In this series of articles, we’ve brought you some news from SDRPlay world, which we’re constantly updating on the latest topics published by the manufacturer.
January 2024
On 26th January, SDRplay announced a new radio spectrum processor, the RSP1B.
The SDRplay RSP1B is an enhanced version of the popular RSP1A powerful wideband full featured 14-bit SDR which covers the RF spectrum from 1kHz to 2GHz. The RSP1B comes in a rugged black painted steel case and has significantly improved noise performance. All it needs is a computer and an antenna to provide excellent communications receiver functionality. It comes with a choice of SDRunoTM for Windows and multiplatform SDRconnectTM SDR software for Windows, MacOS and Linux (supplied free of charge by SDRplay). You can monitor up to 10MHz of spectrum at a time. A documented API allows developers to create new demodulators or applications around the platform.
The key advantages of the RSP1B vs the RSP1A are:
- It is housed in a strong black painted steel case.
- It has significantly improved noise performance below 1MHz (i.e for MF, LF and below), and in the 50-60 MHz region. There are also noticeable noise improvements in the 3.5-5.5MHz and 250-320MHz spectrum.
- It has improved signal handling at HF frequencies.
We, at Anico Hamshop believe that this additional RSP will give people an exciting additional choice at the budget-end of the quality SDR receiver market.
You can read about the official announcement here.
Technical information can be found here.
Comparison table with other RSP products here.
SDRconnect (multiplatform SDR and server software) is generating a lot of interest. There are many MacOS and Linux/Raspberry Pi users out there who have never wanted to use an SDR receiver because up until now, their main options were Windows only. SDRPlay team have generated a lot of new SDRconnect video guides (including guides specifically for Mac and Linux/Raspberry Pi users). They are showcased here: www.sdrplay.com/sdrconnectvideoguides/
SDRplay spends a lot of time on support which includes direct help when you needed. See www.sdrplay.com/help/
November 2023
Perhaps you remember the cry of complaint from MacOS and Linux users that they are always forgotten over Windows users when it comes to amateur radio and SDR software? Well, things are different now as SDRplay has released SDRconnect software for MacOS, Linux and Windows operating systems. SDRconnect also has server software that runs on these platforms - allowing remote access via the internet. Check out all the new SDRconnect video tutorials here: SDRconnect video guides - SDRplay).
Christmas is coming!
The RSP is the perfect gift to encourage a retired friend or relative to rediscover the amateur radio hobby, or for a young person with a Raspberry Pi to explore the radio spectrum. When it comes to technical support, SDRplay is here around the clock to answer technical questions, backed by a huge worldwide community of users (Community Links here - Community Links - SDRplay).
May 2022
At Hamvention in Dayton, Ohio (2022 May 20-22), SDRplay was demonstrating the core underlying technology behind what we’re calling “SDRconnect”.
“SDRconnect” will be the new name for the multiplatform version of SDRuno (up till now we called it SDRuno V2). At Dayton, SDRplay was demonstrating the completely rewritten Core DSP engine for Spectrum and Waterfall displays – with the prototype software running on a Mac M1 computer. SDRplay was also showing networking capability by remotely accessing an RSP based in the UK. This is still an early stage demo, and the SDRPlay’s software team have a lot to do to complete the graphical user interface.
Work is underway on the new graphical user interface which:
· Retains the style and popular features of SDRuno
· Offers a more consistent and intuitive layout
· Addresses fixes and improvements suggested by users ever since SDRuno was first adopted.
SDRplay plans to release the first version of SDRconnect before the end of 2022.SDRplay is promising that SDRconnect will fully support the older obsolete RSP2 and RSP2pro products, although the original RSP1 (phased out in 2017) will not be supported by SDRconnect. SDRuno V1.42 will continue to be available for RSP1 users).
The new graphical user interface will bring a lot of advantages based on what users have been asking for - like more consistency in the way panels and menus are organised making it more intuitive and easy to use, and the ability to lock panels together. Regarding product availability, like many equipment manufacturers SDRPlay is also suffering from component shortages.
Please follow details on the product pages at Anico Hamshop where you can check our available stock of SDRplay products.
