Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Other Telephone Information => Off Topic => Radios & TVs => Topic started by: DavePEI on August 18, 2015, 02:41:58 PM

Title: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 18, 2015, 02:41:58 PM
Hi All:

I tried something new this morning. A couple of weeks ago, I ordered one of the above devices from China on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/391095249092? (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/391095249092?)

It arrived this morning and I have been playing with it since it came after figuring out how to configure it, etc....

A good guide to using these may be found on:
https://coderwall.com/p/roldfw/getting-started-with-sdr-with-rtl2832u (https://coderwall.com/p/roldfw/getting-started-with-sdr-with-rtl2832u)
( dead link 01-25-22 )

What it is is a receiver in a dongle which plugs into your USB port. It allows you to watch live SDTV and HDTV and listen to digital radio; Supports MPEG-2 / H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) video coding; Time-shifting and scheduled recording functions; EGP teletext Subtile and closed caption function; Recording format: :DVBT TV-DVD(MPEG-2) FM radio / DAB+ radio WMA convert format; Video: AVI-MPEG4 ASF MPEG4 MP4-MPEG4 (for iPod) PSP-MPEG4 3GP MPEG4 AVI DIVX AVI XVID MOV MPEG4 USB 2.0 connector; Recording format: DVBT TV-DVD(MPEG-2) FM radio / DAB+ radio WMA convert format; Video :AVI-MPEG4 ASF MPEG4 MP4-MPEG4 (for iPod) PSP-MPEG4 3GP MPEG4 AVI DIVX AVI XVID MOV MPEG4 Audio: MP3; Input: 75 Ohm IEC(Din)

TV will not work in North America, but covers radio from: 87.5~108MHz DAB+ radio: L-band: 1452960~1490624KHz; VHF-174928~239200 KHz, and I believe FM from 48.25~863.25 mhz, including police frequencies, though I have not yet had time to try it out on them...

Installation of the software is moderately difficult  do not use the software which comes with it - use the software linked from the coderwall site. It is more tailored to radio reception. Just follow their instructions - they are dead on.

I have been receiving some of the local FM stations with it, and it does a great job. Later, I will try frequencies outside that band.

The dongle can be found for $8.75 USD with free shipping. It comes with an installation CD (which you don't use), the dongle itself, and with a cheap VHF antenna.

I am going to have fun with mine!

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 18, 2015, 03:22:43 PM
Hmm, Jeffery just showed me how to read our RF electric meters using it, and also the neighbour's using a couple of utilities!

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: NorthernElectric on August 18, 2015, 06:19:12 PM
If they had a version that supported ATSC instead of DVB-T I'd get one just to see if it was more sensitive than the PCI tuner card I have in my media PC.  It's less sensitive than my TV it seems, so I can't always record stations that I can watch.  I was doing OK until my mast mounted amplifier died.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: compubit on August 18, 2015, 07:46:57 PM
Hmmm...  May be a new toy!

I have a number of USB-based tuners I've used over the years. The latest chips do a better job receiving vs. earlier ones.  The latest KWorld models seem to have decent sensitivity (from my tests - over earlier KWorld and Hauppauge units). The best one I've used was a Hauppauge unit that handled mobile DTV well (until the stations in the US started encrypting Mobile DTV) - the downside was that the unit had a Micro SMC (?) connector that was prone to breaking.

You may also want to consider an HD Homerun (latest versions) for over the air - they're network-based, so they connect to badly any media center software.

Jim
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 19, 2015, 01:01:55 AM
I thoroughly dislike DAB radio, in this country it's so heavily compressed that it is not worth listening to now, and the codec used (mp2) is so outdated it's ridiculous... ::)

Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 19, 2015, 05:17:17 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 19, 2015, 01:01:55 AM
I thoroughly dislike DAB radio, in this country it's so heavily compressed that it is not worth listening to now, and the codec used (mp2) is so outdated it's ridiculous... ::)
Yes, but in this case, I am not using it for its DAB capabilities - I am using it for its FM ability to receive signals in out standard broadcast off the air band, as well as signals up to 1000 mhz., WFM AND NFM (wide and narrow FM). It will also receive AM, USB, LSB, DSB, CW.... And also with a couple of pieces of software as mentioned below, it will receive and decode the signals sent by RF power and water meters in the 900-930 mhz. band  and print the results out on your computer screen..

With these, you can receive the range of frequencies of 24MHz to 1850MHz and also below 24 mhz. using a translator:

http://rtlsdr.org/#history_and_discovery_of_rtlsdr (http://rtlsdr.org/#history_and_discovery_of_rtlsdr)
Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 19, 2015, 10:41:33 AM
Re: Reading your power meter remotely with a RTL2832U-R820T dongle:

Download the following files:

https://github.com/bemasher/rtlamr/releases/download/v0.6.2/rtlamr_windows_amd64.zip (https://github.com/bemasher/rtlamr/releases/download/v0.6.2/rtlamr_windows_amd64.zip)

and

http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/raw-attachment/wiki/rtl-sdr/RelWithDebInfo.zip (http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/raw-attachment/wiki/rtl-sdr/RelWithDebInfo.zip)

Unzip both files and place in a new directory. Call it meter or anything...

Then run run rtl_tcp.exe then run rtlamr.exe

You will get a readout resembling the following and it will keep adding as additional meters are read...

ID# = the ID number on the meter
Consumption = reading on each meter.

In this case, I am receiving three meters, the one on our house, the meter on the Museum, and one of our neighbours. In an urban area, you may log hundreds....

This will read electric, gas, and water meters that transmit data. Supported meters in the following list:

https://github.com/bemasher/rtlamr/blob/master/meters.csv (https://github.com/bemasher/rtlamr/blob/master/meters.csv)

These meters transmit in the unlicensed 900-930MHz band.

Kewl, the things you learn when you have a smart kid. Thanks, Jeffery!

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 19, 2015, 11:54:31 AM
Our meters are still of the "walk up to it and read the numbers" sorts, no wireless reading of the things here... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 19, 2015, 11:57:05 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 19, 2015, 11:54:31 AM
Our meters are still of the "walk up to it and read the numbers" sorts, no wireless reading of the things here... ;D
We had them until about a year and a half ago, when they changed over all meters to the new RF digital ones...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: Fabius on August 19, 2015, 12:55:53 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on August 19, 2015, 10:41:33 AM
Re: Reading your power meter remotely with a RTL2832U-R820T dongle:

This will read electric, gas, and water meters that transmit data.

These meters transmit in the unlicensed 900-930MHz band.
'll


Now set up a PC based transmitter that's programmed to transit fake data showing minimum usage. You'll save big. You'll have to install a RF shield over the outside meter.   ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 19, 2015, 01:27:56 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on August 19, 2015, 11:57:05 AMWe had them until about a year and a half ago, when they changed over all meters to the new RF digital ones...

They're trying to push people onto "Smart meters" over here which can transmit their readings over mobile phone networks, and the utility companies can, if need be, remotely switch off people's power if they're behind on paying their bills, which is quite an uneasy thought really, but apparently some enterprising people found ways to block the things from transmitting or receiving somehow... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 19, 2015, 02:28:13 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 19, 2015, 01:27:56 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on August 19, 2015, 11:57:05 AMWe had them until about a year and a half ago, when they changed over all meters to the new RF digital ones...

They're trying to push people onto "Smart meters" over here which can transmit their readings over mobile phone networks, and the utility companies can, if need be, remotely switch off people's power if they're behind on paying their bills, which is quite an uneasy thought really, but apparently some enterprising people found ways to block the things from transmitting or receiving somehow... ;D
That wasn't the reason here - the old meters were getting ancient and there were many people complaining about the accuracy of them, and of course, it being a rural island, it cost them to send employees around to read all the meters on the Island, so it just made good sense to change them all gradually across the Island.

Actually, I am glad they did, as the months they didn't get someone around to read them, they estimated useage and the estimate month you would either get a very high bill, or the next month you would get a very high bill if they underestimated the month before. Now, the readings have evened out, and it is easier to budget each month....

In the entire time we have been on this property, we had only had two meters, not including the new one - that is from the time the power arrived in 1955 until they changed to this meter.

I do find it kind of neat that I can read them sitting at my office desk!

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on August 19, 2015, 06:09:34 PM
I see they also have ATSC dongles also.  I'm not sure of their efficacy in monitoring the electric meters, though.  I use budget billing to help manage costs.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=usb+atsc+tuner&_sop=15
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: andre_janew on August 19, 2015, 08:23:05 PM
We have the "Smart meters" here in Lawrence, Kansas, USA.  I've been told that they are capable of alerting the electric company of power outages.  I have no idea if they do or not.  I just think they installed them because the meter readers didn't like going out in the country to read meters!
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 19, 2015, 09:43:42 PM
Yes, it kind of fun playing with these...

The FM radio and meter reading is only one of the things you can do with them...

Interested in receiving NOAA Weather Satellites?

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial-receiving-noaa-weather-satellite-images/ (http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial-receiving-noaa-weather-satellite-images/)

ADS-B Airplane data?

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/adsb-aircraft-radar-with-rtl-sdr/ (http://www.rtl-sdr.com/adsb-aircraft-radar-with-rtl-sdr/)

Aircraft ACARS?

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-radio-scanner-tutorial-receiving-airplane-data-with-acars/ (http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-radio-scanner-tutorial-receiving-airplane-data-with-acars/)

AIS Ship Tracking?

