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Author Topic: TS-830s panadapter project starting from scratch ...  (Read 443 times)

KD0VE

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TS-830s panadapter project starting from scratch ...
« on: January 01, 2021, 05:13:16 PM »

Recently acquired a pristine TS-830S.  really nice radio and I intend to make it my primary boat anchor rig.  However, I don't want to give up having a bandscope.  Fortunately the 830 has an IF output making the addition relatively straight forward.

Started researching the options and there are a bewildering number of SDR options and a similarly bewildering array of software options.

Looking for suggestions and/or links on how to implement this.  I'm not an idiot but I often find getting new software to work a mind numbingly frustrating activity so an emphasis on simplicity is desired.  Simple is much more important than cheap.

thx to anyone taking the time to offer advice or links.

Other question:  I have several old Win7 laptops.  Will be it possible to run the software for the display on that older OS?

KD0ZGW
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VK6HP

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Re: TS-830s panadapter project starting from scratch ...
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2021, 05:47:27 PM »

I considered this option for one of my TS-830s some time ago.  After a good deal of looking around I came to the conclusion that the LP-PAN (http://www.telepostinc.com/LP-PAN.html) was quite a good option compared with the el-cheapo SDR dongles.  There may well be other options now.

There are a few things to consider and about which you can google some commentary.  First, the 8.3 MHz IF output spectrum of the TS-830 is inclined to present a lumpy baseline which can be minimized by appropriate mixer loading and a few other mods which I can't fully remember.  You'd think that some of the SDR software packages would allow you to normalize the spectrum to a reference and remove lumps and bumps in software.  However, at the time I was looking I didn't see that readily available in the packages I'd consider. 

Second, the SDR software needs to be tolerant of having no CAT control available to the old TS-830. Some newer software versions get upset if they don't see the control option in place. However, I'm sure that with a bit of looking and playing you can find something that will work.

There is of course a panadapter option (BS-8) available for the Kenwood SM-220 monitor scope.  However, unless you happen to have an appropriately equipped SM-220 ready to go, I'd say don't waste your time.  The feeble, drifting spectrum and small display is a poor specimen by contemporary standards.

In the end, I didn't proceed with the bandscope option for my TS-830 but I'd be interested to know what path you decide to take. I still use the (decked-out) 830 quite a bit, despite having lots of other radios.

73, Peter.
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W4NBO

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Re: TS-830s panadapter project starting from scratch ...
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2021, 10:14:22 PM »

A quick search on duckduckgo "TS830s Panadapter" reveals lots of links for reading;

https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/ts-830-to-pandapter-setup.527136/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpI2XNI_xsY

Well darn, I think you just added another project to my already large list, lol.

73
Chuck
AF4O
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N2DTS

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Re: TS-830s panadapter project starting from scratch ...
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2021, 05:42:03 AM »

The old RF Space SDR-IQ is a good sdr that runs on many programs and has an rs232 port for control if that can be made to work with an older radio.
It interfaces with many modern radio's.
Its performance is much better then the dongles.
It makes a great piece of test equipment also.
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