SSB Radio at home?

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by waterman46

Trying to fix a cheap old radio can have lasting benefits. I "cut my teeth" in the electronics field by tinkering with old radios and TV sets. Those old tube sets could be tweaked since they had all manner of adjustable coils and capacitors. Learned respect for high voltage! Somehow I survived and this interest led me into ham radio and finally to becoming an electrical engineer.

Me too but we’re talking about solid state and SMDs which no newbie or for that matter most other people can repair.

[GerryL]

I've been a radio enthusiast since I was a kid listening to shortwave with my Dad in the 60's. He took the NRI radio/TV repair training after WWII. On Saturday afternoons he brought the old family Philco up to the dining room table and threw a wire out the window. That started my amazement with radio. I became a licensed ham in the mid 80's, and have been through periods of more and less activity. Recently got on a more activity phase with this virus and all. I have enjoyed chatting around the world. I even bought a new HF radio, first one in approx 20 years.
I'd say go for it if you have an interest. If you just want to listen for a while and if you are fairly computer literate, these can be fun. https://www.sdrplay.com/ I have one and enjoy it. There are a lot of youtube videos on how to work with the software.
If you like to spin knobs and push buttons, you may want a more conventional radio. I enjoy both and like them all for what they offer.
Good luck!

[dannc]

Thank you for every one who has answered my questions.

Before I asked my questions, I was researching portable radios and I am still leaning on getting one. The RTL-SDR device is cheap enough to buy as well. People have recommended radios that are matching up with what I am reading else where. Still have have some studying to do.

Thanks again,
Dan

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by ctrmass

The "V3" version is specifically made to listen to HF via direct sampling.

That's what I have. As I said, it functions but selectivity and sensitivity fall short. I have to lug my kit from boat to boat. I'd use an SDR dongle if it measured up.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

That's what I have. As I said, it functions but selectivity and sensitivity fall short. I have to lug my kit from boat to boat. I'd use an SDR dongle if it measured up.

Good sdr dongles & small footprint exist,though a small SSB receiver will likely be cheaper. I have a fun cube dongle Pro plus which is an excellent receiver.
Or do you mean rtl dongles?

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by conachair

Good sdr dongles & small footprint exist,though a small SSB receiver will likely be cheaper. I have a fun cube dongle Pro plus which is an excellent receiver.
Or do you mean rtl dongles?

RTL-SDR is what I have. It is HF without an upconverter. When I switch back and forth between the SDR and my PL-880 the weather fax is clearer.

The PL-880 cost about $135 from--I think--Universal Radio two years ago and replaced a KA-1103 that was becoming the worse for wear.

Have you compared measured sensitivity and selectivity between your better dongles and a good portable? Is there a decent antenna port?

[AA3JY]

Another SDR option with data and specs...

SDRplay SDRPLAY RSPdx
RSPdx Multi antenna port 14 bit SDR

The SDRplay RSPdx is a complete redesign of the popular RSP 2 and RSP 2 pro multi antenna receiver. It’s a wideband full featured 14 bit SDR which covers the entire RF spectrum from 1 kHz to 2 GHz. Combined with the power of readily available SDR receiver software (including SDRuno supplied by SDRplay) you can monitor up to 10 MHz spectrum at a time. The RSPdx provides three software selectable antenna inputs, and an external clock input. All it needs is a computer and an antenna to provide excellent communications receiver functionality. A documented API allows developers to create new demodulators or applications around the platform.

KEY BENEFITS & FEATURES:

Covers all frequencies from 1kHz through VLF, LF, MW, HF, VHF, UHF and L band to 2GHz, with no gaps
Receive, monitor and record up to 10MHz of spectrum at a time
Performance below 2MHz substantially enhanced improved dynamic range and selectivity
Software selectable choice of 3 antenna ports
Enhanced ability to cope with extremely strong signals
External clock input for synchronisation purposes, or connection to GPS reference clock for extra frequency accuracy
Excellent dynamic range for challenging reception conditions
Free use of windows based SDRuno software which provides an ever increasing feature set
Strong and growing software support network
Calibrated S meter/ RF power and SNR measurement with SDRuno (including datalogging to .CSV file
Documented API provided to allow demodulator or application development on multiple platforms





APPLICATIONS:

Amateur

Shortwave Radio Listening
Broadcast
DXing (AM/FM/TV
Panadaptor
Aircraft (ADSB and ATC)
Slow Scan TV
Multi-Amateur Band Monitoring
WSPR & Digital Modes
Weather Fax (HF and satellite)
Satellite Monitoring
Geostationary Environmental Satellites
Trunked Radio
Utility and Emergency Service Monitoring
Fast and Effective Antenna Comparison
Industrial

