SDRplay - Comparing the RSP1B and RSP1A noise performance at LF

This is one of many videos from SDRplay - makers of the RSP family of SDR radios. See the full list of SDRplay videos and applications documents on: www.sdrplay.com/apps-catalogue/
Another video introducing the RSP1B is here: • SDRplay introduces the...
The RSP family of SDRs from SDRplay cover 1kHz to 2 GHz with no gaps and give up to 10MHz spectrum visibility.
SDRplay is a UK company. The RSP SDR receivers are made in the UK and can be purchased for worldwide delivery directly from www.sdrplay.com/ (click on purchase and select your country to view shipping costs) or you can buy from any of our worldwide resellers listed here: www.sdrplay.com/distributors/ Many of the resellers offer local free shipping and/or local language technical support.
The SDRplay KZbin Channel is: / sdrplayrsp

[@dean5263]

I love my rsp1a, but I just bought it a few months back and feel gypped (no racist intent). You guys are doing a great job with your hardware and software, I'm glad that I became a SDRplay product owner.

[@VK5014SWL]

SDRplay is doing a commendable job by not neglecting their hardware amidst all the software development.

[@wirelessdj]

Ordered one!

[@ElectricityTaster]

Bought the RSP1A about a week ago.

[@SomeTechGuy666]

What was done to lower the noise floor ? Filtering ? Lower noise figure components ? Pretty impressive performance !

[@Stuey3D]

Damn I only got my RSP1A last week too, however my RSP1A is performing decently so its not all bad.

[@der.Meier_de]

Hello, thank you very much for the information! How do you rate the performance and the improved noise behavior of the RSP1B in the reception range shown in the video in comparison with the RSPdx? .

[@SDRplayRSP]

The big advantage of the RSPdx is its HDR mode, which means you get improved noise in the presence of large signals.

[@der.Meier_de]

@@SDRplayRSP Thank you very much for the quick reply. I conclude that the RSPdx has a better large-signal behaviour compared to the RSP1A and the RSP1B, but that the better noise behaviour shown in the video, compared to the RSP1A and the RSPdx, is reserved for the RSP1B. Will there also be an optimisation for the RSPdx and the RSPduo corresponding to the RSP1B? I am currently using an RSP1A and would like to operate another antenna at the same time (LF/HF + VHF/UHF), so the new RSP1B comes in very handy. But if an optimised RSPdx were available in the foreseeable future, that would be my choice. (Translated with DeepL)

[@SDRplayRSP]

We don't comment on future products - nothing in the next 2 months though.

[@perseus9968]

This is nice but do you plan to do any comparison at HF too ?

[@fotoralf]

That begs the question: is the noise performance of the RSP1B the same as that of the RSPdx and/or the RSPduo or is it any better?

[@Laz_Arus]

I just came here to ask the very same question. ❓

[@Bdub1952]

@@Laz_Arus Any owner of an RSPdx would have the same question, including myself. Perhaps they will share further test results with us owners.

[@SDRplayRSP]

The RSP1B performance brings it closer to the RSPdx performance at the frequencies mentioned. The LF demo was particularly striking comparing the RSP1B to the RSP1A. Point noted you'd like to see more info.@@Bdub1952

[@sdrplay7519]

The RSP1B gives noise performance that is closer to the RSPdx, but lacks the HDR mode of the RSPdx.

[@fotoralf]

@@sdrplay7519 So, is it better than the Duo or not?

[@Merhart]

I just bought a RSP 1b, and try to connect it on the same way, in sdr connect i do not have a screen where i can select the second RSP?? hoe to do that?

[@SDRplayRSP]

Assuming it is an RSP1A, RSP2, RSP2pro, RSPdx, RSPduo or RSP1B, make sure it's also connected to a good USB port or hub, then when you launch SDRconnect you should hit "refresh device list" (circular arrow) and both devices should appear in the dropdown next to the triangular green play button. if problems persist, go to our help page and click on the SDRconnect support button to raise a ticket www.sdrplay.com/help

[@DennisMathias]

Can we expect similar overload characteristics? How is this handled?

[@SDRplayRSP]

Overload management is handled by the software.

[@IZ0KBA]

Please tell me model of antenna splitter

[@SDRplayRSP]

Here's a link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09PZG8LF7/ref=pe_27063361_487055811_TE_3p_dp_1

[@zmarkzm]

In the 180-250 MHz range the noise floor is, from this video, also much lower (about 15 dB) with the RSP1B, isn't it? Why do the specs only say 250-320 MHz?

[@SDRplayRSP]

No, this video is showing operation down in the low hundreds of kHz, not MHz. It is in the very low hundreds of kHz where the really noticeable noise improvement can be seen when comparing with the RSP1A. In the RSP1B datasheet we highlight other frequency ranges where there are also some improvements - the 250-320 MHz region is one of these but the improvement is closer to 2.5dB better noise figure (at 275MHz)

[@zmarkzm]

@@SDRplayRSPThanks. I overlooked that these are kHz, not MHz.

[@kdsf12]

Just bought and SDRplay RSP1B. I ran 100 feet of wire around my house. I screwed eyelets in to the wood and pulled the cable tight so it is as straight as possible. It covers the entire north, west and south side of the house. I am getting nothing. What am I doing wrong?

[@SDRplayRSP]

Check you can at least get some local FM broadcast stations. Make sure the SMA antenna plug has a centre pin. Ideally you should have some kind of ground or counterpoint. The next thing is electrical noise if you are trying to receive on HF frequencies. You could describe your exact set up in more detail on one of the forums to get advice from people with a similar environment: www.sdrplay.com/communitylinks - if you think there is a fault with the device then please go to www.sdrplay.com/help and follow through to create a ticket where you will get one-to-one help in verifying the problem.

[@kdsf12]

@@SDRplayRSP I am getting local FM stations very well, therefore it has a center pin. Have the outer jacket of the SMA adapter alligator clipped to the center screw upon a power plug-in on my wall (the junction box is a ground).

[@G4ABQ]

@@kdsf12we would need to see a screenshot of the setup to understand what settings you have, what frequencies you are looking at and most importantly what the noise floor is with that antenna. If the wire is all close to the building you might simply be coupling high levels of electrical noise from the mains wiring. Using a mains ground (apart from not being recommended for safety reasons) may be a long way from radio ground. Anything more than a 10th of a wavelength and it will act more like part of your antenna system, thereby directly coupling high levels of noise interference

[@kdsf12]

@@G4ABQ I have sent in a ticket. But I must say: last night was MUCH better. It does work, actually. MUCH better last night. However, this is a concern. The islets are screwed in to wood (a non-conductor) holding the wire straight to the house so I thought I would be okay. I do have a fix for this which I will do today. It's a simple fix: I have shrink tubing. I will insert that through the islets. This is just a start.

[@jamesdecalais2619]

What version of SDRConnect are you using in the video ? My version is b85a1fe33.

[@Paul-Howell-M3EYG]

Top of the screen shows "Preview (0274e9dcd)"

[@jamesdecalais2619]

@@Paul-Howell-M3EYGyes, but is it an older or newer version than the version on the Sdrplay site.?

[@martinbarnes869]

They are using an old version, as are you. The website has a newer version.

[@SDRplayRSP]

Yes, as mentioned by Martin, it was an older pre-release version

[@wojteksz.8984]

Hope that diversity stay still in focus by SDRplay company. Diversity is a big attribute for SDRplay (Doo) against another's RX on the marked. Very usefully for precise endfire array phasing. So perfect solution for 2 el. array directivity control/switching.(ofcourse noise cancellation also). 73