26-04-2022, 03:03 PM
(This post was last modified: 26-04-2022, 03:03 PM by Mike Watterson.)
(24-04-2022, 10:14 PM)Murphyv310 Wrote: This can be done with a cheap RTL SDR dongle, it doesn't need to eat up HDD space if you limit the section you are interested in, also used 1 and 2tb HDDs are available for pennies on ebay and elsewhere, have a word with your friendly Sky engineer you might land up with too many!
Not really as the ADC in SDR mode is only 8 bits and thus in reality about 7 bits real resolution. If you are content with 5 bits resolution for a weak station then dynamic range is only 4:1
Also the minimum frequency is about 42 MHz on most of these, so you need an upconverter for LW/MW/SW. You can buy pre-packaged adaptors for the RTL USB sticks.
The 14 bit ADCs discussed are a minimal solution and really to be able to replay a weak station as well as live with a good dual conversion receiver (or even a simple valve superhet) you'd want more than 14 bits.
The RTL stick is simply a cheap intro to SDR, and it did allow laptop to receive DAB here before they turned it off. It also works for the local Airband and VHF-FM. But apart from needing an up-converter it's only any use on LW/MW/SW with good RF tuning (dual gang), variable attenuator, pre-amp and up converter with maybe a 45MHz or 50MHz local oscillator. Then narrow band use due to lack of ADC resolution.
