[Skimmertalk] Suggesting for SDR Receiver to use - for 1 SDR multi Band "skims"

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Tim, there are a number of options.  For a number of years the 
"standard" receiver used on the Reverse Beacon Network has been the QS1R 
by Software Research Laboratory.  It has the ability to receive up to 
7X192 KHz bands simultaneously. SRL announced plans to sell a more 
capable and less expensive second-generation QS1R beginning this summer, 
but its proprietor, N8VB, is not answering e-mails and a couple of 
promised deadlines have now passed. I know he has had some health 
problems, and hope they have not recurred.

One new option is a device called Red Pitaya (Google it).  It was 
originally intended to be used as a multi-purpose test instrument, but 
software has been written to interface it with Skimmer Server, and it 
can cover 6 x 192 KHz.  Its price is only about a third that of the 
original QS1R, but it requires a bit more computer savvy to get going, 
because it runs Linux itself, and then talks to your computer through a 
network connection.

There are several other units offering multiple band coverage, but I 
have not tested them in this mode and can't comment.  The very 
lowest-cost option is to use a bandswitching SDR such as the Softrock 
Ensemble II, and step it through the bands using SkimScan SR.  You will 
only get about 50 percent as many spots that way, though.

Note that you will need Skimmer Server, not CW Skimmer, for the first 
two options.  They are offered by VE3NEA as part of the same software 
package.  RTTY Skimmer Server is a separate package.  He offers a 30-day 
full-featured trial.

I hope this helps.

73, Pete N4ZR
Download the new N1MM Logger+ at
<http://N1MM.hamdocs.com>. Check
out the Reverse Beacon Network at
<http://reversebeacon.net>, now
spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 7/9/2016 12:50 AM, a45wg wrote:
> Firstly I have searched the archives - but I can not find an answer to this question. If there is already some information regarding this - I would appreciate the URL.
>
> I would like to be able to run an SDR and use the I/Q output to feed cw-skimmer - But I would like to look at 2,3 maybe 4 bands at the same time i.e. 10,15,20,40 when a contest is on. I could simply buy 4 SDR receivers - but that does seems rather expensive and overkill - I equally could construct 4 Soft-Rock receivers (which may be an option).
>
> I have seen some SDR receivers are able to run multiple “Virtual SDR” allocations out of their spectrum.
>
> What suggestions does the list have in accomplishing this ?
>
> Many thanks for the bandwidth
>
> 	73s de
>
> 		Tim A45WG
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