Choosing a 'Step Up' Software Defined Radio (SDR)

In this episode we look at 4 step up SDR radio devices.
We talk about the benefits of step up SDRs, and look at 4 models under $200.

I would recommend that you watch Episode 3 of the 2020 SDR Guide before this episode (if you have never seen it). It looks at my recommendations for buying a budget SDR.

You can find out more about these Software Defined Radios at the respective manufacturers pages.

Timecode
00:00 - Introduction & Airspy Mini
07:32 - SDRPlay RSP1A
11:15 - Airspy R2
13:24 - Airspy HF+ Discovery

[jjme]

Well Rob you've convinced me! Since watching this video a couple days ago I've been tossing around the idea about purchasing an Airspy HF+ Discovery. Watching again, and the comments, (plus being on sale, I'm on a frugal budget), I just made the purchase. Thank you for all you do for this radio hobby, I truly appreciate it.

[kenbaird]

I have had an AirSpy HF+ Discovery for 6 months and it is great, my best receiver ever. I use it with SDR Console or SDR++ as I find SDR # too complicated for an old guy like me. Enjoyed your video. Thanks.

[RobVKFOES]

As someone who owns both an RSP1A and a HF+ Discovery, the airspy is simply outstanding! It is my primary HF listening device. The sensitivity, selectivity and dynamic range is unparalleled in this price range. The RSP1A however, has insane sensitivity at L-band frequencies and I use it almost everyday for SATCOM listening. Both are fantastic SDR's and get a recommendation from me!

[NatesRandomVideo]

This series has been better produced and written than anything else I've found. You deserve LOTS more subscribers than you have! Thanks!

[davidcovington]

Thank you for showing me what to buy myself for Christmas! I liked the long wave stuff.

[Ramr]

Nice review of these SDRs. Since this was recorded, SDRTrunk now includes support for the SDRplay RSP1A.

[prototypea]

Hoping Airspy puts the R2 on sale again this year for Black Friday.

[tonymagnier]

Great review/information, thanks for that. Also the RSPdx is an excellent SDR with plenty of immediate tech support ( as long as its a genuine device, not a clone/knockoff) and the SDRuno console which is regularly updated and more free plug-ins coming on stream all the time.

[Wayne-Pr]

G'day Rob & welcome back I've missed you.

So I run the 2 × RTL-SDR's for trunk tracking MPT1327, whilst I have Nooelec SDR time & life havnt allowed me time to "Play" just yet, I also own the SDRplay RSPduo & finally the Airspy HF Discovery +.

Here's the GO the Airspy HF Discovery +. leaves everything else behind on H.F. & VHF, nothing even get close to it I've tested it time & time again & the result is the same if its H.F. & VHF ( Air Band ) that you want then the Airspy HF Discovery + has it over every thing else you will not be disappointed.

The Airspy HF Discovery + is EXTEREMLY difficult to get in Australia for a number of reasons.

I'm hoping over the Australian Christmas break to get time to play.

Keep up the great work.

Rgs
Wayne.

[danedewaard]

Great information!!! I have always been considering the RSP1a and RSPDX (in the back of my mind) but have always been put off by the lack of support of most of the other interface programs (as you mentioned) and the fact that I can't really find any problems with my RTL-SDR v3 dongles (at least in the way that I use them). I will continue to keep these upgrades in the back of my mind!!! Thanks so much for the great videos and information you provide!!!!

[fly]

A ham from long ago, stumbling onto SDR a couple days ago when looking for an inexpensive receiver. I had no idea this came about. Watching demos, reading specs, then interpreting either no or maybe marginal performance in the LW/MW/SW area I care about without up-converters, pre-amps, filter add-ons, who knows what else, I see here the HF+ Discovery. Single antenna input? A coax switch is simple, unless they're too dinosaur today. I haven't seen anything like this SDR-wise so far, expect I won't. Thank you so much for this video!

[tav]

Thanks for this great review. I decided for a SDRPLAY which is a huge improvement compared to the cheap dongles. Enjoying decode of ACARS now.

[marsgal]

I bought an HF+ Discovery earlier this year. It’s an excellent radio. For the price it’s spectacular.

[zazugee]

tbh i wanted to stepup from RTL-SDR V3 to some LimeSDR mini but after i found out that it got replaced by a v2 and priced at 399$ i had a change of heart and now looking for an alternative, and the airspy ones looks so promising, and i'm really thinking about getting the HF+ bc my RTL V3 is disappointing on HF airband even tho i got wspr contacts from japan and australia from here in north-africa, and south-america on FT-8, and finnish OH9TEN on CW, i think i picked Shanwick once but it wasn't repeatable, strange how i pick irish ATC and volmet but nothing from Gran Canaria's Santa Maria, well it's DX HF mysteries.
thanks for the reviews, i watched lot of others, and most of them can't even be called reviews, bc so little details in them, you rock man!

[thewind-nerh]

good review long time in coming . thank you . hope things are going well for you and your's , happy holidays

[AmericanZ]

What a great video! This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you

[techX]

Overall RSP1A is an excellent SDR but the lack of software support really hurts it. They have been talking about releasing SDRconnect software that will eventually run on multiple platforms eventually including Android, but by that time some other SDR will come on the market.

[terryleach]

Excellent video! Just thought I would add my $0.02 worth. I own the SDRPlay RSP2 (discontinued), the Nooelec NESDR SMART and the Airspy HF+ Discovery SDR receivers. The Airspy unit is the finest of the lot in my opinion since A live a mile from a 50kw AM BCB station and listen to the ham bands. Overloading and image rejection properties are awesome! FD was last weekend and the Airspy unit made for great reception on the band despite its relatively narrow spectrum display properties. The RSP2 is good but not nearly as good as the Airspy - at least for us city dwellers, I think that SDRuno is my favourite software package, however, it is for Windows only and I really don't do Windows if I can help it. A cross platform version is supposed to be released at the end of 2022. I also like SDR# on W10 but use SDR++ on Ubuntu as it 'feels' very much like SDR# and I use it for all 3 receivers.

[thatswhatshesaid]

I would love to see you tinker with the KrakenSDR and maybe some content on passive radar usage

[nkkri]

Because P25 Public Service scanners are so expensive I would like to know which SDR (from user experience) have proven to work better in the 800MHz range receiving P25 transmissions.
I would also like to know if any of the different software made a difference SDR+ etc. My only experience with decoding P25 is with DSD+. I have a early and cheap RTL-SDR dongle. I use SDR+ to control the dongle and DSD+ for digital modes. I can listen to DMR fine, just can't get more than a couple words in a row with P25. Thanks