Scanner, Receiver, Software Defined Radio (SDR)

• Bonito Radiojet 1102S
• PFspace NetSDR Receiver
• PFspace SDR-IQ Receiver
• Perseus SDR Receiver
• CIAO SDR Receiver
• Blackbox Airband Monitor
• Icom IC-R8500 Desktop Scanner
• Yaesu VR-120D Handheld Scanner
• YAESU VR-160 communications receiver
• Icom IC-R3 Handheld scanner, TV receiver
• Icom IC-R20 Handeld scanner
• Icom IC-RX7 Handheld scanner
• Icom IC-R6 Handheld scanner
• Ducker IL

Bonito Radiojet 1102S shortwave receiver

Radiojet 1102S

Bonito Radiojet 1102S shortwave receiver from 0,04 to 30 MHz.

The Bonito Radiojet 1102S is a multi-channel analog shortwave receiver with built-in USB audio device, and 12 kHz IF output. Although it is not a classical SDR receiver, the radio jet is operated exclusively with the PC.

High Performance IF-Receiver
Different as in conventional shortwave receivers the Radiojet use not longer a AGC. This has been completely replaced by three digital output channels with different signal levels. Each channel has -15dB ATT and can amplify or attenuate the input variable from -16 to +45 dB. The scale of the large signal of 144dB and the output with 48dB high resolution on the DX-channel ensure a proper reception of a very weak signal at high ambient levels

Its full scope of benefits this receiver reached with the supplied software. No complicated driver installation is necessary, because the receiver behaves, thanks to its built-in IF-input device, such as an external USB audio device.

Radiojet backside

Minimum requirements

some screenshots from the software

Radiojet 1102S Screenshot

Radiojet 1102S Screenshot

Radiojet 1102S Screenshot

RFspace NetSDR Receiver (Software Defined Radio)

NetSDR

The NetSDR is a high-performance SDR which covers 0,01 to 34 MHz.

The NetSDR has a maximum receive bandwidth (spectrum) of 1.6MHz. The SDR is connected to the computer via an Ethernet connection (standard RJ-45 connector), not by USB. This allows a long cable connection of 100m or more.

High Performance First RX-Stage
The NetSDR is a readyto use solution with a very sophisticated first receiver stage. The device has 10 sub-octave preselector filters, a pre-amplifier and a 3-level switchable attenuator. Im contrast to other SDRs on the market, no optional preamplifiers or filters are required. The NetSDR works with Moetronix 'SpectraVue' software and with Simon Browns SDR-Radio.com (SDR-Console). SpectraVue and an OpenSource program called 'CuteSDR' are included in shipment. The software can demodulate digital and analog signals and record a max. 1-6MHz wide spectrum to disk for later analysis.

The high performance of the NetSDR is achived by using a 80MHz/16bit analog/digital converter and a Xilinx FPGA. Special DSP techniques like dithering and randomizing are used to reduced the quantisation noise even further. During operation the SDR communicates only by Ethernet with the computer, the USB interface on the rear is only used for setup. This offers a much better performance than USB based solutions.

NetSDR Rear Panel

Remote Operation
Tne NetSDR can be used remotely over the internet. Several receivers can be distributed and used collectively by assigning different IP adresses or using different port numbers. The access can be either direct to the SDR if a high-bandwidth access is possible. Or you use the SDR-Console software which requires less than 10KB/s for a full 1.6MHz waterfall spectrum plus decoded audio. The required bandwidth for direct access can be controlled by software configuration parameters.

Open Application Programming Interface
RFspace, the manufacturer of the NetSDR has decided to publish the specs for the software interface of the NetSDR. Even if you are not a programmer you will benefit from this open specification, because other software authors can and will publish more software. This widens the choice of available prgrams for you. A free and OpenSourcce software is 'CuteSDR', another free program is SDR-Radio.com by Simon Brown.

The SDR-Radio.com Software allows the use of the NetSDR receiver directly or over the internet. When using the internet the datarate is reduced so that a bandwidth of less than 10KB/s is required, even for transmission of a full 1.6MHz waterfall spectrum plus the decoded audio.

