I agree with Bob, a SDR like a FLEX-1500, (you can buy or build for a
Soft-Rock for less) along with a basic PowerSDR like program and a Radio
Control Program (DXLab Commander for example) with a computer, will work as
a station monitor, panadapter, scope, and other things. Download Audacity,
software for recording, editing, and analyzing audio and you have the tools
to analyze your (or others') transmitted audio.
Other than the SDR and interconnecting cables, the cost is minimal, as the
software mentioned above is free.
73 & DX,
Gary - AB9M
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob McGraw - K4TAX
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 8:21 AM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] OT: Rob Sherwood's impression of the FLEX 6x00
A FLEX-1500 or a FLEX-1000 if you can find one should work just fine as a
station monitor. It will allow one to "see the band" and allow one to
observe their signal within limits of the sweep range.
Personally, I went a different direction and purchased a RIGOL DSA815-TG.
Now this cost a good bit more, less than $1500 delivered, but does a LOT
MORE in terms of being a piece of test equipment thus allowing one not only
to "see" their signal but make other analysis of their signal. It has a
tracking generator or signal generator that is quite nice for other work as
well. This product was reviewed in QST some months ago. Performance wise
and feature wise it compares favorably to my $30K HP Spectrum Analyzer,
except the DSA815-TG weighs 9 lbs and the HP some 45 lbs. and it is about
1/8the the size of the HP.
Other than this, the SB-610 in good clean and working condition is worth
abut $250 or so. I have two of those, one dedicated for the AM station and
one for the station at the house.
In any event, understanding how to use and analyze the data presented from
any piece of test equipment or station equipment is the advanced key to
success.
73
Bob, K4TAX
----- Original Message -----
From: "K8JHR" <jrichards@k8jhr.com>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 7:45 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] OT: Rob Sherwood's impression of the FLEX 6x00
Good post, Rick. Your statement about speculation here matches mine.
So...
My friend is looking for a "station monitor" - he wants an old Kenwood
model, but said he would take a good shape Heathkit model if necessary.
So... what is the current day cheapest,
yet effective, station monitor one could use.
And what would he do with data that suggests
his station is transmitting wider than it
should?
Maybe an SDR dongle or FiFi-SDR type unit with good software showing high
resolution and a sound card with high sampling rates? Or maybe one of
those inexpensive (sometimes free) software oscilloscopes? Or a USB-based
oscilloscope? Or should one bite for a 100MHz Rigol or Tektronix type
scopes?
Or is some OTHER device more suited to the task?
A friend came over with a $40,000 device that produces a tone and is
supposed to scope out what it sees, hears, etc., to test whether or not my
old Kenwood R-2000 receiver tunes on frequency or is the display off.
Unfortunately, I don't think he was working it right, even though he gave
it a clean bill of health. But, I certainly cannot afford one of those in
any case!
So... what would the well-intentioned, yet moderately impecunious ham DO
in this case?
AND... what would he DO in case it appeared his station was shooting wide
of the mark?
====================== K8JHR ======================
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