Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Edward R Cole]

Like Wes-N7WS writes, I have a SDR-IQ and use Spectravue.  I have the 
SDR-IQ in parallel with my K3 looking at 28-MHz IF output from my 
transverters 144 thru 1296.  I mainly use the "Combo" display for 
watching 100-KHz of activity on 1296-eme or use the "Continuum" 
display for measuring sun noise vs cold sky to check dish 
performance.  But understand Ian's need to watch 250-KHz for crowded 
EU VHF contests.


I'd like to make an endorsement (OT) for Ian's Triode Board which he 
sells for high-power triode amplifiers.  It made building my 2m-8877 
possible as all bias, current and HV monitoring and overcurrent 
protection are handled, including warm-up delay timing.  If you are 
building a high power triode amp this IS the needed component.  My 
Triode board has faithfully run 1500w key-down JT65 for several 
years.  Thanks Ian.


Of course if you are running sspa it does not apply.

I hope to have a 1200w 2m LDMOS 2m linear (W6PQL-kit) running by 
spring so my 8877 linear and HVPS will be available for sale at that 
time (probably OT for this list).  Due to shipping size/cost I may 
part out the HVPS and 200-lb. HV transformer FS here in Alaska.


73, Ed - KL7UW

From: "Ian White" <gm3...@ifwtech.co.uk>
To: "'Dave Fugleberg'" <dave.w...@gmail.com>,
    <Elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter
Message-ID: <00cc01d33a06$63e5dda0$2bb198e0$@co.uk>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset="us-ascii"

Hi Dave

I connect the SDRplay through a 3dB splitter at the 28MHz RX output of
the transverter. A hybrid splitter is used to maximize the isolation
between the SDR and the K3's receiver.

This method is used in preference to the internal 8.2MHz IF output of
the K3 because the transverter output port can deliver a higher
signal/noise ratio to the input of the SDR, which improves its ability
to display extremely weak VHF/UHF signals.

73 from Ian GM3SEK


73, Ed - KL7UW
  http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
  dubus...@gmail.com 


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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Michael Walker]

I am surprised about the 6700 comment.

There is a Software fix for SmartSDR that addresses the pre-amps on the
6700.  I wonder if he had it applied.

Mike va3mw


On Sun, Oct 1, 2017 at 7:27 AM, jeff griffin <k...@arrl.net> wrote:

> I run 2 HP 2311x's here on 12v...
>
> 73 Jeff kb2m
>
> -Original Message-
> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces@
> mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Clay Autery
> Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2017 9:10 PM
> To: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; Reflector Elecraft
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter
>
> I've pretty much become resigned to the need to provide a dedicated DC
> voltage to the monitors, etc...  I'm hacking on a monitor like the two I'm
> using to figure out where to bypass the internal power supply and tap in to
> provide clean DC.
> At this point, I'm simply trying to minimize the number of voltages
> required rather than get everything to the near 12-14 vdc...
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>  Original message From: Jim Brown <
> j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> Date: 9/30/17  19:25  (GMT-06:00) To:
> Reflector Elecraft <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [Elecraft]
> SDRPlay as panadapter On 9/30/2017 8:51 AM, Barry Baines wrote:
> > What size SVGA monitors do you use? I presume there is a tradeoff
> between real estate being used by the monitors versus preferred viewing
> size for seeing what the P3 can provide.
> Exactly right. There's also the issue of finding monitors that will run on
> 12-14VDC, so that they can be powered from clean power supplies. :)
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[jeff griffin]

I run 2 HP 2311x's here on 12v...

73 Jeff kb2m

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Clay Autery
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2017 9:10 PM
To: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; Reflector Elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

I've pretty much become resigned to the need to provide a dedicated DC voltage 
to the monitors, etc...  I'm hacking on a monitor like the two I'm using to 
figure out where to bypass the internal power supply and tap in to provide 
clean DC.
At this point, I'm simply trying to minimize the number of voltages required 
rather than get everything to the near 12-14 vdc...


Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
 Original message From: Jim Brown <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> 
Date: 9/30/17  19:25  (GMT-06:00) To: Reflector Elecraft 
<elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter On 
9/30/2017 8:51 AM, Barry Baines wrote:
> What size SVGA monitors do you use? I presume there is a tradeoff between 
> real estate being used by the monitors versus preferred viewing size for 
> seeing what the P3 can provide.
Exactly right. There's also the issue of finding monitors that will run on 
12-14VDC, so that they can be powered from clean power supplies. :) 
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Clay Autery]

I've pretty much become resigned to the need to provide a dedicated DC voltage 
to the monitors, etc...  I'm hacking on a monitor like the two I'm using to 
figure out where to bypass the internal power supply and tap in to provide 
clean DC.
At this point, I'm simply trying to minimize the number of voltages required 
rather than get everything to the near 12-14 vdc...


Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
 Original message From: Jim Brown <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> 
Date: 9/30/17  19:25  (GMT-06:00) To: Reflector Elecraft 
<elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter 
On 9/30/2017 8:51 AM, Barry Baines wrote:
> What size SVGA monitors do you use? I presume there is a tradeoff between 
> real estate being used by the monitors versus preferred viewing size for 
> seeing what the P3 can provide.
Exactly right. There's also the issue of finding monitors that will run 
on 12-14VDC, so that they can be powered from clean power supplies. :)  
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Jim Brown]

On 9/30/2017 8:51 AM, Barry Baines wrote:

What size SVGA monitors do you use? I presume there is a tradeoff between real 
estate being used by the monitors versus preferred viewing size for seeing what 
the P3 can provide.
Exactly right. There's also the issue of finding monitors that will run 
on 12-14VDC, so that they can be powered from clean power supplies. :)  
And you want a monitor with a VESA mount. Several years ago, Costco was 
selling a 24-in Samsung that runs on a nominal 14VDC, and that is 
reasonably quiet if its cables are well choked. 14VDC models have been 
disappearing from Samsung's product line, but there may still be some 
around. Also, not all Samsung monitors are RF quiet -- W4UAT gave me one 
with touch controls that turned flips in the presence of RF and also was 
quite noisy. He couldn't use it in his station because he was on a small 
lot with antennas very close to the shack. I tried using it for a while, 
but eventually gave it away.


