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Reviews For: LP-PAN / LP-PAN 2

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : LP-PAN / LP-PAN 2
Reviews: 47MSRP: 250.
Description:
LP-PAN 2 is a hardware decoder which is optimized for use with a receiver's IF output. When coupled with free customized SDR software, it provides an integrated real time display and more. When used with radios like the Elecraft K3 or Yaesu FTdx5000, it provides the best of both worlds... world class performance linked to world class software. Features include realtime spectrum and waterfall displays, point-and-click graphic tuning for both VFOs, one click band and mode control, automatic K3 IF/DSP offset tracking, dual receiver capability with one receiver, and more. LP-PAN 2 comes with serial port bridging software, which provides simultaneous sharing of the rig and multiple rig control programs such as loggers, CW Skimmer, PSK programs and others. LP-PAN 2 is available for most radios with an IF output jack, as well as some which can be modified to add one.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.telepostinc.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00474.7
W6BP Rating: 2012-09-11
An excellent panadapter interface Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought the kit version of the LP-PAN and preamplifier for my K3-based station. Both kits were easy to assemble, thanks to the well-marked PC boards and the clear instructions. (Current LP-PANs incorporate the preamp and LP-PAN on a single PC board, making assembly even easier.) I hooked up the LP-PAN between the K3 and my laptop, installed the (free) NaP3 software, and after a little (OK, a lot of) fooling around, found myself with an excellent, high-update-rate panadapter. I can't say enough about how much the panadapter adds to operating. It's amazing the things you see above and below your operating frequency that you'd never have been aware of otherwise -- pileups, the start of a contest, mysterious QRM, obscure transmission modes in unexpected places, you name it. NaP3 can also demodulate signals, giving you a sub-receiver that can be used anywhere in the passband being monitored.

Let me add a couple of comments for those considering an LP-PAN. First, I'll predict that the biggest problem you'll face is the sound card. To make the panadapter useful, you'll want a sound card that samples at a minimum of 96 kHz, with 192 kHz being preferable. The sound cards that sample at these rates can be somewhat temperamental. In particular, the Windows drivers for a lot of these devices are--how can I put this tactfully?--junk. For example, while others have had better luck, I was unable to get a Creative EMU-0204 sound card to work with my W7 x64 machine. Against all advice, I finally used the 96 kHz sound card in my laptop, and while it's not a great sound card, it turned out to be plenty good enough.

Second, if you're using the LP-PAN with a K3, and if you have multiple programs trying to talk to your K3 via the RS-232 port, be sure to install and use Larry's free program, LP-Bridge. It takes a bit of work to set up, but I've found it to be invaluable. Larry also provides a version of LP Bridge for transceivers other than the K3; never having used it, I can't comment on its capabilities.
KE2WY Rating: 2012-08-14
a bit tough but well worth the effort Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the unit assembled as I didn't have the time to do the kit. So, I can't speak to the kit, parts, etc. Looking at the assembled unit I don't judge it to be a difficult task. I assembled a K2, and after than anything is easy.

I just finished the WAE using LPPan. I wasn't quite sure how it would fit in, but by the end of the contest I found it indispensable. I have not used the P3, so I can't make a comparison. What I can say is that LPPan produces a magnificent display with sharp detail and a wide range of adjustments that allows each user to customize the display to his/her liking. I like having the display on the station monitor, because I don't have to divert my vision to somewhere else to get the visual info and because I have limited real estate for ham gear. I can make the display small or stretch it all the way across the monitor. Each size has its own use. Watching SSB signals with a wide display is very instructive.

Operationally, in a contest, one can find open frequencies for running immediately. No tuning around is necessary. In S&P, one can immediately go to the strong stations, pick them off, and then move to weaker stations, etc. Different bands can be checked immediately and completely for activity. It saves a lot of time tuning and wondering.

As Larry, N8LP, himself says, computer chops are required to get the unit up and running successfully. Not that there are any secrets; after it's running everything is obvious. It's just that there are a lot of adjustable parameters, both in LPPan and the computer, that influence its operation. Larry was patient and indispensable in helping me to get operational. He answered all emails in quick time and with helpful info. His service could not have been better.

