radioactive70
Member
Welllbrook just redesigned their antenntas so its more easily to replace the ampliier similar ro the pixel labs pro 1b it is no longer a 1pc unit.
Review of the FDM-S2 SDR receiver.
- Thread starter jdobbs2001
- Start date
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Welllbrook just redesigned their antenntas so its more easily to replace the ampliier similar ro the pixel labs pro 1b it is no longer a 1pc unit.
highwayman1224
Member
I got it figured out Saturday evening after spending ALL DAY starting at around 7 am! What a pain that was, but it's a pretty awesome receiver so I guess it was worth the hassle. LOL
I received my FDM-S2 a few weeks ago. I installed the software on an older Windows 7 machine. Installation went flawlessly. No problems...
I've spent a total of maybe ten hours exploring features and functions. I've got to say I'm REALLY IMPRESSED. This is an amazing little box. The learning curve is a little steep, for me, as I've never worked with an SDR radio before. I'm still 'figuring' things out. But that said, I'm 100% glad I bought this instead of an ICOM R75.
The filters are amazing! The ability to record large bands of signals, like the whole AM broadcast band at once, is incredible. I like having multiple simultaneous receivers going at once. I've not tried the network-internet operation yet, but plan to do that so I can access the FDM-S2 from my work.
The more I use this, the more I think the end of the superheterodyne receiver design isn't that far away!
Dave
I've spent a total of maybe ten hours exploring features and functions. I've got to say I'm REALLY IMPRESSED. This is an amazing little box. The learning curve is a little steep, for me, as I've never worked with an SDR radio before. I'm still 'figuring' things out. But that said, I'm 100% glad I bought this instead of an ICOM R75.
The filters are amazing! The ability to record large bands of signals, like the whole AM broadcast band at once, is incredible. I like having multiple simultaneous receivers going at once. I've not tried the network-internet operation yet, but plan to do that so I can access the FDM-S2 from my work.
The more I use this, the more I think the end of the superheterodyne receiver design isn't that far away!
Dave
ShiftyPotts
Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2014
- Messages
- 47
Dave,
Once you get bored with the SW2 software, check out SDR Console. About 1,000 X more settings and buttons, satellite tracking and digital decoding. I just started playing with it and the Elad. I wish I could get it to work with the RTL dongle, but so far, no luck.
Bob
Once you get bored with the SW2 software, check out SDR Console. About 1,000 X more settings and buttons, satellite tracking and digital decoding. I just started playing with it and the Elad. I wish I could get it to work with the RTL dongle, but so far, no luck.
Bob
I completely agree with you on the top-down issue. You were introduced to computer mediated waterfall spectrum displays 35+ years ago? Damn, where have I been all of this time! [BTW, 2014 - 35 =1979 :-]
Token
Member
Yeah, I know when 35 years ago was
SONAR systems started using waterfalls in the early 70’s (submarines got them first with systems like the BQR-21 which started development in 1972, but even surface ships started to get them by 1979, with systems like the SQS-56) and low production ESM/ELINT/SIGINT systems started using them in the mid-to- late 70’s. I am familiar with at least one radar that used such a display by the mid 70’s, although I never really found that display very useful in a radar, probably why you don’t see them in radars today. It was another 10 or 15 years before they showed up in more common spectrum monitoring applications, by the mid 80’s they were the standard in some fields.T!
Thanks for the information. I'll have to watch The Hunt for Red October one more time.
Sent from my LG-P999 POS with a hope and a prayer.
Sent from my LG-P999 POS with a hope and a prayer.
CanadaKen
Member
I am very very interested in the FDM-S2 and SDR Radio Com has always looked interesting.
Question, are you using 1.5 or 2.0?
CK
ShiftyPotts
Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2014
- Messages
- 47
Ken,
I'm using SDR Console v. 2.0. Works good, I like it a lot. I also frequently use SW2 from Elad which I also like a lot.
One thing I've discovered in my two months playing around with SDR stuff is that there's always something to download, some free, some not. I've also been playing around with Ham Radio Deluxe, which interfaces with SDR Console, and then using DXLabs Commander, I'm able to integrate Multipsk. Then, of course, there's CW Skimmer for CW and Orbcomm Plotter to translate satellite beacons, JT65-HF, fldigi, PlanePlotter (which I haven't figured out yet), stuff for virtual serial ports and virtual audio cables, MCRS (voice activated recording from your fake audio cables on many channels), and a bunch of cool little programs from DXLabs.
