FLEX-6000™ Start shipping within six weeks of Dayton 2013 – Flex-6700 out of box by K6TU – N6V’s at 64th IDXC Visalia

FLEX-6700 & FLEX-6500 Radios will start shipping within six weeks of Dayton Hamvention 2013. – K5SDR, Gerard  updates the project status (FlexInside-9) -  FlexRadio will have four running demonstration units at the Dayton, May 17-19, 2013 – The nuew software, SmartSDR™ is a Thin Client!! – The Flex-6700 out of the box and how it saounds report by K6TU – see link below – The FlexRadio 6700 experience at N6V IDXC Visalia April, 2013 by EtherGeist, link below.

 Dayton Hamvention 2013 Link to: Official Hamvention Facebook page (EN)

 The Flex-6700 out of the box and how it saounds by K6TU, Stu.
14 May, 2013 – Stu Phillips, wrote: …… “As soon as I got the email alert that the package had been delivered, I hustled home and started unpacking……….. With the 6700 connected to the antenna via my amplifier, I made a test tranmission to set the output power and then started tuning for someone to work.” -

Poi K6TU più sotto scrive: “Il primo QSO è stato con un IT9 nel sud Italia. Con entrambi i segnali di S8 è stato un piacevole QSO ed ho ottenuto un controllo di “audio ottimo” in risposta alla mia domanda: “how does it sound?” (come è il suono del Flex-6700?)
Link to:  EtherGeist First Report – Flex-6700 full article by K6TU

FlexRadio 6700 experience at N6V – IDXC April 2013 (report by K6TU)

Sempre K6TU, Stu Phillips racconta le prime esperienze già fatte con il Flex-6700 durante l’attività di N6V (Speciale Event Station) attivata alla 64th IDXC 2013 (International DX Convention is held every April in Visalia, California US). Come si può leggere dal link più sotto Stu ha scritto un interessante articolo che, vista la lunga attesa per questo nuovo SDR Flex, può essere  interessante leggere dato che è scritto da pochi giorni per un ragguardevole “assetto” che si può vedere anche dalla foto qui sopra! // ……very grateful to the following folks who helped me put on N6V in 2011 and 2013.

• US Tower brings along a heavy duty mobile tower (55’)
• SteppIR supplies and assembles the antenna on site (DB-18E)
• M² Antenna Systems supplied the rotor (Orion 2800) and cables
• RF Concepts supplied an Alpha 9500
• FlexRadio Systems supplies the Flex-6700 radio

I’ve used every major brand of radio in the 40 years……  the FlexRadio System Flex-6700 evaluated as the best receiver K6TU has used in 40 years of amateur and professional experience regardless of the tranceiver costs!
………….. The filters perform!  You can pull signals out of a busy band that are really weak – even when parked next to a very strong station….

Link to: EtherGeist Report - Flex-6700 experience at N6V (full article)

FlexRadio Systems Flex-6000′s radios will start shipping  from mid/late-June

The new Flex Radio SmartSDR™ software running on a very THIN client.
Ad oggi le notizie dicono che la produzione è in corso e il software è in fase di test. Flex Radio ha diversi “beta-tester” che proveranno i nuovi Transceiver SDR. Molto impegno degli ingegneri sviluppatori è anche per il modulo “panadapter” che ora è stato molto implementato rispetto al progetto iniziale. – Tutte le funzioni di elaborazione dei segnali e di calcolo per il DSP sono tutte entrocontenute nella serie Flex-6000, contrariamente a quanto avveniva o avviene in altri modelli (come il Flex-5000 etc.) che utilizzano la potenza di calcolo ed elaborazione data sopratutto dal Computer esterno. La nuova serie funziona in “THIN Client”, con Computer anche semplici o via rete Ethernet.

