Building on the Airspy HF+ architecture, Airspy designed the HF+ Discovery to sport world-class performance a small form factor.

The Airspy HF+ Discovery includes extra pre-selectors for all the supported bands and a new DSP Core to optimize the gain distribution and the filtering parameters in real-time and dig deeper in the noise.

The signal path includes very high dynamic range data converters along with high performance passive mixers with a Polyphase Harmonic Rejection structure. The included band-tracking pre-selectors eliminate unwanted interference and preserve the dynamic range of the receiver.

The HF+ Discovery retails for approximately $169 US.

Reviews:

• Airspy Reviews Page
• SWLing Post reviews:
  • Coastal DXing
  • Guy Atkins’ First Impressions and comparison with ELAD DuoR
  • Ivan’s Blind Daytime Prop Comparison
  • Fenu’s Prototype Review

Retailers:

• Airspy Distributors
• Search eBay for a used HF+ Discovery

Resources:

• SWLing Post articles that feature the HF+ Discovery
• Airspy Product Page

The RSPdx has been introduced as a replacement for the RSP2 and the RSP2pro receivers. It has been updated and upgraded, with a completely new front-end design.

Here are the highlighted improvements and changes:

• Performance below 30 MHz has been enhanced when compared to the RSP2/RSP2pro.
• Performance below 2 MHz has been substantially upgraded. Through the use of the new HDR mode, both dynamic range and selectivity have been considerably improved.
• There is now a BNC antenna connector on antenna C position instead of a HiZ port. Both A and B antenna ports are SMA like other RSP models.

We’ve found the RSPdx to be one of the highest-performance SDRplay receivers, especially in high dynamic range (HDR) mode below 2 MHz.

The RSPdx’s price is approximately $200 US.

Reviews

• SWLing Post

Retailers

• SDRplay Distributors
• Search eBay for a used RSPdx

Resources:

• SDRplay Product Page

The RSPduo is unlike any other SDR in the SDRplay product line, and, indeed, unlike most of the budget SDRs currently on the market.

As “duo” implies, this RSP features dual independent tuners, both piped through a single high-speed USB 2.0 interface. With the RSPduo, you can explore two completely separate 2 MHz bands of spectrum anywhere between 1kHz and 2GHz.

SDRplay lays out several use-scenarios in their press release:

• The ability to simultaneously receive on two totally independent 2 MHz spectrum windows anywhere between 1 kHz and 2 GHz
• Simultaneous processing from 2 antennas enables direction-finding, diversity, and noise-reduction applications
• Ideal for cross band full-duplex reception, e.g. HF + VHF, or VHF + UHF
• Simultaneous Dump1090 and VHF ATC reception
• Simultaneous monitoring and recording of 2 ISM bands
• Use SDRuno to seamlessly control and manage the dual tuner in a single environment.

Externally, the RSPduo bears a strong resemblance to the RSP2pro. Internally, however, it’s quite different.

Besides featuring a second independently controlled tuner, the RSPduo also sports 14 bit ADCs and a completely re-designed RF front end, which enhances receiver selectivity and improves dynamic range.

In short, the RSPduo is like having two SDRs in one.

The RSPduo’s price is approximately $280 US.

Reviews:

• SWLing Post

Retailers:

• SDRplay Distributors
• Search eBay for a used RSPduo

Resources:

• SDRplay Product Page

The SDRplay RSP2 and RSP2 Pro (now replaced by the RSPdx) were built on SDRplay’s receiver technology and shared much in common with the original RSP1. SDRplay noted in the product announcement that:

“The RSP2 delivers a significant number of additional features which result in a higher spec for specialist amateur radio users as well as benefits for additional scientific, educational and industrial SDR applications.”

Compared with the original RSP1 (now replaced by the RSP1a), the RSP2 gives the enthusiast and experimenter access to more receiver parameters and control, opening it to a wider array of possible applications. The RSP2 will also cover a broader range, from as low as 1 kHz to as high as to 2 GHz, and is designed with better selectivity across the spectrum. Enhanced selectivity will certainly benefit amateur radio operators and SWL DXers who might seek weak signals in crowded portions of the band.

The RSP2 came in a basic and Pro model. The Pro model added a custom metal enclosure.

Reviews:

• SWLing Post

Resources:

• SDRplay product page

Retailers:

• Search eBay for a used RSP2

RSP1A Pricing is typically $109 US (£86 excluding tax) plus shipping. This price includes
SDRplay’s own application: SDRuno.