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial-cheap-ais-ship-tracking/ (http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial-cheap-ais-ship-tracking/)

Radio Astronomy?

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-for-budget-radio-astronomy/ (http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-for-budget-radio-astronomy/)

Weather Balloons?

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/receiving-weather-balloon-data-with-rtl-sdr/ (http://www.rtl-sdr.com/receiving-weather-balloon-data-with-rtl-sdr/)

Inmarsat?

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial-decoding-inmarsat-std-c-egc-messages/ (http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial-decoding-inmarsat-std-c-egc-messages/)

SCA Broadcasts?

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/listening-sca-hdsdr-sdr-rtl-sdr/ (http://www.rtl-sdr.com/listening-sca-hdsdr-sdr-rtl-sdr/)

And many other possibilities using a $10 dongle, software, and suitable antennas... More applications are being developed each month. To me, as a Ham Radio operator, I find it very interesting!

Dave

Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on August 19, 2015, 11:07:56 PM
That is a veritable electronic Swiss army knife!
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 20, 2015, 06:12:34 AM
Quote from: 19and41 on August 19, 2015, 11:07:56 PM
That is a veritable electronic Swiss army knife!
Yes, I would think that is a pretty good analogy!

I guess one could think of it as an extremely broadband radio, where the software does the tuning, and software does the decoding, hence the name SDR - Software Defined Radio.

It is amazing how people have taken advantage of the capabilities of these, and how new applications keep appearing. I guess as long as people have an imagination, they will continue.

And it all begins with an under $10 Chinese dongle!

Anyway, I have been having fun with mine. Their main limitation out of the box is the cheap, poorly designed do-everything antenna which comes with them. If I could figure an easy way to run my collinear scanner antenna to mine without tearing up the house, I'd be all set!

Below, see a photo of what you get for your $10. Throw the software disk and remote away - it is only for TV reception, which as I mentioned doesn't work here due to differing systems. Use the software and drivers mentioned in my first post. Center is the actual dongle, and on the left, the cheap antenna which comes with it. As noted above, it really isn't a good antenna, but will work with strong local signals - for vertically polarized signals, probably a good broadband high gain scanner antenna (e.g. a collinear) is best. For satellite a circular polarized antenna which can be home brewed is best.

At any rate, I just wanted to point out what fun they are, and what a great base for experimentation they are. And they do work surprisingly well!

I have to thank my son, Jeffery who is a network administrator for the government of Canada in Ottawa for making me aware of these. I had heard of SDR, but the early units were quite expensive - it is only with the advent of the Chinese RTL2832U=R820T SDR dongles that it became cheap enough to experiment with!

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 20, 2015, 06:35:25 AM
Quote from: DavePEI on August 20, 2015, 06:12:34 AMIf I could figure an easy way to run my collinear scanner antenna to mine without tearing up the house, I'd be all set!

Well the pictured socket looks to be a standard Belling female socket, so if you acquired an adaptor (see below) for that to convert it to F-Plug, then that'd easily open the door to connecting other antennas... :)

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/151050941664
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 20, 2015, 06:45:17 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 20, 2015, 06:35:25 AM
Quote from: DavePEI on August 20, 2015, 06:12:34 AMIf I could figure an easy way to run my collinear scanner antenna to mine without tearing up the house, I'd be all set!

Well the pictured socket looks to be a standard Belling female socket, so if you acquired an adaptor (see below) for that to convert it to F-Plug, then that'd easily open the door to connecting other antennas... :)

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/151050941664 (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/151050941664)
That is correct. It is. But that isn't the problem. My collinear comes out in another part of the house and is in use daily with my wife's scanner, and even if I cut off her scanner, it would be awkward to run it into my office.. What I really need is a second collinear just for this one...

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 20, 2015, 09:07:00 AM
Ah, not enough antennas... ;D

It's a bit like people who like satellite hunting, "just one more dish" they say... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: NorthernElectric on August 20, 2015, 11:23:28 AM
Quote from: compubit on August 18, 2015, 07:46:57 PMThe latest chips do a better job receiving vs. earlier ones.  The latest KWorld models seem to have decent sensitivity (from my tests - over earlier KWorld and Hauppauge units). The best one I've used was a Hauppauge unit that handled mobile DTV well (until the stations in the US started encrypting Mobile DTV) - the downside was that the unit had a Micro SMC (?) connector that was prone to breaking.

You may also want to consider an HD Homerun (latest versions) for over the air - they're network-based, so they connect to badly any media center software.

I'm guessing that the HD Homerun would be a streaming device which wouldn't fit in to my existing setup too well.  My media PC runs Crux Linux without any packaged media center front end.  For the front end, I used openbox scriptable menus plus some custom software.  I'm an old C programmer from a way back, so I rolled my own front end for tuning with a nice transparent signal strength meter and I'd hate to lose that.  I evaluated Myhbuntu, XBMC, and Windows media center and all took 2-3 minutes to boot.  Mine's ready to go in about 25 seconds +/- (depending on the NTP server I sync time with).

So my preferred options at this point are another internal tuner card or USB dongle with Linux driver support.  My current tuner is an ATI HDTV Wonder (Conexant chipset).  It has occurred to me that I might actually have another ATSC tuner card kicking around here somewhere because I used to have one in my Windows PC back when the OTA digital conversion was taking place.  Also, since your post I have been researching which devices might have better sensitivity than others.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: NorthernElectric on August 20, 2015, 11:43:43 AM
Quote from: NorthernElectric on August 20, 2015, 11:23:28 AMIt has occurred to me that I might actually have another ATSC tuner card kicking around here somewhere because I used to have one in my Windows PC back when the OTA digital conversion was taking place.

Found it!  It's a Hauppauge HVR-1250.

PS.  and another, an HVR-1600.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 20, 2015, 12:50:02 PM
Cliff: There are Linux programs which support these as well:

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software/

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 20, 2015, 02:13:37 PM
Now, this is fun. These are the skies over my son's apartment in Ottawa right now using one of these, its stock antenna, and and Dump390 on a Rasberry PI! I haven't figured out how to set it up on this machine yet...

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 20, 2015, 03:09:17 PM
Ok, so now I have it set up on my Windows 7 machine here. Only one  flight so far within range of the cheap antenna. A better antenna will help!

I am updating the image with one taken at 5:46 p.m. which shows 3 commercial flights, two eastbound and one westbound over the Island.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 21, 2015, 09:22:52 AM
Some more about the ADS-B program and the SDR radio...

I noticed this morning, that if you click on a flight, you get extended information above in the preciously un-populated spaces..

Then if you click on an option which appears, it will give you the flight name, its take-off point, and when it is expected to arrive at its destination. If the aircraft is squalking a code, it will show that code, as well...

The following is a flight from Ireland to N.J. as it passes over PEI.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 22, 2015, 05:11:17 AM
Quite an intriguing gadget for something that's only meant to be a TV & radio tuner, might have to get one myself as I live near to Newcastle-upon-Tyne airport and often see aircraft flying over in various directions... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 22, 2015, 06:07:23 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 22, 2015, 05:11:17 AM
Quite an intriguing gadget for something that's only meant to be a TV & radio tuner, might have to get one myself as I live near to Newcastle-upon-Tyne airport and often see aircraft flying over in various directions... ;D
It really is amazing. I had it turned on for most of yesterday, and during the day saw flights from and to the US, Swiss flights, British Airways flights, German flights, flights from Egypt basically every flight which passed overhead.

With my cheap antenna that came with the gadget, I can see transponders about 50 miles out - a better antenna should give me a range of 200 miles. And once it spots a flight, to be able to get the info on where it is coming from, and where it is going to, type of airplane, etc.  makes it twice as interesting.

All with a dongle costing under $10. The biggest bear is setting up the software - there is no one software needed to do it, and no simple installation as you would have with commercial software, Each mode you plan to use it for requires its own software. The best thing about it is most of this software for various modes is available free of charge. Perhaps one day, someone will come out with a good "Do All" program.

I think I mentioned this before, but it bears repeating - don't set up the software on the disk that comes with the receiver - but don't worry if Windows tries to set up its own drivers for the card. Let it - they will then be replaced using a program called Zadig, which will replace the windows drivers using the correct SDR drivers.

A good tutorial for the basic SDR set-up can be found on:

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/ (http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/)

Once you have it working as a receiver, then you can set up the programs for different modes, such as ADS-B, which you can find links to on the Rtl-Sdr site.

It is fun, and the capabilities of that software defined radio seem to be endless, especially amazing consider the low cost of them!

Just as a teaser, Flight Stats and Flight Aware details for a UPS flight which came over a few minutes ago...

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 22, 2015, 07:05:26 AM
I tend to throw away included antennas for most things like this as they never work well for the intended purpose, unless the signal is really strong (like our TV & radio signals, being located within 2 miles of the local transmitters, Burnhope for local & commercial radio and Pontop Pike for national TV & Radio), they don't always pick up what you're tuning into... :)

Speaking of antennas, I made my own TV antenna, given our location with Pontop Pike being in full view from the street, it didn't need to be that big so trimmed a couple of pieces of copper wire to about 746Mhz (perfect mid-range for the frequencies used by the transmitter, and just happens to be a GPO telephone model!!), could probably do the same with one of these USB tuners too with a selection of lengths of wire to make suitable antennas...  ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 22, 2015, 07:23:04 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 22, 2015, 07:05:26 AM
Speaking of antennas, I made my own TV antenna, given our location with Pontop Pike being in full view from the street, it didn't need to be that big so trimmed a couple of pieces of copper wire to about 746Mhz (perfect mid-range for the frequencies used by the transmitter, and just happens to be a GPO telephone model!!), could probably do the same with one of these USB tuners too with a selection of lengths of wire to make suitable antennas...  ;D
Even simpler to do when you make an antenna for ADS-B - 1/4 wavelength is only something like 2.69 inches at 10.9 mhz. I made a significant improvement in my reception by putting a 5 inch metal can lid under the mag. mount. It perhaps doubled my range just by doing that, giving it somewhat of a ground plane.