Unlike PowerSDR (es. Flex-5000 etc.) where all the UI and DSP software are combined in one piece of software, SmartSDR™ is a THIN Client – its basically a User interface. - All the DSP functionality  runs on a dedicated processor within the radio itself. SmartSDR™ software running on a very THIN client. – (Clik the pictures to enlarge)

Receivers type: Direct Sampling / Direct Conversion / Multi Conversion

1. Direct Sampling a.k.a wideband: FLEX-6000 Series – HPSDR – Perseus, etc.
2. Direct Conversion: FLEX-5000, FLEX-3000, Elecraft KX3, etc.
3. Multi-Conversion a.k.a. Superheterodyne: Most every Kenwood, Icom, Ten-Tec, Elecraft, Yaesu amd Hilberling (note: latest models use a double conversion system it reduces signal distorsion and provides a high-fidelity RF signal to the builtin DSP processor)

Link to: Download the Brochure in Italiano pdf by WoodBoxRadio (IT)

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders. This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions - all images and versions above is for illustration only!

FLEX-6000′s Development/Delivery Update – Flex-SDR Architectures Link & more!

FLEX-6000 Signature Series Development – Delivery Update:  Our plan is to ship the Limited Edition radios pre-order during Q2 or into early Q3 2013 - Post Limited Edition orders will begin shipping in Q3 2013…..! (Latest Flex Insider-7) – See the panadapter high definition Spectrum Display and the Flex-6500 SDR Architectures “Some interesting tidbits” Episode 36 and more!

FLEX-6700™ high definition spectrum !! -  Due to the RF wide band digitization provided by the high performance Signal Capture Units™ (SCUs) in the FLEX Signature Series SDRs, 14 MHz of RF spectrum is viewable at one time using the panadapter high definition spectrum display (See below, the Spectrum View with Pre-Selector Turned [ Off ] )

The MUF is the highest radio frequency that can be used for transmission between two points. – The test results above(Click the picture above to big-enlarge) were taken at 8:00 PM local time when the 20m band was just about to close. -
With the 20m pre-selector turned [off ],  the spectrum view shows strong signals below 20m (14 MHz), but very few signals above 16.500 MHz,  indicating the MUF at this time was approximately 16 MHz, showing another one of the inherent capabilities of the wide band digital down conversion (DDC) technology provided by the Signal Capture Units™ (SCUs) used in the FLEX-6000 Signature Series.

This new “wide band” capability has generated much discussion regarding antenna requirements in regards to receiving for the FLEX-6700™ and FLEX-6500™ etc…. If you’re interested in a more detailed description read the complete Flex Insider-7 (pdf)

Link to: ©FlexRadio Systems Official web-page

FlexRadio SDR Architectures for Digital Communication (Episode 36 by HamRadioNow – 2012 )

La nuova serie Flex-6000′s con il suo software SmartSDR e due unità di acquisizione digitale definite Signal Capture Units™ (SCUs) con sitema a Campionamento Diretto consente di settare quattro, sei, o otto ricevitori e o panadapters a larga banda in contemporanea – La capacità di decodificare e visualizzare direttamente anche i modi digitali – Connettività Ethernet per una rete mondiale – La capacità di configurare i ricevitori in diverse condizioni e modi – La possibilità di trasmettere a livello locale e riascoltare se stessi da remoto a lunga distanza – L’accesso ai vari database remoti su Internet – L’apparato radio può essere utilizzato anche via rete Ethernet con qualsiasi tipo di Computer o Tablet anche portatile.

Most receivers type: Direct Sampling / Direct Conversion / Multi Conversion

1. Direct Sampling a.k.a wideband: FLEX-6000 Series – HPSDR – Perseus, etc.
2. Direct Conversion: FLEX-5000, FLEX-3000, Elecraft KX3, etc.
3. Multi-Conversion a.k.a. Superheterodyne: Most every Kenwood, Icom, Ten-Tec, Elecraft, Yaesu amd Hilberling (note: latest models use a double conversion system it reduces signal distorsion and provides a high-fidelity RF signal to the builtin DSP processor)

FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) Xilinx VIRTEX-6 XC6VLX130T: Massive DSP Power – Can’t build a Direct Sampling Receiver without one! – >90% of the FLEX-6000′s Power….. 317 billion multiply-accumulate operations per second!
Una FPGA della serie Xilinx VIRTEX-6 accoppiata con la potenza di elaborazione del dispositivo DSP altamente integrato è indispensabile per creare il Ricevitore a Campionamento Diretto FLEX-6000′s. Queste unità consentono di eseguire fino a ben 317 miliardi di operazioni al secondo direttamente all’interno!

