SDR (Software Defined Radio) For Satellite

[Titanium]

So, before I hook up my satellite to this, I keep hearing DC block or voltage block splitter. I'm thinking this would be a good thing to get in my collection before experimenting. Any links to example products?

To place the DVBT USB tuner inline between the receiver and the LNBF out at the dish, you will need a splitter capable of passing power from the STB to the LNBF, but block the voltage from reaching the DVBT USB dongle. The splitter should pass frequencies up to the top of the satellite IF range, so look for a top range of 2150Mhz.

An Example would be: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...ase&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google_base


If you only use the DVBT USB dongle on the loop-out port of the STB, no voltage is present on this port and no voltage blocking is necessary.

 

[qwert1515]

You can make a DC blocking splitter by taking apart an old switch, remove the PCB and soldering a wire and a 0.1 uF cap.
Now where to start looking for signals...

 

[Conky]

Nooelec is coming out with a case for the hamitup soon

 

[KE4EST]

Looks nice too!

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Here is an amazing writeup of all kinds of stuff you can pick up. (Its supposed to be a review of one USB Dongle, but in reality all compatible dongles can do this.

http://ratzer.at/pdf/Funcube2_DK8OK.pdf

 

[updatelee]

Ive got one of these RTL-SDR's they work pretty darn good for the price (around $20-30). Not as good as my Ettus USRP N210 but that was almost 100x more money !

UDL

 

[Jim S.]

I use an RTL dongle for VHF and UHF monitoring. I've never connected it to my satellite system because I didn't think there was still anything worth bothering with up there.

For shortwave I use a SDR system that came out before the RTL trick was discovered, the SoftRock Ensemble II. It's a preselector/tuner combo that feeds a quadrature signal to my computer's sound card for sampling. Since I have a 192kHz sound card I can get a decent chunk of spectrum at one time. Nowhere near the 2 MHz of the RTL, obviously, but on the shortwave bands, you don't notice the lack of a several-MHz chunk as much, at least not on the ham bands because most of them are pretty small. On the broadcast bands, you can still scroll around in software fast enough to see what's going on.

 

[updatelee]

A good quality sound card will provide a much better signal. Many are 24bit the RTL is only 8bit. Where the RTL is really great is the bandwidth, 192khz vs 3200khz !

If I ever get some free time I should play with feeding the tuner IQ output from the RTL into my MAudio sound card.

UDL

 

[rsa2000]

I use an RTL dongle for VHF and UHF monitoring. I've never connected it to my satellite system because I didn't think there was still anything worth bothering with up there.

For shortwave I use a SDR system that came out before the RTL trick was discovered, the SoftRock Ensemble II. It's a preselector/tuner combo that feeds a quadrature signal to my computer's sound card for sampling. Since I have a 192kHz sound card I can get a decent chunk of spectrum at one time. Nowhere near the 2 MHz of the RTL, obviously, but on the shortwave bands, you don't notice the lack of a several-MHz chunk as much, at least not on the ham bands because most of them are pretty small. On the broadcast bands, you can still scroll around in software fast enough to see what's going on.

I recently built a Softrock ensemble ii myself and for less that $100 it was a fun learning experience building it and its pretty good for playing on HF. I also have a rtl (e4000) and now I am intrigued to try this on sat! I may have to order another rtl with the other chipset to combat that gap in frequency.

 

[Pismire]

Just placed my order for one on ebay. Pretty cool stuff. Being a ham I am aware of SDR but wasn't aware of these little receiver's. A few years ago our emergency services went to a 800mhz trunking system, prior to that I had the scanner running 24/7. I see there is a trunking plugin for the software so will give it shot. Am envisioning hooking it in to my server and streaming to my phone.

 

[Jim S.]

I think that for trunking systems, you need two receivers -- one to monitor the control channel and one to tune to the traffic channels.

P.S.: If you're going to be listening on your phone, you might as well just check whether anyone is already streaming your county's traffic on the net.

 

[Stargazer]

I saw something like this on Kickstarter. They got over $600,000 funded for their project ...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/search?utf8=✓&term=sdr

I been looking at this for a little bit but don't know a whole lot about programming things and figured I would have a hard time figuring out how to tune in to a lot of things.

 

[qwert1515]

I think that for trunking systems, you need two receivers -- one to monitor the control channel and one to tune to the traffic channels.

A setup with two dongles works best, but it is possible to use one dongle if you don't mind missing some transmissions.

https://sites.google.com/site/policescannerhowto/

 

[Cham]

Been looking at these for a while:
http://www.flex-radio.com/
Would be nice to have HF when I am away on trips etc, able to connect via internet and check into the local nets using the home base station. They are still too expensive though.
This little USB receiver looks very interesting though... might have to try one, along with the transverter. Great tip, Tnx!
-C.

 

[wallyhts]

And another running on an Android DVBS2 Android development STB...

View attachment 93190

Hopefully you have a better App then the super annoying DVB Player

 

[wallyhts]

Any body got funds to buy one of these? I wish i did I've be watching this for a while now.
https://www.ettus.com/product

I think an SDR Section would be awesome.

I bought one B's things during the show as well!! I also got this on BF which should work with the APP Hopefully.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0EJ-0019-00005

 

[updatelee]

I've got a N210 usrp. Haven't had much time to pay with it, Linux devel taking up all my free time lately

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I bought one B's things during the show as well!! I also got this on BF which should work with the APP Hopefully.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0EJ-0019-00005

I don't think it will as it does not have a full sized USB port.

 

[Titanium]

When you order the Up convertor, don't forget to purchase a SMA Male to MCX Male jumper. Also order-up on the SMA Male adapters... This vendor credited for combined shipment after the sale! I believe that I officially have more invested in the adapter cables than in the DVBT USB and Upconvertor combined!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181085505580

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181086917283


http://www.ebay.com/itm/170994846302


http://www.ebay.com/itm/181085609342

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181100666223

 

[Titanium]

I think an SDR Section would be awesome.

Agreed!!!

I bought one B's things during the show as well!! I also got this on BF which should work with the APP Hopefully.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0EJ-0019-00005

You will need an adapter... USB OTG Cable This is the one I purchased: http://www.ebay.com/itm/231080991051
It works well, but I clipped the LED and IR sensor to lower current demands. Not sure that it was necessary, but it seemed to reduce reported hardware errors.