SDR with 10/11 meter antenna

[Backwoods40]

Wasn't really sure where this should go, but figure the hams would best be able to answer.

I recently got an SDR, installed the software, and since a 10/11 meter antenna is all I have at the moment, decided to connect that to see what I can receive.
The antenna is a half wave & can be tuned for 25 to 30MHz, but I was surprised to find that I'm easily able to Rx the local FM radio stations, air traffic, NOAA, and tons of short wave stations from around the world.

The SDR is Rx only from 500KHz to 1.75GHz and I haven't had the time yet to scan all bands.
My question is, since this is Rx only, is this antenna all I need? Will I be missing anything without using a discone?

 

[BJ radionut]

The Shortwave Antenna - How It Works - Which Ones Work Best

The shortwave antenna explained, from how it works to how to choose the type that will best fit your needs and SWL listening environment.

www.hamradiosecrets.com

Good info...scan till the end for Indoor antennas to try
Welcome
HNY

 

[BC Coyote]

My question is, since this is Rx only, is this antenna all I need? Will I be missing anything without using a discone?

For receive, it will probably work at least as well or better than a discone at frequencies of 30 MHz or less. Above that the discone will work better.
Keep in mind that the discone is a compromise antenna as well, considering it is so broad-banded. You are always better with a dedicated antenna for each band, but unless you have acreage to put up an antenna farm there will always be compromises nescessary!

 

[kopcicle]

SDR and DSP Resources

I have done quite a bit of mucking around with SDR stuff, so friends and other I have worked with often wonder what resources they could look at. This is my list. It has a bias towards some cellular stuff. General Tutorial For Getting Familiar with SDR: Software Defined Radio

blog.kn4vhm.com

HF band Multi Band Pass Filter

HF Amateur Bands Preselector- 10-bands - FedEx Fast Ship SV1AFN band-pass bank | eBay

Makis, SV1AFN. HF Amateur Bands Preselector. Except of selecting one of the 10 band-pass filters, one for every amateur radio bands for HF, a by-pass function is available to switch out the preselector, if reception to any out of bands signal is needed.

www.ebay.com

and more detail here

HF Amateur Bands Preselector (new: NOW INCLUDES 60 m Band)

HF Amateur Bands Preselector (Built & Tested PCB Module with aligned inductors) USE A BAND-DECODER AND INSTALL THE PRESELECTOR IN ANY RADIO The Module includes a high-quality ENIG FR4 PCB (180 x 50 mm) that comes with all components factory pre-soldered. RF grade capacitors are used for...

www.sv1afn.com

In any case your first line of defense is an antenna resonant at the desired frequency. The next step is impedance matching. Finally a band pass filter or switchable network (preselector.)
Analog HF preselector simple

A Passive Tunable HF Preselector

When I built the VE7BPO DC Receiver Mainframe recently, it wasn’t intended to end up as a final finished project. The intention was more to have it as part of an experimental platform. The li…

aa7ee.wordpress.com

Analog HF preselector not so simple

HF Tunable Preselector

HF Tunable Preselector

www.herostechnology.co.uk

Analog HF preselector explained

Simple Tuned HF Preselector

This simple, low-cost, tuned, passive HF preselector will enhance reception of HF signals.

www.hamradiosecrets.com

Yet another

Simple Tuned HF Preselector

This simple, low-cost, tuned, passive HF preselector will enhance reception of HF signals.

www.hamradiosecrets.com

'bout covers it ;-)

 

[Tom Line]

I'd skip the discone because I don't use one and have had great enjoyment with my RTL-SDR's. Anything outside and does the job is great for me. Of course maybe I'm missing some stuff. If I could guess what I'm missing, I could just fashion an antenna for that band and not have an antenna that will poke me in the eye. Of course I'll probably start thinking I want a discone now. Thanks Brother !!! :-(

I've tried the preamps and stuff and I get easier good performance just with the SDR hooked to an outdoor antenna.