I think the most significant difference between the FCD and the Softrocks is FREQUENCY, isn't it? Are there Softrocks that will do 64-1700 MHz?
I don't remember for sure, but I thought the Softrocks are good only up to 30 or 50 MHz. The FCD is from 60-ish to 1.7GHz. That makes them apples to oranges in comparison. So, if I have this right, I would need a Softrock and what---two or three downconverters?--to cover just 2M, 70cm, and 23 cm. Oh, add a sound card. That's more than the cost of a FCD shipped to the US... If you're using an IF of a receiver, you need the receiver!! and the Softrock. And a sound card. I have three Softrock kits sitting on the bench right now, for those exact reasons above. The FCD is a one piece, plug and play solution for the bands I wanted to work (VHF, UHF). There really isn't a better option, far as I can tell... 73, Mark N8MH At 05:19 AM 1/4/2011 +0000, you wrote: >He could go with a 10.7 MHz fixed IF Softrock for about $30 (with the special >crystal) instead of $175 for the FCD and maybe have a chance at getting one >sooner than later if he really wanted to use it with the ICOM. > >A soundcard is needed for a softrock, but I have used a $50 USB one in the >past from China no problem if he can't use the built in one (like on a laptop). > >Fred > >Jan 3, 2011 06:26:01 PM, [email protected] wrote: > >=========================================== > > > > >> Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2011 14:26:55 -0700 >> To: [email protected] >> From: [email protected] >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Need Advice for SDR choice >> >> At 06:25 PM 1/2/2011 -0500, [email protected] wrote: >> >> I'm going to look into SDR. My Icom r-7100 has an IF out jack I could feed >> into a unit. >> > >That was my first thought too, but R-7000 receiver's IF is at 10.7 MHz and the >FCD only goes down to 64 MHz. > >On the other hand, the R7000's tuning range isn't that different from the FCD, >and I bet the FCD has better specs, so why bother with the receiver? > >Greg KO6TH > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >_______________________________________________ >Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