73, Jim K9YC


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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Jim Brown]

ND0B (North Dakota Bill) is two grids away from the FFMA award for 
working all grids in the lower 48 states on 6M. This is a quote from his 
website:


"More recently I have been experimenting with RTL dongles and SDR 
Console on receive for 6m.   The sensitivity and noise immunity of this 
combination is incredible and in many cases it out performs my Flex 
6700.   My recent contact with W6JTI flat would not have been possible 
without this combination."


W6JTI and K6EU had hiked 3 miles up a mountain trail (2,000 ft climb) 
with a KX3/KXPA100 and a 3-el Yagi to activate CM79, so that's the 
station ND0B was trying to work, the band wasn't very open, and Frank 
only works CW. :)  Frank and Tom were up there two days, and it took 
early morning "just barely there" conditions to make the QSO. And, of 
course, both guys are superb CW operators.


73, Jim K9YC

On 9/30/2017 9:08 AM, Ian White wrote:

Hi Dave

I connect the SDRplay through a 3dB splitter at the 28MHz RX output of
the transverter. A hybrid splitter is used to maximize the isolation
between the SDR and the K3's receiver.

This method is used in preference to the internal 8.2MHz IF output of
the K3 because the transverter output port can deliver a higher
signal/noise ratio to the input of the SDR, which improves its ability
to display extremely weak VHF/UHF signals.



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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Ian White]

K9YC wrote:

>more than a year ago, [I] acquired three low cost
>SDRs for use as spectrum analyzers. A pair of P3/SVGAs live at my
>operating position, with monitors on bracketed arms just above eye
level.


"Why do you have six monitors?" someone asked the author Terry
Pratchett. 

His reply: "Because I don't have enough space for eight".

73 from Ian GM3SEK


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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Ian White]

Hi Dave

I connect the SDRplay through a 3dB splitter at the 28MHz RX output of
the transverter. A hybrid splitter is used to maximize the isolation
between the SDR and the K3's receiver.

This method is used in preference to the internal 8.2MHz IF output of
the K3 because the transverter output port can deliver a higher
signal/noise ratio to the input of the SDR, which improves its ability
to display extremely weak VHF/UHF signals.

73 from Ian GM3SEK


>-Original Message-
>From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-
>boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dave Fugleberg
>Sent: 30 September 2017 14:15
>To: Ian White; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter
>
>You raise some great points, Ian. The choice of which type of
panadapter to
>use, as well as how to configure and integrate it, depends greatly on
what
>your purpose is for using one in the first place. We certainly have an
>abundance of riches in the choices available today!
>You've inspired me to spend some more time tinkering with the RSP1 and
>HDSDR. I use my K3 with transverters for VHF+ contesting as well,
although
>I'm usually a rover station so monitor space is very limited...
>You said you connect the SDR at the 28 MHZ transverter IF... Do you
simply
>add it to the IF daisy chain on the receive side?
>Thanks for the thoughtful response. I learn a lot from this list.
>73 de W0ZF
>On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 4:12 AM Ian White <gm3...@ifwtech.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> N7WS wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It
>> interfaces
>> >with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been
>> installed
>> >and
>> >quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me
ask
>> >myself,
>> >"Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again.
Apparently,
>> >programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a
>> relatively
>> >simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)
>> >
>>
>> For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but
>operating
>> and contesting are a different application.
>>
>> When operating, I focus almost entirely on the waterfall display
because
>> that presents a time-history of everything that has been happening
for the
>> past several minutes across the entire displayed bandwidth. The
waterfall
>> is a huge information resource. On an empty band the waterfall shows
>> instantly where new stations are popping up, while on a full band it
shows
>> if there are any free channels and how long they have been free.
>Meanwhile
>> the color shading shows which signals are strongest, and instantly
>> identifies which ones are spreading more than they should.
>>
>> Compared with that wealth of operating information from the
waterfall, I
>> find the spectrum-analyzer display is almost worthless (but remember
>we're
>> talking about here operating, as distinct from making measurements).
>>
>> To extract the maximum possible information from the waterfall, I
>normally
>> maximize the vertical size, aiming for a time-span of 3-5 minutes.
The
>> spectrum analyzer display is always minimized (and if the display
software
>> allows, I get rid of it entirely). When operating, the waterfall
display is
>> front-and-center on a wide-screen monitor. For most modes, only the
>small
>> log input windows need to share display space at the bottom of the
>screen,
>> and all other operating windows are displayed on a second monitor.
RTTY
>is
>> the only exception, where multiple decoder windows take over the
center
>> screen and the waterfall has to take second place.
>>
>> I currently have two K3s with different types of spectrum/waterfall
>> displays. The HF/50MHz setup uses a P3, which of course has the
>advantage
>> of very tight integration with the K3. However, I do find that the P3
>> requires the SVGA adapter to display the wealth of detail that the
>> waterfall has to  offer. The P3's own screen is bright and clear, but
is
>> simply too small (in terms of pixels). And unfortunately  the P3/SVGA
has a
>> number of disadvantages compared with the SDR-PC competition. There
is
>an
>> issue with the P3SVGA's limited color palette which tends to suppress
>> weaker signals. The P3 also lacks any method to QSY *quickly* across
a
>wide
>> frequency span to grab fleeting DX opportunities on a nearly empty
band.
>>
>> The other K3 is used with external VHF/UHF transverters, and for this
>> application I decided not to buy another P3 but to play t

Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Barry Baines]

Jim:

What size SVGA monitors do you use? I presume there is a tradeoff between real 
estate being used by the monitors versus preferred viewing size for seeing what 
the P3 can provide. 


Thanks,

Barry Baines, WD4ASW

> On Sep 30, 2017, at 11:44 AM, Jim Brown  wrote:
> 
> On 9/30/2017 2:11 AM, Ian White wrote:
>> For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating and 
>> contesting are a different application.
> 
> Excellent analysis, Ian. I agree completely. FWIW, Elecraft is very much in 
> touch with the contesting world -- K6XX works there, and guys like N6TV had 
> great input into the SVGA. Both are world class contesters. As both an 
> engineer and a contester, I use spectrum analysis in exactly the same way 
> that you do, and more than a year ago, acquired three low cost SDRs for use 
> as spectrum analyzers. A pair of P3/SVGAs live at my operating position, with 
> monitors on bracketed arms just above eye level.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Jim Brown]

On 9/30/2017 2:11 AM, Ian White wrote:

For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating and 
contesting are a different application.