FLEX-6000′s Architecture, Benefits and FlexRadio Team information: please click the pictures above to enlarge & read.
Link to: Download the Brochure in Italiano pdf by WoodBoxRadio (IT)
Link to: Flex-6000′s SmartSDR multi Slices  More Videos  Tmate-2 control

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders. This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions - all images and versions above is for illustration only!

FLEX 6000™ SDRs – SmartSDR multi Slices & Panadapters in early Q2 2013 – The Orlando 2013 Show (video interview)

FLEX 6000™ Signature Series SDR’s - SmartSDR Multiple Slices and Multiple Panadapters on the same Radio!
Orlando Ham-fest February 2013 – 67th Orlando HamCation Amateur Radio & Computer Show – The FlexRadio Booth video  interview! - See link, videos, pictures and the 1st Video of Tmate-2 HID Controller , below !

FlexRadio projects in early Q2 2013 start of deliveries: Gerard Youngblood, K5SDR FlexRadio CEO (latest Flex Insider-6):  ….. “Next, how to you make an extremely complex radio simple and intuitive to use? Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. “Complex is easy, simple is hard”. …… Progress is visible and accelerating. Everyone is motivated, excited about what we are building, and working hard…. etc. ! – (See link below to more news!)

Flex Radio Booth at HamCation Orlando 2013- (by videosbymike

Il Team-Marketing di  FlexRadio ha preparato quest’altro Video  che mostra più in dettaglio alcune funzionalità della loro nuova interfaccia utente detta “SmartSDR” -
Il video inserito qui sotto è ricavato da una registrazione dal vivo effettuata da K5FRS con l’hardware del FLEX-6700 in corso di produzione e su cui girava proprio il Software “SmartSDR” in fase di implementazione da parte degli ingegneri FlexRadio-

Imagine a real time spectral display where the noise floor is averaged to the terrestrial noise floor. – By real time, I mean that the display follows the instantaneous power of the signal but the noise floor is almost a flat line (no “grass,” as we call it) at the noise level seen at the antenna. This remains true whether zoomed out to view half of the HF spectrum or zoomed in to just a few kHz.
[Note] The “PacMan” looking signal that flies through the bands is a Propagation Ionosonde Station located a few miles from FlexRadio Factory!

Watch the Video below “First Look” at the new FLEX-6000 SmartSDR  and the Pictures! – See link below to new HID Controller Tmate-2 made in Italy (coming-son!)

Minimum Discernible Signal (MDS and NF) – How LOW do you GO? – by Greg Jurrens – K5GJ, VP, Sales & Marketing There’s been a lot of talk these days about Minimum Discernible Signal, or MDS. What is it? What affect does it have on my receiver performance? Why do I care? – …. “The ARRL labs use a procedure to measure MDS to a signal 3dB above the noise floor (NF) measured in a 500 Hz bandwidth.

!Amplifiers are very good at amplifying… Everything – signal, and noise. We want the signal but not the additional noise that comes along for the ride. Ideally, the amplified MDS should be 3 to 6db below the environmental noise floor. Plus, the amps themselves add a bit of noise to the mix. Worse yet, using pre-amplifiers have a cost of actually LOWERING the radio’s effective dynamic range. Dynamic range is defined as the difference between MDS and input overload. The pre-amp’s gain comes right off the top of that number. In this case, too much is not just right.

The FLEX-6000 Signature Series to the rescue! – One of the unique features of the Spectral Capture Unit (SCU) of the FLEX-6000 is the Digital Variable Gain Amplifier (DVGA). This allows the software to vary the SCU’s front end performance in 0.5dB steps from -11.5dB up to +20dB of gain (up to 40 dB on the FLEX-6700 with the additional +20dB second pre-amp). The result is the perfect MDS for your QTH and situation. Just enough gain to coax the signal out of the noise, but not so much that all you hear is noise or give up dynamic range. This capability will be provided for advanced operations. Again, the flexibility of a SDR (Software Defined Radio)…. etc”  Link to Source: FlexRadio Systems (Flex Insider – Issue-5 and 6)

  
SmartSDR Panadapter Video-Demo – A -First Look- at the new FLEX-6000 SmartSDR Panadapter from FlexRadio Systems. – This is the first in a series of introductory videos (28/dic/2012)