NetSDR as Tracking Receiver
As an alternative to the direct utilisation of the NetSDR as a receiver the device can be used as a tracking receiver. For this nearly any radio (or scanner) with an IF output can be used as a front end. To use the CAT control of the radio the NetSDR has a serial interface which supports CAT control for Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood and Elecraft radios (using SDR-Radio.com software). If the radio has no IF output you can use the optional IF-2000 board for the Yaesu FT-950 or FT-2000.

The benefit of the integrated CAT control is that the frequency on the computer always shows the correct frequency, even if the NetSDR is 'only' listening on the fixed IF output. Frequency control works as well, e.g. by clicking on the spectrum. Another benefit is that the NetSDR now uses the front end of the radio, again raising the receiver specs to that of the front end. Of course the SDR back end can now use the entire frequency range of the front end, for example up to 2GHz when using an Icom IC-R8500 scanner.

Other options for the NetSDR are an ultr low noise oscillator, or a 10MHz reference input (GPS), which synchronises receivers distrubuted worldwide.

Size 22 x 37 x 18cm, connector for 5V, 1.5A, comes with power supply included.

NetSDR Board

The main benefits of NetSDR at a glance:

• very powerful front end with 10 bandpassfilters, switchable attenuators and pre-amp with high dynamic range
• Optional 10MHz frequency reference for worldwide synchronisation of many receivers over the internet
• Ready for the future by using exchangeable down converters
• The sampling rate of 2MHz allows display, storage and detailed analysis of a spectrum up to 1.6MHz wide
• Communication via 100MBit/s standard Ethernet instead of slow and possibly noisy USB
• Includes SpectraVue Software
• Supports free SDR-Radio.com software
• OpenSource software 'CuteSDR' included in shipment, runs under Windows, MacOS and Linux
• NetSDR supports software for remote operation via the internet
• Sehr breite Spektrumsanzeige mit bis zu 40MHz, durch Verwendung von bis zu 65535 Abtastpunkten bei der Wandlung (FFT). Andere Geräte sind hier auf 8192 Abtastpunkte beschränkt.

SDR-Radio.com Screenshot

SDR-Radio.com Screenshot

Receive Converter for SDR

Receive Converter DCM-2 and DCM-70 for 2m und 70cm (to 10m). Especially useful for SDRs and other receivers.

RFspace SDR-IQ Receiver (Software Defined Radio)

SDR-IQ

The US company RFspace has many years of experience in designing SDR equipment. The receiver SDR-IQ presented here is one of the most affordable and most capable SDR systems of it's kind.

The SDR-IQ is a receiver for frequencies from 500Hz (Hz, not kHz!) up to 30MHz, but it can also be used as a spectrum analyser or as a pan-adaptor. As one of few systems the SDR-IQ has an open, fully documented software interface, allowing other authors to develop their own programs. Included in the shipment is the reliable SpectraVue software, but you can also use SDR-Radio.com (by the same author as the well known Ham Radio Deluxe) or Linrad (for Linux). The installation is very easy, get up and running in just 5 minutes.

The SDR-IQ uses a direct 14-bit AD conversion with a sample rate of 66.66MHz. This allows a very high resolution bandwidth down to 0.75Hz. A spectrum up to 196kHz wide can be monitored and/or stored to disk for later analysis with full decoding capabilities. The SpectraVue software included with the receiver decodes AM, FM, WFM, USB, LSB, CW, DSB and more. The filter width is freely selectable. Digital Radio Mondial (DRM) can be decoded with the help of the freely available software 'Dream' (not included).

The SDR-IQ receiver is connected by a USB cable to the computer (USB 2.0). Additionally the receiver has a serial port. Here a suitable transceiver or scanner can be connected and controlled by a suitable software (for example with the included SpectraVue software). This enables the use of the SDR-IQ as a true tracking receiver or pan-adaptor. When used in conjunction with a transceiver, a T/R relay switch is recommended to protect the very sensitive Rx input (as with any secondary receiver). The power supply of the SDR-IQ is done over the USB cable, an external power supply is not required.

