[TenTec] How to Choose an SDR RX for the Pan-Adapter?

[Barry N1EU]

Rick, I think it would help if folks knew what precisely you want out of
the panadapter.  They potentially offer lots of bells and whistles, but
many/most might not be of interest to YOU.

73, Barry N1EU

On Thu, Dec 25, 2014 at 10:30 AM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP <Rick at dj0ip.de>
wrote:

> This topic in similar form has been covered in many different threads here
> and in the other TT groups.
>
> I want to add an external pan-adaptor to my older Eagle.  My Eagle has no 9
> MHz out and also has no TMP jack on the filter board for tapping into the
> IF.
>
> WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR:
> 'Specific information' about how to compare the technology of the various
> receiver candidates.
>
> WHAT I AM 'NOT' LOOKING FOR:
> Comments like: "I've had good luck with XYZ".
> Besides being an almost useless comment, we've read those types of comments
> multiple times already.
>
> BACKGROUND:
> Although my Eagle has no easy provision for 9 MHz out, it does have the
> 2-jack mod which routes the transmitting antenna out the back panel, AFTER
> the signals have passed through the Eagles RX BPF's.  I suppose this
> eliminates the need for BPFs in the External RX, but it is probably better
> to have them anyway, so that I can also use the RX as a stand-alone.
>
> My personal interests stop at 30 MHz, but in the interest of completeness
> and learning, if there are benefits in the various technologies above that,
> say up to 70cm, then please share them with us too.
>
> It will be FAR EASIER for me to simply use the ANT OUT line on my Eagle
> than
> trying to tap into the 9 MHz.
> I'm not afraid of using a soldering iron, but the Eagle is very tiny and my
> eyesight is very poor.
> Unless there are some darn good arguments for an IF connection, I will use
> the ANT OUT.
>
> THE BIG QUESTION IS:  JUST HOW GOOD DOES THE EXT RX NEED TO BE?
> Remember, I wish to do this on a shoestring budget, but maximize my bangs
> for the buck.
>
> I have read suggestions for:
>
> * Softrock Ensemble III
> * FiFi  (a German RX costing abt. $165 in kit form)
> * SDR-4 (an English RX costing abt. $300)
> * LP-Pan
> * Fun Cube
> * Watson W-SDRX1 (my own suggestion; is also available locally under
> another
> name for $110)
>
> IN SUMMARY:
> How do I compare and evaluate these candidates?
> I am interested in things like on-board technology, and ease of
> implementation.
>
> I wish to keep it simple and I have zero interest in installing Ham Radio
> Deluxe or any similar over-kill product.
> I do have N4PY control software for my Eagle.
> Though I'm looking for a cheap solution, I am not looking for the cheapest
> solution.  If I can get advantages for spending an extra $50, then I would
> probably do that.
>
> Thanks in advance for technical information on this topic.
>
> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
>
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