FLEX-6700 & FLEX-6500 Signature Series, incorporano una inconsueta potenza di elaborazione dati “built-in” (dentro!) – Montano la Xilinx Virtex-6®, una FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) di alto livello, un microprocessore Texas Instruments™ DaVinci™ Digital Media Processor che incorpora un processore ARM Cortex™-A8 CPU (con processore NEON™) a 1,4GHz (1,2GHz nel FLEX-6500) ed un coprocessore DSP a 32 bit in virgola mobile da 1,2GHz (1,0GHZ nel FLEX-6500). –
La nuova Serie FLEX-6000′s ora in pre-produzione e il suo Software SmartSDR in fase di perfezionamento, sarà rilasciata all’inizio del 2° Quadrimestre 2013! - (Leonardo Da Vinci diceva: “Complesso è facile Semplice è difficile” così lo cita K5SDR CEO Flex Radio nell’ultimo Flex Insider-6!)

Link to: Official Broshure EN by the FlexRadio Systems – Ver-2  (PDF ENG.)
Link to:  Broshure in Italiano di WoodBoxRadio IT- by IK3VIG  (PDF ITA.)

Da Flex Insider Issue-5 /2012…..A proposito delle discussioni tecniche in corso sul MDS/NF (Minimo Segnale Discernibile a +3dB sul rumore o Noise Floor)  Una delle caratteristiche uniche del circuito “Spectral Capture Unit” (SCU) incorporato nella Serie  FLEX-6000′s è anche l’Amplificatore di Guadagno Digitale Variabile (DVGA). Questo sistema permette al software di variare le prestazioni del Front-end della SCU a passi di 0,5 dB da -11.5dB fino a +20 dB di guadagno (fino a 40 dB sul FLEX-6700, con l’ulteriore +20 dB del secondo pre-amp)…. così da adattare al meglio la MDS in base alle condizioni del QTH….etc.

Tmate-2 HID – Altra novità Italiana in arrivo a breve (accessorio…. geniale!)

To make your SDR … like a real Radio! - Tmate2 HID Controller Compatible with Perseus, FDM-SW1, Studio1, and PowerSDR is ……….. Coming Soon! -
(Clink the pictures to enlarge – please!)
Tmate2 HID interface, no driver required -
Link to:  WoodBoxRadio – Italy

Tmate2 1st Video: Short demo of first testing the new CAT console Tmate2. It will be compatible with most SDR applications - (04. Feb. 2013 by ik3vig)

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders - This device (Flex-6k’s) has not been approved by the appropriate authorities in each country etc.

R&S®EM510 HF Receiver 9 kHz to 32 MHz – R&S®PR100 Receiver 9 kHz to 7.5 GHz

R&S®EM510 HF Digital Wideband Receiver from 9 kHz to 32 MHz is a Direct Receiver, after the antenna signal has passed through Preselection with Highpass/Lowpass Filters, it is fed directly into the ADC (Analog Digital Converter) –  R&S^®PR100 portable receiver  9 kHz to 7.5 GHz spectrum and spectrogram (waterfall) display on 6.5″ color screen - See the pictures, summary overview and Official Data Sheet (ENG) by link below.

The R&S®EM510 receiver features digital IF filters with 30 different bandwidths from 100 Hz to 10 MHz. The filter characteristics are optimized for radio-monitoring tasks, allowing top-quality processing of signals up to 10 MHz bandwidth.
Panorama scan up to 34 GHz/s or 600 000 channels/s – Frequency/memory scan up to 1500 channels/s – IF panorama with up to 9.6 MHz span – Video panorama, AM, FM, AM², FM², I/Q, I/Q² – Audio filters: notch, noise suppression, band-pass - Dual-channel analog video output (AM, FM) – LAN interface (SCPI) – and more!

Excellent RF characteristics and a wide dynamic range combined with powerful Digital Signal Processing are the basis for optimal system solutions.
Wideband operation: I/Q data up to 10 MHz bandwidth – Demodulation up to 10 MHz bandwidth – and more! - Demodulation modes: FM – AM – PULSE (AM PULSE)- jM – USB – LSB – ISB – CW – I/Q.