Excellent analysis, Ian. I agree completely. FWIW, Elecraft is very much 
in touch with the contesting world -- K6XX works there, and guys like 
N6TV had great input into the SVGA. Both are world class contesters. As 
both an engineer and a contester, I use spectrum analysis in exactly the 
same way that you do, and more than a year ago, acquired three low cost 
SDRs for use as spectrum analyzers. A pair of P3/SVGAs live at my 
operating position, with monitors on bracketed arms just above eye level.


73, Jim K9YC

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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Wes Stewart]

My friend Ian makes some good points. Just to clarify though, the 
SDR-IQ/SpectraVue combination does provide spectrum, waterfall and combinations 
of the two viewing. Personally, I run the combo view.  I guess thirty years of 
sitting in front of real spectrum analyzers makes me like to see a spectrum 
display and to like the clean layout of SpectraVue.


Wes  N7WS

On 9/30/2017 2:11 AM, Ian White wrote:

N7WS wrote:


"SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It interfaces
with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been installed
and
quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask
myself,
"Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. Apparently,
programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a relatively
simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)


For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating and 
contesting are a different application.

When operating, I focus almost entirely on the waterfall display because that 
presents a time-history of everything that has been happening for the past 
several minutes across the entire displayed bandwidth. The waterfall is a huge 
information resource. On an empty band the waterfall shows instantly where new 
stations are popping up, while on a full band it shows if there are any free 
channels and how long they have been free. Meanwhile the color shading shows 
which signals are strongest, and instantly identifies which ones are spreading 
more than they should.

Compared with that wealth of operating information from the waterfall, I find 
the spectrum-analyzer display is almost worthless (but remember we're talking 
about here operating, as distinct from making measurements).

To extract the maximum possible information from the waterfall, I normally 
maximize the vertical size, aiming for a time-span of 3-5 minutes. The spectrum 
analyzer display is always minimized (and if the display software allows, I get 
rid of it entirely). When operating, the waterfall display is front-and-center 
on a wide-screen monitor. For most modes, only the small log input windows need 
to share display space at the bottom of the screen, and all other operating 
windows are displayed on a second monitor. RTTY is the only exception, where 
multiple decoder windows take over the center screen and the waterfall has to 
take second place.

I currently have two K3s with different types of spectrum/waterfall displays. 
The HF/50MHz setup uses a P3, which of course has the advantage of very tight 
integration with the K3. However, I do find that the P3 requires the SVGA 
adapter to display the wealth of detail that the waterfall has to  offer. The 
P3's own screen is bright and clear, but is simply too small (in terms of 
pixels). And unfortunately  the P3/SVGA has a number of disadvantages compared 
with the SDR-PC competition. There is an issue with the P3SVGA's limited color 
palette which tends to suppress weaker signals. The P3 also lacks any method to 
QSY *quickly* across a wide frequency span to grab fleeting DX opportunities on 
a nearly empty band.

The other K3 is used with external VHF/UHF transverters, and for this 
application I decided not to buy another P3 but to play the market of separate 
SDRs and PC software.

The SDR is attached to the K3 at the transverter IF frequency of 28MHz, which gives much 
better display sensitivity than the 8.2MHz IF. For VHF/UHF contesting and DXing it is 
essential to display everything that lives and breathes across the entire "contest 
sub-band", which in Europe extends over at least 250kHz. Important multipliers tend 
to lurk at both the top and bottom ends of that range, so 200kHz is not acceptable. 
Several good SDRs with 190-200kHz maximum bandwidths, including the SDR-IQ and the P3, 
had to be ruled out for that reason. After some searching I found that the SDRplay RSP-1 
delivered the best combination of dynamic range, available spectrum width (far more than 
I need) and value for money.

Again after some experimentation, I settled on the HDSDR software, which gives 
a very readable and sensitive display on the large screen and provides most of 
the facilities of a second receiver. Integration with the K3 was not easy to 
configure, but after some work it now has all the frequency agility that is so 
lacking in the P3. The SDR frequency is linked to VFO B on the K3, and can be 
tuned using any combination of the VFO B knob, point-and-click on the display 
(rolling the mouse wheel for fine tuning), clicking on the bandmap in N1MM+, or 
typing frequencies directly into the callsign window. Thanks to HDSDR's 
built-in Omnirig interface, any one of those frequency inputs will 
automatically update all the others. As a receiver, the SDR is more than 
adequate for searching the band and finding new stations to work, interleaved 
with calling CQ on the K3. If a new station appears on the SDR, its frequency 
is already 

Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

I'm using the SDR Play {RSP 1} and HDSDR very successfully for my 
needs.  However, I do not use the IF output on either of my radios.  I 
use the SDR Play receiver by  picking the signal off of the RX ANT  IN 
and OUT on my K3S and I pick the signal from the Band Pass filter of my 
other two radios.


 I find this provides superior resolution, viewing bandwidth, and 
allows control of the radios via OMNIRIG which is built into HDSDR.  The 
communications are two way, thus changing the radio frequency/mode will  
change the SDR Play or changing the frequency/mode on HDSDR will change 
the radio.  This allows the SDR Play to function as a tuneable 2nd 
receiver or as locked with the radio.


