[RFI] Using the SDRPlay receiver for RFI for searches

[Frank N. Haas KB4T]

Tom:  What software are you using to operate the SDRPlay? I have used
SDRSharp & HDSDR. I have used these mobile only.

The receiver hears very well. HDSDR is stable but a bit challenging to use.
SDRSharp is quirky and occasionally exhibits some strange behavior.

As a general purpose receiver the SDRPlay is very handy with its wide
range, excellent sensitivity and selectivity. I do mostly power line
interference searches. Unfortunately I find the SDRPlay unusable for power
line interference searches. The spikes never appear on the display and the
two software packages I've tried are optimized to eliminate noise and are
amazingly effective at ignoring power line noise.

Of course, if the interference you seek is more like a conventional signal,
the SDRPlay and either of these two software packages give a highly
informative display and great receive capability. In close, an attenuator
is needed to manage signal levels to get usable signal strength indications.

Has anyone had any success using an SDR for power line noise searches?

Frank N Haas KB4T
Utility Interference Investigator
Florida
On Feb 5, 2016 11:48 PM, "Tom Thompson" <w0ivj at tomthompson.com> wrote:

> Tony,
>
> I have been using an SDRPlay ($150 from HRO) and a small laptop or tablet
> running HDSDR (free).  If you build or buy a high impedance preamp, you can
> use a 3 ft. whip with a magmount and you have a wide band set up that will
> show you the spectrum of the RFI from your car.  When you get closer you
> can DF it with a loop.  I have found that being able to look at the whole
> spectrum is really helpful in tracking down the RFI because you can really
> keep track of the RFI signature.  The SDRPlay allows you to look at about 5
> MHz of spectrum from 100 kHz to about 2 GHz.
>
> Tom   W0IVJ
>
> On 2/5/2016 7:52 PM, Tony wrote:
>
>> All:
>>
>> I've had an RFI issue coming from a specific direction for several years.
>> It's a unique noise that appears on several HF bands which is usually a
>> couple of S-units above the noise i.e., just enough to cover weak signals
>> in that direction.
>>
>> I thought I could use a VHF / UHF radio to pinpoint the source, but I'm
>> not able to hear it on my all-mode VHF/UHF home station with Yagi antennas.
>>
>> The ideal setup might be a portable HF radio which can tune the same
>> frequencies that are susceptible to the noise. Something small enough to
>> carry and use with a portable HF loop.
>>
>> I was thinking about a Kenwood TH-F6A that has HF SSB / CW coverage, but
>> I'm told the receiver isn't very sensitive; even with an external antenna.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Tony
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
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