Trying to get these programs working with each other is a huge challenge. But the other day I recorded a "SKYKING SKYKING do not answer" message, which was kind of interesting (for me anyway) lol.
Bob
CanadaKen
Member
Hi Bob
I hear you! Up until the move of house I had a dedicated PC running PC-HFDL, ACARS-D, WeFax, PlanePlotter, etc all fed by 3 scanners, JRC-535D and a Kenwood R-5000. And I am sure I missed a few
programs.
I am now about to start assembling most of this again but with a few things dropped and a few things
added like ADS-B and a good SDR like the FDM-S2. I have a little FiFi-SDR which will feed an HFDL
channel.
Oh yes, because of the house move I have had to stop using wire antennas and moved to a Wellbrook
Loop and a Boni-Whip which is on order.
Ken
osros
Member
I like what I see from the FDM-S2 specs, videos and this review thread. I am currently using a SDR-14 that I just unboxed and dusted off again. I was very satisfied with the unit back in the day I just dabbled a little in SDR was a newbie then and still a newbie.
I have a current hardware/SW problem but besides that I know I would like an upgrade in the SDR Dept. My gripes then and now are limited SW support and limited bandwidth. Although SW support is not too bad at least the major players (SDR Radio, HDSDR) still support it but there are some new ones that bypassed the SDR-14 and started with the SDR-IQ.
I no doubt know the FDM-S2 will be a better unit than the SDR-14 I do have a few questions to make sure making the right choice should be basic capabilities.
Besides as a HF receiver I used the SDR-14 as a panadapter/spectrum analyzer using the IF output of my AR5000, I wanted to make sure I can still do that in the VHF/UHF range or higher range?
I looked at the manual did not go into depth on the Ant/Input for use with the IF output of the radio so just wondering which is being used or do I need anything additional?
On bandwidth on the specs I see 5Mhz so to be sure I should see at max of 5mhz spectrum from center freq, and work as a panadapter on higher than spec freq ranges with the IF output of the receiver?
Thanks
I have a current hardware/SW problem but besides that I know I would like an upgrade in the SDR Dept. My gripes then and now are limited SW support and limited bandwidth. Although SW support is not too bad at least the major players (SDR Radio, HDSDR) still support it but there are some new ones that bypassed the SDR-14 and started with the SDR-IQ.
I no doubt know the FDM-S2 will be a better unit than the SDR-14 I do have a few questions to make sure making the right choice should be basic capabilities.
Besides as a HF receiver I used the SDR-14 as a panadapter/spectrum analyzer using the IF output of my AR5000, I wanted to make sure I can still do that in the VHF/UHF range or higher range?
I looked at the manual did not go into depth on the Ant/Input for use with the IF output of the radio so just wondering which is being used or do I need anything additional?
On bandwidth on the specs I see 5Mhz so to be sure I should see at max of 5mhz spectrum from center freq, and work as a panadapter on higher than spec freq ranges with the IF output of the receiver?
Thanks
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
If no one answers here, the Elad Yahoo group is a very busy place - you're much more likely to find answers there...Mike
Add me to the list of happy owners. Mine arrived yesterday and I had it up and running in no time. After about two hours of familiarizing myself with the software I was in good shape. I've owned quite a few HF receivers over the years but this ranks with the best of them. I could not even fathom returning to a standard desktop receiver at this stage, after having had the great SDR-14 and SDR-IQ. They are fantastic, but I have to say that the Elad FDM-S2 is "more fantastic". The ease of use with the included software is quite evident after the adjustment period. The HF performance is fantastic; I use a Par End FedZ SWL antenna sloped in the backyard with the feed at ground level and the other end at about 30 feet. This receiver is as stated above so quiet it is a joy to listen to with the squelch wide open and no signals present. Thus far I'm very pleased with the performance at VHF-Low and VHF-High as well, and despite it not saying it receives in the 118-137 aircraft band it does indeed, although I think there may be some performance degradation there, albeit minimal. Having the extra volume output per receiver is great not only for HF digital modes via Sorcerer but it also works fine to send audio through Virtual Audio Cable to the KG-TONE CTCSS/DCS decoder software. With that in mind I'm sure it'll work fine with DSDPlus for decoding digital voice in the VHF-Hi band. I haven't tried it on the FM Broadcast band yet but will do so at some point. Cape Cod has about 15 broadcast FM stations so this kind of minimizes the opportunity for DX; I'm about 1.5 miles away from a few of the transmitters.