73

Bob, K4TAX



On 9/30/2017 8:15 AM, Dave Fugleberg wrote:

You raise some great points, Ian. The choice of which type of panadapter to
use, as well as how to configure and integrate it, depends greatly on what
your purpose is for using one in the first place. We certainly have an
abundance of riches in the choices available today!
You've inspired me to spend some more time tinkering with the RSP1 and
HDSDR. I use my K3 with transverters for VHF+ contesting as well, although
I'm usually a rover station so monitor space is very limited...
You said you connect the SDR at the 28 MHZ transverter IF... Do you simply
add it to the IF daisy chain on the receive side?
Thanks for the thoughtful response. I learn a lot from this list.
73 de W0ZF
On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 4:12 AM Ian White  wrote:


N7WS wrote:




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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Dave Fugleberg]

You raise some great points, Ian. The choice of which type of panadapter to
use, as well as how to configure and integrate it, depends greatly on what
your purpose is for using one in the first place. We certainly have an
abundance of riches in the choices available today!
You've inspired me to spend some more time tinkering with the RSP1 and
HDSDR. I use my K3 with transverters for VHF+ contesting as well, although
I'm usually a rover station so monitor space is very limited...
You said you connect the SDR at the 28 MHZ transverter IF... Do you simply
add it to the IF daisy chain on the receive side?
Thanks for the thoughtful response. I learn a lot from this list.
73 de W0ZF
On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 4:12 AM Ian White  wrote:

> N7WS wrote:
>
> >
> >"SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It
> interfaces
> >with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been
> installed
> >and
> >quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask
> >myself,
> >"Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. Apparently,
> >programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a
> relatively
> >simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)
> >
>
> For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating
> and contesting are a different application.
>
> When operating, I focus almost entirely on the waterfall display because
> that presents a time-history of everything that has been happening for the
> past several minutes across the entire displayed bandwidth. The waterfall
> is a huge information resource. On an empty band the waterfall shows
> instantly where new stations are popping up, while on a full band it shows
> if there are any free channels and how long they have been free. Meanwhile
> the color shading shows which signals are strongest, and instantly
> identifies which ones are spreading more than they should.
>
> Compared with that wealth of operating information from the waterfall, I
> find the spectrum-analyzer display is almost worthless (but remember we're
> talking about here operating, as distinct from making measurements).
>
> To extract the maximum possible information from the waterfall, I normally
> maximize the vertical size, aiming for a time-span of 3-5 minutes. The
> spectrum analyzer display is always minimized (and if the display software
> allows, I get rid of it entirely). When operating, the waterfall display is
> front-and-center on a wide-screen monitor. For most modes, only the small
> log input windows need to share display space at the bottom of the screen,
> and all other operating windows are displayed on a second monitor. RTTY is
> the only exception, where multiple decoder windows take over the center
> screen and the waterfall has to take second place.
>
> I currently have two K3s with different types of spectrum/waterfall
> displays. The HF/50MHz setup uses a P3, which of course has the advantage
> of very tight integration with the K3. However, I do find that the P3
> requires the SVGA adapter to display the wealth of detail that the
> waterfall has to  offer. The P3's own screen is bright and clear, but is
> simply too small (in terms of pixels). And unfortunately  the P3/SVGA has a
> number of disadvantages compared with the SDR-PC competition. There is an
> issue with the P3SVGA's limited color palette which tends to suppress
> weaker signals. The P3 also lacks any method to QSY *quickly* across a wide
> frequency span to grab fleeting DX opportunities on a nearly empty band.
>
> The other K3 is used with external VHF/UHF transverters, and for this
> application I decided not to buy another P3 but to play the market of
> separate SDRs and PC software.
>
> The SDR is attached to the K3 at the transverter IF frequency of 28MHz,
> which gives much better display sensitivity than the 8.2MHz IF. For VHF/UHF
> contesting and DXing it is essential to display everything that lives and
> breathes across the entire "contest sub-band", which in Europe extends over
> at least 250kHz. Important multipliers tend to lurk at both the top and
> bottom ends of that range, so 200kHz is not acceptable. Several good SDRs
> with 190-200kHz maximum bandwidths, including the SDR-IQ and the P3, had to
> be ruled out for that reason. After some searching I found that the SDRplay
> RSP-1 delivered the best combination of dynamic range, available spectrum
> width (far more than I need) and value for money.
>
> Again after some experimentation, I settled on the HDSDR software, which
> gives a very readable and sensitive display on the large screen and
> provides most of the facilities of a second receiver. Integration with the
> K3 was not easy to configure, but after some work it now has all the
> frequency agility that is so lacking in the P3. The SDR frequency is linked
> to VFO B on the K3, and can be tuned using any combination of the VFO B
> knob, point-and-click on the display (rolling 

Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Ian White]

N7WS wrote:

>
>"SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It interfaces
>with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been installed
>and
>quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask
>myself,
>"Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. Apparently,
>programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a relatively
>simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)
>

For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating and 
contesting are a different application.

When operating, I focus almost entirely on the waterfall display because that 
presents a time-history of everything that has been happening for the past 
several minutes across the entire displayed bandwidth. The waterfall is a huge 
information resource. On an empty band the waterfall shows instantly where new 
stations are popping up, while on a full band it shows if there are any free 
channels and how long they have been free. Meanwhile the color shading shows 
which signals are strongest, and instantly identifies which ones are spreading 
more than they should.

Compared with that wealth of operating information from the waterfall, I find 
the spectrum-analyzer display is almost worthless (but remember we're talking 
about here operating, as distinct from making measurements).

To extract the maximum possible information from the waterfall, I normally 
maximize the vertical size, aiming for a time-span of 3-5 minutes. The spectrum 
analyzer display is always minimized (and if the display software allows, I get 
rid of it entirely). When operating, the waterfall display is front-and-center 
on a wide-screen monitor. For most modes, only the small log input windows need 
to share display space at the bottom of the screen, and all other operating 
windows are displayed on a second monitor. RTTY is the only exception, where 
multiple decoder windows take over the center screen and the waterfall has to 
take second place.

I currently have two K3s with different types of spectrum/waterfall displays. 
The HF/50MHz setup uses a P3, which of course has the advantage of very tight 
integration with the K3. However, I do find that the P3 requires the SVGA 
adapter to display the wealth of detail that the waterfall has to  offer. The 
P3's own screen is bright and clear, but is simply too small (in terms of 
pixels). And unfortunately  the P3/SVGA has a number of disadvantages compared 
with the SDR-PC competition. There is an issue with the P3SVGA's limited color 
palette which tends to suppress weaker signals. The P3 also lacks any method to 
QSY *quickly* across a wide frequency span to grab fleeting DX opportunities on 
a nearly empty band.