Input level: –137 dBm to +10 dBm (–30 dBμV to +117 dBμV) f = 400 kHz to 32 MHz / Frequency resolution: 1 Hz / Aliasing suppression: ≥90 dB, typ. 120 dB / 3nd Order IP: ≥30 dBm, typ. 35 dBm (low distortion mode), f = 1 MHz to 32 MHz – ≥20 dBm, typ. 25 dBm (normal mode), f = 1 MHz to 32 MHz / and more features… see the link below.

Link to: Download the R&S EM510 Data Sheet for all informations (ENG)
Link to: More information at www.rohde-schwarz.com (ENG)

The R&S^®PR100 portable receiver  9 kHz to 7.5 GHz Spectrum and spectrogram (waterfall) display on 6.5″ color screen has been specifically designed for radio-monitoring applications in the field - Display of results on a digital map loaded in the R&S®PR100 - Digitally modulated signals converted to the baseband using I/Q demodulation and stored in the receiver or exported via LAN - Full remote control via LAN interface (SCPI commands to IEEE488.2) and more.. see the link below

Link to: Download the R&S®PR100 Data Sheet #..87012 – 29 pag. (ENG)

Fast panorama scan across the entire frequency range from 9 kHz to 7.5 GHz
10 MHz IF spectrum e demodulation with bandwidths from 150 Hz to 500 kHz
Spectrum and spectrogram (waterfall) display on 6.5″ color screen
Automatic location of emissions with direction finding (20 MHz to 6 GHz)
Whether used for monitoring emissions, detecting interference or locating miniature transmitters

[Note] Operation using standard software and PC  (The EM510 receiver comes with comprehensive operating software etc.) - All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders - This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions.

QST reviews KX3 on Dec, 2012 – SDR with a 0 Hz IF – KX3 Datasheet & Schematics

KX3 a SDR with a ØHz IF (Direct Conversion) – QST Magazine reviews the Elecraft KX3 HF and 6 Meter QRP 10W on Dec., 2012 by W1ZR, Joel and K1RO, Mark. – IMD3 dynamic range, Blocking gain compression and Reciprocal mixing it is at the “top of the heap”! – See below the QST 14MHz Key Summary and Internal pictures.  Watch  the Video KX3 with iSDR app. Link to Schematics & Block Diagram pdf !

QST 12月号のProduct ReviewにKX3が掲載されます。

See the December 2012 issue of QST magazine for the complete review and ARRL Lab test results – [Note] Area Members Only.
Link to: ARRL – American Radio Relay League for Amateur Radio

The authors write: To say that the KX3 is a Direct Conversion Radio misses the point. It would probably be more descriptive to say that the KX3 is a Software Defined Radio (SDR) with a Ø Hz IF and I/Q quadrature component receiver processing that provides single-signal reception. Those signals allow a PC running your SDR software to display the spectrum and usual rig control management. – Elecraft provides your choice of a cable that connects to a PC USB2 port or an RS-232 socket (add. $29.95 or so!) -

Link to: Elecraft KX3 the Schematics & Block Diagram pdf (ENG)

Link to: Elecraft KX3 Datasheet (pdf 5.5MB) ver. May 2012 (ENG)

Source: QST Reviews, we show only… the Key figures at 14 MHz

• Band: 14 MHz – Pre OFF - (500 Hz BW,  500 Hz  roofing filter)
• Spacing 20 kHz blocking gain compression….130 dB
• Spacing    2 kHz blocking gain compression….128 dB
• Spacing 20 kHz 3rd-order dynamic range…….103 dB
• Spacing    2 kHz 3rd-order dynamic range….…100 dB
• Spacing 20 kHz 3rd-order intercept…………..+34 dBm
• Spacing    2 kHz 3rd-order intercept…………..+34 dBm

How To Connect Elecraft KX3 To iPad by WD9E - This video shows how to use the iSDR app with the Elecraft KX3 SDR Transceiver – (a great video, thanks WD9E!)

