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Reviews For: SDRplay RSP1 and RSP1A

Category: Receivers: General Coverage

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Review Summary For : SDRplay RSP1 and RSP1A
Reviews: 101MSRP: 100
Description:
The current production version, the RSP1A which launched in November 2017, is a 14- bit full featured SDR receiver covering 1kHz – 2GHz with 10MHz visible bandwidth. The full datasheet can be found by going to https://www.sdrplay.com/rsp1a/
Product is in production
More Info: Http://www.sdrplay.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001014.6
K0KS Rating: 2016-10-04
Performance Upgrade with New Software Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Initial performance was so poor that I just tossed it aside but Customer Support told me to try newer software. Yes.....the gain is controlled much better and I find that the SDR-Play to be nearly as good as my IC-706 MKII G receiver. A good HF antenna will still overload the A/D but a 10dB pad helps fix that. The frequency coverage and size make it an ideal take-along with any laptop computer. It performs well on portable antennas or even a lamp-cord.


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Earlier 1-star review posted by K0KS on 2016-07-30

The SDR-Play was mentioned at lunch this week and 3 of us had bought them and have tossed them in the failed project box for the same reasons. Low sensitivity, poor dynamic range, and a horrible on freq (DC) spike that ruins AM reception. We had seen a FunCube demo and expected similar results but performance was just not there at all. All 3 of us had tried various SW and also found that better antennas bring more overload and FM broadcast everywhere. I learned 50 years ago that you do not put a DC receiver in a plastic box. So everyone else has rave reviews and the 3 of us got the lemons ?
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Earlier 2-star review posted by K0KS on 2016-02-19

I expected the RSP-1 performance to be similar to the Afedri-SDR-Net that I've used for a couple of years. Both use my SDR Console V2.3 and the RSP is not usable for HF. The display is full of phantom carriers and there's a big DC spike. Above 30MHz the RSP-1 does well for FM Broadcast but ghost stations show up throughout the spectrum. The uP is over-burdened and the audio drops out with any changes and this occurs on 3 different computers. SDR-play has just released new drivers which may help. I wish the Afedri went to 500MHz!
MRTELECOM Rating: 2016-09-21
Very cool receiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very very very good to MW, MF and HF band
More in Air band the reception is some poor.
More no problem
Im Pu5peo recommend this product.
WB9MSM Rating: 2016-09-09
Excellent Little Receiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
One thing I had forgotten to mention in my previous review that I think is very important. I have synched Win-EQF, CW Skimmer, HDSDR software and of course my KWD TS-590S to the exact same frequency. This in my opinion is an amazing feature to accomplish, as they are all talking to each other on the same page. It really, really makes it nice for being able to operate my SDRPlay as a Panadapter with a mouse click feature to be where I want to be in the band. Instantly I am there and able to work the station! Now that is nice and I felt this was certainly something worth mentioning. Just another reason that I am so impressed with the SDRPlay! 73, Denny

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB9MSM on 2016-09-08

I recently installed the SDRPlay in combination with my KWD TS-590S and I am a HAPPY CAMPER! I am using HDSDR software which works absolutely fantastic with my rig. I had been contemplating getting a KWD TS-590SG so that I could do the SDRPlay but I really did not want to sell my TS-590S because it works so well. I ended up making the CN101 internal jumper for my rig and could not be more pleased! This is slick with the cable coming out the back of my rig I connected to the SDRPlay very easily. Furthermore, I have the CW Skimmer going with my SDRPlay and HDSDR. Really nice to be able to look at a wide range of spectrum! Simon and the gang at SDRPlay congratulations on hitting a home run with this very powerful little SDR receiver. By the way . . . no longer interested in the TS-590SG because my TS-590S works perfect with SDRPlay and is a KEEPER in the shack! 73 and see you in the pile-ups, Denny WB9MSM
W1QL Rating: 2016-09-04
Super Value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The SDR-Play with the SDR-Uno software is a very competent package. I have used this to monitor LW from 24KHz to 252KHzand it does struggle in this spectrum with overload and image issues. Learn to use the manual gain control to minimize these issues. MW-860MHz I find the SDR to perform exceptionally well.
I find this unit a very capable FMDX receiver. The adjustable filters along with adjustable gain will enable you to pick out weak adjacent station next to the locals.
MW and Shortwave reception is on par with my IC-7300. Take the time to read the manual and learn how to use the controls/features to get the most from this receiver.
Is it perfect - no, but for $140 this is a great receiver and I would buy it again.
VE3GLA Rating: 2016-08-23
Works great as a panadapter for my K3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the SDR-Play to use as a panadapter for my Elecraft K3, using the K3's IF output. I was having difficulty doing that with HDSDR, but then I discovered Win4k3suite and learned that the most recent version of it supports the SDR-Play. I downloaded the trial version and in minutes had it working with my SDR-Play. Win4K3suite seamlessly integrates my K3 and SDR-Play and now I have a high performance panadapter for a lot less price than a P3.
M3SKF Rating: 2016-08-02
LITTLE RED ROOSTER Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The SDR-play seems to work very well indeed,it takes some time to become familar with the SDRUNO software.However once you navigate round the comprehensive software package things start to work together quite well.Recommended you down load the SDRUNO cookbook by Paul NN4F & Mike KD2KOG (pdf),this is a good guide to start you off.Getting the best out of this set does take some time and a slow learning curve soon gets to grips with any intermod and other reported problems.This is a lovely SDR reciever at a very reasonable price point,im am enjoying using this radio.Fun inventive and intuitive im hooked with mine.
NO9E Rating: 2016-07-31
Greta for the price but some learning curve Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
After tweaking the radio receives week signals on 2m pretty good and copies noisy 10m CW signals clearer than K3.

Tweaking means choosing the right apmplification and IF frequency. For instance, some signals that are distorted with 0 IF are excellent copy with nonzero IF.

It would be better if software would do the tweaking automatically. But for the price, it is hard to complain. A plastic enclosure means lower weight.
HZ1SK Rating: 2016-07-30
Excellent SDR receiver Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is an Excellent SDR receiver that represents a great value for money.The new integration of SDRUno software with makes this SDR receiver hard to beat specially at this price level.With SDRUno its a piece of cake to set it up even for beginners.I only wish if they used aluminum case instead of the plastic one but maybe that will increase the price.The receiver is very sensitive on HF
G4OER Rating: 2016-07-24
Excellent value for money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The unit arrived on Friday morning. My friend Fred called around to set it up for me. Absolutely staggered at what it can do. It's re-awakened my interest in our hobby. Highly recommended.

Dave
KT4WO Rating: 2016-07-15
I just have to laugh. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
RE: "I just have to laugh."

Yep...me too. No issues with XP/W7/W10 or Ubuntu.
If you can't get this great little RX up and running maybe you should stick to the 718(also a good little rig).

I run this with my IC-7200 and it has been well worth the money.