We gave the SDRplay RSP1a very high praise in our review on the SWLing Post and generally encourage our readers who are new to the world of SDR to start here if they’re working with a modest budget.

Retailers:

• SDRplay Distributors
• Search eBay for a used RSP1a

Reviews:

• SWLing Post

The CC Skywave SSB features all of the specifications of the original CC Skywave, but also includes Single Sideband mode (selectable USB/LSB with a fine tune control).

We’ve been testing a pilot production run model of the CC Skywave SSB at the SWLing Post. Once we have a full production run unit, we will post a comprehensive review.

On October 5, 2017, C. Crane posted a pre-order page for the CC Skywave SSB. The price is $169.99 US.

Features:

• AM, FM, Weather plus Alert, Shortwave (2.3-26.1 MHz), Air Aviation Band and Single Side Band
• Direct entry of a frequency plus auto scan and store
• Lighted LCD display
• Selectable fast or fine tuning on all bands except weather
• 400 memory presets
• Runs on (2) AA Alkaline batteries (not included)
• (Optional) CC Skywave AC power adapter w/ mini USB plug required for charging NiMH batteries.
• Stereo headphone jack and fold-out back stand
• Clock with 12/24 hour format, Alarm
• Rotary volume knob
• High quality CC Buds Earphones and radio carry case included
• Run Time (on batteries):
  • ± 70 hours (earbuds)
  • ± 60 Hours (built-in speaker)
    (times are approximate)
• One Year Limited Warranty
• 10 Aviation Memories can be scanned for activity

Reviews:

• We will post a review of the CC Skywave SSB on the SWLing Post in the coming weeks, pending production unit availability.

Retailers:

• C. Crane Company

The S-8800 features include:

Features

The S-8800 is a feature-packed triple conversion receiver.  Here’s an abridged list of its features, focusing on those most radio enthusiasts seek:

• Frequency coverage:
  • LW: 100 – 519 kHz (1 kHz & 9 kHz steps)
  • MW: 520 – 1710 kHz (1 kHz, 9 kHz and 10 kHz steps)
  • SW: 1711 – 29,999 kHz (1 kHz & 5 kHz steps)
  • Note in SSB mode on LW, MW and SW, tuning steps are 10 Hz and 1 kHz.
  • FM: 64 – 108 MHz (selectable for various markets: Russia, The Caucasus, Caspian/Black Sea regions, Japan, China/Europe, and North America)
• Modes: AM, FM, SSB
• Variable filter widths
  • AM: 6, 4, 3, and 2.3 kHz
  • SSB: 4, 3, 2.3, 1.2, and 0.5 kHz
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
• Antenna gain selection: DX/Local
• External antenna connections: both BNC (SW and FM) and a high-impedance port (LW, MW and SW)
• Both 9 and 10 kHz spacing on mediumwave
• Dedicated fine-tuning control
• Auto Tuning Storage (ATS)
• 650 station memories
• FM stereo/mono
• Backlit LCD display
• Treble and bass tone controls
• RCA line-out audio
• Full-featured clock, alarm and sleep timer
• IR remote control
• Two 18650 lithium cells (included) that can be safely charged internally via USB

Reviews:

• Click here to read a comprehensive review of the Tecsun S-8800 on the SWLing Post

Retailers:

• Click here to search eBay.
• Click here to purchase from Anon-Co.

We gave the RSP a very favorable review on the SWLing Post.

Key features:

• Robust and strong plastic case
• Continuous coverage from 100KHz to 2 GHz
• 12-bit ADC silicon technology (not another 8 bit dongle!)
• Built-in High-Performance front-end filters
• Up to 8 MHz bandwidth
• Good sensitivity and selectivity
• Low noise floor
• Simple USB interface (type B socket)
• SMA antenna socket
• Powers over the USB cable

General

• Weight: 110g
• Size: 95mm x 80mm x 30mm

Connectivity

• Single RF connector (SMA)
• USB 2.0 (high speed) type B socket

Frequency Range

• Continuous coverage 100kHz – 2GHz

ADC Characteristics

• Sample frequency 2MSPS – 10.66MSPS
• 12 bit native ADC
• 10.4 ENOB
• 60dB SNR
• 67dB SFDR

Resources

Reviews:

• The SWLing Post review of the SDRplay RSP
• Comparison of the Airspy and SDRplay RSP
• Eham
• SDRplay list of reviews

Retailers:

• SDRplay
• Ham Radio Outlet

According to Enablia, the TitanSDR is designed for homeland security and foreign intelligence (SIGINT and COMINT), military communications, environmental protection (from electromagnetic pollution), detection of interfering or illegal electromagnetic emissions (by national radio frequency agencies) and general purpose spectrum analysis.