The other K3 is used with external VHF/UHF transverters, and for this 
application I decided not to buy another P3 but to play the market of separate 
SDRs and PC software. 

The SDR is attached to the K3 at the transverter IF frequency of 28MHz, which 
gives much better display sensitivity than the 8.2MHz IF. For VHF/UHF 
contesting and DXing it is essential to display everything that lives and 
breathes across the entire "contest sub-band", which in Europe extends over at 
least 250kHz. Important multipliers tend to lurk at both the top and bottom 
ends of that range, so 200kHz is not acceptable. Several good SDRs with 
190-200kHz maximum bandwidths, including the SDR-IQ and the P3, had to be ruled 
out for that reason. After some searching I found that the SDRplay RSP-1 
delivered the best combination of dynamic range, available spectrum width (far 
more than I need) and value for money. 

Again after some experimentation, I settled on the HDSDR software, which gives 
a very readable and sensitive display on the large screen and provides most of 
the facilities of a second receiver. Integration with the K3 was not easy to 
configure, but after some work it now has all the frequency agility that is so 
lacking in the P3. The SDR frequency is linked to VFO B on the K3, and can be 
tuned using any combination of the VFO B knob, point-and-click on the display 
(rolling the mouse wheel for fine tuning), clicking on the bandmap in N1MM+, or 
typing frequencies directly into the callsign window. Thanks to HDSDR's 
built-in Omnirig interface, any one of those frequency inputs will 
automatically update all the others. As a receiver, the SDR is more than 
adequate for searching the band and finding new stations to work, interleaved 
with calling CQ on the K3. If a new station appears on the SDR, its frequency 
is already pre-loaded into VFO B on the K3 so one tap of VFO A/B will sw
 ap that signal into the K3, ready to call at the right moment.  

I do share Wes's dislike of "video-game" displays. I hate how modern software 
so often arrives with every possible function activated at once... but if you 
take the time to strip away the dross, the end result can be quite lean and 
functional. Maximizing the 

Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Dave Fugleberg]

If what you want is a good panadapter for the K3, the P3 is hard to beat,
in my opinion.

I started my panadapter journey on the K3 the cheapest way possible - a
softrock receiver on the IF, fed to the internal sound card on my PC. I was
never able to tame the large 'spike' at the IF frequency.  I then switched
to an external USB sound card  (Xonar U7) which was better, but still not
great. Then i got a SDRPlay RSP1, which makes a pretty decent panadapter,
but was not really happy with any of the SDR software that i tried (and I
tried several).  Finally, I built a P3 kit. The P3 requires far less
fiddling around that any of the other things I used before.  I was
concerned about the small display, but found it perfectly adequate for me.
Your mileage may vary.

I did hook up the RSP1 to the IF Out of the P3 to try it with Win4K3, with
the idea of getting 'point and click QSY' with the mouse. That worked, but
I found that I didn't really use it, so I'm back to just using the P3.
I guess I like the fact that it just works - no need to launch software,
mess with configuration of SDR options, fiddle with calibration to get the
frequency on the screen aligned with the frequency on the K3, etc.

I have not tried SpectraVue as suggested by N7WS...perhaps i should. I
found HDSDR and even Rocky just too much bother just to get a useful
panadapter. I do not have the SVGA option, so cannot comment on that.

My only gripe with the P3 is the way it implements the QSY function. You
need to move the marker with that tiny knob, then push the knob to make the
VFO jump to the marker. I often wind up bumping the rotational position of
the knob when pushing it in, and/or pushing the whole unit backwards on the
desk.  So, I seldom use that function.  Instead, I move the P3 VFOB
indicator to the signal of interest with the VFOB knob on the K3, and hit
A/B on the radio to jump there.  If I could manipulate the markers and the
'QSY to marker' function with a KPod, I'd consider buying one.

On Thu, Sep 28, 2017 at 8:18 AM Wes Stewart  wrote:

> I guess I have to repeat myself:
>
> "SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It
> interfaces
> with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been
> installed and
> quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask
> myself,
> "Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. Apparently,
> programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a relatively
> simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)
>
> And I did know how to turn the MF filter on and off.
>
> Wes  N7WS
>
>
> On 9/27/2017 8:43 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> > Hi Wes,
> >
> > There are probably at least a half dozen pieces of software written to
> use the
> > output of SDRs in the way that suits individual hams. SDRUno is the one
> they
> > paid someone for, but before I gave up on the radio, I'd try the
> others.  Most
> > (if not all) are freeware. One of the first I'd look at is Simon Brown's
> > contribution (he was the original author of HRD when it was freeware,
> sold it
> > to current owners when he got tired of answering support questions.
> >
> > Another issue may be that you haven't figured out how to switch in the
> BCB
> > filter. That's another issue with all of this stuff -- documentation,
> user
> > interface that not even the programmer's mother could love, etc.
> >
> > 73, Jim K9YC
>
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Wes Stewart]

I guess I have to repeat myself:

"SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It interfaces 
with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been installed and 
quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask myself, 
"Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. Apparently, 
programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a relatively 
simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)


And I did know how to turn the MF filter on and off.

Wes  N7WS


On 9/27/2017 8:43 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

Hi Wes,

There are probably at least a half dozen pieces of software written to use the 
output of SDRs in the way that suits individual hams. SDRUno is the one they 
paid someone for, but before I gave up on the radio, I'd try the others.  Most 
(if not all) are freeware. One of the first I'd look at is Simon Brown's 
contribution (he was the original author of HRD when it was freeware, sold it 
to current owners when he got tired of answering support questions.


Another issue may be that you haven't figured out how to switch in the BCB 
filter. That's another issue with all of this stuff -- documentation, user 
interface that not even the programmer's mother could love, etc.


73, Jim K9YC 


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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Jim Brown]

Hi Wes,

There are probably at least a half dozen pieces of software written to 
use the output of SDRs in the way that suits individual hams. SDRUno is 
the one they paid someone for, but before I gave up on the radio, I'd 
try the others.  Most (if not all) are freeware. One of the first I'd 
look at is Simon Brown's contribution (he was the original author of HRD 
when it was freeware, sold it to current owners when he got tired of 
answering support questions.


