Any recommended SDRs for shortwave reception?

[jeff777]

Hello,

I've been getting my feet wet so-to-speak with the RTL-SDR v3 dongle, and I've noticed that if I try to monitor any low frequencies in the area of shortwave and 80m amateur radio bands, I get a lot of noise that prevents me from being able to listen to them (I can't even pick up WWV on it because of the noise). Not knowing if the noise was coming mainly from my laptop or the area that I'm in, during a trip nearby the ocean this past weekend, I tried out this same setup there and noticed the same issue of noise. In case the question comes up, I'm using the SDR# app, and it's configured for Q branch sampling so that I can monitor the lower frequencies with the RTL-SDR v3.

In comparison, I can monitor shortwave fairly well at my location with the C. Crane Skywave SSB Radio, using its telescoping antenna as well as with a reel antenna. So I can pickup stations on there that I'm unable to pick up with the RTL-SDR v3 setup (utilized also with a telescoping antenna and a reel antenna).

Are there any recommended SDRs that are good with shortwave reception that can also filter out noise fairly well? Also, is there anything recommended that can be done with the RTL-SDR v3 that can help filter out the noise at the lower frequencies, or would a different SDR be recommended for those frequencies?

Thanks.

 

[KB4MSZ]

For the lower bands, below 2 MHz, I recommend the RSPdx. For the price you get really good performance, and coverage from 1 KHz to 2 GHz.

 

[bubbaearle]

I just bought an SDRPlay RSP1A and have run it with CUbicSDR on a laptop running Linux Mint. Good results so far, just need a better antenna. I was running it off a Tecsun AN-48x active loop, it wasn't the best reception, but I did get the time signals and some higher power SW stations. I'll try it on a Win10 machine with SDR Uno software next, when I get a better antenna.

The RTL-SDR v.3 dongle needs an upconverter to get the SW bands. I also have an RTL-SDR v.3, and I have a Ham It Up Nano upconverter coming and plan to compare that combo to the RSP1A.

HRO has the RSP1A for $119 - cheapest I've seen online......great service too.

 

[DS506]

I use the nooelec Ham It Up upconverter with the RTL-SDR, SDR# and Boni Whip antenna 30 feet up my tower. Works well.

 

[ka3jjz]

Chasing down noise sources can be a royal pain. Start simple - did you run on batteries to see if that made a difference? What antenna are you using? Indoor or outdoor? Coax fed (hopefully)? A wire thrown on the floor is an absolutely horrible HF antenna as it will pick up noise from just about anything.

You may need to do some detective work on everything that connects to the laptop. This might also help....

Guest Post: Indoor Noise and Ferrites, Part1

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post: Indoor Noise and Ferrites, Part 1 by TomL My magnet wire loop antenna on the porch reminded me to revisit aspects …

swling.com

Mike

 

[W8WCA]

The SDRPlay's are hard to beat for the price!

 

[vagrant]

I would not bother chasing the noise while searching for HF signals using the RTL-SDR v3. It was not made for HF frequencies. As noted in the replies, others use an upconverter with their RTL-SDR or the like dongles. I enjoy using an SDRPlay RSP2 device regularly for a wide range of signals, and often HF. I use my RTL-SDR v3 dongles for VHF and up frequencies ( 30 MHz and up ).

Currently the RSP1A will do what the RTL-SDR v3 does and much more as well as better, especially down in the lower HF frequency area without the need of an upconverter. The RSPdx is another device they offer, but you will need to decide if it is worth it to you.

Once you have the gear in place, you can then chase down interference if it presents itself enough for you to bother. You will learn wonderful and informative things like antenna length, orientation, ferrites, RF chokes, filters and noise sources that may be coming from your own home, or a neighbor.

 

[bubbaearle]

I use the nooelec Ham It Up upconverter with the RTL-SDR, SDR# and Boni Whip antenna 30 feet up my tower. Works well.

I think I'll try the MLA-30 antenna and see how it does.

I looked up the Boni Whip and it's a bit outside my budget.

 

[jeff777]

Thank you to everyone for the feedback. I decided to place an order for the SDRplay RSPdx, partly for its technology in reception of HF, and partly to be able to hookup two simultaneous antennas and to switch between them via the SDRuno software (one antenna for shortwave, and one for VHF and UHF).

 

[KB4MSZ]

able to hookup two simultaneous antennas and to switch between them via the SDRuno software

Make that 3 antennas