I have not tried this with SDR-Console yet but will do so in the near future. The included software runs it so well I may just stick with it for a while.
Regarding osro's question above, I haven't done any research on this and don't have an AOR receiver any longer, but there is an "AR8600" setting in the included software that may be useable as a panadapter. I would think it would work anyway, understanding the limitation of 5 MHz of bandwidth possibly centered around 10.7 MHz. That was a great feature of SpectraVue; the ability to interface and see the actual frequencies being received.
But back to the Elad FDM-S2, just a fantastic SDR, and highly recommended right out of the gate.
I have not tried this with SDR-Console yet but will do so in the near future. The included software runs it so well I may just stick with it for a while.
Regarding osro's question above, I haven't done any research on this and don't have an AOR receiver any longer, but there is an "AR8600" setting in the included software that may be useable as a panadapter. I would think it would work anyway, understanding the limitation of 5 MHz of bandwidth possibly centered around 10.7 MHz. That was a great feature of SpectraVue; the ability to interface and see the actual frequencies being received.
But back to the Elad FDM-S2, just a fantastic SDR, and highly recommended right out of the gate.
osros
Member
Well now I want one even more!..
wnjl
Member
scancapecod,
Since I believe you own both, would you be able to do any sort of simple performance comparison between the ELAD and the Airspy?
Thanks!
Since I believe you own both, would you be able to do any sort of simple performance comparison between the ELAD and the Airspy?
Thanks!
Hello,
I bought a FDM-S2 a couple of weeks ago. Impressive unit.
I was able to install the FDM-S2 software and playback files created by DK8OK. This allowed me to try out the software before buying. The files are a 4 GB download and contains a number of different stations in 5 MHz of spectrum around 10MHz.
Video highlighting some of the stations in the file.
http://sdr.eladit.com/Sample wav-files how to and applications/DK8OK/Video/elad_fdms2_6mhz.mp4
Article
http://sdr.eladit.com/Sample wav-fi...ns/DK8OK/10MHzCF_5MHzWidth_1700UTC/fdm_s2.pdf
Files are in this directory.
SDR.ELADIT.COM - Contents of the /Sample wav-files how to and applications/DK8OK/10MHzCF_5MHzWidth_1700UTC/ folder
The only problem so far is using my Wellbrook loop with the receiver. I have several strong MW stations in the area and I have to run with the attenuator on when receiving below 30 MHz due to ADC Clipping. The FDM-S2 only has one preselection filter for HF. There is an I/O port and software support to add an external switchable preselector.
The Wellbrook loop output is very high on MW regardless, and I had various problems with other receivers. The Perseus has more HF filters, but still only one for LW/MW, so I would still have a problem on LW. I recently bought a MW Band Reject filter from Clifton Labs and this eliminated the ADC Clipping problem. Now I can tune HF with the attenuator off.
Z10020 AM Medium Wave Band Reject Filter
There is a bunch of stuff I still want to try, like using the FDM-S2 as a pan adapter and using a short vertical antenna through a 16:1 RF transformer. The FDM-S2 should connect to the AOR 5000 with a BNC to SMA coax cable. The FDM-S2 bandwidth is 5 MHz, so it will see +/-2.5 MHz from center out of the AOR 5000 IF Output. The AOR 5000 IF Output has a 10 MHz bandwidth (+/-5 MHz from center), but I found about +/-3 MHz from center to be the practical limit. Most of the time I only search within 1 MHz of spectrum anyway.
The FDM-S2 does very good on FM Broadcast band. I recommend using the RDS Spy program for decoding RDS information. You need the virtual audio cable or similar software that supports the 192K sample rate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifsd-KBKWIw
I was able to decode VHF ACARS and hear some ATC transmissions. I do not know how sensitive the FDM-S2 is in the air band. There is a spur around 121 something MHz, the sample clock frequency used.
The FDM-S2 supports up to 4 virtual receivers. They have to be within the bandwidth of the incoming sample stream (5 MHz at the highest sampling rate). I played with setting up one station on the left channel and one on the right channel. I found it more useful for decoding nearby data while listening to an AM Broadcast. The more flexible mode is the dual 192K stream mode, as it allows the two sets of 4 receivers to be in different parts of the same spectrum. So I can setup to decode Navtex on one stream and listen to a 19 Meter Band SW station on the other stream.