September 2021
SDRplay has now released Version 1.41 of SDRuno . It includes the much requested full scheduler facility which allows you to set up numerous recording events for your RSP. As well as providing all the expected calendar options (time of day, date, start and stop times, repeating options and so on), you can also set the ‘profile’ for each recording – this allows you to pre-set frequencies, bandwidths, demodulator options (AM/FM/USB/LSB etc.), choice of filters and antenna port selection. Additionally you can choose the settings for connectivity to other third party software or the running of a specific plugin. This video introduces the scheduler: https://youtu.be/fURaBmYcPbg
Also available with SDRuno V1.41 is a new ADSB plugin which simplifies the way you can use an SDRplay RSP for decoding real time transponder signals from aircraft in your vicinity. You simply ensure you have a suitable antenna for 1.090 GHz and launch SDRuno and the new ADSB plugin. This new Plugin works with freely available Virtual Radar Server software which collects the data from the SDRuno plugin and produces a clickable map that shows all the aircraft found in real time. Anyone who has an RSPduo (the dual tuner SDR) can simultaneously listen to the corresponding ATC voice channel to monitor the pilot interaction with air traffic control. Mike, KD2KOG from SDRplay has produced a video and a comprehensive app note covering this and the many ways this new plugin can be used to customise displays via its internal ADSB web server: https://youtu.be/CtcS9OstHJI
More information can be found here: https://www.sdrplay.com/try-out-the-new-features-in-sdruno-v1-41-released-today/
Download the latest 2-page SDRplay flyer. Page 1 can also be used as a poster. If you want to customise with your own website, then here is the PowerPoint version for you to download and edit: https://www.sdrplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SDRplayflyer2021A.pptx
SDRplay team continues to see clone activities – in some cases our authorised resellers are having their pages copied and used by fraudulent websites. Where you see counterfeit SDRplay products on popular websites like Amazon, eBay, AliExpress or Bangood, in your country, please take time to report them. Here’s a recent blog on the subject of counterfeit SDRplay devices: https://www.sdrplay.com/beware-fake-sdrplay-devices/
If you have links to local universities, University Teaching course “Understanding Radio Communications – using SDRs” is available for teachers – it’s a ready made course complete with Powerpoint slides, notes for students and video guides. The (freely available) course is designed around the RSP1A – more information can be found here: https://www.sdrplay.com/understandingradio/
You can see SDRplay’s new videos as they are released on their YouTube Channel which now has over 10,000 subscribers: https://www.youtube.com/c/SDRplayRSP/videos
You can search for videos and documents in the apps and support catalogue: https://www.sdrplay.com/apps-catalogue/
SDRplay website continues to be improved. As well as the important stuff accessible from the home page, these secondary pages contain a ton of information and useful links: https://www.sdrplay.com/misc/
If you need rapid support, please use this url for logging any quality or warranty issues: https://sdrplay.com/support/open.php
Thanks again for your ongoing support for the RSP family.
January 2021
Since the last update SDRplay has ensured that the downloadable Raspberry Pi SD card images are fully operational with the newer models like the RPi 4B+ RPi4B+ 8GB and the RPI-400. See SDRplay’s blog for the latest links to these AND new scripts which allow you to install SDRplay-related software to your existing SD card: https://www.sdrplay.com/add-sdrplay-related-software-to-your-existing-raspberry-pi-sd-card/ (There’s also a link to the new video guide on this)
For universities and teachers: SDRplay’s university teaching course “Understanding Radio Communications – using SDRs” is available for teachers. It’s a ready made course complete with Powerpoint slides, notes for students and video guides. The (freely available) course is designed around the RSP1A – more information can be found here: https://www.sdrplay.com/understandingradio/
To demonstrate the complexity of the dual tuner RSPduo, this new video shows clearly how to set up SDRuno to run the two tuners simultaneously: https://youtu.be/pqK0u7p-jGY - there are also several new plugin demos available (click on the appropriate links within the descriptions here: https://www.sdrplay.com/plugins/
SDRplay has made a video to help with common SDRuno installation and upgrade questions: https://youtu.be/lmOHYLAZdz0.