Link to: QST Reviews the Kenwood TS.590S on May, 2011 (TS-590 > K3 Key)
Link to: QST Magazine Product Reviews Key Soummary List by PA1HR, Hans

[Note] All marks are property of their respective owners. – Specifications are subject to change without notice!  - This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions.  -  Non si assume alcuna responsabilità per eventuali inesattezze nella visualizzazione dei dati e notizie. (Tnx)

FLEX-6700™ utilizes Spectral Capture Units™ and On-board Digital Signal processing – New PDF Italian

Flex-6000 “Signature Series” – Flex-6500 – Flex-6700 packs more built-in digital signal process power than ever before imagined in an amateur radio transceiver - The Xilinx® Virtex®-6 FPGA works in tandem with a Texas Instruments® DaVinci® Digital Media Processor that includes a 1.4 GHz (1.2 GHz on FLEX-6500) ARM Cortex®-A8 CPU with NEON® floating point coprocessor! – See picture and link download ENG & IT pdf  below

Update IT: La serie FLEX-6500 / 6700  utilizzano “internamente” una Xilinx Virtex-6®, potente FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), per  tutte le operazioni di Down e Up conversion e l’analisi spettrale;  la Virtex-6® lavora in tandem ad un microprocessore Texas Instruments™ il DaVinci™ Digital Media Processor che incorpora anche un ARM Cortex™-A8 CPU (con processore NEON™) a 1,4GHz (a 1,2GHz nel Flex-6500)  ed un coprocessore DSP a 32 bit in virgola mobile da 1,2GHz (1,0GHZ nel modello FLEX-6500).

Link to:  Broshure in Italiano di WoodBoxRadio by IK3VIG, Beppe (the boss!)

Spectral Capture Units™ (SCU) which act something like extremely broadband multi… Slice Receviers in One Radio, for reception from 0.33 to 77 MHz plus 135 to 165 MHz. Optimized preselector filters can be selected for the ham bands for greater out of band rejection.. 100dB 2-tone 3rd Order Dynamic Range.. at 100Hz Spacing! New SmartSDR™ Technology & User Client Interface!

The innovative SmartSDR™ appears to have two main parts – the massive heavy duty part living inside the Flex-6000′s and the light GUI & Related Services portion out on the thin client Interface (…. Personal Computer, Notebook, iPad or iPhone! or..!)

New Flex-6000′s Series SmartSDR™ Radios, where the heavy lifting of DSP is done all in the radio and the computer has only “thin client” duties! – Immagine… This is truly a “Game Changer” product line, moving the main heavy lifting of SDR radio back into the radio box!

The Xilinx Virtex-6® FPGA put simply is a way to put software on a chip so the code can rip through huge amounts of data processing it basically in parallel rather than in series. No longer does the PC have massive processing duties!! – Flex-Radio has worked out a way to bring the costs of this massive processing power to amateurs radio price points.

The FLEX-6500 and FLEX-6700 Transceivers utilize Xilinx Virtex-6® FPGA hardware to directly generate the CW waveform digitally at the RF carrier frequency. (idem for digital RTTY /PSK31 etc..)
This means that the RF carrier switches at hardware speeds without first element truncation as is typical in many radios. When combined high speed T/R and bias switching on the PA, <10 millisecond key down to RF output is achieved.  - Full brek-in is possible from remote operations (SmartSDR™ - Networking! Native remote capability – Ethernet interface…) - The FLEX-6700 provides continuous duty 100W output across the entire 160-6m band, a push-pull pair of rugged RD100HHF1 MOSFET transistors.

The (*) Xilinx® Virtex®-6 FPGA works in tandem with a Texas Instruments™ DaVinci™ Digital Media Processor that includes a 1.4 GHz (1.2 GHz on FLEX-6500) ARM Cortex™-A8 CPU with NEON™ coprocessor.
It also includes a 1.2 GHz (1.0 GHz on FLEX-6500), 32-bit floating point DSP coprocessor. The FLEX-6000 Signature Series achieves world class PNDR (Phase Noise Dynamic Range) through the incorporation of an ultra-low phase noise master oscillator at 983.04 MHz! -
Link to: FlexRadio Systems – Flex-6000 Series Brochure – Rev.002

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders - This device has not been approved by the appropriate authorities in each country etc.