I find the station names feature very useful. I use files from the swskeds Yahoo group.
http://sdr.eladit.com/Sample wav-files how to and applications/DK8OK/Video/elad_fdm_s2a.mp4
The FDM-S2 software can use Omni-rig software to control radios, so it is not just the AOR 8600 that is supported. The FDM-S2 software can be controlled via a serial port and implements a Yaesu command set. I have not tried the Omni-rig software or receiver control yet. I want to try it on my AOR 5000.
DX Atlas: Amateur Radio software
The FDM-S2 seems pretty flexible and it will likely take months to try stuff out.
73 Eric
I bought a FDM-S2 a couple of weeks ago. Impressive unit.
I was able to install the FDM-S2 software and playback files created by DK8OK. This allowed me to try out the software before buying. The files are a 4 GB download and contains a number of different stations in 5 MHz of spectrum around 10MHz.
Video highlighting some of the stations in the file.
http://sdr.eladit.com/Sample wav-files how to and applications/DK8OK/Video/elad_fdms2_6mhz.mp4
Article
http://sdr.eladit.com/Sample wav-fi...ns/DK8OK/10MHzCF_5MHzWidth_1700UTC/fdm_s2.pdf
Files are in this directory.
SDR.ELADIT.COM - Contents of the /Sample wav-files how to and applications/DK8OK/10MHzCF_5MHzWidth_1700UTC/ folder
The only problem so far is using my Wellbrook loop with the receiver. I have several strong MW stations in the area and I have to run with the attenuator on when receiving below 30 MHz due to ADC Clipping. The FDM-S2 only has one preselection filter for HF. There is an I/O port and software support to add an external switchable preselector.
The Wellbrook loop output is very high on MW regardless, and I had various problems with other receivers. The Perseus has more HF filters, but still only one for LW/MW, so I would still have a problem on LW. I recently bought a MW Band Reject filter from Clifton Labs and this eliminated the ADC Clipping problem. Now I can tune HF with the attenuator off.
Z10020 AM Medium Wave Band Reject Filter
There is a bunch of stuff I still want to try, like using the FDM-S2 as a pan adapter and using a short vertical antenna through a 16:1 RF transformer. The FDM-S2 should connect to the AOR 5000 with a BNC to SMA coax cable. The FDM-S2 bandwidth is 5 MHz, so it will see +/-2.5 MHz from center out of the AOR 5000 IF Output. The AOR 5000 IF Output has a 10 MHz bandwidth (+/-5 MHz from center), but I found about +/-3 MHz from center to be the practical limit. Most of the time I only search within 1 MHz of spectrum anyway.
The FDM-S2 does very good on FM Broadcast band. I recommend using the RDS Spy program for decoding RDS information. You need the virtual audio cable or similar software that supports the 192K sample rate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifsd-KBKWIw
I was able to decode VHF ACARS and hear some ATC transmissions. I do not know how sensitive the FDM-S2 is in the air band. There is a spur around 121 something MHz, the sample clock frequency used.
The FDM-S2 supports up to 4 virtual receivers. They have to be within the bandwidth of the incoming sample stream (5 MHz at the highest sampling rate). I played with setting up one station on the left channel and one on the right channel. I found it more useful for decoding nearby data while listening to an AM Broadcast. The more flexible mode is the dual 192K stream mode, as it allows the two sets of 4 receivers to be in different parts of the same spectrum. So I can setup to decode Navtex on one stream and listen to a 19 Meter Band SW station on the other stream.
I find the station names feature very useful. I use files from the swskeds Yahoo group.
http://sdr.eladit.com/Sample wav-files how to and applications/DK8OK/Video/elad_fdm_s2a.mp4
The FDM-S2 software can use Omni-rig software to control radios, so it is not just the AOR 8600 that is supported. The FDM-S2 software can be controlled via a serial port and implements a Yaesu command set. I have not tried the Omni-rig software or receiver control yet. I want to try it on my AOR 5000.
DX Atlas: Amateur Radio software
The FDM-S2 seems pretty flexible and it will likely take months to try stuff out.
73 Eric
Great report Eric. I am enjoying mine as well. I was at some point considering a Wellbrook loop but I'll keep what you said in mind. As it is now with the Par End Fed-Z SWL AM broadcast reception is relatively nonexistent here so I'm not having any issues on HF.
Is there any particular area that you'd like a side-by-side comparison? I'm not equipped for FM DX capability; I have used Airspy on FM Broadcast band using the latest SDR-Console and it does a fine job with both FM stereo and decoding RDS data. I have not tried the Elad there yet but also read that RDS Spy was superior to the RDS decoding capability of the Elad software.
