)

Offline cheesehed

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 103
    • View Profile
    • Email
SDRplay setup
« on: September 19, 2016, 2352 UTC »
I just purchased SDRPlay. Unfortunately, I'm not a techie at all and I think I'm in over my head.

I bought a "quick and dirty" antenna kit https://www.amazon.com/Usmile%C2%AE-Portable-shortwave-antenna-stations/dp/B0141X3B5W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474328930&sr=8-2&keywords=shortwave+radio+antenna
Unfortunately, the directions really don't tell how to hook this up. Separately I bought the right coax which is hooked between
my PC and the SDRPlay. But I don't understand how the longwire is supposed to connect to the SDRP. Any help appreciated!
Thank you.

cheesehed
nbartlett@uwalumni.com




Neil Bartlett
Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin (20 mi. west of Madison)
Sony Exec Satellite, barefoot; Eton Field Elite; PL-660

Offline JCMaxwell

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 788
  • Central NC, USA
    • View Profile
Re: SDRplay setup
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2016, 0006 UTC »
Cheesehead, it appears in the Amazon picture that your antenna terminates to a SMA male connector.  The back of the SDRPlay has a female SMA connector.  So just screw the male connector into the female connector and let nature take its course!
IC-R9000L, FDM-S2, Belka DX, HF+ Discovery, RSPdx, IC-R30, BC125AT, PL-880 <- W6LVP Loop

eQSLs appreciated - johnnyclerkmaxwell@gmail.com

Offline cheesehed

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 103
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: SDRplay setup
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2016, 0200 UTC »
That's straightforward! Thanks --

It appears the SMA male that came with the kit is too large. i assume I'll have to try RadioShack or Amazon for the right fit.

Not sure what the diameter size is on the SDRP. The kit says it's a BNC to SMA adapter...

Cheesehed
Neil Bartlett
Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin (20 mi. west of Madison)
Sony Exec Satellite, barefoot; Eton Field Elite; PL-660

Offline JCMaxwell

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 788
  • Central NC, USA
    • View Profile
Re: SDRplay setup
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2016, 1421 UTC »
Strange, the SMA connector on the SDRPlay is standard, AFAIK.

I wouldn't count on RadioShack, you'll probably find whatever you need on Amazon.

Good luck!

Join us in chat sometime.

http://www.starchat.net/chat/?chan=PirateRadio
« Last Edit: September 20, 2016, 1431 UTC by JCMaxwell »
IC-R9000L, FDM-S2, Belka DX, HF+ Discovery, RSPdx, IC-R30, BC125AT, PL-880 <- W6LVP Loop

eQSLs appreciated - johnnyclerkmaxwell@gmail.com

Offline MDK2

  • Marconi Class DXer
  • ********
  • Posts: 6107
  • Denver, CO
    • View Profile
    • My radio reception videos
Re: SDRplay setup
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2016, 1443 UTC »
I like showmecables dot com a lot. They have every conceivable connector around, are fast and reasonably priced. Check em out...
Denver, CO.
SDRPlay RSPdx & RSP2pro, Airspy Discovery HF+, Icom IC-7100, Grundig Satellit 750, Realistic DX-300, Tecsun PL-600.
MLA-30 active loop, G5RV dipole.
eQSLs appreciated wickerjennie at gmail

Offline Rafman

  • DXing Phenomena
  • *******
  • Posts: 2584
  • Virgilina Border
  • Pirate Radio: Radio FUN minus Station Management!!
    • View Profile
    • WirelessDX - Collection of Pirate Radio clips by Rafman K4RAF
    • Email
Re: SDRplay setup
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2016, 1515 UTC »
From both a wear/tear & standardization standpoint, I'd suggest an SMA-male-to-BNC-female adapter...
BNCs are much easier to find, cheaper & more durable than SMAs...

Here is a typical example of what I have been using for the last 5 years with SDRs for SMA porting:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BNC-female-jack-to-SMA-male-plug-RF-connector-straight-gold-plating-Adapter-WB-/371755437288?hash=item568e59cce8:g:4gwAAOSw~otWcZ7g

73 de Rafman
~
Rafman
Onion Flats [Baskerville] VA USA
[All QSLs greatly appreciated: WIFIDX@gmail.com]
Elad FDM-S1&S2 / SDRplay1 & SDRplay2
Mizuho SX59 & SX3 preselectors / JPS ANC4 Noise Phaser
41m EU beverage / 40m loop / 75m CF Zepp / 41m Sloping Dipole
The "Real FCC" http://bit.ly/2lQDNYm

Offline moof

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 223
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: SDRplay setup
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2016, 2314 UTC »
Damn thing came without knobs and antenna connector only the younguns know about.  Fortunately Amazon has SMA to SO239 cables so normal people can connect the thing to a normal antenna.  Or a chunk of wire if you want to jam some in the end.