The NEW RSP1B SDR Receiver From SDRPlay

[@marsgal42]

It just gets better and better. 🙂 I bought an RSPdx in December and it's an awesome radio. The folks at the shop (a brick and mortar ham radio store - a rare thing these days!) said they sell zillions of them.

[@ograilways3814]

It would be interesting to compare the RSP1B with the RSPdx.

[@ciscokiduk]

Yes would like to see that

[@elansteve]

Well the RSPdx has 3 antenna inputs and HDR mode. Completely different animal. You can agonize over various individual specifications but that's not the whole story.

[@ciscokiduk]

@@elansteve yes I have the rspdx and was just curious to see if there would be a big difference excluding the inputs ,and appreciate the HDR mode.. thanks for your response tho..just find it interesting that's all.

[@elansteve]

@@ciscokiduk you can go line by line through the specs, or use lab rtest equipment, but you're not going to see/hear a big difference if any. It's not an upgrade to your dx, but is a (slight) upgrade to a RSP1A.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

​@@elansteveWhat does HDR mode do please?

[@Mach7RadioIntercepts]

It sure is nice to see the RSP-1B in a metal case, plus the other improvements. A fair number of WebSDR sites are using the RSPs; less noise helps them have better sensitivity!

[@Pedro8k]

Iam glad to see an updated rsp with new spec that can work with the new software in a metal case at last

[@Stuey3D]

I'm a little gutted as I only got my RSP1A a just over a week ago and its the lower frequencies that are improved in the 1B that I'm most interested in. Luckily the RSP1A is performing amazingly well with a piece of speaker wire as an antenna so its not all bad.

[@hobbified]

Yeah, always worth remembering... the 1a was a great device last week and it's *still* a great device, even if they've one-upped it.

[@longjohn526]

I was just looking at one last week and almost pulled the trigger but decided not to. Next day this was announced and when I went back to the website (HRO US reseller) they showed the newer model but it's not available yet which is OK since I'm in the process of turning an unused bedroom into a listening post. These have a lot of bang for the buck with really good front end filtering that can make all the difference

[@elansteve]

I doubt you would hear any difference as the improvements would be masked by the noise from your speaker wire, just enjoy what you have.

[@longjohn526]

@@elansteve Good point, you need a "quiet" antenna to fully take advantage of the lower noise floor

[@darrellhagan6124]

Worry not, that RSP1A is a fine receiver. I have both, an RSP1A and a couple of RSPdx radios. I find that the RSP1A is pretty good in its own right on VLF frequencies if one uses the RF gain control correctly along with an appropriate antenna (I use a homebrew active loop, 36" diameter). I also found that both the RSp1A and the RSPdx really shine on VLF when connected to an external 500Khz low-pass filter.

[@brianwilliams8620]

I made my own metal case for the RSP1A cost me nothing about two years ago

[@JonathanAdami]

I was right about clicking buy on the rsp1a, happy I caught this video in time :D

[@BillyNoMates1974]

SDR Connect is so much easier to get up and running compared to SDR Uno, Even though it doesnt have the full set of features yet. The real black art is allowing port forwardign through routers to enable remote access. then there is the issue of getting a domain name registered but this seems to be easier to do compared to the port forwarding.

[@darrellhagan6124]

I just don't get the obsession with metal cases. I own & use two RSPdx receivers and also an RSP1A. As many may know, the inside of the RSP1A case is coated with a conductive material which is grounded to the PC board and the antenna connector. This coating provides all of the necessary RF shielding and I can find no difference whatsoever with stray RF penetration between the RSP1A and the RSPdx. Further, the RSP1A plastic case is made from a Lexan-like plastic and is plenty rugged enough unless you plan to send it off to war. People are funny and I think that SDRPlay only put the new RSP1B in a metal case in order to appease these folks and give them an illusion of "So much better!"

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

I wonder if the RSPdx has the same frontend filters and therefore perform as well as the RSP1B on LF. Very good explanation on the new featurs of SDR Connect Preview 2. I'm stalling it soon and try it.

[@TheButterZone]

Ooh now I want that metal case for my RSP1... that's no longer sold.

[@KarlWitsman]

Here in the US, there seems to be nothing in the long wave spectrum and I'm not interested in beacons. So I would like to know if this noise rejection is better in the shortwave bands too? Otherwise, I'll just stick with my RSP1A. Thanks for any information you can give us.

[@longjohn526]

Straight from the horse's mouth (SDRplay) "It has significantly improved noise performance below 1MHz (i.e for MF, LF and below), and in the 50-60 MHz region. There are also noticeable noise improvements in the 3.5-5.5MHz and 250-320MHz spectrum."

