Beginners guide to SDR #3 [ upconverter and custom antenna ]

[@danedewaard8215]

The "Noise Source", which produces broadband noise from ~ 1 MHz to 3 GHz, can be used as a tool to test the frequency response of your RTL-SDR v3 dongle as well as filters which are placed between the Noise Source and the SDR. After you get your v3 dongle up and running you can remove the IF Output (of the Ham-It-Up) from the input of your dongle and replace it with the output of the Noise Source. Your software will indicate the broadband noise by showing and elevated noise floor in the waterfall and spectral displays. If you get a filters, like AM or FM Broadcast Band filters, you can hook them up in between the Noise Source and the v3 dongle and you will see the filter's action in the waterfall and spectral displays! For the AM filter you will see a reduction in the noise where the AM Broadcast band resides and a similar result for the FM filter. Again, it is used as a tool to test your devices to see if they are working well! It can also be used for most of your other receivers (~1 MHz to 3 GHz). Hope this helps in some way!

[@Alexwarestudios]

Thanks this was much more detailed than the description on the product page this will be pinned

[@danedewaard8215]

I realized after you pinned my comment, that the Noise Source can be used for most other receivers up to 3 GHz, not just HF receivers, as I noted in the second to last line of my comment. I can't correct this unless unless you unpin it. If you want me to correct it, just unpin and reply that you want me to correct it. I'll reply letting you know when I correct it so you can re-pin. Sorry for this!

[@Alexwarestudios]

@@danedewaard8215 Thanks for providing accurate information and even offering changes. I unpinned your comment so you can edit your original explanation.

[@danedewaard8215]

Ok, I'm done, you can re-pin. Thanks!!!

[@Alexwarestudios]

For those wondering the SMA alligator clip adapter does work well. but if you plan on using very thick antenna wires it might be worth investing in one of these: www.amazon.com/Balun-One-Nine-v2-Protection/dp/B08HGSYB7R/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=PYV7YMNSS353&keywords=balun+one+nine&qid=1658098094&sprefix=balun+one+nine%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNUxOSjFINUtIU0dCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzYxODU2MTg2MENMQ1BCSzc5QSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDM2NDMzM1M2SFpZTlJINE9QMiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

[@jeremiahembs5343]

Really helpful friend. Thank you.

[@petehelme7714]

Curious, have you compared the up-converter vs direct sampling (Q Branch) for HF? how much better is using the Nooelec?

[@Alexwarestudios]

That's actually a really good question, I might have to make a video on that comparing it. Basically the downside of using direct sampling is that you can't really control the gain. Which can be a bad thing for trying to receive weaker stations or if you're trying to filter out strong ones.

[@petehelme7714]

@@Alexwarestudios If you made the video I'd definitely watch it. :)

[@karmatik9626]

Looks like lots of fun! I think I'll invest in an SDR dongle with the upconverter too. Did you try any reception with different antenna types and orientations like dipole, yagi, multiband, loop, etc? And high up on the roof?

[@Alexwarestudios]

I tried a couple yes I'm on the second floor so the included dipole work pretty decent for line of sight communication. And the speaker wire works great for HF

[@stevewinwood3674]

Did you leave the wire coiled up? Did you just connect the red clip? Where did you connect the black clip?

[@Alexwarestudios]

No I extended the antenna out the window when I used it Red clip goes to antenna Black clip goes to ground or secondary antenna that's parallel Although I would recommend using this to connect a antenna to your SDR You would get much better results www.amazon.com/Balun-One-Nine-v2-Protection/dp/B08HGSYB7R/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=PYV7YMNSS353&keywords=balun+one+nine&qid=1658098094&sprefix=balun+one+nine%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNUxOSjFINUtIU0dCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzYxODU2MTg2MENMQ1BCSzc5QSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDM2NDMzM1M2SFpZTlJINE9QMiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

[@anonymous_friend]

you might get better results if you cut the wire to be resonant in the band you want to listen to, get it off the ground, and ground the shield to a ground rod.

[@Alexwarestudios]

Actually I recently tried this grounding the SDR didn't result in any changes but when I grounded the negative side of the antenna I got quite a big bump in signal strength

[@nimeria2199]

i missed the first part of the word but from what i can tell the morse code said something like 'nowlett' but that doesn't really mean anything to me but thought it was interesting at 5:53

[@Alexwarestudios]

Wow thanks I always have trouble with morse code

[@nimeria2199]

@@Alexwarestudios awesome video btw!

[@weizkule]

i would just use sdr for fm dxing i don't mind about ham

[@Alexwarestudios]

That's pretty cool, I do listen to some FM radio using this thing. it's no better than my car though

[@weizkule]

@@Alexwarestudios oh