Some personal observations on the Airspy HF+ Discovery Software defined receiver

[@tomhelo4523]

In the VLF area the Airspy HF+ Discovery is much much better than the SDRplay RSPdx. With a YouLoop antenna I receive the 60kHz timesignal UK loud and clear (Airspy) and no signal with the RSPdx (also with HDR). I like the HW of the RSPdx but at the end the reception is key.

[@WilliamParmley]

Looking forward to seeing more. I spoke with some folks at the ARRL Lab this weekend and this receiver and the SDR Play were the recommended choices in this price range. Ordered mine this morning.

[@Jay.McCarty]

I'd love one of these but I can't get over the micro USB connector. Flimsy crap compared to USB A & B on the RSPdx and RTL-SDR dongles.

[@danedewaard8215]

I have heard that the Airspy SDRs use the same Rafael Micro R820 T2 tuners as the "crapy" (as you describe in this video) RTL-SDR receivers! I have two RTL-SDR.com v3 dongles which are just as sensitive on HF as my best portable receiver the Eton E5 and on VHF and UHF as my Uniden BCD396XT or Pro 197 scanners. I have found that if you using the RTL-SDR.com v3 dongles in the HF direct sampling mode (no RF gain control is available in this mode), you need to introduce a variable attenuator between the antenna and the antenna input of the dongle, especially in the evening, to reduce the overloading which ultimately reduces the sensitivity for potentially desired signals. I use both direct sampling and an upconvertion for HF reception and have found both methods equally sensitive from 160m to 10m using long random wire outdoor antennas.

[@davidalan2469]

There is a Airspy HF+ Dual Port I see on their website.

[@VA7BC]

Is it possible to annotate the display with "BBC", HCJB, etc? So you can see those annotations when you open the software again? 73 de Greg in Vancouver

[@adriancressy8363]

have you tried to pickup AM Stereo with your Airspy and SDR software? AM broadcast or Shortwave?

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

There are no more AM stereo on the AM bands and never has been on shortwave

[@adriancressy8363]

I have seen videos on KZbin of folks listening to shortwave and AM STEREO..Station called X-FM on the pirate end of 6mhz...6955, 6954 and YES there are still some AM broadcast using C-QUAM...Search on KZbin X-FM AM STEREO

[@adriancressy8363]

I have not received my Airspy yet. Ordered over the weekend and they do not respond with email asking this question

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

X-FM does not do that anymore as for AM stereo on mediumwave it is all gone today

[@bruced1429]

I bought my SDR play dx from GPS Central in Calgary for 279.00 shipped by mail to BC was cheap, so why by from the US? (unless it is something you can't get anywhere else.)

[@PSKResearch]

Wow. I'm getting SDRs for $29-$59 US dollars here. Is there some 500% import or outlaw tariffs on these in Canada?

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

cheap SDRs are in that price range .. Airspy HF+ is $169 US

[@spiritualtraveler5473]

Cool review .. For me looking to get one new system like this.

[@XBKLYN]

I've had nothing but bad experience with mine. Very poor sensitivity on the low bands, poor demodulated signal recovery and birdies everywhere. The Airspy is a much better radio although doesn't go below 24 MHz.