Collinears and planar disk antennas are supposed to work well, as well as discones, and even a wine cork antenna works better than what comes with it. One thing to remember, with ADS-B, it is vertical polarization, so a dipole for it needs to be mounted vertically.

I am told also, the use of an LNA and bandpass filter for 1090 mhz. between the antenna and receiver will help a lot to increase reception beyond the 200 mile range.

Below are a few types of antenna known to work well with ADS-B:

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 22, 2015, 09:12:31 AM
I've seen a number of those collinear antennas round here, usually they're hooked up to CB radios as they were (and probably still are) quite popular, along with radio scanners and probably a few Hams too... :)

My home-made TV aerial was just so that I didn't have to actually buy a cheap barely-operable indoor thing, but looked into the makings of a basic dipole and to make it halfwave (I think? Could be quarterwave) for size, and of course mounted it on a plastic tube because it was there... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 22, 2015, 10:21:16 AM
Had a mooch around ebayUK (that seller of your stick won't ship to the UK oddly) and came across a similar stick but with the same chipsets in them:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281561364981

Only difference I can see is it has no remote function, but at £4.92 (equates to about CA$10 give or take a few cents) it's not too bad either way, just have to wait 'til Tuesday to make a purchase myself, gives me time to look for some more Belling connectors with screw terminals to make up some basic Dipole antennas to play with... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 22, 2015, 01:30:02 PM
Today, by placing the mag mount antenna on a tin can lid ground plane, and placing it in a window,I have been reliably decoding ADS-B signals for planes 300 km away (over as far as St. John, NB).Just makes me wonder what range I will get with a good antenna!

I have ordered a Ham it Up! Upconverter to allow me to receive from the AM band right up to 30 mhz. on the dongle as well at its ranges up to 2 Ghz or so. It works by converting the HF signals to the higher frequencies supported by the dongle. These operate between the antenna and the dongle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnof4xGkdAo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnof4xGkdAo)

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njw5rM2MSi8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njw5rM2MSi8)

These can be ordered from Amazon.com. Just type in NooElec Ham It Up v1.2 in the search... I have also ordered an extruded case for it.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 22, 2015, 01:44:42 PM
Could get everything from around the world possibly... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on August 22, 2015, 02:42:52 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 22, 2015, 10:21:16 AM
Had a mooch around ebayUK (that seller of your stick won't ship to the UK oddly)  . . .

Interesting. I'd suggest to the seller just to list the countries to which they will ship. Seems that would be less typing in the listing. I wonder if this has anything to do with China Post not having locations in these countries . . . ? Or if it's an "export license" thing.

"Excludes: APO/FPO, Colombia, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Taiwan, Afghanistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands (U.S.), Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa, Bermuda, Greenland, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Iceland, Ireland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Congo, Republic of the, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon Republic, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbawe"
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 22, 2015, 02:48:08 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on August 22, 2015, 02:42:52 PMI wonder if this has anything to do with China Post not having locations in these countries . . . ? Or if it's an "export license" thing.

I'd guess at them having specific stores for specific parts of the world or something of that ilk...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 24, 2015, 08:33:12 PM
Monday evening at 21:45 hrs., still using the antenna that came with the SDR, here are the airways over PEI! Any question that we are directly under the International flight path? I love the line of planes tracking through N.B. heading over PEI, and on a heading to go straight over our heads! Looks like a swarm of flies! What is amazing is they are all outgoing! I do get better coverage to the West, as my antenna is currently in a west window of the house. When I get a better antenna up higher, I should get more even coverage in all directions.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: NorthernElectric on August 24, 2015, 08:55:29 PM
Here's something odd.  When I clicked on the image in Dave's latest post hoping to see a larger version with readable text, I get the following:

PS.  never mind; it's working now.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 24, 2015, 09:02:04 PM
Quote from: NorthernElectric on August 24, 2015, 08:55:29 PM
Here's something odd.  When I clicked on the image in Dave's latest post hoping to see a larger version with readable text, I get the following:

PS.  never mind; it's working now.
Yes, I had that happen on someone else's post tonight. I think what causes that is when someone is updating a photo as you try to view it. In the case of this one, more planes kept appearing on the screen, so I updated it twice, each time with later screen grabs - you likely viewed it as I was updating...

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 25, 2015, 03:55:45 PM
Well I've just ordered me the similar stick I found the other day, aswell as three Belling Balun plugs (similar to what I used to make my TV aerial), just need to play the waiting game while the little ol' man from china walks here with my orders... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 25, 2015, 04:09:07 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 25, 2015, 03:55:45 PM
Well I've just ordered me the similar stick I found the other day, as well as three Belling Balun plugs (similar to what I used to make my TV aerial), just need to play the waiting game while the little ol' man from china walks here with my orders... ;D
Ah, slow boat from China Syndrome! That is a killer! But it eventually comes, and you will have a lot of fun with these. I have one hooked up to my computer here, and the other day hooked one up to the computer over in the Museum. I am also in wait mode, awaiting the Ham it Up! up-converter to receive HF on the dongle and a couple of adapters. Can't wait for them to come so I can compare the combination to my TS-140S. The reports I have heard, is that it is excellent, with as good receive as the most modern receivers. And at a fraction of the cost...

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: Fabius on August 25, 2015, 04:52:34 PM
I have an airplane location display app for my iPhone that shows this information.

http://tinyurl.com/q32tf42
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 26, 2015, 05:39:56 AM
Quote from: Fabius on August 25, 2015, 04:52:34 PM
I have an airplane location display app for my iPhone that shows this information.

http://tinyurl.com/q32tf42 (http://tinyurl.com/q32tf42)
Hi Tom:

Yes, I know you can do it that way, but it is more about doing it for yourself. Buying a simple, cheap SDR and being able to use it for as many purposes as possible. An analogy, perhaps to us setting up C*Net connections rather than simply getting consumer VOIP - its all about learning to do it yourself.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 26, 2015, 09:03:48 AM
I have just completed building a co-axial ADS-B antenna using RG6U solid dielectric cable. One has to adjust the length of each section is using solid dielectric cable for it, each section should be 9.1 cm. for foam dielectric each section should be 11 cm. in length.

These are assembled as in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkUYdCPFXXs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkUYdCPFXXs)

With my poor eyes, I found it difficult to see well enough to thread each section into the next, and as you go, you have to watch out for shorts using a DVM.

In addition to sealing each joint with tape, I also used heat shrink tubing over the tape to further seal it and to add a bit of rigidity.

The assembly was placed inside a length of PVC electrical conduit which serves as a radome, and as in the video, the ends were made from self-amalgamating (self fusing or self sealing) tape to ensure the assembly is waterproof..

The total cost is $10-15 or less if you have some of the materials handy.

I won't be able to test it thoroughly until my adapters for the cable arrive, but there is no reason it won't work perfectly....

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 26, 2015, 10:18:52 AM
I've been looking at the NOAA weather satellite side of things, and some of the antennas for those are pretty funky looking things to deal with the circular polarisation of the signals beaming down to earth, I've used circular-polarised stuff before, namely a British Satellite Broadcasting "Squarial" (which is a square, flat-panel satellite antenna from the late 80's & early 90's back when we had two competing satellite operators (Sky and BSB, before Sky bought out BSB)), but that wasn't serious stuff, just messing about with analogue satellite TV before it all went digital... ;D

I quite like the thought of building a Quadrifilar Helicoidal antenna though, mostly because of it's name, but also because it looks unusual... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on August 26, 2015, 10:01:48 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 26, 2015, 10:18:52 AM
I've been looking at the NOAA weather satellite side of things, and some of the antennas for those are pretty funky looking things to deal with the circular polarisation of the signals beaming down to earth, I've used circular-polarised stuff before, namely a British Satellite Broadcasting "Squarial" (which is a square, flat-panel satellite antenna from the late 80's & early 90's back when we had two competing satellite operators (Sky and BSB, before Sky bought out BSB)), but that wasn't serious stuff, just messing about with analogue satellite TV before it all went digital... ;D

I quite like the thought of building a Quadrifilar Helicoidal antenna though, mostly because of it's name, but also because it looks unusual... ;D
For good info on QFH antennas, see: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/phqfh1/qfh_diy_guide.htm
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on August 27, 2015, 08:26:34 AM
Yeah, I've been looking at a few sites that show how to build them, this one seems to be useful as it calculates everything you need to build a QFH:

http://jcoppens.com/ant/qfh/calc.en.php

Seems they can use Coax cable or Microbore copper tubing, I have plenty of the former lying about so not short on such things, but the microbore antennas look more impressive, particularly the one below... ;D

http://jcoppens.com/ant/qfh/fotos_g3lmo.en.php
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 03, 2015, 07:35:18 PM
I saw a couple of really unusual flights tonight on the ADS-B screen  :) Can you spot them?
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on September 03, 2015, 08:06:56 PM
Bz, Bz..  :D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 03, 2015, 11:28:04 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on September 03, 2015, 07:35:18 PM
I saw a couple of really unusual flights tonight on the ADS-B screen  :) Can you spot them?

