Complete Review DeepSDR 101 Longwave Mediumwave Shortwave VHF FM portable software defined radio

It has so many flaws, a hard to master interface, receive problems and yet I am having fun playing with it.

[@justgregm7843]

If you get a Chinese SDR then you find SDR means Sadly Disappointing Radio. I have one of these and there a few more problems mentioned by the reviewer. The larger USB port does nothing but provide 5 volts. The only way to change a memory channel setting is with another computer using the type C USB port.

[@92pavelow]

Maybe the manufacturer sees your vid too and learns what to do better on this radio. For home-use a computer connection would be great to operate it with keyboard and mouse on your monitor.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Another nice looking radio with a disappointing performance. Too bad.

[@NickelodeonTuber]

Thank you Gilles! Keep the pen. Lose the radio. Got it! 🤣

[@4nradio782]

The HFDY V3 is the best of these Chinese portable SDR clones IMHO. It has better circuit build quality than even the original Malahit DSP1, and some features are standard that are optional on the original DSP1 (dual 50 ohms/Hi-Z inputs, front end preselection filters). The AM & SSB filters can be individually adjusted to your liking, and the LCD is a full touch screen so you can tap on a signal and go directly to it. Also, the noise reduction feature on the HFDY unit is very impressive! I find it compares to the NR in Yaesu's FDdx10, which is saying a lot. The HFDY is fully usable on MW, and has a gain feature that lets you keep overload under control. I have used mine extensively in the Seattle area, and the band here is full of 50 kW powerhouses like in other urban areas. Anyway, I'm mentioning the HFDY V3 model just so readers know that there's at least one good one in the large pool of Chinese portable SDRs (most of them based on the Russian Malahit DSP1). Noted reviewer Dan Robinson has some excellent comments and photos here: swling.com/blog/2021/09/malahit-dsp-2-versus-chinese-clone-taking-the-gloves-off/

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

I have an HFDY V3 that received some improvements by a friend of mine, such as bigger battery, tuning knob does not have that annoying detente and both knobs were relocated to the front panel. I have in a very noisy place and this receiver is the only one that allows me to listen to HF due to its excellent Noise Blanker and DSP filter. It also has so many settings that are very effective and useful.

[@tickingtime]

Great review was thinking of getting one what would you recommend over this please may I ask. Just on a side not you sound like mission control in 2001 in a good way. All the best

[@livesonjura]

I bought the Malachite DSP SDR V5 and I'm amazed at its performance and ease of operation. All of the shortcomings of the DeepSDR 101 are, for the most part, corrected. The problem with front end overload from strong local AM broadcast band signals is still present though. I keep a bandstop filter for the AM broadcast band in line with my antenna - always - because even if you're not tuned to the overloading signal it can still affect reception elsewhere causing bleedthrough and spurious signals.

[@Mach7RadioIntercepts]

The DeepSDR 101 and its clones all have the same two major problems: aliasing of signals due to insifficient front end RF filtering, and excessive gain when AGC is on. WTF, all the DSP needs is a max gain limit to prevent overloading. Those AM stations were literally having their modulation clipped to zero...

[@AEZAEZEL-187]

In my local amazon store these Malahit or Malachit DSP SDR radios cost around a new Tecsun PL990x. I would rather pay money for a Tecsun than i would pay for a dodgy chinese Malachite clone. Also in this video Gilles demonstratyes how inefficient the controls are. Please save your money for a nice radio receiver like a Tecsun or a Sangean ATS 909x2 or Pl880 PL990x. Stay away from these chinese DSP SDR clones

[@frano19626]

Thanks Gilles for the in depth review - pity it has so many faults - cant judge a book by it's cover sort of thing. I will not be buying. See you on the Saturday broadcast 👍

[@raymondmartin6737]

Thanks 😊 for this comprehensive review, and poiting out its peculiarities and problems

[@DarrenMaunu]

I've held off buying one of these because of the shortcomings you mention. I have heard that the info has been relayed to the developer, but haven't heard much beyond that. Could be a firmware update coming but not sure if the overload issue could be improved much without front end improvements.

[@ronaldpokatiloff5704]

limited antenna at my location

[@G0USL]

What external antenna was connected?

[@michaelhayward9532]

was wanting one of these till now, thanks

[@michaelbogdanowicz5059]

Very useful information

[@ronaldpokatiloff5704]

The internet is far more difficult with all its crap, and a lot of people have no trouble. Most people will listen to a few stations and will enjoy the display. I just like some ham and something to look at and play around with. HAVE a ton of hobby radio and internet. Have some russian, MALA, but the wave display keeps cutting off and I have to reset it, plus no manual.

[@N7SIX]

NFM is not possible due to hardware limitation. There will be soon hardware upgrade and soon to be release.

[@norbertharenz]

👍👍

[@STR82DVD]

Not being able to touch select the signal defeats the purpose of a waterfall. That's a big WTF for the interface. Thanks Gilles.

[@madmax2069]

No, it doesn't defeat the purpose of a waterfall, that's only one aspect of a waterfall that's on a touchscreen device, a waterfalls main purpose is a visual of the surrounding frequencies to be able to more easily catch something that you would normally miss/overlook if you wasn't on said frequency, or when scanning around or when on a single frequency. Yes it makes it easier if you could tap on the screen to take you to the signal, but it's not the whole purpose of a waterfall.

[@perseus9968]

Definitely a no-go point for me 😉

[@Watcher_sun]

The developer has been promising for a long time to release a firmware that will improve the performance of the device. But all the manufacturer does is empty promises. Does not provide any information on the new firmware. I highly doubt the release of a new firmware. It turns out we were deceived, they sold us a beautiful wrapper with a crooked filling

[@ronaldpokatiloff5704]

got it for the wave display, have a R75 but no built in display

[@andrzejpl9897]

Thanks for exposing the crap!

[@ComblessMan]

Tragic. I had hopes for this radio. I hope the problems can be addressed with a SW upgrade but,... I do believe that who ever comes to market with a good portable SDR radio will make a good amount of money. I still find it attractive and am tempted but, i might wait. Thanks for the review and thank you for being an early adopter. This is by far the best review I have seen for this device.

[@ibgeorgeb]

Your presentation was precise and chock-full of useful information. Thank you. 👌🏾

[@3830radioman]

How does this compare to the malachite?

[@livesonjura]

I bought the Malachite DSP SDR V5 and I'm amazed at its performance and ease of operation. All of the shortcomings of the DeepSDR 101 are, for the most part, corrected. The problem with front end overload from strong local AM broadcast band signals is still present though. I keep a bandstop filter for the AM broadcast band in line with my antenna - always - because even if you're not tuned to the overloading signal it can still affect reception elsewhere causing bleedthrough and spurious signals.