You can see the new videos as they are released on SDRplay’s YouTube Channel which now has over 10,000 subscribers: https://www.youtube.com/c/SDRplayRSP/videos
You can search for videos and documents in SDRplay’s apps and support catalogue: https://www.sdrplay.com/apps-catalogue/
December 2020
The SDRPlay RSP1A is a perfect gift for friends and family of lapsed radio amateurs or shortwave listeners – older people who played with radios when they were still at school.
The latest version of SDRuno is providing very stable. The plugin system is becoming very popular – please see updated plugins page which has links to the new plugins available, including video guides: https://www.sdrplay.com/plugins/
There are new videos which highlight all SDRPlay products and show the manufacturing process – go to: https://www.sdrplay.com/see-how-sdrplays-rsps-are-made/
The 2021 edition of the World Radio and Television Handbook is now available and includes a review of the RSPdx in which the author comments "This receiver excels at all types of monitoring whether it be broadcast, amateur, utility, L-Band and more. …. it is so reasonably priced that it’s hard to think what’s not to like about this great little receiver." For more on this, see: https://www.sdrplay.com/world-radio-tv-handbook-2021-is-out-and-praises-the-sdrplay-rspdx/
SDRPlay guys have made a video to help with common SDRuno installation and upgrade questions: https://youtu.be/lmOHYLAZdz0 - you can see new videos as they are released on SDRPlay's YouTube Channel which now has over 10,000 subscribers: https://www.youtube.com/c/SDRplayRSP/videos You can search for videos and documents in the apps and support catalogue: https://www.sdrplay.com/apps-catalogue/
Help system makes it easier for you to get rapid support for technical inquiries. This system is designed to guide customers through common problems before they actually raise a ticket. SDRPlay website has been updated to include this new Help system – where it used to say “Support” it now says “Help” on the home page.
Thanks again for your ongoing support for the RSP family and our best wishes through the pandemic.
October 2020
SDRplay have made available downloadable IQ recordings, which can be used instead of real world signals to check out the operation of SDRuno and related software. For more information, see: https://www.sdrplay.com/sdrplay-iq-demo-files-available
They have also made a video to help with common SDRuno installation and upgrade questions: https://youtu.be/lmOHYLAZdz0 - This is one of 9 new videos released in the last month.
You can see the new videos as they are released on SDRplay's YouTube Channel which now has over 10,000 subscribers.
You can search for videos and documents in the Apps and Support Catalogue.
August 2020
SDRuno V1.4 went live and has been well received. This now supports plugins and SDPplay's webinar demonstrates the new plugins in action: https://youtu.be/vGoookEnMoI
To find out more about Plugins, click here: https://www.sdrplay.com/plugins
There is now an easy way to connect SDRuno running windows to a remote RSP connected to a Raspberry Pi over a LAN - see: https://www.sdrplay.com/virtualhere-allows-remote-rsp-access-over-lan
SDRplay has announced it's new upgraded customer support system called “Help”. This makes it easier for end customers to get rapid support for technical inquiries. This system is designed to guide customers through common problems before they actually raise a ticket.
SDRplay’s website has been updated to include this new Help system – where it used to say “Support” it now says “Help” on the home page.
SDRplay continues to add to their searchable “Applications and Support” catalogue – see https://www.sdrplay.com/apps-catalogue
This useful facility helps people to find information and video guides more easily.
April 2020
Live SDRplay webinars
SDRplay is running a series of regular technical webinars which should be of interest to newcomers to SDR as well as SDR enthusiasts. This Sunday May 3rd 1700 UTC (19:00 in Hungary) SDRplay will have a special webinar focused on the use of SDRuno with RTL-SDR dongles. Information about these webinars, together with links to past events, can be found here.
Time to explore diversity with the RSPduo
If people have big gardens, now is a perfect time to experiment with multiple HF antennas and explore just what can be achieved with the RSPduo both for noise reduction and also signal enhancement. This recent video demonstrates how good the RSPduo can be for signal enhancement.
Video reviews
Links to video reviews (in English) can be found here: https://www.sdrplay.com/reviews-catalogue
Links to other language video reviews and guides can be found by going to https://www.sdrplay.com/apps-catalogue and scrolling to the bottom.
Consider creating your own video and we can showcase it on our Anico Youtube channel and send it to SDRplay, so it can be added to catalogue site of SDRplay too.