FUNcube-1 is go for LAUNCH! FUNcube Dongle SDR – FunSDR by I2PHD – FDM-S1 by Elad

Topics! breaking news: FUNcube-1 by AMSAT-UK’s  is GO FOR LAUNCH! / FUNcube Dongle Pro 64MHz to 1.7GHz  SDR Receiver / New FunSDR software coming by Alberto, I2PHD (source sdritalia) / New FDM-S1 FPGA based by ELAD S.r.l available in March 2012 (source woodboxradio)

The FUNcube-1 micro-satellite (CubeSat standard size) will carry a UHF to VHF linear transponder that will have approx 500mW PEP output and which can be used by Radio Amateurs worldwide for SSB and CW communications. -

Link to: AMSAT-UK’s  FUNcube          Download the JPG FUNcube is Go for Launch!

AMSAT-UK  is working on this new amateur satellite project: FUNcube-1 is a complete educational single CubeSat project with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics, will be launched with a number of other spacecraft from a DNEPR rocket sometime in the third quarter of 2012.

FUNcube Dongle Pro or “FCD” is a SDR Receiver! - The Pro version gives unlimited access to the frequency range 64MHz to 1.7GHz (1.1GHz – 1.27GHz omitted) – Similar to USB TV Dongle, the FUNcube Dongle simple fits into your computer’s USB port. It’s compatible with many radio reception programs … like the future FunSDR write by I2PHD (see below!) and it is uses standard USB drivers already integrated into the operating system! (…No drivers required!)

FUNcube Dongle Pro Prices: (for EC buyers Inc VAT at 20%): abaut £134.60/£137.22 inc. shipping!

Link to: FUN Cube Dongle official website       FUNcube Yahoo group

FunSDR Software (in development) - The new software FunSDR which is working I2PHD, Alberto is (probably..) expected soon!  - A few days ago was released the GUI Ver.1.0 beta 1- (note the nixie counter, very fine… like a vintage style) – Features are tailored to operation on VHF, UHF and Microwave  frequencies with the FUNcube Dongle SDR Raceiver range.

As is known, I2PHD, is a genius in developing the software! The Winrad written by Alberto is a free software pioneering for the SDR radio applications. – The WRplus by Sandro Sfregola is a Software Defined Radio program derived from the base code of  Winrad. << Click to enlarge the Screen shot GUI Ver.1.0 beta 1 

Link to: The Weaksignals page of Alberto, I2PHD

FDM-S1 is an analog to digital conversion board, FPGA-based developed by ELAD S.r.l. made in Italy… wow! – The Preliminary Spec. and Special Price (EN/IT) by Link to:  WoodBoxRadio – (Italy) 

Anteprima: FDM-S1 hardware: Campionatore ADC 14bit – 61,44MHz – Campionamento diretto da 80kHz – 30MHz – Ingresso adatto fino a  200MHz* per Undersampling ( *Richiede filtri d’ingresso opzionali) Uscita su USB a 192kHz I&Q e altro! – SW1 Software: Ricezione AM CW SSB FM Stereo e DRM  integrati – Tripla barra di sintonia (patent pending) – Doppio Filtro Notch e Filtro DSP variabili  - Registrazione e riascolto dei 192kHz campionati e altro!

[Note for all topics]: All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders

SDR WR-G33DDC ‘EXCALIBUR Pro’ 9 kHz to 50 MHz – Excalibur Basics Video by DK8OK

The New WiNRADIO WR-G33DDC ‘EXALIBUR Pro’ direct-sampling SDR Receiver from 9 kHz to 49.995 MHz, includes a real-time 50 MHz-wide specrtrum analyzer and 4 MHz-wide instantaneous bandwidth available for recording, demodulation and further digital processing. – Low-noise preamplifier – Configurable preselection filters – Filter bandwidth adjustable down to 1 Hz.