SDR-IQ diagram

• Max. viewable spectrum (waterfall) of 196kHz
• Recording and replay of a 196kHz wide segment with full decoding and tuning capabilities.
• Frequenby range from 500Hz to 30Mhz
• Filly documented and open software interface plus Active-X control
• Driver for Windows and Linux available (FTDI FT245)
• Use SDR-IQ with SpectraVue as a network server for access over the internet
• Reliable SpectraVue software included, with full update rights
• Sourcecode examples for your own experiments included
• RS-232 serial control interface for Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, Elecraft and other transceivers/scanners
• Supports and decodes AM, FM, WFM, LSB, USB, DSB, CW, CWR etc.
• Powersupply by USB, no additional cable, no power supply required

SDR-IQ Waterfall

SDR-IQ SpectraVue 6MHz

SDR-IQ SpectraVue Signal of a Pulsars

Receive Converter for SDR

Receive Converter DCM-2 and DCM-70 for 2m und 70cm (to 10m). Especially useful for SDRs and other receivers.

RFspace IF-2000 ZF output for FT-950/FT-2000

IF-2000 Board

The IF-2000 board extends the Yaesu transceiver FT-950 and FT-2000 with an IF output, to be used in conjunction with the SDR-IQ (or most other SDR receivers) as a panorama adaptor. This extends the capabilities of these transceivers with a very powerful spectrum display (waterfall display).

Together with the SpectraVue software supplied with the SDR-IQ the transceiver can also be remotely controlled at the same time as the SDR-IQ. This results in a very comfortable solution for a transceiver with the SDR-IQ as a tracking receiver.

The IF-2000 board is installed at the same place as the 'scope board' included with the DMU-2000. IF-2000 and DMU-2000 scope board cannot be installed at the same time! Installation is very simple, no soldering required. The IF output is fed with a supplied cable through the rear openings of the transceiver, no mechanical work required. On request WiMo can perform this installation for you.

With the IF-2000 board and the SDR-IQ the following technical features become possible:

• very powerful pan-adaptor with high speed, large bandwidth and fine resolution
• Spectrum (Waterfall display) up to 190 kHz wide
• Additional AM/FM/CW/SSB demodulator independant of the VFOs
• Recording of a 190kHz wide spectrum centered on the VFO frequency
• Monitoring of HF and 6m frequencies
• Monitoring of the transmitter spectrum

Technical data IF-2000

• Current consumption: 110mA @9V
• LO frequency: 80.0 MHz
• LO stability: ±50ppm; 0 — 85°C
• IF input: 69.45 MHz
• IF output: 10.55MHz
• Response: ±0.5dB @±500kHz
• Input Return Loss: -20dB

IF-2000 installed in FT-2000

Perseus Empfänger (Software Defined Radio)

Perseus Software Defined Radio

PERSEUS is a software defined VLF-LF-MF-HF receiver based on an outstanding direct sampling digital architecture. It features a 14 bit 80 MS/s analog-to-digital converter, a high-performance FPGA-based digital down-converter and a high-speed 480 Mbit/s USB2.0 PC interface.

A COMPLETE SDR RECEIVER FOR SHORTWAVES
The PERSEUS analog front-end has been carefully designed for the most demanding users and includes a 0-30 dB, 10 dB steps, attenuator, a ten bands preselection filters bank, and a high dynamic preamplifier with a top-class input third-order Intercept Point of more than 30 dBm. The resulting third-order dynamic range is more than 100 dB in SSB and more than 105 dB in CW. Believe us, there's no other so performant and complete shortwave SDR receiver in the market today. The PERSEUS receiver can be operated also in a wide band mode as a 10 KHz - 40 MHz spectrum analyzer with more than 100 dB dynamic range in a 10 KHz resolution bandwidth.

SOFTWARE FOR DEMANDING USERS
Being a software defined radio, the PERSEUS receiver relies on software applications to carry out the demodulation process. Besides providing all the required software signal processing for the PC platforms, the PERSEUS software has a comfortable graphical interface, is simple to use and runs under Microsoft Windows 2000, XP and Vista. All the controls a listener is used to see on a radio are there, in the application main window. The interface to third party software is provided in several ways, by means of the Microtelecom Software Defined Radio Developer Kit, virtual audio ports and virtual communication ports.