Another issue may be that you haven't figured out how to switch in the 
BCB filter. That's another issue with all of this stuff -- 
documentation, user interface that not even the programmer's mother 
could love, etc.


73, Jim K9YC

On 9/27/2017 6:33 PM, Wes Stewart wrote:
Part of the reason is explained in my eham review.  Note that I'm not 
the only one to complain about SDRUno, maybe just the most blunt.


That said, I began to take it as a challenge to make it work, (my XYL 
thinks I'm nuts) until I connected my tuned 30-meter dipole to it and 
tuned WWV on 10 MHz and was able to copy a local AM broadcast station 
on 830 KHz at the same time.  It took at least 20 dB of additional 
attenuation to eliminate the problem (and WWV), and this thing is 
supposed to have BC notch filtering.


My SDR-IQ doesn't flinch under the same conditions even though it 
takes 40 dB of attenuation to keep it out of overload when tuned to 
KFLT on 830 KHz.  I've measured their daytime (50KW) signal at -3 dBm 
on my 160 inverted-L. That's S9+70, but it's what I have to live with, 
so either I have a defective RSP or it's a design I can't live with.  
Either way, it's going back.


Wes  N7WS

On 9/27/2017 4:36 PM, Mark E. Musick wrote:

Hi Wes,
Why are you returning the RSP2pro?

Mark, WB9CIF

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wes Stewart

Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2017 10:21 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

I bought an RSP2pro last week.  I just got off the phone with HRO 
arranging its return.


I too use an SDR-IQ as a panadapter and as a decent lab spectrum 
analyzer if you are careful and know what you're doing. Actually, I 
have two K3s so I have two SDR-IQs.  SpectraVue software is the only 
SDR software I've ever liked.  It interfaces with the K3 
seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been installed and 
quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask 
myself, "Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. 
Apparently, programmers do not think like normal people do and try to 
turn a relatively simple tool into a video game.


Wes  N7WS


On 9/26/2017 10:11 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:

Don't have the SDRPlay, but do have a SDR-IQ which operates using
Spectravue quite nicely.  Noise floor below 550-KHz is -130 dBm and
with antenna noise varies -115 to -95 dBm in the 600m band.

I typically use it on the 28-MHz IF of my VHF and higher transverters.

I bought two LP-Pan1 (with mod to LP-Pan2) which are connected to my
K3 main and subreceiver's IF's.  I can run them as panoramic band span
through a Delta soundcard for up to 192-KHz bandspan. The LP-Pan are
tied to a single LO for coherent dual IQ to recover diversity 
reception.


73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubus...@gmail.com

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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Wes Stewart]

Part of the reason is explained in my eham review.  Note that I'm not the only 
one to complain about SDRUno, maybe just the most blunt.


That said, I began to take it as a challenge to make it work, (my XYL thinks I'm 
nuts) until I connected my tuned 30-meter dipole to it and tuned WWV on 10 MHz 
and was able to copy a local AM broadcast station on 830 KHz at the same time.  
It took at least 20 dB of additional attenuation to eliminate the problem (and 
WWV), and this thing is supposed to have BC notch filtering.


My SDR-IQ doesn't flinch under the same conditions even though it takes 40 dB of 
attenuation to keep it out of overload when tuned to KFLT on 830 KHz.  I've 
measured their daytime (50KW) signal at -3 dBm on my 160 inverted-L. That's 
S9+70, but it's what I have to live with, so either I have a defective RSP or 
it's a design I can't live with.  Either way, it's going back.


Wes  N7WS

On 9/27/2017 4:36 PM, Mark E. Musick wrote:

Hi Wes,
Why are you returning the RSP2pro?

Mark, WB9CIF

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wes Stewart
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2017 10:21 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

I bought an RSP2pro last week.  I just got off the phone with HRO arranging its 
return.

I too use an SDR-IQ as a panadapter and as a decent lab spectrum analyzer if you are 
careful and know what you're doing.  Actually, I have two K3s so I have two SDR-IQs.  
SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It interfaces with the K3 
seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been installed and quickly uninstalled.  
Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask myself, "Self, what were you 
thinking?" before uninstalling again. Apparently, programmers do not think like 
normal people do and try to turn a relatively simple tool into a video game.

Wes  N7WS


On 9/26/2017 10:11 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:

Don't have the SDRPlay, but do have a SDR-IQ which operates using
Spectravue quite nicely.  Noise floor below 550-KHz is -130 dBm and
with antenna noise varies -115 to -95 dBm in the 600m band.

I typically use it on the 28-MHz IF of my VHF and higher transverters.

I bought two LP-Pan1 (with mod to LP-Pan2) which are connected to my
K3 main and subreceiver's IF's.  I can run them as panoramic band span
through a Delta soundcard for up to 192-KHz bandspan. The LP-Pan are
tied to a single LO for coherent dual IQ to recover diversity reception.

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubus...@gmail.com

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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Mark E. Musick]

Hi Wes,
Why are you returning the RSP2pro?

Mark, WB9CIF

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wes Stewart
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2017 10:21 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

I bought an RSP2pro last week.  I just got off the phone with HRO arranging its 
return.

I too use an SDR-IQ as a panadapter and as a decent lab spectrum analyzer if 
you are careful and know what you're doing.  Actually, I have two K3s so I have 
two SDR-IQs.  SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It 
interfaces with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been 
installed and quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me 
ask myself, "Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. 
Apparently, programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a 
relatively simple tool into a video game.

Wes  N7WS


On 9/26/2017 10:11 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
> Don't have the SDRPlay, but do have a SDR-IQ which operates using 
> Spectravue quite nicely.  Noise floor below 550-KHz is -130 dBm and 
> with antenna noise varies -115 to -95 dBm in the 600m band.
>
> I typically use it on the 28-MHz IF of my VHF and higher transverters.
>
> I bought two LP-Pan1 (with mod to LP-Pan2) which are connected to my 
> K3 main and subreceiver's IF's.  I can run them as panoramic band span 
> through a Delta soundcard for up to 192-KHz bandspan. The LP-Pan are 
> tied to a single LO for coherent dual IQ to recover diversity reception.
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>   http://www.kl7uw.com
> Dubus-NA Business mail:
>   dubus...@gmail.com

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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Wes Stewart]

I bought an RSP2pro last week.  I just got off the phone with HRO arranging its 
return.