[@KarlWitsman]

@@longjohn526 Thanks! The 3.5 - 5.5 MHz area would be interesting. I think I will consider this for it I get a second radio. Waiting for the new software to work on my Chromebook to decide if I need a portable radio.

[@JohnR_ytbe]

I really like the shaky scene transition astheticaly but its making ne a bit dizzy Matt

[@Mach7RadioIntercepts]

LOL you do such great work, but pleas... zero beat those NDBs so we can better hear the identifiers. Else I'll need an autonotch for KZbin...

[@rickkunath3125]

Jon was demonstrating the correct way to receive these NDBs in CW mode and using a narrow filter. This is far more effective than zero beating the carrier. You can really dig deeper using the narrow filter on the beacon's tone in either sideband.

[@raybokor2]

what splitter was he using to split between he 2 rsps

[@billvalley8698]

Is the RSP-1B better at lowering noise on the lower frequencies than the RSPduo?

[@FishingFan2]

Nice one Matt! Just ordered mine. Ditching my Funcube dongle Pro after all these years! Will the RSP1B work on other platforms like Spectrum lab or HDsdr? Reason I'm asking is I do meteor scatter detection from the Graves transmitter in Lyon, France on 2m ssb.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Most SDR applications seem to support the SDRPlay range of products.

[@bob_mosavo]

Thanks, Matt 👍

[@TechMindsOfficial]

My pleasure!

[@graphicventures]

Why no type C?

[@johnratcliffe6438]

Because it has to connect to a PC. USB-C would be pointless.

[@VasyVasii]

I also tested RSP1B today, what I didn't like is the accuracy of the frequency (-1.3ppm) but also its stability (+-0.1ppm) much weaker than RSP1A

[@glynnetolar4423]

What? They develop a SDR and encase it in plastic? And now they think, hey it would be better in a metal box? Do these guys RF engineer? Been thinking of upgrading SDRs but now this is one to mark off the list.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Wow! You are a bit out of touch with SDR products and especially the SDRPlay range of products. There are many SDRs that come in a plastic box, like the HackRF for example. SDRPlay have upgraded their entry level product and you're going to snub it?

[@darrellhagan6124]

@@TechMindsOfficial Don't waste your time or bandwidth replying to this person. This is the type of customer that SDRPlay does NOT need......

[@BillyNoMates1974]

SDR Connect running as a server WILL also run on a raspberry pi zero 2 w, provided bandwidths are 2MB or less. forget streaming the whole FM band. the little Pi only has 2.4Ghz wifi So this opens up remote servers running on battery power say in the garden away from sources of noise.

[@W4TRI]

So the new single has better specs than the current Duo also?

[@elansteve]

No. You can compare the specs in the data sheets.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

Is it worth upgrading from the RSP1a I already own?

[@tonystephen6312]

I've often wondered does the host computer cause much QRM with the SDR?

[@twitch_theoxidado9043]

how does it compare to the hf disvovery? big differences?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hmmm. Nice job Matt. I need one :)

[@TM-nq4tt]

I can't get this to connect to my gnu radio on linux at all. Any fix?

[@ManuelPinner]

this is the Perfect Travel Sdr!

[@Viktorherenowhere]

What is HW difference?

[@oc7414]

How about a video on receiving the Blockstream Bitcoin ledger via Satellite?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Shhhss… I’ve already started making a video on this :) it will be out soon.

[@bufalo123-g5s]

En n'aimerais bien une vidéo de comparaison rtl-sdr v4 et rspB

[@fotoralf]

Y'a pas photo.

[@eltio77556]

hi better performance then RTL-SDR?

[@sc00zy]

Day & night difference! I have the RTL-SDR V4 and now the Rsp1b and it's another world that goes open, the software is also much better!

[@ICEDoTDK]

godt job

[@justinrayguitars6024]

New to sdr. So if I buy one of these and hook up to my laptop and 11 meter antenna I can see the 11 meter band?

[@alexkissing3274]

yes of course

[@justinrayguitars6024]

@@alexkissing3274 okay that would be great. I can sit and watch all my buddies splatter over four channels!👍

[@darrellhagan6124]

Absolutely you can! I've done that very thing a few times to listen to CB chatter. I have an old Radio Shack 1/4-wave CB groundplane antenna which I use just for the RSP receiver on both 10m & 11m :).

[@Irio1993]

But why no USB C?

[@longjohn526]

Flimsy, cords generally have no ferrite filtering in them so the cord can act like another antenna that picks up nothing but noise and hash. Cords with Type B connectors usually have a big ferrite bead built into them and yes they do make a difference plus the cords themselves tend to use larger wires and better sheilding. Nearly all professional gear with a USB port will use Type B. Most high end amateur radio gear also uses Type B. It's just a more robust and professional type of connection

[@Irio1993]

@@longjohn526 Thanks, that makes sense.