Could it bee all that hype that is the buzz of the town? ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 03, 2015, 11:30:16 PM
That's a thought, while I'm here, to you think I've got enough connectors? ;D

(bought the female belling-lee adaptors last week, the rest I've had for a number of years since I started messing about with analogue satellite TV before that went the way of "progress")
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 04:16:20 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 03, 2015, 11:30:16 PM
That's a thought, while I'm here, to you think I've got enough connectors? ;D

(bought the female belling-lee adaptors last week, the rest I've had for a number of years since I started messing about with analogue satellite TV before that went the way of "progress")
Yea, I am waiting for a couple of PAL male to female F ones to arrive via slow boat from China to test out the collinear antenna! It is a pain when you don't have the correct adaptors!

So you call them Belling-Lee (after the manufacturer of the same name?)

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 05:17:12 AM
Quote from: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 04:16:20 AMSo you call them Belling-Lee (after the manufacturer of the same name?)

That's the original name for them, these days they're just referred to as "TV aerial plugs", but for specifics, I like to call them Belling-Lee plugs as "aerial plug" can also refer to the F-plug (which we use for Cable and Satellite connections), some info on the Belling-Lee plug here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belling-Lee_connector

I thought I had one of my Male adaptors go missing, but it turned out it was attached to a cable I'd previously made up for something else, so I have 20x of those too... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 02:51:47 PM
What a frustrating day. I spent three hours driving around PEI looking for adapters to fit the SDR since my Chinese adapters didn't come again today, and we have three no mail days upcoming due to the Labor Day Holiday. Not a store on PEI has PAL to F type adapters (or Belling-Lee to F type) in stock! In fact, most of them didn't even recognize the connector. Bet that wouldn't have happened in GB!

Guess it is still in wait mode! I had hoped that not only the adapters would come, but also my NooElec "Ham it UP!" up-converter would have arrived before the long weekend! When I ordered them from China, I knew they might be hard to get here, so I ordered 4, but they won't do me any good until they arrive!
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 07:25:35 PM
I should title this message "Saved by the Junk Box"!

After returning from my unsuccessful search for a Belling-Lee or PAL adapter, I kept thinking I might have a way to do it left over in my Electronics workshop.

I went searching, and found a very old angle Belling-Lee connector, some F connectors, my seldom used (nowadays) F  crimper, and an F barrel connector. re-assembled on some RG-6U cable, and they gave me this!

It will have the added advantage of taking some of the strain off the dongle thanks to the L connector. Goodness knows what I got the British connector off, but at least I found it!
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 04, 2015, 08:48:52 PM
Quick question: the connector on the dongle is an F-Type female, right? Not a PAL connector.

As such, the antenna connector has to be a F-Type male, not a PAL male, right?

So, the proper connector to attach to the dongle is an F-Type male with the other end being either a male or female PAL, right?
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 09:07:12 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on September 04, 2015, 08:48:52 PM
Quick question: the connector on the dongle is an F-Type female, right? Not a PAL connector.

As such, the antenna connector has to be a F-Type male, not a PAL male, right?

So, the proper connector to attach to the dongle is an F-Type male with the other end being either a male or female PAL, right?
Wrong. The connector on the dongle is a PAL Female connector. Therefore its mating connector is a PAL male. The standard North American connector is F type. Therefore you have to adapt from F type to PAL Male.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 04, 2015, 09:13:51 PM
Thanks, the male PAL on the antenna that came with the dongle seems smaller. Must be my eyes. Or, I've never had a PAL connector before. Anyway, thanks, now I can order the correct adapters.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on September 04, 2015, 09:13:51 PM
Thanks, the male PAL on the antenna that came with the dongle seems smaller. Must be my eyes. Or, I've never had a PAL connector before. Anyway, thanks, now I can order the correct adapters.
Well, some of them do come with the smaller SMA (think that is what it is called) connector.... The difference is SMA screws in. I will try to post a photo if I can find one.

Photo is actually an SMA male to F type female adaptor, but it shows the SMA male end well.

Best way to tell is to look at the connector closely. An SMA make threads in - PAL merely pushes in. Since there are differences between dongles, I don't want you to get the wrong one. If you ordered the same one I got, it does use PAL.

Just don't want you to blame me if you wind up with the wrong one. I have even seen some which come with BNC connectors! Problem is a lack of standardization.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 04, 2015, 09:40:13 PM
It looks the same

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391095249092

But I had to order it from a US eBay seller, or listing.

I don't think I've ever used a PAL connector before, at least not that I can remember.

Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 09:44:05 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on September 04, 2015, 09:40:13 PM
It looks the same

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391095249092 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/391095249092)

But I had to order it from a US eBay seller, or listing.

I don't think I've ever used a PAL connector before, at least not that I can remember.

Yes, that is a PAL or as they call them in the UK Belling-Lee connector. We don't commonly use them here, but a lot of foreign equipment uses them.

Yes, I am glad I was able to see the connector on the one you got, as I was worrying that you might order the wrong connector! That is the exact same one as I got and if you look closely, the seller says
PAL IEC Input  :)
Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 09:54:38 PM
The Belling-Lee connectors (PAL is the analogue broadcast standard, Phase Alternating Line, and not everywhere in the world that uses or used PAL-standards use these connectors) are pretty much a UK-only thing as it was standardised by the BBC when they first started, and as the BBC is almighty youknowwhat in this country, then we got stuck with them, even though they're problematic at best... ;D

And speaking of problematic, got my B-L baluns today, all of which are junk, one had the plastic fall apart in my hand, the other two were shorted out internally and seemingly crushed by something in transit, so, yeah, that was a waste of money... ::)
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 04, 2015, 10:08:41 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 09:54:38 PM
The Belling-Lee connectors (PAL is the analogue broadcast standard, Phase Alternating Line, and not everywhere in the world that uses or used PAL-standards use these connectors) are pretty much a UK-only thing as it was standardised by the BBC when they first started, and as the BBC is almighty youknowwhat in this country, then we got stuck with them, even though they're problematic at best... ;D

That's where I remember PAL from, but never used it. Worked for a company that used video camera and displays (back in the 80s) and when buying stock, the choice was PAL and NTSC, and we never ordered PAL. It was in memory but only in memory so, yes, I never had one of those in my hands before so that's why it looked small. Just ordered some from a US seller so I get them before the slow boat even leaves port.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 10:11:33 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 09:54:38 PM
The Belling-Lee connectors (PAL is the analogue broadcast standard, Phase Alternating Line, and not everywhere in the world that uses or used PAL-standards use these connectors)
Yes, but if you are ordering them over here, they are known as PAL IEC connectors. If you do a search on Ebay in North America, you will turn up no matches to Belling-Lee. Do a search for PAL connector, and you will find tons.

Just another case of "trunk" and "boot", I guess!

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 10:21:50 PM
"Trunk" for the large removable leather-clad container strapped on the back of a carriage, "Boot" for the built-in lockable storage locker used by the driver to store his muddy boots on the carriage... ;D

I thought I'd have a go at looking fro an NTSC connector, for fair balance and all, only came across one (in the US) which was a quick-connect F-plug to a B-L adaptor... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 10:23:23 PM
Oh yeah, my "top quality" baluns:
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 10:25:09 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 10:21:50 PM
I thought I'd have a go at looking fro an NTSC connector, for fair balance and all, only came across one (in the US) which was a quick-connect F-plug to a B-L adaptor... ;D

Sounds fair enough :-)  We speak the same language, but we do have different names for things
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 04, 2015, 10:26:40 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 10:23:23 PM
Oh yeah, my "top quality" baluns:
Was this before or after the Lorry drove over them :)

I hope you can get a replacement shipment.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 10:31:37 PM
I'm aiming for a refund, they came from china, so sending them back is a no-go, probably could repair them, but, they feel pretty junky to me, so, scrap... :-\
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 04, 2015, 10:49:24 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 10:31:37 PM
I'm aiming for a refund . . .

Let us know how that works out. Last time and only time I was offered a refund, they asked me to ship the item back at my expense. $20 to return a $7 item. Never did get the refund.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 04, 2015, 11:08:54 PM
Yeah, there's that issue, but, we shall see...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 07, 2015, 12:28:55 AM
Well, that's this year's miracles quota filled, the seller refunded me the cost of them baluns, so, time to see if I can find some that are "more local" this time...  ;D

Still waiting for the USB thingy though... ???
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 08, 2015, 10:31:07 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 07, 2015, 12:28:55 AM
Well, that's this year's miracles quota filled, the seller refunded me the cost of them baluns, so, time to see if I can find some that are "more local" this time...  ;D

Still waiting for the USB thingy though... ???
It'll come. That is the one thing that I hate with ordering  from China. However, I deal with them as I have had good luck, and the free shipping sure beats the shipping cost for most items from the U.S. It will arrive eventually! Meanwhile, I am still awaiting my Ham it Up up-converter from the US, ordered on the 14th of last month on Amazon!
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 09, 2015, 05:39:16 AM
Yeah, the free postage is a plus (unless it's something that comes out-of-box inside a plastic mailing bag and arrives crushed after going through a sorting machine!), it's just really slow, and in the event that something arrives that is faulty, and the return postage costs more than the item did (like a HDMI switch I bought, only about £3, but the postage to return to DX.com, about three times that!), you're both out of luck and out of pocket... :-\

I have a few things I'm waiting for actually, this USB radio doodley, a pair of LED filament lightbulbs (want to try them out, I like the looks of LED filaments compared to other types of LED bulbs), and a pair of north american-style brass ES lamp fittings with the pull-chain switch built in (as the equivalents we have here are cheap plastic euro-style ones which just look cheap and tacky), how long those take, haven't a clue, could be next week, could be next month... ???

