Questions about listening to Shortwave using SDR

[racefan0020]

As a kid well over 50 yrs ago, I used to love to listen to shortwave using a radio shack build it yourself kit. I am a retired firefighter, so scanning those freqs has always been there. A couple of yrs ago a got back into CBs. Now I would like to get back into shortwave. Before I commit to buying a radio, I would like to find out more about how SDR works in reference to shortwave. What players are available? How does it all work? Just explain how listening to shortwave over the internet

 

[Dirk_SDR]

I also listened to SW with my "world radio" (GRUNDIG Satellit 3000) in the mid 80ties.
Now I'm retired and I'm quite happy with my SDR hobby since 3 years.
The "normal" so called RTL-SDR USB sticks (= RF receiver) can be bought in many variants and are very cheap. These sticks mostly can be used from 24 to 1766 MHz, so for SW they can receive just 10m.
So they are not directly usable for SW.
Examples:

https://www.amazon.de/NooElec-kosteng%C3%BCnstige-Definierte-Kompatible-ESD-sichere/dp/B009U7WZCA

https://www.amazon.de/DollaTek-Digitale-Fernsehtuner-Empf%C3%A4nger-Unterst%C3%BCtzung/dp/B07DJT5NHD

But they can be used for SW with "upconverters", that convert e.g. 0..30 MHz to 100..130 MHz, so that the normal RTL-SDR sticks can receive SW.
Example:

https://www.amazon.de/Ham-Plus-zusammengebaut-benutzerdefiniertem-Frequenzbereich/dp/B076CYK8XZ/

There are also SDR sticks with reception from 100 kHz to 1766 MHz.
(Better) example:

https://www.amazon.de/NooElec-NESDR-Smart-RTL2832U-R820T2-basierte/dp/B01HA642SW/

Other (better) SDR receivers are also able to receive SW: Airspy HF+ Discovery, SDRplay RSPx, ...

There are many "players" = SDR programs: SDRSharp, HDSDR, SDR Console, SDRuno, ...
To describe their abilities or to compare them here would be too much text.

I do my main SW listening with an Airspy HF+ Discovery and different antennas (end fed long wire, Mini Whip, small receiving loop...). Works very well and in this combination from ULF to VHF (500 Hz to 260 MHz).

Some basics:

https://www.surviveuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/The-Hobbyists-Guide-To-RTL-SDR-Carl-Laufer.pdf

 

[W8WCA]

AirSpy And any by SDTRPlay are good and not too bad $
SDRPlay RSP1A is apx 120.00

 

[racefan0020]

Thanks for your input

 

[N1EXA]

HDSDR Homepage

HDSDR SDR Application

www.hdsdr.de

Works pretty good with my NooElec Smart SDR and Up Converter

Pete N1EXA

 

[rrobinso84]

Some basics:

https://www.surviveuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/The-Hobbyists-Guide-To-RTL-SDR-Carl-Laufer.pdf

Put me in the "curious" category!

Thanks for the link!

 

[Boombox]

Probably the easiest way is to just get a Tecsun AM-FM-SW radio for $100 or $150 and get into the hobby that way. A lot can be heard with just the whip -- no extra antenna necessary. And most of them are good on MW and FM too.

SDRs have their place also, obviously.

 

[jonohudson]

Some good SDRplay offers around at the moment:

 

[spongella]

In a nutshell traditional shortwave radios are analog while SDRs (Software Defined Radios) convert the analog radio signal to a digital one, then use software to do things like tuning, filtering, converting, etc.
SDRs have come a long way in the past decade and many now are plug and play, just like traditional analog radios. You might want to check Thomas Witherspoon's excellent daily blog The SWLing Post for reviews of all types of shortwave receivers. Good luck and Happy Holidays.

 

[dlwtrunked]

AirSpy And any by SDTRPlay are good and not too bad $
SDRPlay RSP1A is apx 120.00

Saying an AirSpy HF+ Discovery is not too bad? I own it and an ICOM R9500 and they are a tie at HF. (And the last Worldwide Radio Television gave them both 5 stars in all categories. SDRPlay models got 5 stars overall but did not get 5 stars in some categories for some models. I own several SDR models but those are not used.

 

[spongella]

I have an Airspy HF+ Discovery and have been an SWL for over 60 years with many radios under my belt and the Airspy is an excellent SDR.

 

[racefan0020]

before I decide on a SDR, I am trying out the web based SDR servers. I have found 2 that are relatively close. One in DC and one in Milford PA. This way I can get a good idea of what I can expect to receive once I get my own hardware.

 

[rrobinso84]

I've got a pair of sticks arriving today. I'll let you know how confusing it all is! I did watch the Scanner School SDR intro lessons, so I have some hope!

 

[Boombox]

In a nutshell traditional shortwave radios are analog while SDRs (Software Defined Radios) convert the analog radio signal to a digital one, then use software to do things like tuning, filtering, converting, etc.
SDRs have come a long way in the past decade and many now are plug and play, just like traditional analog radios. You might want to check Thomas Witherspoon's excellent daily blog The SWLing Post for reviews of all types of shortwave receivers. Good luck and Happy Holidays.