I too use an SDR-IQ as a panadapter and as a decent lab spectrum analyzer if you 
are careful and know what you're doing.  Actually, I have two K3s so I have two 
SDR-IQs.  SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It 
interfaces with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been 
installed and quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me 
ask myself, "Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again.  
Apparently, programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a 
relatively simple tool into a video game.


Wes  N7WS


On 9/26/2017 10:11 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
Don't have the SDRPlay, but do have a SDR-IQ which operates using Spectravue 
quite nicely.  Noise floor below 550-KHz is -130 dBm and with antenna noise 
varies -115 to -95 dBm in the 600m band.


I typically use it on the 28-MHz IF of my VHF and higher transverters.

I bought two LP-Pan1 (with mod to LP-Pan2) which are connected to my K3 main 
and subreceiver's IF's.  I can run them as panoramic band span through a Delta 
soundcard for up to 192-KHz bandspan. The LP-Pan are tied to a single LO for 
coherent dual IQ to recover diversity reception.


73, Ed - KL7UW
  http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
  dubus...@gmail.com 


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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Edward R Cole]

Don't have the SDRPlay, but do have a SDR-IQ which operates using 
Spectravue quite nicely.  Noise floor below 550-KHz is -130 dBm and 
with antenna noise varies -115 to -95 dBm in the 600m band.


I typically use it on the 28-MHz IF of my VHF and higher transverters.

I bought two LP-Pan1 (with mod to LP-Pan2) which are connected to my 
K3 main and subreceiver's IF's.  I can run them as panoramic band 
span through a Delta soundcard for up to 192-KHz bandspan.  The 
LP-Pan are tied to a single LO for coherent dual IQ to recover 
diversity reception.


73, Ed - KL7UW
  http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
  dubus...@gmail.com  


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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Udo Langenohl - DK5YA]

So do I. Sold my LPPans recently and go with my RSP2.

Larry Gauthier (K8UT):
I actually find myself preferring the

SDRplay.

-larry (K8UT)

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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Larry Gauthier (K8UT)]

Dick,

I have both the SDRplay RSP1 and the LP-Pan. I have operated the SDRplay 
using the K3S Rx Ant output and its IF output. Early comparisons between 
SRDplay and LP-Pan were invalid due to a plastic case and cheap cables used 
on the SDRplay - resulting in terrible noise floor and birdies on SDRplay 
reception.


After inserting the SDRplay in a metal case, including an inline FM 
broadcast filter, and replacing cheap cables, I now find the LP-Pan and 
SDRplay performance to be nearly identical. Without lab instruments to 
overcome my subjective comparison, I actually find myself preferring the 
SDRplay.


-larry (K8UT)
-Original Message- 
From: Richard Siegmund Lindzen

Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 1:18 PM
To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

What has been peoples' experience with using SDRPlay with Win4K3 as a 
panadapter?  How does this compare with the P3?

73, Dick WO1I
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Tom]

Hi,
Max's answer is right on the money.
If you never used a panadapter before, any of them will be a fine addition. 
Also if you are not a avid contester, the RSP1, can't be beat for the money.

73 Tom

-Original Message- 
From: M. George

Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 1:34 PM
To: Richard Siegmund Lindzen
Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

I used a SDRPlay RSP1 for awhile after using an LP-PAN2 with a
Win4K3Suite.  It didn't take me long to switch back to the LP-PAN2.  The
RSP1 was horrible in crowded band conditions like a contest or a DX
pileup... the display and noise floor would pump up and down really bad and
was very annoying.  I have been tempted to try the RSP2 which is out now
because it has band filtering...

Anyway, the LP-PAN2 setup has 30dB better filtering and the fact that you
are taking the IF out of the K3, you also get the rigs band filtering in
the mix.  If you want performance and are going to try something other than
a P3, I think the LP-PAN2 with Win4K3Suite is the best solution in my
opinion.  The SDRPLay is a very simple setup however with Win4K3Suite where
LP-PAN2 and a sound card will require more setup.

For the total turnkey setup, I suspect the P3 might be the easiest... and
the performance is going to be great too... it's just more $$$ than the
other solutions.

Big thumbs up for Win4K3 Suite however... the latest version also pumps out
a UDP feed for the new N1MM+ spectrum display too, which works very well.

Max NG7M



On Tue, Sep 26, 2017 at 11:18 AM, Richard Siegmund Lindzen <rlind...@mit.edu

wrote:



What has been peoples' experience with using SDRPlay with Win4K3 as a
panadapter?  How does this compare with the P3?
73, Dick WO1I
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Richard Siegmund Lindzen]

Many thanks for the responses.  I was thinking of using SDRPlay connected to 
the K3 IF out and Win4K3.  The setup is extremely simple, but I wasn't sure 
what the downside was.
73, Dick WO1I

-Original Message-
From: BARRY LAZAR [mailto:k3...@comcast.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 2:04 PM
To: m.matthew.geo...@gmail.com; Richard Siegmund Lindzen
Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

Max,
 I use the rsp2. It works ok for what I do. No, it doesn't compare to my 24 
bit. 192 kHz sound card. But, there is a big difference between a 12 or 14 bit 
ADC and a 24 bit ADC. Neither lets me see really weak signals. 

 I do not use the P3. It is the only piece of Elecraft produced gear that 
doesn't fit my station architecture. And, the rsp2 can't be used to drive apps 
like CW Skimmer. I guess what I'm saying is that you need to think about what 
you are trying to build, long term, and what it takes. 

 The LP-Pan and a good sound card make a good basis for flexibility. 
However, the maximum you can display, today, is around 190 kHz. And, you may 
not be able to see deeply into the noise. 

73,
Barry
K3NDM

Sent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App

-Original Message-

From: m.matthew.geo...@gmail.com
To: rlind...@mit.edu
Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: 2017-09-26 1:39:25 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

I used a SDRPlay RSP1 for awhile after using an LP-PAN2 with a Win4K3Suite.  It 
didn't take me long to switch back to the LP-PAN2.  The
RSP1 was horrible in crowded band conditions like a contest or a DX pileup... 
the display and noise floor would pump up and down really bad and was very 
annoying.  I have been tempted to try the RSP2 which is out now because it has 
band filtering...