PERSEUS software supports now wideband spectrum record/playback at 1 MSPS with alias images rejection larger than 100 dB in a 1600 kHz bandwidth!

Perseus Screenshot 1

Perseus Screenshot 2

Perseus Screenshot 3

Receive Converter for SDR

Receive Converter DCM-2 and DCM-70 for 2m und 70cm (to 10m). Especially useful for SDRs and other receivers.

Ciaoradio (Software Defined Radio) 0 bis 30MHz

CIAORADIO is a compact software defined shortwave receiver (0,1 to 30MHz) for AM, FM, CW, SSB and DRM. The device has a built-in soundcard and requires only one USB connection between the box and the computer. Power is also supplied via the USB cable, making the CIAORADIO an ideal companion for travels.

Receive bandwidth can be freely adjusted, multiple notch filters can be defined.

A highlight of the supplied software is the permanently active panorama scope with 50kHz width. Just a click into the panorama screen tunes to the new receiving frequency.

The CIAORADIO has two switchable antenna inputs, with an external relay, controlled by the computer via RS-232 (required a simple interface), the two inputs can be selected and used for example for comparative antenna measurements.. Size 110 x 130 x 35 mm.

As optional accessory an active loopantenna is available.

A user writes:

From: Ary Boender
Date: Mar 23, 2007 8:10 PM
Subject: [udxf] SDR radio screenshots
To: udxf

All,
Jean sent me several screenshots that he wants to share with you.
He has made them using his new SDR (Software Defined Radio).
You can find them in the "Files/UDXF ute info files" section.

He says "One of the beauty of such radios is that you can just
"see" any effects what you do to, say, your antenna or your noise
reduction tentatives. I have made rough comparisons between my
Icom PCR 1000 and AR 7030 and this Ciao radio is better than the
PCR and equivalent to the AR in term of sensitivity.

However, the tuning is so simple and the filters are at a click of
the mouse. It is far better than any other receivers I had -and I
had a lot."

Enjoy your new radio Jean and don't forget to share your logs with us.

73, Ary

Blackbox MkII Airband Monitor for VHF

Blackbox Airband Monitor

This radio is designed to receive all AM airband VHF transmissions within range. Whilst normal scanners frequently miss signals whilst scanning, the Black-Box misses nothing. So even if you have no idea of your local air traffic's frequencies, the Black Box will bring them in, loud and clear. Great for air shows or when travelling around.

The Black-Box instantly receives any transmitted airband signal; it can even manage several at a time! No tuning is necessary. The supplied earpiece acts as an antenna, and a switchable built-in speaker is also featured. Background noise is kept under control by the inclusion of a squelch control. And whilst other airband radios cannot be used inside an aircraft cabin, this model has no internal oscillators that can radiate, so it can be classified in the same category as an MP3 player. You can now hear flight deck communications from the cabin.

The Black-Box combines excellent sensitivity with great versatility. To reduce interference from strong local signals, a carefully designed multi-stage filter is included. So check out the Black-Box today and hear what you have been missing!

Features

• No tuning necessary
• Non radiating device
• Safe in aircraft cabin
• Antenna built into earpiece (included)
• Built-in selectable speaker
• Squelch control
• On/off light
• 12v External power socket
• Supplied with 12v car cigar adaptor
• Internal power from PP3 batter (not included

Technical Data

• Frequency 118 - 137MHz
• Channels All including 8.333kHz spacing
• Scan Speed Instant
• Mode AM (Amplitude Modulation)
• Sensitivity Typically 2uV
• Phone socket 3.5mm mono
• Power 9 - 13.8V DC
• Internal PP3 dry cell (not supplied)
• External 12v via 2.1mm short reach socket
• Current 20 - 30 mA average
• Size 110h x 70w x 23d (mm)
• Weight 200g approx.