As for "local" deliveries, yeah, I'm waiting for some IEC C14 plugs for use with my UPS units, bought 10 of those on the 25th August, the seller sent half what I bought and those arrived on the 1st Sept., messaged them the same day and I'm still waiting for the other half of the order 8 days later, so 15 days for something that should have only been at most 3 on this little island of ours... ::)
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 09, 2015, 06:09:04 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 09, 2015, 05:39:16 AM
As for "local" deliveries, yeah, I'm waiting for some IEC C14 plugs for use with my UPS units, bought 10 of those on the 25th August, the seller sent half what I bought and those arrived on the 1st Sept., messaged them the same day and I'm still waiting for the other half of the order 8 days later, so 15 days for something that should have only been at most 3 on this little island of ours... ::)
Yes, it can be frustrating. And you would think Amazon would have some way to report its not being received, but I have looked high and low and can't find a way. Normally Amazon items come in a week - it has now been a month. At the same time I ordered the Nooelec Ham it Up from Amazon, I ordered the Nooelec case for it along with some connectors and cords from Nooelec itself directly (same day), and they haven't arrived either. Each day, I keep my fingers crossed that they would come (and I am sure they will eventually), but I think they must have shipped them via China from the US.

Its not as though they should have gotten caught up in Customs, either, as all the taxes were paid upon purchase, and both packages were shipped with a customs number, and shouldn't even go to customs. However, customs numbers are un-traceable.

Keeping my fingers crossed for today!

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 09, 2015, 06:30:41 AM
I've only used Amazon once, and that was to reserve and purchase a copy of Grand Theft Auto 5 for PC, as Amazon had it cheaper than anywhere else at the time, and that was delivered on release day as I had specified in my delivery options, haven't been back to them since as it's not really interested me all that much as most of the time the items for sale are usually the same ones I've found via ebay, even from the same sellers too... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 09, 2015, 09:59:19 AM
Seems the IEC plugs arrived today, no USB whatsit yet though... :-\
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 09, 2015, 09:01:13 PM
Huge Migration from North America.

A swarm of flights seen on the ADS-B receiver tonight at 21:55!

Any question we are below the flight path to Europe? In the evening, the majority of flights are coming from Europe, and in the evening heading towards it!

One of the fun things is when we see a jet trail going overhead, I can take a look at the ADS-b and know exactly where the flight is heading, what its flight number is, and when it is due at its destination.

If you click on any of the flights, you can query Flight-Aware or Flight-Stats databases and get the vitals on the flight, where it came from, and where it is going to.

The two flying across the stream are regional flights. The rest are all International.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 10, 2015, 04:14:32 AM
I guess the skies over PEI are a rat-run for planes then... ;D

Rather coincidentally, as I was typing the above line, I got a message from the seller of the USB doobleydoo;

QuoteDear twocvbloke,
Thanks again for your kind order. Please kindly note the package we shipped is on its normal way to you.May still need sometime before arriving you.

Please wait a while ok? It should arrive you in the coming 1 or 2 weeks.For any problem,please do feel free to contact us.

Yours Sincerely,
ableseller8

Er, have they only just posted the blummin' thing?? Must be one of them sellers who insists on taking too long so that the paypal claims process is timed out when things don't arrive or arrive damaged or faulty, getting quite suspicious now...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on September 10, 2015, 03:57:00 PM
Charles Lindberghs' route to Paris ran relatively near there.  It is a well traveled highway to Europe.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 10, 2015, 08:18:09 PM
Yes it was, and probably because in the old days of less reliable aircraft pushing the envelope, that route would have provided the shortest over the open water segment of the chosen route.

I suppose, if one had an aircraft that made it mainly over land from NY to PEI, it was safe to assume the aircraft would be able to make it all the way to beaches of France with Paris being the bonus distance. That route even had Ireland and England available should they have developed a mechanical or fuel problem over the open water span, something that would have caused them to end the flight early, and hopefully make it to terra firma.

Many such "bail out of the flight plan over terra firma" points along that famous flight path.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 10, 2015, 08:49:07 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on September 10, 2015, 08:18:09 PM
I suppose, if one had an aircraft that made it mainly over land from NY to PEI, it was safe to assume the aircraft would be able to make it all the way to beaches of France with Paris being the bonus distance.

Many such "bail out of the flight plan over terra firma" points along that famous flight path.
And they had the further option of bailing out in Newfoundland, as well. Thinking about it this way, it is easier to understand why this has become a major cross-Atlantic route.

All I know, is I was always amazed by the constant jet streams overhead. Which makes it even more interesting to me to be able to determine what flight it is, and where they are heading  :)

At the current time, there are 14 flights showing up, all headed towards Europe.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 10, 2015, 09:50:39 PM
It's been some time since I studied that event so did a quick search to update my memory.

It's about 2,100 miles (3,300 km) from St. John's, Newfoundland to Cork, Ireland. Lindbergh flying about 95 knots spent about 22 hours over open water making 11 hours the no return half way mark over water in the 33 hour total flight.

Total route distance from New York to Paris is about 3,600 miles (5,800 km) so about 1,400 miles (40%) were over or near terra ferma. Even today, those flight "exit" options are most likely high preferable and desirable to airlines for a variety of reasons.

From what one of your prior replies shows, today's aircraft doing about 500 knots at 35,000 ft can make that gap in four and a half hours.

Taken from the Lindbergh flight timeline at http://www.charleslindbergh.com/history/timeline.asp , an interesting, short read.

Dave, do you ever see them returning from Europe?
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 10, 2015, 10:22:16 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on September 10, 2015, 09:50:39 PM
Dave, do you ever see them returning from Europe?
Oh, yes - the majority of the flights from Europe (though not the only ones) fly over in the morning and up to 2 pm our time.  The odd one after, but the big rush is in the am hours.

One of the most interesting flights I watched over the years was a direct flight overhead of the Space Shuttle  (if I remember correctly, it was STS-9). At any rate, though little more than a spec in the sky directly overhead, you could literally make out the shape of the shuttle. On that path, I was able to make contact with an astronaut aboard the shuttle on 2 metres, using my handheld 2 mtr. radio, and actually have a confirmation card (QSL card) from that contact. They made many contacts with Hams during those years, and it was truly neat to be able to contact them.

We were able to track it using a Ham Satellite tracking program and the latest set of co-ordinates from ARRL, and we watched it from horizon to horizon. The only time when you could see its shape well was when it was within a few degrees of directly overhead. Needless to say, It was a perfectly clear sunny day. Of course, unlike the jets, it left no jet stream! You had to know where to look for it. When I broke the pile-up to contact him, he was only a couple of degrees from vertical. Linda and I were standing outside my electronics shop at the time, looking up! Even she was impressed when he came back with my call sign!

Thank goodness it was high noon and the it was a clear day. It really stood out with the sun reflecting off it. If I find the QSL card, I could even tell you the name of the Astronaut I contacted! (I have and it was STS-9 and Dr. Owen K. Garriott)

A little more on Owen Garriott from Wikopedia:
QuoteHis second space flight was aboard STS-9 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-9) (Spacelab-1) in 1983, a multidisciplinary and international mission of 10 days aboard Space Shuttle Columbia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia). Over 70 separate experiments in six different disciplines were conducted, primarily to demonstrate the suitability of Spacelab for research in all these areas. He operated the world's first amateur radio station (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_station) from space, W5LFL, which expanded into an important activity on dozens of shuttle flights, Space Station Mir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mir) and the International Space Station (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station), with scores of astronauts and cosmonauts participating.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on September 10, 2015, 11:12:52 PM
One flew over here and I would have missed it except that it broke the sound barrier.  That was the last double boom I've heard.  It's great to see the value you are getting out of that device.  It's hard to imagine you can get all that for less than the cost of a crystal radio kit.   ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 11, 2015, 09:12:52 AM
Quote from: 19and41 on September 10, 2015, 11:12:52 PM
One flew over here and I would have missed it except that it broke the sound barrier.  That was the last double boom I've heard.  It's great to see the value you are getting out of that device.  It's hard to imagine you can get all that for less than the cost of a crystal radio kit.   ;D
If you are speaking about the Shuttle, this was when it was at full orbit altitude. I can only imagine that would have been impressive hearing and seeing it as it was landing!
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 11, 2015, 09:47:15 AM
It's a shame the shuttles are grounded forever, it's one of the few things I'd have liked to have seen being launched, but, alas no, expanding our minds and knowledge of space is not a priority for governments... :-\

It's like the Concord planes, they got the job done faster, but because of one accident, they grounded them, replacing them with awkwardly slow and oversized mass transit (E.G. A380) is more important than speed today, and ironically, planes today keep having accidents (such as the Boeing 777 that caught fire at Las Vegas recently), but they aren't permanently grounding fleets of those... ::)

Bit of a rant I know, I'm rather bored at the moment... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 11, 2015, 09:54:53 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 11, 2015, 09:47:15 AM
It's a shame the shuttles are grounded forever, it's one of the few things I'd have liked to have seen being launched, but, alas no, expanding our minds and knowledge of space is not a priority for governments... :-\
I can't possibly disagree! The sad thing, is like Bell Labs, the Space Program resulted in so many advances we enjoy and continue enjoying today.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 11, 2015, 10:07:00 AM
Indeed, had the investment in the various technologies continued, then it may have advanced far more than it has done so in the past 30 years, but unfortunately, the bean-counters got involved and messed it all up... :-\

It's sad too, as visions of the future from 30 years ago (E.G. Back to the Future Pt. 2, and as an aside, "future day", Oct. 21st 2015, is looming!) were pretty reasonable for the time, okay flying cars is not necessarily going to be a thing for a long time yet, but the technology envisioned really isn't that far-fetched...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 19, 2015, 01:09:15 AM
Got the dongle set up last weekend and picked up local FM stations. Put my collinear antenna on tonight, worked my way through the ADSB software set up and watched my first few planes. Picking up planes over 30,000 feet and up to 270 miles away. It's near midnight so not much traffic but what I see is really cooool!   8)

Here are two examples. The second is a flight from Mexico City to Frankfurt, Germany. Looks like a polar route.


Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 19, 2015, 03:30:43 AM
I'm still waiting for mine...  :-\
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 19, 2015, 10:31:19 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 19, 2015, 03:30:43 AM
I'm still waiting for mine...  :-\

Yes, too bad you're not up and running for if you were, you could watch this flight arrive Sunday afternoon. It's amazing how many Chicago to distant northern hemisphere international destinations fly over me every hour.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 19, 2015, 11:47:20 PM
If you ever spot anything heating to Newcastle International Airport, then that's the closest airport to me (I see plenty of planes coming and going from there)... ;D

Kind of surprising it's called and international airport though considering it's only got one runway:

http://tinyurl.com/o4zx4z5
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 20, 2015, 08:03:59 AM
Charlottetown (YYG) has two runways, one very long N-S runway, and a shorter E-W runway. It is classed a regional airport, but occasionally we will get an international flight landing there for emergencies - the long runway is long enough to take the largest jets - a legacy from the days where it did get international flights. Seems to me, there is still one Caribean flight in the summers that still regularly flies from here. Of course we also have some New England flights.

Most of our flights are from within Canada or New England.

I remember years ago when I was working at the P.O. (which is located right next to the long runway at the airport), a large cargo or passenger jet landed there with a wheel that wouldn't come down. It was stranded there for a few days awaiting a new wheel assembly to come by truck. As the airport didn't have a proper height truck loading ramp, they brought it to the PO, and from there, we loaded it onto one of the airport fork lifts.

Also, several days a year, the Canadian Forces used the runway for training flights with a huge and very noisy cargo plane, taking off and landing over and over. It darn near deafened us!

Dave

Quote from: twocvbloke on September 19, 2015, 11:47:20 PM
If you ever spot anything heating to Newcastle International Airport, then that's the closest airport to me (I see plenty of planes coming and going from there)... ;D

Kind of surprising it's called and international airport though considering it's only got one runway:

http://tinyurl.com/o4zx4z5 (http://tinyurl.com/o4zx4z5)
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 20, 2015, 12:26:37 PM
I do believe that any airport that has a separate facility to handle customs and immigration is an international airport. Milwaukee only has two runways but it does have a small international terminal building and is named Mitchell International Airport (named after Milwaukee raised Gen. Billy Mitchell of WW-I flying fame and the so-called father of the US Air Force - there is a B-25 Mitchell Bomber on a stick outside the entrance to the airport).

As for the dongle, I put the antenna that came with it on a large metal surface in my living room today to see what it would do. I noticed it cut my reception significantly. Max range with it was about 60 miles where I was getting over 250 with my 5 element collinear in the same place in my living room.

Also noticed that I only get about 1/3 the distance to the south of what I get to the north, east and west. Makes sense, my living room faces north with a large glass window and any signals from the south would have to go through 30 feet of building and a brick wall.

Since ADSB is not required on all US airplanes until 2020, thanks to Dave for that, it explains why only 10-15% of the airplanes that show up plot on my scope software. Most of those are newer airplanes and larger airplanes used for international flights. My software shows a picture of most planes that show up and I've noticed that those that don't have ADSB are older domestic flights and smaller private airplanes. Picked up a C-17 Globemaster yesterday that way but it didn't show on the scope for that reason.

Picked up a few G5s yesterday doing near 600 knots at 42,000 feet. They didn't map but they did show that flight info.

This thing is a lot of fun and a big distraction . . .

Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 23, 2015, 09:18:16 AM
My Ham it Up Upconverter arrived last week from Nooelec. Sadly, it wasn't working - I could only receive one station, Catholic Christian radio on 15 Mcs, and it was way down in the noise. I took the antenna off and plugged it into my General Coverage Ham transceiver, and the station was booming in at 30 over 9 - probably the strongest signal on the band.

I emailed Nooelec, and expected trouble convincing them there was a problem. I sent photos of the set-up, and of the SDR# screen, one showing the IF frequency at ~125 Mcs., and the other further up in the band showing its lack of response. Then, I began wondering why, since it was generating the IF frequency necessary to up-convert, it wasn't receiving, though I knew the antenna was good.

Experimenting, I touched a lead from the antenna directly to the input on the board, rather than going through the soldered on connector. Voila, signal. I then took a close look at the SMA female connector mounted on the board, with a magnifying glass and noticed the center conductor was malformed in such a way it couldn't make connection to the antenna. I sent a photo of it taken with my USB microscope, and was pleased to hear back from them it all made sense, and they are shipping a new board. Though, they say they check each board as it goes out, their check is using a jig which doesn't check the connector. As they replied, "Hah. go figure!  The picture made the issue very clear :) ", and they are shipping a replacement out immediately from their GTA warehouse so it doesn't take so long to arrive this time. No hassles, whatsoever.  So, I have to say despite the problem, I am very pleased with their customer service!

The up-converter will take the low frequency of the HF signals and up-convert them to the oscillator frequency plus the original frequency, placing them within the frequency range which can be received by the SDR dongle. When I have the replacement HIU board, I will then adjust the frequency compensation in SDR# so it shows the actual frequency of the signal rather then the sum.

A good experience after dealing with so many companies which assume their customers don't know what they are talking about  :(

Photos: 1) connections; 2) Microscope view of the connector barrel; 3) the roughly 25 mhz. oscillator signal as shown on the screen of SDR#.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on September 23, 2015, 09:59:35 AM
Such companies can reap benefits from customers they work with as opposed to dictating to.  Some firms feel they have to spoon feed the entire experience with their product to their customers.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 23, 2015, 04:04:13 PM
My Amplifier arrived for my ADS-B setup. By using an amplifier close to the antenna, you can negate any losses through the feed line (which can be considerable at 1090 mhz with long co-ax runs). This is a 20 DB LNA designed for frequencies from 950-2150 mhz, and its associated power injector.

Power is injected into the line just after the SDR and fed to the antenna via the co-ax. At the antenna end, the amplifier, uses the injected voltage to amplify the receive signal and pipe them back down the line to the SDR. The injector and amplified must be oriented in the proper direction - you don't want to feed power back into the SDR. The amplifier should be located close to the antenna, and the injector next in line from the SDR.

Any similar amplifier will work, but it must be designed for satellite frequencies, and not the VHF and UHF TV band. The hardest part to find is the power injector, as these are normally used with satellite dishes which already have the power injected on the line.

This injector has an RCA jack on one side to inject the power from a transformer. You provide the transformer. If mounting the amplifier as it should be, outside next to the antenna, a few windings of self amalgamating tape over the connectors will seal the connections from the weather.

It isn't sufficient to use an amplifier next to the SDR, as it will also amplify any noise picked up by the co-ax. This remote amplifier amplifies the stronger, un-attenuated signal before it goes down the co-ax, resulting in much less noise.

Total cost for both, appx. $14.

When I gather together the appropriate adapters and I will put on comparison photos of received planes which should show an appreciable gain.

Both the LNA and the injector were found on Ebay.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 23, 2015, 08:19:11 PM
Looking at that contact, if you applied a sewing needle carefully, you could probably bend the contact out and re-shape it to make contact, so that way you'd have a spare board if anything were to happen to the replacement... :)

As for my USB whatsit, still waiting, also waiting for a few other things (a mix of LED filament bulbs, couple of US-style pull-chain light fittings, and of course, the USB doodley), I'm wondering if Customs has nabbed my orders for full-on, gloves-on, hands-placed-where-they-don't-belong inspection...... :o
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 23, 2015, 08:49:21 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on September 23, 2015, 08:19:11 PM
Looking at that contact, if you applied a sewing needle carefully, you could probably bend the contact out and re-shape it to make contact, so that way you'd have a spare board if anything were to happen to the replacement... :)
Probably, but you would have to have far better eyes than I have! In case anyone notices I have to edit my messages a lot, it is because of my eyesight (or lack thereof). When I look at the computer screen at times, it is just a blur, and it can't be corrected with lenses - it is actually caused by damage to the macula of the eye. That is the part of the eye the light from the lens focuses on.

So the end result, is that I can no longer see detail close up, which rules out my being able to see that tiny connector well enough to do as you suggest. But yes, if you could get a needle in with enough precision, it should be repairable, as long as it isn't more deformed further in. Thankfully, there was no question - they are sending a replacement board.

That little microscope is coming in handy - I bought it back when my vision started to go bad. Its awkward to use, as its focus has to be very precise, but it does its job.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on September 23, 2015, 09:41:09 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on September 23, 2015, 08:49:21 PM
Thankfully, there was no question - they are sending a replacement board.

