SDRplay as satellite downlink receiver?

K6VUG · May 28, 2018

Here is a screenshot of N1MM, SatPC32 and SDRsharp all working together. The QSO frequency and time is automatically logged in N1MM. I have to figure out how to get the satellite name in there as well...

73!
Umesh
K6VUG

K6VUG · May 28, 2018

WD9EWK said: ↑

The receiver doesn't determine the existence of a CAT interface for use with software like SatPC32 - the software driving your receiver does that. Since SDRsharp won't support SDRplay receivers, have you tried HDSDR? HDSDR can be configured to look like a Kenwood TS-2000 for CAT control functionality, and (IIRC) other software will do that too.

Glad to see you trying SDR for receiving satellite downlinks. The RTL-SDR dongle will probably need some sort of bandpass filter in front of it at a minimum, should you want to work satellites with it. This was a reason why I went initially with a FUNcube Dongle Pro+ for hearing satellite downlinks, and then to the SDRplay receivers. Both the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ and all SDRplay receivers have bandpass filters, and these receivers are able to work alongside a transmitter for satellite work (HTs, dual-band FM mobiles, and all-mode radios like FT-817s).

73!
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Thanks, I completely agree. The first time I tried, I couldn't get HDSDR to work hence my affinity for SDRsharp, but it looks like I'll have to go back and try it again.

A basic Comet HF/UHF diplexer, is helping with the V/U separation, and I have a feeling a triplexer (HF+VHF+UHF) could be much better.

73!

SDRplay as satellite downlink receiver?

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