SDRplay RSP-1a

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SDRplay Limited has announced the launch of a new Software Defined Radio product – the RSP1A.

The SDR-play RSP1A is a major upgrade to the popular RSP1 and is a powerful wideband full featured 14-bit SDR which covers the RF spectrum from 1 kHz to 2GHz.

Main additional features of the RSP1A compared to the original RSP1:

  • ADC resolution increased to 14-bit native for sample rates below 6MHz, increasing to 16 bits with decimation.

  • Enhanced RF pre-selection (greater filter selectivity plus 4 additional sub-bands compared to the original RSP1) for reduced levels of spurious responses

  • Improved LNA architecture with variable gain. The RSP1 had just a single gain step.

  • Improved intermodulation performance

  • Performance extended to cover 1kHz to 2GHz with a single antenna port.

  • Bias-T facility

  • Improved frequency stability incorporating a 0.5ppm TCXO (software trimmable to 0.01ppm)

  • Selectable broadcast AM/FM/DAB notch filters

  • RF shielding within the robust plastic casing

  • When used together SDRplay’s own SDRuno software, the RSP1A becomes a high-performance SDR platform. The benefits of using the RSP1A with SDRuno include:

  • Highly integrated native support for the RSP1A

  • Calibrated RF Power Meter with more than 100dB of usable range

  • Calibrated S-Meter including support for IARU S-Meter Standard

  • The ability to save power (dBm) and SNR (dB) measurements over time, to a CSV file for future analysis

  • The IQ output wav files can be accessed for 3rd party applications

  • SDRplay has also worked with developers of the popular HDSDR, SDR-Console and Cubic SDR software packages to ensure compatibility. As with the RSP1, SDRplay provides multiplatform driver and API support which includes Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and Raspberry Pi 3. There is even a downloadable SD card image available for Raspberry Pi3 which includes Cubic SDR.

ICQPodcast Interviews SDRPlay in Episode 249 - https://www.icqpodcast.com/download-the-show/2017/10/1/icq-podcast-episode-249-sdr-play

SOTABeam Low Pass Filter Kit

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SOTABEAMS has introduced a new low pass filter kit. Low pass filters are an essential part of any transmitter and also have applications in receivers.

The kit allows one of two filters to be selected and also incorporates a "bypass" mode. SOTABeams have designed the low pass filter kit to complement the WSPRlite Classic HF antenna testing system. To give users the most flexibility, the filter components are available separately to allow filters from 160 m through to 10 m to be constructed.

SOTABeam Low Pass Filter Kit

The kit has an optional aluminium case, that allows it to be finished to a high standard.

More Information - https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/two-band-low-pass-filter-kit-with-bypass-bare-board-kit/

Antenna Manufacture Ceases Production

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Polar Electronic Industries of Australia, who have designed and manufactured antennas for 41 years have ceased trading, ending the supply of antenna to amatauers in 51 countries. The company specialised in producing none standard antennas outside the usual commercial frequency range. 

Among the Polar products covering 2 MHz to 2.9 GHz were communications antennas, multicouplers, duplexers and accessories. Retirement of its two engineers and owners is given for the closure. Based at Moorabbin in Melbourne’s south, it had extensive engineering and test facilities, including computer-aided radiation measuring equipment. Through research and development it remained an industry leader. 

The directors Ben Czerniewicz and Neville Sleep, were always ready to provide special product for mountain top repeaters, using the heavy duty methods of standard commercial frequency antennas. WIA Repeater & Beacon Coordinator, Peter Mill VK3APO said he had found nothing matches the ruggedness and longevity of Polar antennas, and loss of that source with its excellent customer service has come as a surprise and shock. The decision affects lots of repeater owners throughout Australia and beyond.