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Author Topic: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?  (Read 792 times)

5BWAZ

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Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« on: November 04, 2021, 09:22:07 AM »

Hi everyone,

I've always heard of guys adding an SDR to their existing station in order to use the panadapter feature for DXing or contesting. I've recently added an Icom 7610 which has a band scope, but I also have the chance to buy an AirSpy HF+ Discovery at a price that's too good to pass up.

I know nothing about SDR's and my main interest is contesting and DXing. I know there's a way to add an SDR to my 7610 using the External RX port which (I think) would use my main TX antenna for receive which is what I want. It would also have to follow my radio's VFO when tuning. 

My question is, what are the advantages, if any, to adding an SDR to my station since I already have a band scope in my 7610? I already have an Pixel RX loop connected to the 7610's External RX port but I can put it on an external antenna switch if need be.
« Last Edit: November 04, 2021, 09:25:26 AM by 5BWAZ »
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K7LZR

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2021, 10:20:58 AM »

I've never used an Icom IC-7610 but if the bandscope is clear & high resolution then I see no advantage, especially if the 7610 can connect to a large monitor.....
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K4FMH

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2021, 10:50:38 AM »

I've never used an Icom IC-7610 but if the bandscope is clear & high resolution then I see no advantage, especially if the 7610 can connect to a large monitor.....

Great advice! The 7610 has a DVI port on the rear panel. I’d go that route.

However, getting the AirSpy HF+ at a great price has other benefits. I have one, among several SDRs. Note the frequency gap coverage (e.g., no 6 meters). You can learn quite a bit from using it for things other than a adapter.
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GRUMPY2021

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2021, 11:48:13 AM »

No.    However you sound like your mind is already made up so just buy buy buy!!! 
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5BWAZ

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2021, 12:08:14 PM »

No.    However you sound like your mind is already made up so just buy buy buy!!!

Thank you, guys. Yes I will probably pick it up. Since I have no experience with using an SDR, I was just wondering if there was some advantage for contesting or DXing to use it along with the 7610. If not, I can always put it to good use as an CW RBN Skimmer.
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K6AER

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2021, 05:38:28 PM »

I've never used an Icom IC-7610 but if the bandscope is clear & high resolution then I see no advantage, especially if the 7610 can connect to a large monitor.....

Great advice! The 7610 has a DVI port on the rear panel. I’d go that route.

However, getting the AirSpy HF+ at a great price has other benefits. I have one, among several SDRs. Note the frequency gap coverage (e.g., no 6 meters). You can learn quite a bit from using it for things other than a adapter.

Your 7610 is a SDR Radio. Just connect the monitor as described above. Also when using an external SDR receiver you will need to short out the input so the receiver does not get blown out by your transmit RF.
« Last Edit: November 04, 2021, 05:54:51 PM by K6AER »
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AC2EU

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2021, 06:10:48 PM »

I've never used an Icom IC-7610 but if the bandscope is clear & high resolution then I see no advantage, especially if the 7610 can connect to a large monitor.....

Great advice! The 7610 has a DVI port on the rear panel. I’d go that route.

However, getting the AirSpy HF+ at a great price has other benefits. I have one, among several SDRs. Note the frequency gap coverage (e.g., no 6 meters). You can learn quite a bit from using it for things other than a adapter.

I guess you could use that with a computer monitor capable of the resolution spec?

WB8LBZ

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2021, 03:00:53 PM »

I also have an Icom 7610 and several USB powered SDRs. I use the HRSDR program to display the spectrum on a 23 inch screen. I find the expanded spectrum of use as I can see the audio and RF spectrum displayed.  While looking at the action from the 7610 I can also use one of my USB devices (HackRF, SDRPlay, RTL dongle ...) to inspect other elements of the RF spectrum.

73, Larry  WB8LBZ
EL Paso, TX
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KX2T

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2021, 07:15:33 AM »

Your 7610 has two complete SDR receiver sections plus two Digi Select front end pre selectors so I am gonna ask why you would want to add a sup par performance sdr receiver to that mix which is like comparing tenderloin to ground chuck.

You also have software to your shacks computer that will us a IO port out of the 7610 to use HSSDR program which gives a pan display equal to the Flex rigs on receive that give allot of point and click options plus you have the DVI output.

What I wonder is how many hams actually read the frigging manual these days plus in Icom's behalf all the technical papers they have out on the internet about what you can do with a very advanced SDR with knobs that has two RX sections under its hood.

I don't know about you but I prefer Tenderloin over Chuck steak any day of the week and comparing one of these extremely unfiltered in the front end SDR tonka toy receivers to something like the 7610 is a waste of time that is if you are a contester and DXer that can figure out all the capabilities of what is sitting on your desk today.
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KK4GMU

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2021, 09:56:54 AM »

Do it!  If for no other reason than to:

1) Experience this new technology and to have fun experimenting with it.
2) Comparing it to your existing setup for your own edification and so that you can give others good advice in the future as to pros and cons.

Don't do it if you don't care much for computers and related systems.
If you are over 90 and hate new tech.

I'm 75, enjoy my computer, not an active ham - mainly a SWL, but I enjoy my SPRdx/Uno combo.
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IC-7100, RSPdx, AT-D878UVII-Plus HT, TGIF Spot

K1KIM

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2021, 01:50:51 PM »

Along the same line of discussion (kind of)

What older radios have the output capability to connect an external stand alone video monitor via HDMI, RCA , DVI etc etc.

I know of the Icom 7610 and the FT-DX10, but I am looking for a relatively inexpensive option for a project I am tinkering with.

I don't want to have to use a panadapter or any ancillary device. Just direct hook-up to monitor from radio.

Maybe it doesn't exist. Just tinkering around.
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So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

US7IGN

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2021, 02:22:46 PM »

You probably need to do this if you are already thinking about it. Though it’s probably better to buy a big TV and watch football or baseball. Radio for me is to listen to, not watch)
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K1FBI

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #12 on: November 28, 2021, 02:32:16 PM »

Along the same line of discussion (kind of)

What older radios have the output capability to connect an external stand alone video monitor via HDMI, RCA , DVI etc etc.

I know of the Icom 7610 and the FT-DX10, but I am looking for a relatively inexpensive option for a project I am tinkering with.

I don't want to have to use a panadapter or any ancillary device. Just direct hook-up to monitor from radio.

Maybe it doesn't exist. Just tinkering around.

IC-781 looks great hooked up to a monitor.
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K1KIM

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #13 on: November 28, 2021, 02:33:20 PM »

You probably need to do this if you are already thinking about it. Though it’s probably better to buy a big TV and watch football or baseball. Radio for me is to listen to, not watch)

Newer SDR radios with live waterfalls to chase down signals and watch audio etc such as on the IC-7300, 991A etc are lightyears ahead of my older rigs with so many features.

"Watching" the new SDR radios can teach the operator quite a bit about their rig. Of course RBI stats are optional  ;D ;D
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So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

K1KIM

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Re: Adding an SDR to my station. Yes or no?
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2021, 02:39:15 PM »

Along the same line of discussion (kind of)

What older radios have the output capability to connect an external stand alone video monitor via HDMI, RCA , DVI etc etc.

I know of the Icom 7610 and the FT-DX10, but I am looking for a relatively inexpensive option for a project I am tinkering with.

I don't want to have to use a panadapter or any ancillary device. Just direct hook-up to monitor from radio.

Maybe it doesn't exist. Just tinkering around.

IC-781 looks great hooked up to a monitor.

Unfortunately all the used high serial number 781's I've seen are way overpriced in my opinion for my needs.
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So Many Toys.......So Little Time!
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