Icom IC-R8500 Desktop scanner

Semi professional receiver from 100kHz to 2000MHz. Supported mdoes AM, AM-N, AM-W, FM, FM-N, WFM, LSB, USB, CW und CW-N (requires optional filter). Comfortable memory management with 1000 memories organized in 20 banks. Flexible scanning capabilities for continued surveillance and automatic storage of a lot of frequencies. Each memory bank and each memory can be tagged with an alpha-numeric name which is displayed along with the frequency at the same time. Numerous remote control capabilities with the built in serial port (RS-232). Size 287 x 112 x 309 mm, 7kg weight. Power requirements 12V/2A (power supply not included).

Accessories IC-R8500

FL-52A

Handheld scanner

YAESU VR-120D communications receiver

For the monitoring professional who's on the go, the VR-120D Hand-held Receiver is the ideal choice! Featuring wide-band AM/FM coverage from 100 kHz up to 1300 MHz (cellular blocked), rugged construction, and amazing ease of operation, the VR-120D provides up to 640 memory channels, so you can store all your favorite stations, whether they're on shortwave, local AM broadcast, or FM public service frequencies! Optional external DC input.

Accessories

YAESU VR-160 Handheld Scanner

VR-160

Very compact portable scanner for the road trip. The VR-160 has a solid aluminium die-cast chassis and a crisp LC matrix display. The receiver covers 100kHz up to 1299.995MHz continously, no gaps. Receive modes are AM, AFM and WFM. The size of the scanner is the same as that of the Yaesu handheld radio VX-3E, using some optional accessories from this radio as well.

The VR-160 hand scanner features many functions, which or otherwise know only from larger receivers. More than 900 memories, organized in 24 banks, offer a lot of storage for all interesting frequencies. A band scope facility shows up to 50 adjacent channels. The internal ferrite antenne improves reception on AM bands. The scanner supports SQL operation with DCS and CTCSS.

Included in shipment is:

• VR-160 Receiver/Scanner
• FNB-82LI LiIon Battery 3.7V, 1100mAh
• FBA-37 battery case for 3x AA (Mignon)
• SMA Antenna
• Wall charger PA-46C

• Weight 158g
• Mechanical Dial Lock function
• Solid construction, aluminium die-cast chassis
• 3.7V / 1100mAh LiIon battery
• Battery case FBA-37 for 3 x AA Batteries included
• Integrated ferrite antenna for AM reception
• SMA Antenna for VHF/UHF
• Earphone port for WFM radio
• Listen to AM or FM radio while monitoring a VHF/UHF frequency at the same time
• Wide band receiver from 100kHz to 1299.995 MHz, no gaps
• High resolution LC matrix display
• 24 memory banks plus some special banks for weather, marine VHF, shortwave
• Large storage capacity: 900 Standard memories plus 100 skip memories, 50 band edge memories
• CW training function - learn morse code while on travel

Icom R-3 Handheld scanner with TV receiver

Universal scanner, the only one with TV receiver. Due to it's large frequency range (495kHz to 2450MHz) transmissions by wireless TV cameras and ham radio (ATV) can be received. The TFT colour display is not only used for TV reception but also to display various parameters, as frequency, signal strength, memories, band scope (max. ±500kHz) etc. A second, smaller LC display can be used alternatively when TV reception is not required. 450 memories with name tagging offer enough space for all required frequencies. Further functions include: CTCSS decoder, connections for audio and video and many more. The IC-R3 comes completewith a LiIon rechargeable battery, wall charger, antenna as well as manual (english and german). Size 61 x 120 x 33 mm.

Accessories IC-R3

Icom IC-R20

u.a.:
• 32MB Memory for recordings up to 4 hours
• USB interface for remote control and programming
• Allmode reception up to 3300 MHz

With the new IC-R20 Icom introduces a handheld scanner which covers all needs of the semi professional listener. All modes are supported: SSB, AM, FM, WFM and CW, in an extremely wide frequency range from 150kHz to 3304.99 MHz. A supplied telescopic antenna (BNC connector) and the internal ferrite antenna (for AM) can be supplemented by an optional headphone antenna, i.e. the cable of the headphone acts as and additional antenna. The 1200 memories can be managed on the PC over the integrated USB interface (optional software required), the traditional CI-V interface is also available. Alphanumeric tagging of the memories is nowadays a standard, of course available with the R-20. So many memory channels require a very fast scan rate, here the IC-R20 excels with about 100 scans/sec. Up to 4 hours of digital recording (supported by 32MB of memory) are available, the recordings can be downloaded to the PC via the USB interface (optional software and interface cable required).

