[UK-CONTEST] SDR Panadaptor

[Stewart Rolfe]

John,

I have an original Softrock v6 receiver which I've modified as a panadapter for my K3. It was a spare kit and KB9YIG supplied me with the crystal and filter components for the K3 IF (for just the cost of postage...!); this was sometime ago but I assume he is still doing the kits as you'll need to source the correct crystal at least for your TS850.

Not sure about integrating with logging programs for your radio. For the K3 I use LP-Bridge which basically creates a real time 'software K3' via the single serial port; any number of programs can then communicate with this transparently as if they have a direct connection to the K3. So I can have PowerSDR (for the panadapter) as well as N1MM, and Skimmer if you want it running all at the same time. 

Surprised how well it works even with the built-in sound card in my Sammy nc10 netbook. Handy in a long contest being able to pick off S&P stations with the second receiver just by clicking on the peaks as they appear....should be Look&Pounce I suppose? You definitely need an extra monitor(s) though.

Good luck!

73,

Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF

PS Highly recommended to use a buffer amp such as the Clifton Labs Z10000 between the Softrock and IF port. Elecraft don't sanction any direct connection to their IF ports because of the high signal levels coming back out of the SR input.....

--- On Fri, 17/12/10, John Wayman <g4drs at btinternet.com> wrote:

> From: John Wayman <g4drs at btinternet.com>
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] SDR Panadaptor
> To: "UK contest list" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Date: Friday, 17 December, 2010, 21:03
> Hello,
> Have you any experience of using a Softrock as a
> panadaptor, hanging off the IF 
> of an HF transceiver?
> I have a TS850, which has a nice IF out socket at 8.83MHz,
> which seems ideal.
> I have found discussions on the internet regarding such
> things, but they tend to 
> be fairly non-specific, people developing things as they
> go.
> I would like a circuit diagram to interface it to the radio
> and some 
> instructions to interface it to the logging program, but I
> don't seem to be able 
> to find them.
> The alternative is hanging it onto the 8MHz IF of the
> FT1000mp, but that appears 
> to require surgery inside the radio, so it is a little less
> desirable.
> Anyway, I am interested in experiences: How did you do it,
> was it worth it, what 
> are the pitfalls, should I even bother, etc.?
> 
> 73,
> 
> 
> John, G4DRS
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