Curt -
OK. Nothing wrong with FUN!! :-)
If you're only looking for a 5 - 10 kHz window, then the Preselector won't be a problem except
perhaps on 80 / 40M. It's not a steep skirt, so would still be useful further out.
The Ensemble really is a cool little receiver. Tony and the rest have done an
outstanding job!
73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA
Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
<www.k4oah.com>
Curt wrote:
Hi Garey:
Yes points well taken. In my case, I did this before the ensemble was
available. Had I had that
availability, I would have chosen to go that way as well.
It does work well tho. I didn't see much of an issue at all with the
limitation from the
preselector. In practice, I was simply looking at perhaps +/- 5-10 KHz when in
CW sprint mode.
I liked the filtering so well in the SDR, that I worked a couple of CW sprints
using the output
only from the SDR instead of the Drake mother Rx. Issues there were the delay
and lack of a good
mute method.
Overall, it was a simple thing, no harm done to the Drake, a good learning
exercise, but the lack
of tracking ability for the center frequency really limits the real Panadapter
concept.
Mine was in an external, diecast shield box, so I did not have any issues with
radiation from the
SDR.
All over again, would just build the Ensemble like you suggest.
Fun tho.
Curt
KU8L
On 2/9/2012 9:44 AM, Garey Barrell wrote:
Curt -
I guess I'm missing the objective here. I have several SoftRocks, Ensemble,
etc., and the
biggest 'feature' they offer is the ability to see large chunks ( 48, 96 or 192
kHz ) at a time.
If you tap off in front of the roofing filter, 5.645 MHz 1st IF, all you are
gaining is an RF
stage and mechanically tuned LO. Your widest 'window' is 20 kHz because of the
PreSelector
bandwidth.
It makes sense with one of the modern radios with octave filtering in the front
end so you CAN
see the entire 48 or 96 kHz capability of the SR. I just can't see the
advantage of putting a
state-of-the-art, computer controlled receiver BEHIND a mechanically tuned, 50
year old front end.
I guess I just don't understand the objective unless it's just all the IF
bandwidths, etc. Seems
to me a much better option is to just go with the Ensemble and get 1- 30 MHz
continuous coverage,
tunable from the PowerSDR or other screen. I can't hear anything on any of the
Drakes that I
can't hear on the Ensemble, being limited by 'atmospherics' rather than noise
figure.
The Ensemble in it's little QSL sized case just sits there and receives
everything, all under the
computer control. ??????
73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA
Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
<www.k4oah.com>
Curt wrote:
Hi Carey:
I did exactly that a few years ago with my a version. It works really well and
is a excellent
way to get involved with SDR, the Software, and get a panadapter along the way.
You need to get the proper IF version softrock. The SDR needs to be tapped off
of the 1st IF
before the filtering. The SDR needs to be able to see unfiltered RF at the IF
frequency.
You need as good a Soundcard as you can afford. The Delta44 is one of the ones
widely used.
The connection to the main Rx is a bit touchy. I used a gimmick and a small
cap but that is
less than ideal. Clifton Labs offers a isolator on a small board that is the
real answer.
The Softrock for the IF will be different. The coils are different as is the
crystal. Tony
Parks was good about answering questions and providing info. He can probaly
supply the stuff
you need to convert the 40M kit since I don't think the IF kit currently being
done includes the
Drake IF freq.
Hope this helps
Curt
KU8L
On 2/8/2012 10:34 PM, Carey Lockhart, KC5GTT wrote:
Hello Gang,
i have a 13 tube r4a i would like to set up on powersdr or another sdr app. is
there a website
or can someone point me in the right direction to what i need to do. i do have
so 40m softrock
and a flex 1500. either should d the job i would think.
Thanks
Carey, kc5gtt
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