Anyway, the LP-PAN2 setup has 30dB better filtering and the fact that you are 
taking the IF out of the K3, you also get the rigs band filtering in the mix.  
If you want performance and are going to try something other than a P3, I think 
the LP-PAN2 with Win4K3Suite is the best solution in my opinion.  The SDRPLay 
is a very simple setup however with Win4K3Suite where
LP-PAN2 and a sound card will require more setup.

For the total turnkey setup, I suspect the P3 might be the easiest... and the 
performance is going to be great too... it's just more $$$ than the other 
solutions.

Big thumbs up for Win4K3 Suite however... the latest version also pumps out a 
UDP feed for the new N1MM+ spectrum display too, which works very well.

Max NG7M



On Tue, Sep 26, 2017 at 11:18 AM, Richard Siegmund Lindzen <rlind...@mit.edu
> wrote:

> What has been peoples' experience with using SDRPlay with Win4K3 as a 
> panadapter?  How does this compare with the P3?
> 73, Dick WO1I
> __
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> m.matthew.geo...@gmail.com
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[BARRY LAZAR]

Max,
 I use the rsp2. It works ok for what I do. No, it doesn't compare to my 24 
bit. 192 kHz sound card. But, there is a big difference between a 12 or 14 bit 
ADC and a 24 bit ADC. Neither lets me see really weak signals. 

 I do not use the P3. It is the only piece of Elecraft produced gear that 
doesn't fit my station architecture. And, the rsp2 can't be used to drive apps 
like CW Skimmer. I guess what I'm saying is that you need to think about what 
you are trying to build, long term, and what it takes. 

 The LP-Pan and a good sound card make a good basis for flexibility. 
However, the maximum you can display, today, is around 190 kHz. And, you may 
not be able to see deeply into the noise. 

73,
Barry
K3NDM

Sent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App

-Original Message-

From: m.matthew.geo...@gmail.com
To: rlind...@mit.edu
Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: 2017-09-26 1:39:25 PM 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

I used a SDRPlay RSP1 for awhile after using an LP-PAN2 with a
Win4K3Suite.  It didn't take me long to switch back to the LP-PAN2.  The
RSP1 was horrible in crowded band conditions like a contest or a DX
pileup... the display and noise floor would pump up and down really bad and
was very annoying.  I have been tempted to try the RSP2 which is out now
because it has band filtering...

Anyway, the LP-PAN2 setup has 30dB better filtering and the fact that you
are taking the IF out of the K3, you also get the rigs band filtering in
the mix.  If you want performance and are going to try something other than
a P3, I think the LP-PAN2 with Win4K3Suite is the best solution in my
opinion.  The SDRPLay is a very simple setup however with Win4K3Suite where
LP-PAN2 and a sound card will require more setup.

For the total turnkey setup, I suspect the P3 might be the easiest... and
the performance is going to be great too... it's just more $$$ than the
other solutions.

Big thumbs up for Win4K3 Suite however... the latest version also pumps out
a UDP feed for the new N1MM+ spectrum display too, which works very well.

Max NG7M



On Tue, Sep 26, 2017 at 11:18 AM, Richard Siegmund Lindzen <rlind...@mit.edu
> wrote:

> What has been peoples' experience with using SDRPlay with Win4K3 as a
> panadapter?  How does this compare with the P3?
> 73, Dick WO1I
> __
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Harald Fritzsche]

Hello Richard, All,

i am using SDRPlay with may K3 at IF-Out multiple times for a 
self-skimmer-setup during contests.
Check my qrz-page https://qrz.com/db/DD0VS.

SDR software used is SDR Console V3, since this has a skimmer interface.

There is a second option, with KXV3 option, i looped in a power splitter 
between RX ANT IN and RX ANT OUT, one out back to RX IN and one to SDRPlay.
 
I am currently playing with this.

Hope that helps
vy73
Harald
DD0VS
 

Gesendet: Dienstag, 26. September 2017 um 19:18 Uhr
Von: "Richard Siegmund Lindzen" 
An: "Elecraft@mailman.qth.net" 
Betreff: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter
What has been peoples' experience with using SDRPlay with Win4K3 as a 
panadapter? How does this compare with the P3?
73, Dick WO1I
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[M. George]

I used a SDRPlay RSP1 for awhile after using an LP-PAN2 with a
Win4K3Suite.  It didn't take me long to switch back to the LP-PAN2.  The
RSP1 was horrible in crowded band conditions like a contest or a DX
pileup... the display and noise floor would pump up and down really bad and
was very annoying.  I have been tempted to try the RSP2 which is out now
because it has band filtering...

Anyway, the LP-PAN2 setup has 30dB better filtering and the fact that you
are taking the IF out of the K3, you also get the rigs band filtering in
the mix.  If you want performance and are going to try something other than
a P3, I think the LP-PAN2 with Win4K3Suite is the best solution in my
opinion.  The SDRPLay is a very simple setup however with Win4K3Suite where
LP-PAN2 and a sound card will require more setup.

For the total turnkey setup, I suspect the P3 might be the easiest... and
the performance is going to be great too... it's just more $$$ than the
other solutions.

Big thumbs up for Win4K3 Suite however... the latest version also pumps out
a UDP feed for the new N1MM+ spectrum display too, which works very well.

Max NG7M



On Tue, Sep 26, 2017 at 11:18 AM, Richard Siegmund Lindzen  wrote:

> What has been peoples' experience with using SDRPlay with Win4K3 as a
> panadapter?  How does this compare with the P3?
> 73, Dick WO1I
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

I use it very successfully with my K3S and HDSDR software.  Makes for a nice 
2nd receiver, although it takes a separate computer to support the operation.  
The P3 is a stand alone display. I don't have a P3 thus can't say with regard 
to performance. 

Bob, K4TAX


Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 26, 2017, at 12:18 PM, Richard Siegmund Lindzen  
> wrote:
> 
> What has been peoples' experience with using SDRPlay with Win4K3 as a 
> panadapter?  How does this compare with the P3?
> 73, Dick WO1I
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