Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
Getting lots of e-mail: Test the I/Q, test the I/Q! So far, have tried two different pieces of software and a cable that I made myself... and I see lots of neat spectrum on the display but the audio is rubbish - pops, bops and squeaks... Very likely something that I am doing or not doing. Apart from the I/Q output side of the house, the Alinco DX-R8T is a surprisingly friendly table stop communications receiver at a particularly trying period in radio listening history. ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
Hi Guy, I don't have an DX-R8 receiver therefore I cannot comment on how the I/Q output was implemented. OK - here is the challenge: I have the DX-R8T receiver. And yup, it has I/Q o/p on the back... and I have tried it with one piece of SDR software (KG-SDR) and the result was a very distorted and unusable audio on 15 Mhz WWV. Granted I am using the Toshiba ND555 notebook that has a microphone audio i/p and for all I know, I am distorting or overdriving the input. I am admitting that I am pretty much in the dark about I/Q outputs and suitable software and I am not ashamed to admit it. I have built SDR radios likes the soft-rock transceiver quite successfully. So - if anyone considers themselves knowledgeable about SDR and I/Q outputs, please e-mail be explicit instructions... like: Download this particular software and set your receiver or PC accordingly. Not being the lazy type, I am wading through a variety of google searches trying to learn while I have the radio... Thanks everyone. ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
On 5/2/2012 7:48 PM, Guy Atkins wrote: Howdy Rick, It's great to see this entry to the dwindling world of tabletop communications receivers. However, by no stretch of the imagination could this be called even a part SDR radio. You're right Guy. After looking again it does seem to be fairly a standard receiver with a built-in 455kHz to IQ output converter. I hope it does well for Alinco since there is a dwindling list of players in the communications receiver field. Rick ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
Hi Guy, I don't have an DX-R8 receiver therefore I cannot comment on how the I/Q output was implemented. Strictly speaking, and based on Alinco's ad, the DX-R8 would qualify as an SDR front-end. Once the I/Q is fed into the computer, all settings are controlled by whatever SDR software is used (HDRadio, SD-Radio etc.). This appears to be the way the new Elecraft KX3 transceiver will do it also. There are basically two ways to implement so called SDR receivers. The first is by providing I/Q from a typical receiver, as in the DX-R8T, or from a converter/front-end box, as in the popular SoftRock kits. The second way is done by digitizing everything early on in the signal chain, like in the Perseus, Excalibur and etc. Colin, In your review, could check if when the radio is on I/Q mode whether the controls on the DX-R8 affect the I/Q output going into the computer. Second, while in I/Q mode, would you still have audio on the DX-R8 speaker. Thanks in advance. Regards, Vince DXWW-East Editor It's great to see this entry to the dwindling world of tabletop communications receivers. However, by no stretch of the imagination could this be called even a part SDR radio. The DX-R8T has standard filtering and presumably AGC and modes taken care of by hardware components, too. I might be wrong, but this appears to be a traditional radio with easy provision for I/Q output. The circuitry in the Alinco information describes the rig as a dual conversion superhetrodyne, not an SDR. ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
http://youtu.be/w7dvwl1wjXU A sample from Durham radio - The name alone makes me think that Alinco is a tad on the bold side... I mean, who in their right mind would dare to take R8 and slap it on a radio unless they knew they could deal with the scrutiny. Will be checking its potential as a fancy medium wave receiver. Has decent bandwidth, pass band tuning and RF gain control... so who knows. Stay tuned. ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
Being a small radio I guess R-390A would take up too much space on the face plate. Seriously, being part SDR and part traditional receiver makes it an interesting combination. Just how good it is on MW is the question. From the specs it looks like it may have attenuation in the MW bandpass filter like many other communications receivers such as the R-75 and FRG-100. Rick On Wed, May 2, 2012 at 11:47 AM, cafe-...@islandnet.com wrote: I mean, who in their right mind would dare to take R8 and slap it on a radio unless they knew they could deal with the scrutiny. ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
It does have about 10db attenuation in the MW band. However, the 10db preamp also works there. I found it to be pretty decent on MW in SSB. The sole AM bandwidth is around 9kHz, and lacking in rejection and slopes. The front end was decent as well. Chris VE6IY On 5/2/2012 10:07 AM, Rick W4DST wrote: Being a small radio I guess R-390A would take up too much space on the face plate. Seriously, being part SDR and part traditional receiver makes it an interesting combination. Just how good it is on MW is the question. From the specs it looks like it may have attenuation in the MW bandpass filter like many other communications receivers such as the R-75 and FRG-100. Rick On Wed, May 2, 2012 at 11:47 AM,cafe-...@islandnet.com wrote: I mean, who in their right mind would dare to take R8 and slap it on a radio unless they knew they could deal with the scrutiny. ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
It does have about 10db attenuation in the MW band. However, the 10db preamp also works there. I found it to be pretty decent on MW in SSB. The sole AM bandwidth is around 9kHz, and lacking in rejection and slopes. The front end was decent as well. Chris VE6IY Actually -- the DX-R8T that I have has a narrow filter in the AM position so it appears that there is some evolution underway. To be honest, I think, out of the gate, I wanted not to like the Alinco radio -- but after 2 days it is growing on me. Is kind of a poignant moment in time with DX listening (particularly on SW) will all the cut backs and the endless migration from SW to the internet. That said, there is lots going on. Colin in Canada - VA7WWV ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
Yes, you're correct. The narrow SSB filter can be used in the AM mode. That's not new. You can roll the IF shift as well in AM to improve the audio. It's a good utilities radio, as one would expect given it's transceiver heritage. It just didn't do much for me as far as broadcast listening. I found sensitivity more than adequate in the MW band. Enjoy, and look forward to your review. Chris On 5/2/2012 11:48 AM, cafe-...@islandnet.com wrote: Actually -- the DX-R8T that I have has a narrow filter in the AM position so it appears that there is some evolution underway. To be honest, I think, out of the gate, I wanted not to like the Alinco radio -- but after 2 days it is growing on me. Is kind of a poignant moment in time with DX listening (particularly on SW) will all the cut backs and the endless migration from SW to the internet. That said, there is lots going on. Colin in Canada - VA7WWV ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver
Howdy Rick, It's great to see this entry to the dwindling world of tabletop communications receivers. However, by no stretch of the imagination could this be called even a part SDR radio. The DX-R8T has standard filtering and presumably AGC and modes taken care of by hardware components, too. I might be wrong, but this appears to be a traditional radio with easy provision for I/Q output. The circuitry in the Alinco information describes the rig as a dual conversion superhetrodyne, not an SDR. Still, as a computer-*controlled* receiver on the market, we can be glad it is available. Mark Coady's review indicates a decent little receiver, for shortwave at least: http://www.odxa.on.ca/DXR8T.pdf Guy Atkins Puyallup, WA -- Message: 3 Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 12:07:42 -0400 From: Rick W4DST w4...@arrl.net To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America irca@hard-core-dx.com Subject: Re: [IRCA] Testing the Alinco DX-R8 Receiver Message-ID: canrdo1ujxvnr7_nw9j060chy+d-ya6ewx0bzwp240pacay1...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Being a small radio I guess R-390A would take up too much space on the face plate. Seriously, being part SDR and part traditional receiver makes it an interesting combination. Just how good it is on MW is the question. From the specs it looks like it may have attenuation in the MW bandpass filter like many other communications receivers such as the R-75 and FRG-100. Rick ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