Dave, they asking you to send the defective board back to them, or letting you keep it?

-------------------------------------

Talking with a guy I know who is an active pilot and I told him about the dongle. When I said I see a lot of airplanes crossing over my area going in all directions, he said that's because the FAA has a VORTAC here. That's what that thing is - I've known it was there for the past 20 years, can see the top half from the nearest road. It's called the Badger VORTAC (Wisconsin is known as the Badger State). Anyway, thanks to Google maps and another site that shows Lat and Long, I was able to confirm that large white cylinder is indeed the VORTAC. He told me it is a major navigational point and that's why I see so many long distance flights flying over my house. The satellite map shows major housing development in the area but not in the farm field surrounding the VORTAC. I'd bet that farm field will never be anything more than that because of the VORTAC. Here it is, thanks to internet mapping sites. Interesting, isn't it?
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 23, 2015, 10:07:17 PM
So far, John, they haven't asked for it back, but they may when I get the other one.  :)

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 29, 2015, 11:25:18 PM
I am posting this for Teleplay, but others might be interested. Here is the new 125 mhz IF version of the the Ham it Up! board from Nooelec, which up-converts the HF bands to allow them to be received by an SDR . This particular one has a bad antenna connector. Although I have an X on the USB connector, it is fine - I was just marking the side of the board that needs a new SMA connector.

The other connector goes to your SDR, and the switch selects upconvert or pass-through. It is powered via a USB connection to the USB port on-board.

You do need to play with your settings on SDR# a bit for best performance, and if you want SDR# to show the correct frequency, you need to set its offset. Without doing so, the actual frequency is the input frequency plus about 125 mhz, so CHU on 7.850 will read appx. 132.848 mhz.

Manual gain setting in SDR# is recommended to keep the noise level down.

First photo top or backplane; 2nd underside.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 30, 2015, 11:21:59 AM
I'm sure you can predict what I want to say here, but I won't say it, cos I'd just be repeating myself... :-\

5 weeks, I've ordered stuff and had it delivered from china faster than that (my LED Filament bulbs namely), I'm beginning to wonder if it'll arrive at all...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on September 30, 2015, 01:27:02 PM
If you bought through ebay.  Use their resources to get the seller with it.  At tbe minimum the iten is lost in fhe post and the seller must statr any action on that.  You should get with ebay on this.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on September 30, 2015, 01:53:46 PM
I can't do anything 'til the estimated delivery time window elapses (14th Sept. to 1st Oct.), after that it's open season for finding out what's taking them so long...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on September 30, 2015, 02:50:52 PM
When thr letter carrier departs, initiate the action with a letter via ebay and tell them what comes next.  This impedes their ability to conduct further sales.  You will get their attention.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on September 30, 2015, 07:42:28 PM
Just a bit of an update on the SDR and Ham it Up!

Today, I received a 5 foot USA-CA RG316 SO239 UHF FEMALE to SMA MALE (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/131417412300?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=430763833206&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) cable from WiFi Experts (CoaxRF.com) to connect the Ham it Up! to the antenna directly without using clip leads. Theoretically, it should have improved the match of the antenna to the Ham it Up!, and that it did! Signal strength is much higher.

The bands are full of signals, and I spent as much time as I could listening to broadcast shortwave stations on AM, CHU and WWV, SSB Ham stations, etc. etc. etc.

It is amazing, with the SDR and the Ham it UP!, my computer is now also a general coverage receiver with a bandwidth of a few hundred hertz right up to 2 gigahertz! All for a cost of approximately $100 including the SDR and the Ham it Up unit.

To protect it, I also bought their extruded aluminum case for the Ham it Up! board, which keeps it high and dry, and safe from shorting against anything, and which looks great!

If any of you are interested in general coverage receiving, this is a great way to do it if you don't already have the capability - far less than the cost of dedicated equipment to do the job. I have other receivers and transceivers to do the job, as well, but look forward to using this device.

I found Nooelec's customer service excellent, though perhaps a bit slow responding. When I received the first board with the bad connector, they cheerfully and speedily replaced it. It helped that I was able to photograph the faulty connector with my USB microscope so they could see exactly what was causing the problem.

You do have to play with the setting in SDR# a bit to get everything performing 100%. The major thing is to turn off the  AGC on the dongle, and to adjust the gain by hand through the options in SDR# to obtain a point where only the signals from the Ham it Up! get through.

Then, as I play with it more, I will want to set the offset in my SDR# so it displays the actual frequency, rather than the ~125  Mhz IF frequency plus the frequency of the received station. But it is quite easy to automatically subtract 125 mhz from the reported frequency to get a very close estimate of the actual frequency of the station.

All in all, an excellent experience, and yet another way to use my computer!

Sure hope you get your SDR soon, twocvbloke!

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on September 30, 2015, 08:32:21 PM
Looks like you will certainly have something to pass the time with when the snow comes!
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on October 01, 2015, 12:23:41 PM
Just a quick photo of the Ham it Up! unit in a case purchased from NooElec and stuck to a fridge magnet to hold it out of the way on the computer case....
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on October 01, 2015, 12:42:41 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on October 01, 2015, 12:23:41 PM
Just a quick photo of the Ham it Up! unit in a case purchased from NooElec and stuck to a fridge magnet to hold it out of the way on the computer case....

That reminds me of a question I've had in the back of my mind for a long time.

How does a magnet affect computer or media? This goes back to strong magnets wiping out floppy disks and magnetic tapes. I've always kept magnets away from anything computer related just to be safe but it seems you are saying a weak magnet, such as one used for mounting display stuff on metal surfaces, won't affect the computer's workings. Even one large enough to hold the Ham it Up! on the computer case. So, help me out here, what is safe and not safe with respect to magnets and computer/computer media.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on October 01, 2015, 12:52:07 PM
Seeing that fridge magnet there reminds me of when I worked at the computer shop, before I started working there, apparently a customer had brought in a computer that wouldn't start up properly or install an OS, and when the tech had a look at it, they found a big, powerful magnet on the back of a fridge magnet stuck to the side of the computer, just like Dave's Ham it up thing, except it was a VERY strong magnet, and it had completely ruined the HDD (wouldn't take a format or anything), so, magnets can still be problematic, especially strong ones... :o

On modern SSDs and flash drives, they have no effect though, but better safe than sorry, keep the magnets away from where the HDDs are located, just to be safe... :)
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on October 01, 2015, 01:33:40 PM
I used to keep a mousepad attached to the stde of my bench tower usibg velcro strips with adhesive backs. I then put a area on the bench to stick it to when I needed it flat.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on October 01, 2015, 02:15:06 PM
Hi John:

I doubt that it will affect it at all. It is a weak thin plastic fridge magnet and the case should provide sufficient shielding for it. At any rate, my HDs are far from that area. I didn't want to drill holes on either the Ham it Up! case or in the computer case, so chose this as the best way - it holds sufficiently and allows quick removal. My HDs are located below it behind a grill and case fan  (4 terrabytes) - a considerable distance from where the HDs are located, and I have three external USB drives as well.

At any rate, modern drives are better magnetically shielded than the older types, but I still wouldn't put a magnet directly on them!  :)

However, I do like the suggestion about velcro strips. I may give that a try when I have some.

Dave

Quote from: TelePlay on October 01, 2015, 12:42:41 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on October 01, 2015, 12:23:41 PM
Just a quick photo of the Ham it Up! unit in a case purchased from NooElec and stuck to a fridge magnet to hold it out of the way on the computer case....

That reminds me of a question I've had in the back of my mind for a long time.

How does a magnet affect computer or media? This goes back to strong magnets wiping out floppy disks and magnetic tapes. I've always kept magnets away from anything computer related just to be safe but it seems you are saying a weak magnet, such as one used for mounting display stuff on metal surfaces, won't affect the computer's workings. Even one large enough to hold the Ham it Up! on the computer case. So, help me out here, what is safe and not safe with respect to magnets and computer/computer media.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on October 04, 2015, 11:36:49 AM
I've opened a case with the seller of my USB thing, obviously it's either lost, stuck in customs, or they just haven't bothered sending it...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on October 04, 2015, 12:41:23 PM



Sorry to hear it was necessary!
Quote from: twocvbloke on October 04, 2015, 11:36:49 AM
I've opened a case with the seller of my USB thing, obviously it's either lost, stuck in customs, or they just haven't bothered sending it...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on October 04, 2015, 01:19:35 PM
They should do the right thing.  Their feedbacks should give a good indication of how well they handle such things.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on October 04, 2015, 04:26:04 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on October 04, 2015, 12:41:23 PMSorry to hear it was necessary!

Well, these things happen, not all sellers on ebay are worth their salt, just hope that I either get the stick or they get a stick across their knuckles...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on October 04, 2015, 05:45:03 PM
I've been holding my tongue on since you first started to let us know about the long lost shipment but I just got to say, any chance it was shipped through the black hole known as Opa Locka?   8)
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on October 04, 2015, 06:35:56 PM
The tracking number they supplied certainly seems to be a black hole, cos it leads to nothing, anywhere... ???
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on October 05, 2015, 12:33:45 PM
Got a reply from the seller, their offer was to send another (which will probably vanish too), or refund, so, I'm taking the refund option, I can source one of these devices somewhere else...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on October 05, 2015, 01:33:32 PM
Use the filter on the left to limit the search to your own nation then you can see items from those who have already imported them.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on October 05, 2015, 01:42:21 PM
Tried that, but most of them have the tiny antenna connector rather than the standard belling type...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on October 05, 2015, 02:03:04 PM
How about a nearby EU nation with a good postal service? 
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on October 05, 2015, 02:38:33 PM
Not really likely, plus being in the EU bumps up the price...

