Anybody have the "SDR Play" Receiver from HRO

[K4EET]

Does anybody have the "SDRplay" Receiver from HRO and how do you like it?

SDRplay SDRplay RSP | RSP - Radio Spectrum Processor SDR Receiver

Have you used any APIs that may have been written for it yet? If so, which one(s) and how do you like it/those?

TIA es 73, Dave K4EET

 

[dsalomon]

I got mine from HRO on Sep 13. I love it. They did an excellent job. Note that you must have the latest firmware to remove remove the 400 MHz gap. Updating the firmware is very easy. It's similar to the Airspy in performances.

73 - David, AG4F

 

[dsalomon]

BTW, I should add that there are LOTS of comparisons between the Airspy and SDRPlay, as well as between the SDRPlay and other receivers. Google "SDRPlay comparison" and you'll come up with a lot to read. Everyone has their own comparison of the SDRPlay and play X, so be prepared for a lot of stuff to read through. FYI, HRO allows returns within 10 days, although they do charge 15% restocking fee, so if you buy just to evaluate, it will cost $30 to return (unless it's defective, then it can be returned at no charge).

If you happen to live near Senoia (near Peachtree City and Fayetteville), you're welcome to come play with mine and compare it to my Airspy or my dual-band Afedri (822x), both of which I'd say are in the same class as the SDRPlay. You can also company it to my RFSpace NetSDR, WinRadio G33DDC or Ettus B210. However, those 3 are very high end receivers and I wouldn't call a comparison from the SDRPaly to any of them. I also have have a RTL-R820T2, which I call a low end receiver and also not a fair comparison to the SDRPlay.

However, bottom line is that you are welcome to come over and compare my SDRPlay to any of my other radios or to any radio that you bring with you. I have a high quality signal splitter so you know you'll be getting exactly the same signal for comparison.

73 (again) - David, AG4F

 

[K4EET]

I also just found an excellent YouTube analysis video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfBuLJgjAng&feature=youtu.be

Looks like a real nice receiver...

73, Dave K4EET

 

[RadShackFan]

What software are you using; what OS with how much memory?

Thanks.

 

[K4EET]

Thanks David for your two replies. A friend of mine down in Georgia just ordered an SDRplay. It appears to be a cut above the rest based on the video I posted just now... Instead of 8 bit it is 12 bit...

73, Dave K4EET

 

[bill4long]

I have one, purchased in November 2015. It's not bad, but I hate the way the AGC works on SSB, and that's a deal breaker. Mine is sitting in the closet collecting dust because of that.

 

[K4EET]

I have one, purchased in November 2015. It's not bad, but I hate the way the AGC works on SSB, and that's a deal breaker. Mine is sitting in the closet collecting dust because of that.

What is it about the AGC on SSB that is so bad? TIA!

73, Dave K4EET

 

[bill4long]

What is it about the AGC on SSB that is so bad? TIA!

73, Dave K4EET

It doesn't work like one would expect an AGC. It is basically an "RF Gain" level not a real AGC. This is fine for FM and AM, but not sideband, where it is desireable for the gain to decrease automatically with stronger signals for a certain (configurable) amount of time before recovery.

 

[K4EET]

It doesn't work like one would expect an AGC. It is basically an "RF Gain" level not a real AGC. This is fine for FM and AM, but not sideband, where it is desireable for the gain to decrease automatically with stronger signals for a certain (configurable) amount of time before recovery.

Thanks, that is good input!

73, Dave K4EET

 

[jonohudson]

SDRplay SSB performance

It doesn't work like one would expect an AGC. It is basically an "RF Gain" level not a real AGC. This is fine for FM and AM, but not sideband, where it is desireable for the gain to decrease automatically with stronger signals for a certain (configurable) amount of time before recovery.

I think BILL4LONG misunderstands the purpose of the RF AGC function made available for the RSP. It is not intended to replace the usual AGC function available in software packages such as HDSDR, SDR Console and SDR# as this AGC is designed to work on the individual signal after it is been selected via filtering. The RF AGC is intended only to ensure that the composite signal that you can get with up to 8 MHz of spectrum (that could contain hundreds of different individual signals) does NOT overload the ADCs. You should still use the individual selected signal AGC for SSB available in the application software for SSB. It is also worth remembering that the RF AGC is purely a software control loop and if you don’t like the way it works, you can simply turn it off and the RSP will then function like any other SDR hardware platform

73, Jon, G4ABQ

 

[K4EET]

I think BILL4LONG misunderstands the purpose of the RF AGC function made available for the RSP. It is not intended to replace the usual AGC function available in software packages such as HDSDR, SDR Console and SDR# as this AGC is designed to work on the individual signal after it is been selected via filtering. The RF AGC is intended only to ensure that the composite signal that you can get with up to 8 MHz of spectrum (that could contain hundreds of different individual signals) does NOT overload the ADCs. You should still use the individual selected signal AGC for SSB available in the application software for SSB. It is also worth remembering that the RF AGC is purely a software control loop and if you don’t like the way it works, you can simply turn it off and the RSP will then function like any other SDR hardware platform

73, Jon, G4ABQ

Thanks for the clarification Jon! That makes a lot more sense like it should behave.

73, Dave K4EET

 

[bill4long]

I think BILL4LONG misunderstands the purpose of the RF AGC function made available for the RSP. It is not intended to replace the usual AGC function available in software packages such as HDSDR, SDR Console and SDR# as this AGC is designed to work on the individual signal after it is been selected via filtering. The RF AGC is intended only to ensure that the composite signal that you can get with up to 8 MHz of spectrum (that could contain hundreds of different individual signals) does NOT overload the ADCs. You should still use the individual selected signal AGC for SSB available in the application software for SSB. It is also worth remembering that the RF AGC is purely a software control loop and if you don’t like the way it works, you can simply turn it off and the RSP will then function like any other SDR hardware platform

73, Jon, G4ABQ

I'm using HDSDR. HDSDR is the first application software displayed as a choice on SDRPlay website in addition to SDR-Console and SDR#. If the fault lies there, I'll try the others. Is any warning given anywhere about the crappy SSB AGC in HDSDR? I didn't see any. Moreover, when I complained about this on SDRPlay's website, nobody mentioned what you have explained. If they want more acceptance of their product I should think this issue would be clearly and obviously spelled out with regards to HDSDR's crappy AGC on SSB. I'll try the other software programs and report back.

 

[ka3jjz]

To bring this a little more back on topic, there are a number of SDRPlay reviews - and YouTube videos - linked on this page...

SDRplay - Reviews

Mike

 

[K4EET]

To bring this a little more back on topic, there are a number of SDRPlay reviews - and YouTube videos - linked on this page...

SDRplay - Reviews

Mike

Thanks Mike! 73, Dave K4EET

 

[mikewazowski]

We now return you to your regular SDR discussion.

All Buy, Trade and Sell posts which aren't allowed in the regular forums have been deleted.

 

[K4EET]

We now return you to your regular SDR discussion.

All Buy, Trade and Sell posts which aren't allowed in the regular forums have been deleted.

Thanks Mike! 73, Dave K4EET