Actually, since the early 2010s increasing numbers of 'traditional' SW radios are actually DSP, which is an SDR in a chip, configured to work in a "radio" with buttons, knobs etc.

The internal circuitry is analog - digital - analog, all done on the DSP chip.

The main difference you get with an SDR is the computer interface and a lot more flexibiilty.

 

[dlwtrunked]

I have an Airspy HF+ Discovery and have been an SWL for over 60 years with many radios under my belt and the Airspy is an excellent SDR.

Concur. 50 years here. If you do not hear it with an Airspy HF+ Discovery, you are not going to hear it with any other receiver.

 

[spongella]

Concur. 50 years here. If you do not hear it with an Airspy HF+ Discovery, you are not going to hear it with any other receiver.

Amen. I was worried that the Airspy might not work well on LW (200 - 520 kHz) for listening to radio beacons but was pleasantly surprised that it's just as sensitive as some of my best receivers were.

 

[KE5MC]

before I decide on a SDR, I am trying out the web based SDR servers. I have found 2 that are relatively close. One in DC and one in Milford PA. This way I can get a good idea of what I can expect to receive once I get my own hardware.

I've found the SDRPlay RSPdx using their SDRuno software a workable & cost effective choice. As pointed out many of today's radios with a front panel are SDR behind the panel. When the front panel of your radio is a computer running SDR software many of constraints built into a front panel radio are removed. Which means you can make selections that seriously degrade receiver/listening performance and come away with a bad experience.
Good Luck!
Mike

 

[MUTNAV]

How close is a SDR like this

https://www.amazon.com/Receiver-Portable-Handheld-Recorder-Aluminum/dp/B09294KT32/ref=sr_1_18_sspa?keywords=sdr+transceiver&qid=1636993081&s=electronics&sr=1-18-spons&psc=1&smid=A1TV7XX2X4TM31&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVlJTSEpUTVpNVzFKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzMxNzQ0R0hHVDE5S0RIVzE2JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0NzM2MjUyUEVZWFFVWkU1WTAzJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYnRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

or

https://www.amazon.com/50KHz-2000MHz-Malachite-Receiver-Registered-Touching/dp/B09CNWPF5H/ref=sr_1_21_sspa?keywords=Airspy+HF%2B+Discovery&qid=1672333938&sr=8-21-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTEc5OUVXTFo3U0k3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODY3MjcwU1lNODVBTE02VUpHJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4MzY5NzQyVDFISVNSM0RNVjBFJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYnRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

or

https://www.amazon.com/50KHz-2000MHz-Receiver-Malachite-Registered-Touching/dp/B08VW3YP61/ref=sr_1_3?crid=36KJD3KETIS6F&dchild=1&keywords=sdr+transceiver&qid=1634749451&qsid=131-1801997-7542024&s=electronics&sprefix=sdr+tran%2Celectronics%2C160&sr=1-3&sres=B08VW3YP61%2CB079VXXKXR%2CB08QW3M148%2CB08LKKXLG4%2CB08L4YSVJG%2CB011HVUEME%2CB09294KT32%2CB0129EBDS2%2CB0747PX3NZ%2CB01GDN1T4S%2CB08X6Z6KN2%2CB07GZKR98X%2CB08TRS9375%2CB01H3T2U7G%2CB00MAULSOK%2CB08BVSCY8G%2CB06Y1RVHBP%2CB06Y1GN5RP%2CB06Y1FDDBF%2CB08GM2CV5B

to the airspy SDR's

Has anyone used them in comparison?
I tend to lean towards things that don't need a separate computer, and they MAY be viable alternatives for the original poster.

Thanks
Joel

 

[Dirk_SDR]

Joel,
yes you may call these products "stand-alone SDRs".
I think this is the future of a part of the SDR scene.
In the moment these radios are quite "simple", but there will be development ...
There are already very good stand-alone SDR Receivers, have a look here:

K&M Burkhard Reuter - Produkte

(if you can afford...)

 

[MUTNAV]

Joel,
yes you may call these products "stand-alone SDRs".
I think this is the future of a part of the SDR scene.
In the moment these radios are quite "simple", but there will be development ...
There are already very good stand-alone SDR Receivers, have a look here:

K&M Burkhard Reuter - Produkte

(if you can afford...)

Thanks

I'm thinking of investing in the stand alone SDR route when my regular radios die... as far as adding more features, some of these SDRs are already "crazy" in my opinion as far as capabilities and features.

these are two

PortaPack+HackRF One SDR Alloy Case with Antenna+Data Cable Kit Assembled x-TOP | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PortaPack+HackRF One SDR Alloy Case with Antenna+Data Cable Kit Assembled x-TOP at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

1MHz-6GHz HackRF One SDR Board / HackRF One Kit / PortaPack H2 Touch Screen | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1MHz-6GHz HackRF One SDR Board / HackRF One Kit / PortaPack H2 Touch Screen at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I'm under the impression that they can also emulate the tag used to get into id pass locked doors.

Thanks
Joel