I've ordered stuff from china before, it usually takes two to three weeks to get here, some more, some less, but usually it gets here regardless, just depends on the seller and how they write out the address I suppose...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on October 16, 2015, 06:02:57 AM
After running into problems with SDR# V. 1361 setting the offset so it will display  the correct frequency for Ham It Up, I have switched to HDSDR V, 2.70. SDR# would crash every time I tried to set the offset at -125,000,000 as it needs to show the correct frequency.

HDSDR also has a number of enhancements which aid HF reception, and does an excellent job of monitoring all modes.

It also has an excellent frequency manager and S-Meter

http://www.hdsdr.de/ (http://www.hdsdr.de/)

HDSDR is relatively easy to set up - you do need to download in addition to the program, the appropriate ExtIO for your dongle at:

http://www.hdsdr.de/hardware.html (http://www.hdsdr.de/hardware.html)

And place it in the same directory as you have HDSDR set up in.

The following photo shows HDSDR receiving the Canadian Time signal, CHU on 3330 hhz.

I still intend to keep SDR# for VHF and UHF reception, as it will eliminate my having to change parameters when I receive without Ham it Up!, but for HF, HDSDR will be my go-to program.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on October 18, 2015, 05:51:47 AM
One thing I am finding interesting with the SDR are the waterfall displays of the spectrum. As a Ham who was active before such displays were available, at first they looked like interesting graphic images, and they appeared relatively meaningless.

However, as I get more and more used to them, I am discovering how much information they contain. Now after acclimatizing myself to them for a week or two, I can determine the nature of most signals they show without even tuning to them. I can tell is a signal is just a carrier if it is CW, if it is SSB, or AM. I can see signals that are fax or facsimile, and  it is amazing how many types of digital signals I an see. I am still learning to identify other signals, just by viewing their traces on the waterfall.

What is also interesting is the number of sweeping signals are on the bands now, some sweeping up and down the band for a few hundred kilohertz, and some sweeping from the lowest parts of the spectrum to the upper parts, than beginning back at the lower end. So far, I don't know what these are, but no doubt I will learn.

I truly wonder what the "Russian Woodpecker" signals of the 80s would have looked like on a waterfall display. It would have been interesting.

Below is a typical spectrum display for the frequency range of 9 to 9.76 mhz with a number of digital signals, and a couple of AM SW broadcast stations. The AM stations may be identified immediately - they are the white blotchy traces on the screen. SSB (although there are none showing in this range right now), appear the scalloped edges only on one side of the carrier showing the modulation. Pulse type signals such as CW show as dotted lines going up the screen. I have no doubt if one became really proficient reading the waterfall displays that on strong CW signals, one could actually visually read what they were sending as they sent the message. Frequency shift signals such as RTTY show similar to CW, but with the lines separated into two tone ranges, the mark and space frequencies.

So, while I have been a Ham since the early 80s, and listening to shortwave all of my life, I am still learning, thanks to the SDR. Every day, I come cross something new!

Some might feel, "How awkward, not having a tuning knob", as I did at first, but the spectrum waterfall display makes a knob unnecessary. You can skip over blank areas of the spectrum, and directly go to the next station, and most often know exactly what type of signal it is. Technology is changing, and even this old mind is learning!
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on October 18, 2015, 07:30:10 AM
I've yet to buy another USB doohickey, night be out of the game before I even got in it the way the chinese postal system is at the moment... :-\
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on October 18, 2015, 05:17:41 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on October 18, 2015, 05:51:47 AM
. . . as I get more and more used to them, I am discovering how much information they contain. Now after acclimatizing myself to them for a week or two, I can determine the nature of most signals they show without even tuning to them. I can tell is a signal is just a carrier if it is CW, if it is SSB, or AM.

Dave, you are right and the FM waterfall from a local station distant from other frequencies easily shows the modulated signal when one person is speaking. Music is much more complex in the waterfall but both are similar to the sound waves I've used for years in Audacity, just vertical instead of horizontal and not as clean.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on October 18, 2015, 06:12:21 PM
I just wanted to show you another Waterfall chart - this one showing an SSB station broadcasting USB on 14.188 mhz. Note that unlike an AM signal, the fuzzy (or information) side is only on the right - on LSB, the fuzzy portion is only on the left. On AM, it extends to both sides.

What is interesting in this capture, is I caught one of the sweeping signals that starts at the lower end of the band, and sweeps up to the top. In is the diagonal line which shows in the waterfall. If you watch the lower screen as it happens, you can see it sweeping across the band, bottom to top. I don't know what this is yet, but I am intrigued by it.

Unlike the Russian Woodpecker of the 1980s, it doesn't interfere much with what you are listening to - it only causes a momentary little blip over the signal when it crosses that frequency. It is some form of spread-spectrum broadcast.

Dave
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on October 22, 2015, 02:41:37 PM
I received another SDR today, a NooElec NESDR Mini 2+ 0.5PPM TCXO USB RTL-SDR Receiver (RTL2832 + R820T2) w/ Antenna and Remote Control $34.95   

Sort of the Cadillac of SDR's with a far more stable oscillator than in the normal Chinese SDRs. Their description:

QuoteThis custom NooElec SDR is a modified DVB-T USB dongle tuned for SDR usage, including a high-accuracy, Japanese fabricated, GPS-rated 0.5PPM TCXO crystal, and improved capacitors and inductors compared to generic devices. Full compatibility with a large array of software packages, such as HDSDR, SDR Touch, SDR#, Planeplotter--too many to list.

The perfect device for learning software defined radio, on the cheap. Amateur radio, ADS-B, police & fire scanning, trunking, satellite images--you name it, this little guy can probably do it. Outperforms many devices 10x its cost!

These units are based on the R820 (R820T2) tuner IC made by Rafael Micro. This provides substantial performance improvements over R820T in both lab and real-life usage scenarios.  They have a frequency capability of approximately 25MHz-1750MHz, though this can vary somewhat from unit to unit. There is also an RTL2832 (RTL2832U) IC on board of course, which acts as the de-modulator and USB interface.


The first thing I noticed about it is its heavier construction. It is enclosed in a much stronger, and some what larger case. It runs cooler than the Generic SDR. It is more stable in the USB port, and the cable connection seems more secure than that on my generic dongle.

The biggest difference I have noticed so far is it is far more stable than the generic one. You set it on a frequency, and it stays on precisely that frequency. Whether is is more sensitive than the Generic one will take time to determine. It is at least as sensitive.

Temperature-wise, yes, it gets warm after a long period of operation, normal for SDRs, but it appears to reach a certain temperature, then stabilizes and doesn't seem to get any warmer.

Switching between the cheap SDR and this one requires no configuration changes.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on October 23, 2015, 04:49:55 PM
I've seen this or these signals several times now, actually, every time I get up to 186 mHz.

Just discovered what this is. It's the hard disk on my lap top when my lap top is sitting on my lap. If I lift it up, they are greatly decreased. If the HD is inactive, they disappear. We've all heard the cautions of devices interfering with others and this must be one of those related to use of a computer.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: TelePlay on November 22, 2015, 03:32:34 PM
Since my last post, I've purchased a NooElec SDR dongle and it works well. As Dave said, a better device.

Built a "broomstick" antenna Friday night (100' of 16 gauge stranded copper wire wound tightly around a 6' section of 1" PVC pipe. Put a 10" aluminum pie plate on the top end. Attached a short section of RG-59 to the other end, center lead going to the antenna and coax shield connect to copper rod ground. Works better than I expected sitting in front of an upstairs window.

20 meters has some sort of contact sweepstakes going on so a lot of activity. Conclusion, the NooElec SDR dongle and Ham-It-Up work very well and the broomstick is acceptable as a permanent indoor antenna.

Here's the current activity on 20 meters.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: DavePEI on November 22, 2015, 03:59:23 PM
HDSDR today on 20 Mtrs (14 mhz band). Sweepstakes is keeping the band pretty busy! This is all in USB, the standard for 20 mtrs.
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: twocvbloke on March 26, 2016, 01:18:17 PM
Well, I finally got one of the USB sticks at long last... ;D
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: 19and41 on March 26, 2016, 01:41:24 PM
Keep us posted...
Title: Re: USB-DVB-T-DAB-FM-RTL-SDR-Realtek-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-Receiver-PAL-IEC-Inp
Post by: Sigmaz on August 29, 2018, 01:41:26 PM
I'm surprised to see this thread had eluded me for so long.

While I do have a Ham-it-Up Transverter "Upconverter", I don't use the SDR radio in that way for HF reception.

I installed an IF buffer in my Yaesu FT-857D and use the SDR dongle as a Panadaptor.

This lets me see visually on the computer screen what my radio can hear by tapping the first IF.

This also offers me the incredible benefit of a far better DSP subsystem than the radio itself can provide.

While the NoElec device is pretty good for its price point, The latency of the stream is no good for FT8, busting phone pile-up's, or CW contesting, all of which are timing sensitive.
True performance on an SDR radio in an HF role would require a more dedicated radio setup such as an ANAN or FLEX.

But for listening and non contesting situations, you can't go wrong for $20-$30!