Mike, Thanks for the explanation on using the FUNcube Dongle with an FT-817 (or other radio). That makes sense, and will be something to think about. First, I want to use the dongle as is, to see how well it works on its own. Then I might consider the mod to the 817 and using it with the dongle.
73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ On Mon, Dec 2, 2013 at 11:54 AM, Mike Seguin <[email protected]>wrote: > Hi Patrick, > > I think there are several advantages to adding the Panadapter interface. > > 1.) It uses the common IF of the FT-817, so it works with whatever > band/mode you tune with the FT-817 - 160M through 432. The Funcube stays on > 68.33 MHz. > > 2.) It's fully integrated with the FT-817, so no need to worry about > accidentally transmitting in to your FunCube. (this was a big one for me!) > > 3.) It has band pass filtering on the 68.33 MHz common IF feed. > Sensitivity is very good. > > I use it primarily with HDSDR. Using OmniRig within HDSDR linked to the > FunCube creates a very powerful system. You lock the Funcube setting to > 68.33 MHz (I actually use 68.32 to get away from the center channel spike). > In HDSDR, the display is the actual FT-817 frequency. You now can tune > either the FT-817 or HDSDR and they both track - The Funcube stays on 68.32 > MHz so you always see ± 48 kHz of your center tuning (I use the original > Funcube, so 96 kHz). HDSDR has DDE as well. > > I'm sure there is more and there are specific benefits for satellite work. > Once you start working with a Panadapter on satellite, I don't think you'll > ever want to go back to the old way. Seeing the whole transponder at once > or the ability to record the full I&Q bandwidth for post processing later > is very powerful. (no more "audio recorder" to log qso's) > > The choice is really whether to use the FunCube standalone or integrated > via the interface. Both of my FT-817's have the Interface! > > Mike > > On 12/1/2013 9:32 PM, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote: > > > > To those who suggested I modify one of my FT-817NDs to > > have a panadapter interface and then use both the 817 > > and dongle on the downlink, what advantages would I > > have in doing that, instead of just using the dongle > > as the downlink receiver? I apologize if this is a > > silly question, but I'm wanting to learn more about > > what I can do with this dongle, by itself or alongside > > my existing gear. I'm looking forward to seeing N1JEZ's > > article in an upcoming AMSAT Journal, and will look at > > the link Mike suggested to learn more about this option.-- > > 73, > Mike, N1JEZ > "A closed mouth gathers no feet" > > > _______________________________________________ > 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