So I could offer comparisons for you between 24-54 MHz, the FM Broadcast band, civilian airband (although the Elad is not rated for that band and the software reports "out of range"), and then up to 160 MHz. I have a Ham It Up Converter but I have not tried it with the Airspy yet. There was a report that things didn't go well, and another that it did work well, and of course there is a forthcoming upconverter from the Airspy folks themselves. If you're interested in any of the above options let me know. I can run them side by side through a multicoupler on the same antenna, but as of yet I don't have the Elad working with SDR-Console so at the moment I'd be using two different software packages to make the comparison.
Is there any particular area that you'd like a side-by-side comparison? I'm not equipped for FM DX capability; I have used Airspy on FM Broadcast band using the latest SDR-Console and it does a fine job with both FM stereo and decoding RDS data. I have not tried the Elad there yet but also read that RDS Spy was superior to the RDS decoding capability of the Elad software.
So I could offer comparisons for you between 24-54 MHz, the FM Broadcast band, civilian airband (although the Elad is not rated for that band and the software reports "out of range"), and then up to 160 MHz. I have a Ham It Up Converter but I have not tried it with the Airspy yet. There was a report that things didn't go well, and another that it did work well, and of course there is a forthcoming upconverter from the Airspy folks themselves. If you're interested in any of the above options let me know. I can run them side by side through a multicoupler on the same antenna, but as of yet I don't have the Elad working with SDR-Console so at the moment I'd be using two different software packages to make the comparison.
wnjl
Member
I spend a lot of time with FM broadcast DX, so any comparison you might be able to do between the two units on weaker FM signals, even if it is via different software, would be most beneficial. Maybe something like the Boston and/or Providence FM signals from Cape Cod? VHF public safety between 150 - 160 MHz I would be interested in also. Would be most grateful! I have the Airspy now and am really liking it on FM broadcast, but several people I have read reports from have been blown away by the ELAD 88-108, so I still have not ruled it out as a personal stocking stuffer (even though quite the expensive one, lol).
Thank you much!
osros
Member
Well I did it! FM-S2 ordered and on the way. I may have it before the weekend . Thats the good news bad news is I will have to rig a temporary HF and VHF antennas up since I'm not 100% setup for monitoring and waiting to setup a shack elsewhere, but will see what I can do from out my window for now.
And also ordered a Airspy and waiting for processing so maybe after Xmas for me on that.
Amazing what a xmas bonus can do.. BAM! done..Merry Xmas to me.
. Thats the good news bad news is I will have to rig a temporary HF and VHF antennas up since I'm not 100% setup for monitoring and waiting to setup a shack elsewhere, but will see what I can do from out my window for now. And also ordered a Airspy and waiting for processing so maybe after Xmas for me on that.
Amazing what a xmas bonus can do.. BAM! done..Merry Xmas to me.
osros
Member
I have had my FDM-S2 for a couple days now and I must say I am very pleased with the unit. Its small solid metal case has some weight to it, I like that. No external power supply, powered by USB which was a nice surprise. I don't have a proper shack setup yet but I just thru wire out the window and it is pulling in all kinds of stuff that was not being heard or super weak on the SDR-14 and the AR500A with the same wire. HF just came to life! imagine what can be done when I setup a proper HF ant outside!
The included software is a pleasure to use and will stick with that a while I also tried SDR Console V2 and works well also, but I like the layout of the Elad software simple and very powerful stuff and options in the setup you may not realize from the main screen, I can't wait to try it as a Panadapter.
Not much more to add that has not already been said here. If your thinking about it just do it, I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this gem.
EDIT: Also if anyone is interested the Elad software and SDR Console v2 works very well on a Surface Pro2 PC with this unit. With all the small gear I can easily see taking this on the road with a small antenna for some out of town fun if needed.
The included software is a pleasure to use and will stick with that a while I also tried SDR Console V2 and works well also, but I like the layout of the Elad software simple and very powerful stuff and options in the setup you may not realize from the main screen, I can't wait to try it as a Panadapter.
Not much more to add that has not already been said here. If your thinking about it just do it, I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this gem.
EDIT: Also if anyone is interested the Elad software and SDR Console v2 works very well on a Surface Pro2 PC with this unit. With all the small gear I can easily see taking this on the road with a small antenna for some out of town fun if needed.
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