Just happened across a FC0013-equipped EZCAP stick that someone gave me because "it wasn't as good as their new E4000-based one". I fired it up and compared it against another E4000-based RTL stick head-to-head in dual SDR# windows with identical whip antennas.
My particular FC0013 sample demonstrated a 30ppm reference error, but tracked excellently across its range after correction.
I was surprised to find that the FC0013 unit displayed far fewer "birdies" than the E4000 over their common tuning range, and offset tuning was not required on the FC0013. Weak-signal performance on NFM was considerably improved over the E4000. Even though the FC0013 reports maximum front-end gain of around 19dB, far less than what the E4000 advertises, it was digging weak FM signals out demonstrably better than the E4000 to the point where barely-legible VHF signals on the E4000 were near full quieting on the FC0013.
I'd say if you're looking for a cheap stick to dedicate to an upconverter or fixed frequency operation, don't write off the FC0013 or possibly other "lesser" tuners.
My particular FC0013 sample demonstrated a 30ppm reference error, but tracked excellently across its range after correction.
I was surprised to find that the FC0013 unit displayed far fewer "birdies" than the E4000 over their common tuning range, and offset tuning was not required on the FC0013. Weak-signal performance on NFM was considerably improved over the E4000. Even though the FC0013 reports maximum front-end gain of around 19dB, far less than what the E4000 advertises, it was digging weak FM signals out demonstrably better than the E4000 to the point where barely-legible VHF signals on the E4000 were near full quieting on the FC0013.
I'd say if you're looking for a cheap stick to dedicate to an upconverter or fixed frequency operation, don't write off the FC0013 or possibly other "lesser" tuners.
