Well, it's finally arrived!
3 years after it was first announced, then redesigned, then the old Billy Ray got in the way delaying things further, but IMHO well worth the wait.
Mine arrived today, had no problems getting it going on the test version of Console.
First impressions (from a Band 2 point of view, as that was the prime reason for me getting it..) is that it's just as sensitive as the Airspy HF+,. which itself is the most sensitive SDR I've used on Band 2. It is considerably more sensitive than the S2 when used without a Fringe preamplifier.
Despite 5x250kw transmitters 35km away line of sight from here, not a hint of overload anywhere, though I have yet to test this with the mast raised to full height.
Uses about 12% CPU running full width, this on an i7-9970 and GTX1650 Super graphics card.
I also tried recording full width onto an HDD (an SSD is recommended..) but this worked fine on the Hitachi 12TB HDD I have, both on record and playback.
Had a quick look on HF, looking good there too.. will have a nose later on MW, and LF NDBs.
S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
Moderator: NN4F
S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
Jim, Bournemouth IO90BR
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Re: S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
Would be interesting to see a screenshot with the antenna pointing at the los transmitter.
Maybe a 30 second IQ so i can see the dynamic range? Would be 3GB...
Maybe a 30 second IQ so i can see the dynamic range? Would be 3GB...
Re: S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
I'll do that tomorrow if the wind drops. Too windy to raise the ants at the moment - but a quick look suggests Radio 3 is peaking 85db above noise with the antennas lowered.....
Jim, Bournemouth IO90BR
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Re: S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
Nice - will be a good test. The S3 should handle much more than that.
Re: S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
One thing I did find when I tested it with a variable gain preamp is that too much gain and the S3 just stopped. Turn the gain down, and it automatically resumed.
With the S2, I have a small hint of overload around 87.6-87.8 when I raised the antennas and the signal levels from the blowtorches increased.
With the S2, I have a small hint of overload around 87.6-87.8 when I raised the antennas and the signal levels from the blowtorches increased.
Jim, Bournemouth IO90BR
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Re: S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
I doubt a pre-amp is needed, I expect it's overloaded.
Re: S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
Yes, overloaded without a doubt.
Jim, Bournemouth IO90BR
Re: S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
Uploaded to Dropbox and share message sent (hopefully)
Jim, Bournemouth IO90BR
- Simon G4ELI
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Re: S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
Thanks, downloading now.
- Simon G4ELI
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Re: S3 is here at last !! First thoughts....
I see 88 dB SNR so should be fine with at least another 10dB...