[@glynnetolar4423]

@@longjohn526 Professional? How?

[@LionRoars918]

​@@longjohn526 .. bull. But you tried.

[@darrellhagan6124]

USB B = still most rugged connector around, better that way than USB C which is quite rugged in its own right. Also, cables are FAR more available both new & used. Pretty much unlimited quantities of high-quality, shielded used ones available.

[@TeamYankee2]

ahh what Just bough tan RSP1A!!! damn!

[@JohnR_ytbe]

Same!

[@phungyi4947]

It's great little number. Just wait for the RSP1C for improved sensitivity and filtering across the board. ;-b

[@techexpedition]

Just put your RSP1A into metal case and voila🪄 u have successfully upgraded to RSP1B !

[@syfynightmares]

Will this work with android.

[@techexpedition]

I tried a lot with my RSP1B but didn't work !

[@pen25]

still only usb2

[@Coowallsky]

It's all that is needed.

[@LionRoars918]

USB B connector .. are they kidding.

[@darrellhagan6124]

USB B = still most rugged connector around, better that way than USB C which is quite rugged in its own right. Also, cables are FAR more available both new & used. Pretty much unlimited quantities of high-quality, shielded used ones available.

[@uli_6830]

I'm wondering anyway why the RSP1A was and is delivered in a (metal-coated) plastic housing if it's soooo bad! All China clones have a metal housing!But SDRplay locks them with the help of the serial numbers. Strange policy at SDRplay! Is this supposed to be a bit of a money grab? They're not really getting anywhere with their Connect software either.

[@darrellhagan6124]

No funny business at SDRPlay. They lock GENUINE SDRPlay products in order to insure that the customers and products which they support are indeed genuine and not Chinese clones. Nobody can blame them for that. Regarding the metal cases, I really don't understand why people are so obsessed with that. My RSP1A (plastic case) and my RSPdx (metal case) are virtually identical in terms of stray RF intrusion and the RSP1A plastic case is plenty rugged enough.....

[@uli_6830]

They're so obsessed with it because they've been talked into it. I share your opinion.

[@SDRplayRSP]

@@uli_6830 Talked into it? Well yes, if responding to customer demand is that. Nothing wrong with the plastic case RSP1A either, it is already rugged and shielded. But if customers want a metal case then we will provide it.

[@uli_6830]

Should I throw away my two RSP1As now? I'm not a millionaire!😗

[@sdrplay7519]

I suggest you just carry on using them as you did before.

[@TheDark0rb]

Shame the drivers they foist upon you on Linux are so junk. If they fixed that might be a more appealing option.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Which Linux version are you referring to? And can you provide more details about your concern? It will help fix things if they need fixing. Thanks

[@TheDark0rb]

@@TechMindsOfficial The Linux distro doesn't matter as much as the fact it's their poor quality proprietary API that requires to be installed. It's an unstable CPU hog for long term, required to be ran as root, frequently just stops working and requires a whole song/dance (or a reboot) to clear the issues etc. they are fairly well known issues that people have griped about for years at this point. Yes they are improving the UI in general but that's a separate issue.

[@longjohn526]

@@TheDark0rb That's just opne of the downsides of using Linux ..... It's always been that way and likely always will be because like it or not it's a fringe Desktop OS .... It's strength is as a Server OS ..... For instance at my business the servers are Linux but all the desktops are Windows because all the professional design tools are Windows based and are well supported whereas with Linux most of them wouldn't be available and there is virtually no support unless I want to spend days looking through forums and trying to separate fact from opinion and figuring out which of the people actually know what they are talking about. Plus the sheer arrogance of their user base is a huge turn off for most people

[@TheDark0rb]

@@longjohn526 I'm not talking about it for desktop. Any OpenWebRX user suffers it, any of the MANY Raspberry Pi users with one suffers it, plenty of open projects used suffer from it however it's also terrible API on windows and prone to just hanging there also. It's the one thing that lets them down and why people prefer other vendors. Just because it's not applicable to you does not mean it's not a valid issue. Windows users also have attitude/arrogance problems, as evidenced.

[@elansteve]

@@TheDark0rb The Linux API has recently been updated to 3.14. The full API specification is available so you are able to write your own "high quality" API if you prefer.

[@eliasandrikopoulos]

RSP1B SDR : Non-existent product.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

yeh, I made it up, it's all in my head!

[@eliasandrikopoulos]

@@TechMindsOfficial Nobody has it in stock!. So, YES!

[@sdrplay7519]

@@eliasandrikopoulos Look again

[@sammiller6631]

@@eliasandrikopoulos it's in stock if you buy it directly from SDRPlay