SDR - Who's In? (Newly licensed too: KJ7GKX!)

[TheRATT]

Hello, friends! I finally got my Tech license and am studying for my general.

I was wondering if anyone is running an SDR Transciever? Just saw this one over on my pal's website:

https://www.rtl-sdr.com/hermes-lite...-sdr-made-from-a-repurposed-cable-modem-chip/

I'm super new to SDR and not what I'd call "super tech minded" when it comes to knowledge. If anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear them. There are many SDRs out there now and pulling the trigger is going to be tough!

 

[fourstringburn]

Congrats on your Tech license, get that General!

What your looking at might be a bit much starting out with if you aren't computer and somewhat technical savvy.

I don't run a SDR Transceiver but I do use a SDR Play receiver that's patched into my Kenwood TS590SG. The SDR Play is an open source device that let's you use many of the free SDR software out there. I mainly use this as a panadapter display so I can see all the signals on any band. I still prefer a hands on radio but do use some software for certain things.

I also have my Icom-7000 running thru the SDR Play for VHF/UHF signals and beyond.

If your looking for a reasonably affordable SDR radio, The Icom 7300 is a good start for a desktop radio or you can go the computer route with ones made by Apache labs and others like the one linked in your post.

Good luck!

 

[TheRATT]

Hello!

I'm a Commodore 64 kid so the tech side of of computers and such I'm very good at. Understanding why a broadband modem chip in an SDR box is good I'm not so good at!!

 

[Alan Blackmon]

Congratulations of the license. The general isn't that much harder to get. Go for it and you'll find so much more fun to be had.

 

[543_Dallas]

I've been using an anan 100 for about 3 years. I've been happy with it but is did take some fine tuning of pc settings to make it work perfectly.

Using the db25 connector on the back for an external audio chain took some macgyver work because the panel its mounted to is so thick. I had some rfi issues to work out when running QRO but after all of thet its an amazing rig. I can't imagine not having pure signal now.

You get a rig in a box and no customer support unless it's defective. That's the only reason I won't recommend them to everyone. I hear Flex is more user friendly but I've never used one.

The anan 8000 is on my wish list but I probably won't have one any time soon. As much overtime as I've had lately it's been tempting though.