Of course, the TitanSDR is a capable, multi-channel receiver for the discerning DXer.

The following instructional video shows how the TitanSDR application is configured and used.

Click here to download the TitanSDR data sheet.

Review: Click here to read a full review of the TitanSDR Pro on the SWLing Post

Key features:

• Direct conversion Front-End architecture
• 9 kHz to 32 MHz frequency coverage
• 16 frequency preselectors
• High front-end linearity
• One to four parallel Wideband channels (312.5 KHz to 2.1875 MHz wide)
• Up to 40 parallel Narrowband channels
• Modes: SSB, AM, NBFM, CW, eSSB, FSK, DRM
• High frequency resolution Panoramic Spectrum (305 Hz RBW)
• Wideband and Narrowband spectrum and waterfall (with custom palette)
• Record-and-replay of Wideband channels
• Scheduler of recording activities
• Tight integration with Krypto500 decoder by Comint Consulting
• Support for Code300-32 decoder by Hoka Electronic

Resources:

Enablia Electronics and Communications

The Elad FDM-S2 is the latest software defined radio receiver from the Italian manufacturer, Elad. The FDM-S2 is a direct sampling receiver based on 122.88MHz, 16bit single channel ADC converter covering HF 6m and offering the possibility to exploit the FM broadcast band and VHF Band (135-160)MHz.

Click here to read a full review of the Elad FDM-S2.

Features/Specifications:

• Frequency range:
  • HF: 9kHz-52MHz MDS: -132dBm @14MHz, Clipping lev -8dBm
  • FM: 74-108MHz sensitivity
  • VHF: 135-160MHz MDS -137dBm @145MHz, Clipping level -19dBm
• Separate antenna inputs for HF/6m and FM/VHF/Bypass ranges
• Max. DDC Bw 6144kHz (Aliasing free viewable bandwidth up to 5 Megahertz) currently available selectable bitstreams:
  • 192ksps-32bit,
  • 384ksps-32bit,
  • 768ksps-32bit,
  • 1536ksps-32bit,
  • 3072ksps-32bit,
  • 6144ksps-16bit
• Special double DDC mode of 2 x 384kHz bandwidth to be placed within one of the input ranges.
• 4 virtual receivers freely tunable within DDC window
• Each virtual receiver holds settings for mode,bandwidth,volume,squelch and audio output routing.
• Patent pending Triple Tuning Bar for coarse and fine spectrum navigation
• Modes:
  • CWU,
  • CWL,
  • USB,
  • LSB,
  • AM,
  • SAM,
  • FM,
  • WFM,
  • DSB,
  • RTTY,
  • DRM,
  • RDS
• Interference rejection: Noise Blanker, Adaptive Noise Reduction and auto notch, special 2 manual notches (directly placed in DDC spectrum)
• Integrated DRM decoding, text and station schedule update.
• Integrated WFM Stereo with RDS decoding.
• Universal CAT control and OmniRig(tm) integration
• Customizable IF panadapter facilities for integration with existing transceiver/receivers
• User definable bandplan, specified settings per frequency range.
• XML based memory management
• DX cluster data integration and EIBI database import
• Plotting of memory, database and cluster information directly on spectrum screen
• Proprietary Ext IO bus for accessory equipment, also offering 8 DC lines for universal switching (*via SFE1.0 board)
• Supported by 3rd party software: SDR-RadioV2 , Winrad, HDSDR, Studio 1
• DDC Spectrum recorder with automated times chedule control
• Separate IF/AF spectrum windows for detailed signal analysis
• Easy, fully informative User Interface with deep customization
• Resizable windows and multi-monitor support
• Wideband secondary Audio/IF outputs for decoder software (eg CW Skimmer, WeatherFax)
• Full integration of the Tmate(tm) series controllers
• Compact size 110 (W) x 90 (D) x 40 (H) mm and 360g, come with 2 BNC to SMA adapters, USB cable, USB double cable adapter, CD and safe bag.

Resources

Reviews:

• The SWLing Post review of the FDM-S2

Retailers:

• Elad USA