Spectrum Analyser
Surveillance
Wireless Microphone Monitoring
RF Surveying
IoT Receiver Chain
Signal Logging
RFI/EMC Detection
Broadcast Integrity Monitoring
Spectrum Monitoring
Power Measurement
Educational/Scientific

Teaching
Receiver Design
Radio Astronomy
Passive Radar
Ionosonde
Spectrum Analyser
Receiver for IoT Sensor Projects
Antenna Research
SPECIFICATIONS:

General

Weight 315g
Size: 113mm x 94mm x 35mm
Low current consumption:
190mA @ >60MHz excl Bias T)
120mA @ <60MHz excl Bias T)
Connectivity

USB 2.0 (high speed) type B socket
Frequency Range

Continuous coverage 1kHz 2GHz
Antenna A Port Characteristics

1kHz 2GHz operation
50 Ohm input impedance
SMA female connector
Antenna B Port Characteristics

1kHz 2GHz operation
50 Ohm input impedance
SMA female connector
Selectable 4.7V DC out (see Bias T)

Antenna C Port Characteristics

1kHz 200MHz operation
50 Ohm input impedance
BNC female connector
Reference Clock Input

MCX female connector
Bias T (Antenna B Port only)

Software selectable 4.7V @ 100mA
IF Modes

Zero IF, All IF bandwidths
Low IF, IF bandwidths ≤ 1.536MHz
IF Bandwidths (3dB)

200kHz
300kHz
600kHz
1.536MHz
5.0MHz
6.0MHz
7.0MHz
8.0MHz
ADC Characteristics

Sample frequency 2 10.66MSPS
14 bit native ADC (2 6.048MSPS)
12 bit (6.048 8.064 MSPS)
10 bit (8.064 9.216MSPS)
8 bit (> 9.216 MSPS )
Maximum Recommended Input Power

0dBm continuous
10dBm for short periods
Reference

High temp stability 0.5PPM TCXO
In field trimmable to 0.01ppm.
External Reference Clock

When an external 24MHz clock is applied, auto detect will switch to the external reference. Ideally the external clock source should be connected to the RSPdx before power up
Typical Noise Figures

20dB @ 2MHz
17dB @ 12MHz
15dB @ 25MHz
15dB @ 40MHz
2.6dB @ 100MHz
2.1dB @ 200MHz
6.0dB @ 340MHz
3.1dB @ 660MHz
4.4dB @ 1500MHz
5.0dB @ 1800MHz
Notch Filters

FM Notch Filter:

>30dB 77 - 115MHz
>50dB 85 - 107MHz
>4dB 144 - 148MHz
MW Notch Filter:

>15dB 400 - 1650kHz
>30dB 500 - 1530kHz
>40dB 540 - 1490kHz
DAB Notch Filter:

>20dB 155 - 235MHz
>30dB 160 - 230MHz
Note: The notch filters above are
software selectable and remove
specific broadcast bands.


Front End Filtering

Low Pass

500kHz
2MHz
Band Pass

2 - 12MHz
12 - 30MHz
30 - 60MHz
60 - 120MHz
120 - 250MHz
250 - 300MHz
300 - 380MHz
380 - 420MHz
420 - 1000MHz
High Pass

1000MHz

[Auspicious]

Selectivity and sensitivity numbers for Tecsun PL-880:

Sensitivity SSB (S / N = 10dB) < 3 μV

Selectivity SW > 40 dB (± 5kHz)

S/N Ratio (SNR) SW > 45dB

I've only reported the numbers for HF since that is what is relevant. There are better radios.

Icom R75:

Sensitivity SSB < 0.16 μV

Selectivity SSB More than 2.1 kHz/-6dB, Less than 4.0 kHz/-60dB

I would want an SDR at least as good as the PL-880 and more is better. I assume that selectivity happens in software which is fine. It should still be definable. Drivers can't be too fragile as I'm already using a powered USB hub and I've already found some devices insist on being plugged directly into the computer and not a hub.

[AA3JY]

Originally Posted by AA3JY

Another SDR option with data and specs...

SDRplay SDRPLAY RSPdx
RSPdx Multi antenna port 14 bit SDR

The SDRplay RSPdx is a complete redesign of the popular RSP 2 and RSP 2 pro multi antenna receiver. It’s a wideband full featured 14 bit SDR which covers the entire RF spectrum from 1 kHz to 2 GHz. Combined with the power of readily available SDR receiver software (including SDRuno supplied by SDRplay) you can monitor up to 10 MHz spectrum at a time. The RSPdx provides three software selectable antenna inputs, and an external clock input. All it needs is a computer and an antenna to provide excellent communications receiver functionality. A documented API allows developers to create new demodulators or applications around the platform.

