New Pluto SDR receiving poorly

Also known as ADALM-PLUTO.
KISA
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:46 am

New Pluto SDR receiving poorly

#1

Unread post by KISA »

Hi,
Apologies in advance if this is a noob question.
I recently purchased a Pluto SDR and am trying to test it on a local FM radio station (104.7MHz).
I’ve changed the config of the SDR so it now operates from 70MHz to 6GHz, so it’s in range (set it to a 9361 for my Rev C version).
When I try and view the radio station in SDRAngel or Matlab via a spectrum analyser, I find the received signal strength is barely above the noise floor, compared to an RTL-SDR I have (using the same antenna) which shows the same radio station booming in.
I’m not convinced that the Pluto is at fault, because I’ve hear/read that the initial setup of the Pluto is not that simple (i.e. it doesn’t work straight out of the box).
Can anyone help me in clarifying if my Pluto is faulty or if there are settings I’ve missed doing that will allow me to collect the FM signal I’m expecting.
Thank you,
KISA

jdow
Posts: 799
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2020 8:17 pm

Re: New Pluto SDR receiving poorly

#2

Unread post by jdow »

Did you ever adjust the RF gain on the Pluto? If yes is the antenna connected to the Rx antenna port?
{^_^}

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Simon G4ELI
Posts: 2134
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:27 am
Location: Mawnan Smith
Contact:

Re: New Pluto SDR receiving poorly

#3

Unread post by Simon G4ELI »

KISA wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:53 am Hi,
Apologies in advance if this is a noob question.
I recently purchased a Pluto SDR and am trying to test it on a local FM radio station (104.7MHz).
I’ve changed the config of the SDR so it now operates from 70MHz to 6GHz, so it’s in range (set it to a 9361 for my Rev C version).
When I try and view the radio station in SDRAngel or Matlab via a spectrum analyser, I find the received signal strength is barely above the noise floor, compared to an RTL-SDR I have (using the same antenna) which shows the same radio station booming in.
I’m not convinced that the Pluto is at fault, because I’ve hear/read that the initial setup of the Pluto is not that simple (i.e. it doesn’t work straight out of the box).
Can anyone help me in clarifying if my Pluto is faulty or if there are settings I’ve missed doing that will allow me to collect the FM signal I’m expecting.
Thank you,
KISA
Let's see a screenshot, must include the Radio panel where you adjust the settings.
Simon Brown :shock:
www.sdr-radio.com

Do not send me direct e-mail, thank-you!

dg9bfc_sigi
Posts: 139
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2020 10:43 am

Re: New Pluto SDR receiving poorly

#4

Unread post by dg9bfc_sigi »

KISA wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:53 am Hi,
Apologies in advance if this is a noob question.
I recently purchased a Pluto SDR and am trying to test it on a local FM radio station (104.7MHz).
I’ve changed the config of the SDR so it now operates from 70MHz to 6GHz, so it’s in range (set it to a 9361 for my Rev C version).
When I try and view the radio station in SDRAngel or Matlab via a spectrum analyser, I find the received signal strength is barely above the noise floor, compared to an RTL-SDR I have (using the same antenna) which shows the same radio station booming in.
I’m not convinced that the Pluto is at fault, because I’ve hear/read that the initial setup of the Pluto is not that simple (i.e. it doesn’t work straight out of the box).
Can anyone help me in clarifying if my Pluto is faulty or if there are settings I’ve missed doing that will allow me to collect the FM signal I’m expecting.
Thank you,
KISA
there are some plutos out in the market that are "deaf" (15 to 20 db lower sensitivity) ... still functional .. but deaf
lets hope that you do not have such a faulty unit

jdow
Posts: 799
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2020 8:17 pm

Re: New Pluto SDR receiving poorly

#5

Unread post by jdow »

Opening up the wider bandwidth handling does not guarantee it will work. Consider why the part might not be sold as fully specification compliant for the wider bandwidth. On the offhand (did you plug your computer in, is it turned on) level have you played with the gain control settings? How does it perform on 450 MHz?

{^_^}

User avatar
Simon G4ELI
Posts: 2134
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:27 am
Location: Mawnan Smith
Contact:

Re: New Pluto SDR receiving poorly

#6

Unread post by Simon G4ELI »

A screenshot will help :(
Simon Brown :shock:
www.sdr-radio.com

Do not send me direct e-mail, thank-you!

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