The unit and display have lived up to any and all expectations. It's a great operational helper. Once one has seen and worked with a panadapter of this quality, there's no turning back, and this one makes the trip worth while.

...robert KE2WY
AE3K Rating: 2012-07-07
missing parts, unresponsive Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I really like the idea of this kit, and the fact that he is doing it. And I appreciate the opportunity that this kit gives me, as a software developer, to play with writing my own DSP software (in addition to the available free software).

But I was disappointed that parts were missing from the parts bag in the kit that he shipped to me. Others have reported similar experiences. Indeed, the assembly manual suggests to check the parts "to allow you to start the process of obtaining replacement parts as soon as possible if needed."

I sent him email suggesting that, you know, put the parts in the bag please, and I gave him a complete list of the missing parts. I never heard from him. Maybe my frustration and annoyance put him off.

So I had to order the replacement parts myself, from Mouser. BTW, Mouser is great.

So I give this product, and more particularly this vendor, 2 stars.

This product costs $200 including shipping, so in my opinion the parts should be sent, preferably the first time. To not send them at all is really bad.

I would feel differently if this were a $25 circuit board, plus a bag of most of the parts I need. (And that would be fine.) But it's not. It's $200 for a circuit board, a bag of parts, an enclosure, and in my experience absolutely no customer support.

K4IA Rating: 2011-08-29
Masterpiece Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Larry has done a great job with this. It is the most useful accessory in my shack. I feel lost if it is not running.

Mine is one of the first units - in kit form. Kit assembly is reasonably easy. It doesn't have the excruciatingly detailed instructions of an Elecraft kit. More like "Install the resistors" and then you sort them out and find the right holes.

My rig is a K3 and I use an EMU 0202 outboard USB sound card and a dual core computer. The on-board sound cards delivered in most computers aren't high enough quality and may show spurs and distortion. A single core computer might not have enough power to run the software. A second monitor is handy (they're cheap these days) so you have plenty of room to run a logging program with all its windows and the pandapter. Your mileage may vary.

The software is evolving. Good now but getting better all the time. You'll need/want several free programs to get it all working. LP Bridge integrates computer control of your radio, logging program, and the LP-PAN through one USB port. PowerSDR provides the Ham Radio Deluxe visual interface that shows the pandapter screen and provides computer-screen control of the radio ala Flex.

What you get - An amazing large display of band activity on your computer screen. Point and click to a station or use your tuning knob and see the spectrum move. Spot a band opening with one glance. See the pileup and the all-important hole where no is calling.

This is great stuff and well worth the investment.
KG0MN Rating: 2011-08-16
The perfect addition to the station Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently added the IF-2000 board and the LP-Pan to my new FT-950 and I could not be happier with the way in which it operates and actually shows me what the various controls on the radio actually do to a signal. I this day and age of multi-thousand dollar radios if you can add something to your station that cost less than that of a high quality microphone you can easily justify purchasing it.
N2TU Rating: 2011-07-01
Quality product and Support+ Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
In an attempt to get DXCC on 6 meters (without F2 propagation!), I decided to add the LP-Pan to my FT5000MP. What a wonderful addition! The Bandscope is unreal!

Larry, N8LP is known for his quality and the LP-Pan is no exception. It is very well built, extremely well thought out,easy to use and truly functional. The product documentation is better than most big box manufacturers and his website will easily walk you through the set-up.

Larry is also known for his excellent customer service a fact I can attest to! Within hours (and sometimes minutes), Larry responds to questions.