KEY BENEFITS & FEATURES:

Covers all frequencies from 1kHz through VLF, LF, MW, HF, VHF, UHF and L band to 2GHz, with no gaps
Receive, monitor and record up to 10MHz of spectrum at a time
Performance below 2MHz substantially enhanced improved dynamic range and selectivity
Software selectable choice of 3 antenna ports
Enhanced ability to cope with extremely strong signals
External clock input for synchronisation purposes, or connection to GPS reference clock for extra frequency accuracy
Excellent dynamic range for challenging reception conditions
Free use of windows based SDRuno software which provides an ever increasing feature set
Strong and growing software support network
Calibrated S meter/ RF power and SNR measurement with SDRuno (including datalogging to .CSV file
Documented API provided to allow demodulator or application development on multiple platforms





APPLICATIONS:

Amateur

Shortwave Radio Listening
Broadcast
DXing (AM/FM/TV
Panadaptor
Aircraft (ADSB and ATC)
Slow Scan TV
Multi-Amateur Band Monitoring
WSPR & Digital Modes
Weather Fax (HF and satellite)
Satellite Monitoring
Geostationary Environmental Satellites
Trunked Radio
Utility and Emergency Service Monitoring
Fast and Effective Antenna Comparison
Industrial

Spectrum Analyser
Surveillance
Wireless Microphone Monitoring
RF Surveying
IoT Receiver Chain
Signal Logging
RFI/EMC Detection
Broadcast Integrity Monitoring
Spectrum Monitoring
Power Measurement
Educational/Scientific

Teaching
Receiver Design
Radio Astronomy
Passive Radar
Ionosonde
Spectrum Analyser
Receiver for IoT Sensor Projects
Antenna Research
SPECIFICATIONS:

General

Weight 315g
Size: 113mm x 94mm x 35mm
Low current consumption:
190mA @ >60MHz excl Bias T)
120mA @ <60MHz excl Bias T)
Connectivity

USB 2.0 (high speed) type B socket
Frequency Range

Continuous coverage 1kHz 2GHz
Antenna A Port Characteristics

1kHz 2GHz operation
50 Ohm input impedance
SMA female connector
Antenna B Port Characteristics

1kHz 2GHz operation
50 Ohm input impedance
SMA female connector
Selectable 4.7V DC out (see Bias T)

Antenna C Port Characteristics

1kHz 200MHz operation
50 Ohm input impedance
BNC female connector
Reference Clock Input

MCX female connector
Bias T (Antenna B Port only)

Software selectable 4.7V @ 100mA
IF Modes

Zero IF, All IF bandwidths
Low IF, IF bandwidths ≤ 1.536MHz
IF Bandwidths (3dB)

200kHz
300kHz
600kHz
1.536MHz
5.0MHz
6.0MHz
7.0MHz
8.0MHz
ADC Characteristics

Sample frequency 2 10.66MSPS
14 bit native ADC (2 6.048MSPS)
12 bit (6.048 8.064 MSPS)
10 bit (8.064 9.216MSPS)
8 bit (> 9.216 MSPS )
Maximum Recommended Input Power

0dBm continuous
10dBm for short periods
Reference

High temp stability 0.5PPM TCXO
In field trimmable to 0.01ppm.
External Reference Clock

When an external 24MHz clock is applied, auto detect will switch to the external reference. Ideally the external clock source should be connected to the RSPdx before power up
Typical Noise Figures

20dB @ 2MHz
17dB @ 12MHz
15dB @ 25MHz
15dB @ 40MHz
2.6dB @ 100MHz
2.1dB @ 200MHz
6.0dB @ 340MHz
3.1dB @ 660MHz
4.4dB @ 1500MHz
5.0dB @ 1800MHz
Notch Filters

FM Notch Filter:

>30dB 77 - 115MHz
>50dB 85 - 107MHz
>4dB 144 - 148MHz
MW Notch Filter:

>15dB 400 - 1650kHz
>30dB 500 - 1530kHz
>40dB 540 - 1490kHz
DAB Notch Filter:

>20dB 155 - 235MHz
>30dB 160 - 230MHz
Note: The notch filters above are
software selectable and remove
specific broadcast bands.


Front End Filtering

Low Pass

500kHz
2MHz
Band Pass

2 - 12MHz
12 - 30MHz
30 - 60MHz
60 - 120MHz
120 - 250MHz
250 - 300MHz
300 - 380MHz
380 - 420MHz
420 - 1000MHz
High Pass

1000MHz

https://www.sdrplay.com/reviews/

[Auspicious]

Drilled through. Sensitivity and selectivity are not discussed or listed anywhere. NF not great at HF.

[AA3JY]

An older review by QST..values maybe different with newer version of SDRPlay

https://www.sdrplay.com/wp-content/u...yQSTReview.pdf