USB Tuners/SDR Receivers

[JASII]

I am giving some thought to getting a USB tuner. What would people here recommend? It looks like AirSpy is still around. I am also seeing RTL-SDR.

I anybody here using the SDRplay RSP2pro? That looks interesting.

 

[jonwienke]

You can't beat the RTL-SDR sticks for the price. For about $20, you can get one with a TCXO that doesn't have frequency drift issues. More expensive units have better RF performance, but the RTL-SDR sticks are a great way to get your feet wet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0129EBDS2/

 

[B-One]

I use the cheapo, blue, rtl2832u, r820t2 USB dongles that one can find on ebay. I am currently running 6 dongles fed by a homebrew, co-co antenna that gets split to the dongles by a simple TV splitter/amplifier. I use the appropriate F to MCX pigtails or Y splitters. The ARMER is followed by Unitrunker and decoded by DSD+. One dongle is dedicated to voice and four are tuned to control VCOs. The sixth dongle is dedicated to a different task.

The drift issue is easily corrected by Unitrunker and I see no need to spend extra money for the TCXO. I sincerely doubt that the reported, greater RF performance, while real and demonstrable, would allow me to pick up any additional sites nor improve the decoding on my existing sites.

I am monitoring anywhere between one and eight sites in rural, NW MN depending on my listening pleasure.

 

[KE5MC]

I am giving some thought to getting a USB tuner. What would people here recommend? It looks like AirSpy is still around. I am also seeing RTL-SDR.

I anybody here using the SDRplay RSP2pro? That looks interesting.

Having both I believe if you want to get in at their price point the RSP2 is a better choice. It gets you in the HF range without the cost of an up converter and some antenna input flexibility. The pro gives you a metal case, but the non-pro does have shielding, but the data sheets does not go into the details. Likely a coating on the inside, but I have not cracked mine open to find out.

Each SDR has it own software, SDR# for the airspy and SDRUno for the RSP2. SDR# has an all in one window display I like for it 'simplicity' without clutter. SDRUno is a multi-pane interface with a lot of functionality and control of the hardware. SDR# has some nice 3rd party plug-ins which might be available for SDRUno. Because I have both if there is something in the plug-in I want to play with I just use the airspy.

I bought the Airspy first as it was the best at that price point than SDRplay. The decision now would be harder to make as the performance and software for the SDRplay have improved significantly.

Going in at the lower price of the dongle is good too. I started with a FunCube which is a little on the pricey side now days. Liked what I found and upgraded to the Airspy then SDRplay after the RSP2 came out. I ended up gifting the FunCube to one of the kids who showed an interest in SDR at my ham club.

Mike, KE5MC

 

[belvdr]

I have an RSP2 Pro after initially buying an R820T2. I wanted to get below 30 Mhz and have more antenna inputs, specifically the Hi-Z which works well on lower frequencies. My R820T2 now sits idle.