Chicom RTL-SDR

[Blackswan73]

I am very new to SDR dongles and Software, but I have noticed that a lot of SWL’s on another forum I am on use them exclusively for low powered HF DX, particularly HF pirate stations. I noticed several SDR devices on fleabay that are under $50. My questions are mostly about whether these have any software issues, what software to use, and to be honest, I am longtime old school ( I am 73 and been a SWL since I was 13) and a bit uncomfortable with the whole idea of SDR on a computer. I like radios with knobs, lots of knobs. Listening to shortwave with a SDR and a laptop is completely foreign to me

B.S.

 

[Dirk_SDR]

I like "old school" (just 9 years younger than you) ... 😉
If you want to listen to weak signals on SW, the "normal" RTL-SDR sticks will not make you happy.
My favourite and best choice is the Airspy HF+ Discovery for this purpose. But also the RSPdx or the new RSP1B are perfect.

 

[Blackswan73]

I remember reading an article in either Popcom, or MT about SDR radio some years ago. I don’t remember much of the story but I remember a screenshot of the software that looked very similar to a NRD 525 face. It looked interesting but looking at the software screens I have googled look nothing like that now

B.S.

 

[Dirk_SDR]

I think the WINRADIO software looks quite similar to an NRD-525.
These are rather expensive SDRs with an own software.

 

[PDXh0b0]

Lw,mw,hf under $50 devices while they can work, they take some effort
Simple sdr aka rsp1 replicas , multi ports, complicated filtering (no software switching)

Ats20 & malachite never assured what you'll get for the under $100 non original versions, firmware issues ect

With the above, if you like experimenting with no guarantee of performance for you money you could be satisfied

If you want to deploy a capable antenna, plug it into your computer and enjoy dx'n, then an airspy hf+ or one of the sdrplay devices will save you allot of headaches and possibly money 😉

 

[Blueliner]

I'm only 2 years younger and also enjoy the knobs and dials. Also enjoyed the glow of tubes too. My "knobs and dials" radios all work but I've found the SDR RSP1A with either the SDR Uno or SDR Connect software sitting on the PC ready to go anytime, is just so convenient.
The other thing I like is seeing the spectrum and signals being received and being able to zero in on those quickly and 'fine tune' them using the various adjustments in the software panels. The waterfall is also useful as a short "history' of what is happening.

Hard to think of my radios sitting but that's what they are doing these days. Now and then I will run one just for old time's sake. The sound of the Satellit 800 is just too mellow to be left off for very long. It sits just arms length away on the corner of my desk.

 

[Blackswan73]

Yes, the Sattelit is a great piece of engineering. Mine equals or exceeds the performance of my R70, R71a, and my 751a, as well as my DX440, and 803a. I was amazed at the idea that the 800 needs no BFO adjustment to listen to SSB transmissions. I understand the Tecsun 501 also has this feature. I find it very hard to think a little box connected to a laptop could outperform my 800. I am even boggled by the idea that my soon to arrive Belka DX that fits in my hand can outperform my 800 connected to my 46’ t2fd antenna

B.S.

 

[samcken]

Ah, the good old days of glass transistors! When I was young (decades ago) the glow of tubes and a soft desk lamp seemed to pull me into a mystical world of distant places. Now I've almost pulled the trigger twice on getting into sdr, but I don't want to find myself having spent hours sitting in one spot again. The will is there but body joints say no way!

 

[Blueliner]

Recently, for reasons I can't recall now, a Zenith Trans Oceanic came up on an auction site. I already have my dad's 1952 model, but for some reason, that auction rig now sits waiting for me to test it to see if it even lights up, and hopefully not burn down.

One thing I noticed as it sits on the shelf, is the smell of these two radios that came from and lived much different lives, they are identical in their smell. I guess they say that smell is one of the strongest links to memory. These bring back memories of 60 plus years ago as the tubes warmed up dad's Zenith and that luggage or wood smell surrounded the set as I tried to tune in the far off lands. What an experience!! I feel sorry for kids now staring at a "smart phone" most of the day and night. What memories will they carry into their 70s and beyond?