As many as 119 different filter combinations can be constructed by the user (91 bandpass, 14 low-pass and 14 high-pass). The front-end employs 34 subminiature electromechanical relays! Three demodulators allow the simultaneous reception of three signal frequencies within the 4 MHz bandwidth. -
GROVE  US – Catalog of 06/01/2012 – manufacture: WiRa – Eton – Sangean – Kaito – Perseus – Icom
Prices:  WR-G33DDC EXC. Pro $1,649.95 / WR-G31DDC EXC.. $899.95 / Perseus bid.. $1,199.00

The WR-G33DDC Pro Is an advanced version of the WR-G31DDC receiver, offering many additional features and improvements.  - (!! Please See the WR-G33DDC  Basics Video  by DK8OK below)

The WR Software (Version 1.68)  provide an logical user interface.  - There are several spectrum analyzer configurations including the 50 MHz full span with 1.5 kHz resolution. – The DDC down-converted portion is highlighted and can be selected either via keyboard or by the mouse cursor and then displayed in another window, within which three independent receiver channels can exist. – For any channel, the receiver’s selectivity, IF shift, passband tuning, notch, and other functions can be adjusted, and the audio spectrum of the demodulated signal can be observed. – -
Link to: WR-G31DDC – Perseus – Gemini – AOR-2300 and DX-R88 HamFair 
Link to: WiNRADIO WR-G33 Excalibur Pro the Official Full Specifications

This great video explains its graphical user interface (GUI), and gives some hints on how to use them. Thanks Nils, DK8OK.

R&S® M3TR Software Defined Radios Multiband, Multimode – New software V.7.0

R&S®M3TR Software Defined Radios (Front panel on the image) – The new software Ver.7.0 supports third-generation Automatic Link Establishment (ALE 3G)* in line with the STANAG 4538 NATO standard. If a shortwave consumer receiver could do what this shortwave milspec transceiver hi!!

The heart of the new integrated communications system is the lightweight R&S®MR300xH/U manpack transceiver (1.5 MHz to 108 MHz or 25 MHz to 512 MHz), which offers solutions for all aspects of tactical communications - New Software Makes Rohde & Schwarz Shortwave Radios As Easy To Use As IP Phones -
Last-ditch voice enables reliable voice transmission even when the noise is stronger than the voice signal, ie with a negative signal-to-noise ratio. - The quality of shortwave links heavily depends on ambient transmission conditions such as solar radiation and atmospheric ionization – The software automatically adjusts the transmission rate to accommodate prevailing conditions. – Release 7.0 of the software also features the high throughput data link (HDL) protocol that allows transmission rates of up to 10 kbit/s under optimal conditions.

ALE 3G * - The latest ALE standard uses accurate time synchronization via GPS-locked clocks or a time server to achieve faster and more dependable linking. – It is generally known as 3rd generation or 3G ALE.

Elecraft KX3 Transceiver (architettura SDR) e KXPA100 a Dayton 2011 – Video and Link

The new Elecraft KX3 only 0,7 kg! - Totally different architecture than the Elecraft K3, of course (Wayne N6KR) – Availability towards end of 2011. – Firmware updateable – Large custom LCD – The revolutionary Elecraft KX3 puts the world in the palm of your hand! (Soursce: Elecraft US)

KX3 Ultra-compact  10W, 160-6m transceiver a 32-bit DSP/SDR IQ, all modes SSB/CW/AM/FM/DATA (including built-in PSK31 and RTTY encode/ decode) – The optional KXPA100 100W amplifair with ATU is in an external box. -!! See the video below for a pretty outline of features by N6KR, Wayne. – - (Click the mini-picture to enlarge front panel)

Link to: Elecraft KX3 Transceiver – Preliminary information and Sign-up Form

KX3 Preliminary informations: Quadrature down-sampling mixer compatible with PC-based SDR applications – Receiver I/Q outputs for use with PC saundcard –  Narrow roofing filter option with four bw (500 Hz, 1500 Hz, 2.7 kHz, 3.8 kHz)  - Switchable Pre-amp (2 levels) and attenuator (2 levels) -
Advanced DSP provides dual watch over +/- 10 kHz range, PBT for Shift/Width/Hicut/Loct,  noise reduction, noise blanking, autonotch – Software-defined radio (SDR) architecture plus Roofing filter (KXFL3) for excellent dynamic rang – Operate in data mode (PSK31/RTTY) with or without a PC –  For extreme portability,  you can add the internal wide-range ATU, 8-AA cell battery pack with NiMH charger, and adjustable KXPD3 keyer paddle !!

Link to: Elecraft XG3 RF Programmable Signal Source official web