It was a pleasure meeting Larry at Dayton. His company(and Larry) is an asset to the ham community.
K7NG Rating: 2011-06-16
Great accessory! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have spent a lot of time with the LP-PAN (& PowerSDR-IF software) in the weeks since I assembled mine. Mine is configured for the Kenwood TS-940/950, and I'm using a Firewire Audiophile audio interface (96 KHz). It's hard to write a review for just the LP-PAN box, since it doesn't do anything without the appropriate software, so I'm including what I found out about the software also.
(1) A panadaptor display better than this would be hard to find.
(2) Quality of demodulated SSB and AM via the PowerSDR software is absolutely fantastic. And the 'brick wall' filtering of SDR's does make a real difference on a crowded band.
(3) Trying to set up to receive DRM SWBC is a kludge beyond redemption, so I forgot I ever wanted to do it.
(4) The 'physical' image rejection adjustment of the LP-PAN (turning a trimpot)doesn't seem to have any real effect(I'm wondering if the pot is even there), but the automatic/software image rejection adjustment gets me between 55 and 60 dB rejection, adequate for almost any activity. I have to re-do the image rejection every time I restart the software, it seems.
(5) The dynamic range of the subsystem (LP-PAN + Audiophile) appears to be limited, where strong signals 'crack' on peaks... PowerSDR has a nice software AGC with an adjustable threshold which will manage this pretty well.
(6) The frequency offset settings in PowerSDR-IF take a while to get just right, but you don't need to mess with them once set properly. Using the IQ Demodulation in Multipsk or Spectrum Lab, for instance, is much harder to keep set up, but that's not a reflection on the LP-PAN.
(7) I found out that there are lots of things that come out of the TS-950 IF port I don't want to see. Again, that's not the LP-PAN's problem!
(8) Don't try to assemble the unit under fluorescent light - some resistor color bands look like others... Incandescents should never be forgotten!

Don't expect much in the way of results with the sound card that comes with your PC (or the internal sound system of a laptop). Plan to spend some money for one of the units that Larry mentions on his web page.

The LP-PAN + sound interface are just about the best value of a station accessory I've spent money on in a very long time.
K4OLS Rating: 2011-05-12
LP-pan with Kenwood Ts-850 / dsp-100 set-up with SDR IF STAGE Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I love my old Kenwood TS-850 with the Dsp-100.But I really missed having a band scope. I already used HRD to control the rig so changing to SDR IF Stage (free) in conjunction with LP-Pan adapter was no brainier. Now I can spot signals on the band and also see signal width ( ESSB) and there characteristics.I chose the EMU 0202 sound card to feed my old IBM notebook and it all works like flawlessly. Also Larry at Telepost is a great guy with a great product
WG2Y Rating: 2011-01-23
Great addition to my shack Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I recently purchased the kit version for my TS 850s.
The documentation was excellent.The calibration seemed a little tricky at first but once I got the hang of it all went well. Kudos to the people who modified PowerSDR to help me make this possible. Now my TS850 works somewhat like a Flex without the big dollar investment.The sound card info the Larry provided was also very helpful. I am using the EMU-2000 with great results as compared to the built in sound card on my computer.
W6JMF Rating: 2011-01-18
kit review Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I built the kit and so this review is geared to the specifics there.

The kit comes with the SMD parts already on. The parts you have to solder in are reasonably easy to do with a little magnification, a temp controlled ESD safe iron, good lighting and a bit o' patience. You'll also need a DVM for voltage and current checks. I'd also suggest an anti-static mat/wriststrap (with resistor). The process is a bit time consuming (initially) since you have to locate the positions on the board. As you get the board built up, it gets quicker. Make sure you have good cool white lighting or you'll confuse a few of the resistors (violet and black look the same under a warm fluorescent). The board itself is very high quality.

Each "Family" of radios has specific caps and Xtal. Make sure your parts bag is marked for your radio.

The instructions are clear and there's nothing really tricky. It probably shouldn't be your first kit, but OTOH, if you know which end of the soldering iron to hold and have a light touch, it should assemble without much problem.

There are a few post-build tweaks you can do for the output levels and the filters. Neither needs a scope. Having said that, if something DOES go wrong, an O'scope will be very helpful.

Larry effectively gets $50 to assemble and test, and in retrospect that might of been the better idea. Depends on how valuable your time is and how well equipped your workstation is.

I'd actually knock off a few tenths of a point. My kit was missing 5 caps and 2 screws. Larry was more than willing to make it right, but the parts were dirt cheap and nearby, so it wasn't worth the bother.