[RFI] How very interesting...

[Tom Thompson]

I have used the SDRPlay in the same manner with good success. See 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIGMmEgzhv0

I built LC band pass filters for the ham bands.  That helps alleviate 
the overload problem which can be severe since I am using a broad band 
antenna.

HDSDR does have a steep learning curve, but there is a lot on the 
internet about how to use it.

Tom   W0IVJ


On 8/25/2016 9:18 AM, Frank N. Haas KB4T wrote:
> I have had an SDRPlay for a bit over a year. I use both HDSDR and SDR#
> software. I wanted to know if an SDR would be a good tool for hunting down
> arcing interference sources. I was hoping that the spectrum display and
> waterfall displays would make it easier for me to see/measure the
> intensity/signal strength of the source for which I was searching.
>
> Regrettably, the SDR system has proven nearly useless for my intended
> purpose. Sometimes I can hear the arcing source but it never shows up on
> the spectrum displays. I have yet to figure out how to make either of the
> software packages used with the SDRPlay display arcing interference.
> Carriers show up well but everything else does not. I was hoping that the
> SDRPlay system would provide me with a display similar to that shown by an
> Icom 756 Pro series spectrum display when arcing interference is present.
> The Icom display shows a neat series of peaks all across the display as the
> 120 Hz peaks disrupt reception. No such luck with the SDRPlay system.
>
> Worse, the SDRPlay is easily overloaded by stuff that isn't really a
> problem. I recently investigated an interference situation where the 314
> MHz +/- range was being disrupted by something which caused Key Fobs not to
> work even when close to the vehicle they work with. The interference source
> went away before I could pinpoint the source. I scanned the band with the
> SDRPlay and all I saw were huge signals which turned out to be the 3rd
> harmonics of 2 or 3 nearby (2 miles away) FM Broadcast transmitters. I
> wasted a couple of hours chasing those ghosts that didn't really have
> anything to do with the problem I was chasing.
>
> Of course, asking a $150 receiver to perform as well as a $1500 receiver is
> asking a great deal. The SDRPlay is still connected in the work van. I use
> an elaborate antenna switching scheme to switch my HF screwdriver, VHF and
> UHF antennas between the SDRPlay and the ICOM IC-7000. But I always cross
> check the SDRPlay results against the Icom and other receivers I have so I
> don't waste time or get fooled.
>
> I do enjoy listening to HF international broadcast and actual ham radio HF
> operations with the SDRPlay. The SDRPlay does listen well at VHF and UHF
> but mine doesn't spent much time up there. Even at those frequencies,
> arcing interference is imperceptible.
>
> It's possible that I don't have the software configured correctly. HDSDR
> can be maddening to use and there is little support or instructional info.
> SDR# (pronounced SDR Sharp) works well but has its own quirks and no real
> instructional info or support are available for it either. Of course, these
> are FREE software packages so one can't really complain about the lack of
> instruction manuals and support. If anyone using these software packages
> has a configuration that accurately displays arcing interference, I would
> very much appreciate a screen shot or some details.
>
> For now, SDRPlay is a fun toy but offers little advantage to me as a
> utility interference investigator.
>
> 73,
>
> Frank N. Haas KB4T
> Utility Interference Investigator
> Florida
>
> On Thu, Aug 25, 2016 at 10:42 AM, Dave Cole <dave at nk7z.net> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 2016-08-25 at 07:26 -0700, Robert Nobis wrote:
>>> Hi Dave,
>>>
>>> I have been considering getting an SDRPlay or equivalent for some time
>>> now.  This plot convinced me it would be a good tool for hunting QRM &
>>> QRN.
>> Glad it was of some help for you.  I used HDSDR, and set it to slow
>> updates.  I did a careful setup, and a few tests to insure I was showing
>> the most data possible.  I tend to use B/W as it shows more detail.
>>
>> I think it gives more useful data with a reduced bandwidth from where it
>> is now... It is showing too much spectrum I think...
>>
>> I will be adding graphs to that URL as time goes on...  I still have the
>> same graph going, and will finish it at around 2:30 Local time, giving a
>> 24 hour overview of 40 meters.  I will then stash it away for the
>> future, when I want to do a RFI compare.  I will more than likely follow
>> it with data runs on 80, 30, 20, etc., for archive purposes.
>> --
>> 73's, and thanks,
>> Dave (NK7Z)
>> For software/hardware reviews see:
>> http://www.nk7z.net
>>
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>>
>
>