Included in shipment are:
• BP-206 LiIon rech. battery
• BC-149D wall charger
• MB-98 belt clip
• Carrying strap
• Telescopic antenna with knuckle

Further important features are:
• CTCSS and DTCS decoding
• Bandscope function for fast overview of band segments
• Dual watch, enables you to monitor two frequencies at the same time
• Up to 11 hrs of operation with supplied LiIon battery
• VSC (Voice Squelch Control) stops the scanner only on channels with modulation
• Attenuator and RF Gain
• uvm.

Accessories IC-R20

Icom IC-RX7

Icom IC-RX7

Handheld scanner with many new ideas for easier use.

Organize your 1600 memories into distinct categories, groups and name ranges for easy management.

Add an easy to read graphical symbol to each category, group or memory.

Use the separate Search button to find new frequencies.

Wideband Communications Receiver

• Large frequency Range from 150 kHz to 1300 MHz
• Large, backlit dot matrix display
• High scan speed (100 channels/sec)
• Insensitive to rain, protection level IPX4
• Basic scan fucntions for pre-programmed frequency ranges
• Decoder for CTCSS and DTCS
• VSC function (Voice Squelch Control)
• Built-in HF gain control and attenuator
• Built-in ferrite antenna for AM broadcast
• Earphone cable acts as antenna for FM broadcast
• 3,7-V/1100-mAh LiIon rechargeable battery included
• Power saving functions
• Connection for external power supply
• New, easy to use user interface
• Separate Scan Button
• Separate Search button
• Three variants of memory management
• Programmable by computer
• Flat case and modern design

Accessories IC-RX7

CT-17 Front

CT-17 Rear

Icom IC-R6 Wideband handheld scanner

Icom IC-R6

The whole world in your pocket!
Wideband receiver with extremely fast scan speed.

The Icom IC-R6 handheld scanner shines with it super fast scanning speed of up to 100 channels/second. The wide receiving range from 100kHz to 1310MHz covers all relevant frequency ranges. Supported modes are AM, FM and WFM (depending on frequency range). 1300 memories let you store all your favorite frequencies, labeled with alphanumeric names. For easier organisation the memories can be organized in 22 memory banks.
The IC-R6 has been designed with low power consumption as a goal. The supplied NiMH rechargeable batteries (1400mAh) give you up to 15 hours continued listening. A wall charger is also supplied. Alternatively an optional DC cable for cigar lighters (CP-18) can be used, or standard alkaline AA batteries. Also included in shipment is a belt clip and a hand strap. The IC-R6 has a SMA female socket for the supplied antenna, a ferite rod antenna for AM is built in.

Accessories IC-R6

Ducker IL

Put the Miracle Ducker IL on your broadband-handheld portable, and open up a world of HF receive you never thought possible!
Most popular broadband rigs like the VX1-7, THF6A, IC1-10 and others are just plain dead when it comes to receiving AM, HF ham bands or shortwave with the supplied rubber duck antenna. They say, "Use a large outdoor antenna for these bands." So what's handheld about that?
Now the Ducker IL (inline) gives you all the portable performance you've wanted. The Ducker provides as much as a whopping 30dB gain on low-frequency receive, using the original rubber duck. Ham, shortwave, even AM broadcast comes booming in like you've never heard before!

The Ducker IL plugs right into your radio, with the original rubber duck mounted on top. The exclusive Miracle Whip C-VAT autotransformer tuning system lets you dial in the frequency of your choice with convenient, single knob tuning, peaking up receive signals that you never thought you'd hear on your radio.
And you retain full access to VHF/UHF transmit with just a click of the dial. Imagine - your little handheld now receives everything from AM broadcast up to high UHF, and you can still operate 2 meters, 220 and 450 with the same antenna. Finally your rig lives up to its promise!