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A new SDR T/R switch from SDRSwitch.com

At last there is a replacement for the popular MFJ1708B-SDR T/R switch which protects your SDR from damage from your transmitting signal. It’s the new SDR switch from N2EME ( SDRSwitch.com )

These are now available from Martin Lynch and Sons and in this new ML&S video, David, M0TPT shows it in action with an SDRplay RSPduo – 1 minute 25 seconds in:

David doesn’t show how to set up rig control, but this video demonstrates how to do it using SDRuno with the obsolete MFJ1708B-SDR.   (Please note we are working on rig control for SDRconnect which will be released soon).

 

Latest on the nRSP-ST networked receiver

We have sold all of the first production run of the nRSP-ST networked receiver – our channel partners and resellers took all that we made first time round – so much so, that we were unable to sell any units directly from our website. (latest news – February 16th update  We aim to ship to most resellers so that they have stock on their shelves by February 24th.

It’s important to contact your preferred reseller to let them know of your interest so that they don’t sell out from this new batch of units.

More about the nRSP-ST

The nRSP-ST is your own personal remotely accessible SDR which can also be shared with a small number of trusted friends or colleagues.

The nRSP-ST addresses the needs of radio enthusiasts who want a ‘plug-and-play’ solution for remote reception.  As well as achieving this, we have addressed typical internet bandwidth limitations with the creation of a novel “IQ Lite” mode, which efficiently delivers channels of IQ data. We are also introducing the ability to control and store IQ recordings at the remote location.  The nRSP-ST is ideal for anyone wanting a wideband remote receiver without needing computer skills and hours of set-up time and ongoing maintenance at the remote location.

Why not try accessing an nRSP-ST today (up to 8 simultaneous users, first come first served, 15 minute timeout) by going to: https://www.sdrplay.com/try-accessing-an-nrsp-st-networked-receiver-today/

This is our nRSP-ST Introduction video: https://youtu.be/1w3XK3wTPkc

This video demonstrates the experience you get when out and about with your phone, accessing your own nRSP-ST froma phone or tablet: https://youtu.be/424jdYWFoP0

SDRplay will be at Hamcation, Florida February 7-9 2025

February 12th update: The presentation slides can be downloaded from here: https://www.sdrplay.com/docs/Hamcation2025slides.pdf

Steve, KI5ENW will be demonstrating the new nRSP-ST networked SDR receiver, and the latest software at this year’s Hamcation in Florida, February 7th-9th.

Come and find out more about all the SDRplay products and software – Steve will be on the Ham Radio Outlet stand answering questions and greeting customers old and new. He will also be giving a talk Saturday morning at 9.15am in room CS2:

Steve’s talk covers the basics of SDRs and how they have evolved from simple dongles. Some non-traditional radio applications made possible by the advent of affordable, high-performance SDRs (including adding panadapter capabilities to an existing rig) are discussed. He will show how an SDR radio can be broadly split into halves, the hardware to receive the signals and the software to process them. The software is a true differentiator and continues to evolve to extract maximum performance and new capabilities from the hardware. Without delving into the technical side too deeply this review has proven popular with both new and experienced users contemplating the jump into the rapidly growing field of SDRs, or wanting to make the most of the capabilities they offer.  So if you have friends unsure about SDRs at Hamcation this year – make sure they catch this talk 🙂

February 12th update: The presentation slides can be downloaded from here: https://www.sdrplay.com/docs/Hamcation2025slides.pdf

Check out SDRplay’s new nRSP-ST video: https://youtu.be/1w3XK3wTPkc

See also Ham Radio Outlet’s own video on the nRSP-ST: https://youtu.be/0Nuj8XrlxPM

 

 

 

Try accessing an nRSP-ST networked receiver today

Try accessing an nRSP-ST today!

 

What’s different about the nRSP-ST compared with a regular SDRplay RSP?

The nRSP-ST lets you:
• Access your personal RSP from any point in your house or when away from home
• Share your RSP with friends or colleagues by allocating usernames and passwords with timeout options

The nRSP-ST is like a traditional SDR receiver but with a fundamental new advantage which is the ability to place the unit wherever it works best and access it from wherever is most convenient. The SDRconnect client software provides a robust and flexible interface to whatever decoding apps are chosen. The addition of a web browser (and eventually an Android/iOS app) provides convenience for people who are on the move without access to a laptop. More about the nRSP-ST here

About this limited demo:

You can have limited access to an nRSP-ST based near Bedford, UK on a first come first served basis.  This has a G5RV wire dipole on Antenna A which has best performance over the HF frequencies but also good signals from MF (AM band) to VHF (FM and aircraft bands).  Please be patient if you find you have to wait for access. At times it may be oversubscribed. We have set a 15 minute timeout limit or 10 minutes if left idle. Only the first user gets to select the frequency range.

If you download and run the SDRconnect client, you can add a remote device with hostname “nrsp.ddns.net” and port 50002

The more limited access from the built-in web server (e.g. for an Android or iOS device) can be found by going to nrsp.ddns.net:9001 on your web browser – the web interface takes up to 30 seconds to set-up the graphical user interface so be patient.  Also some older tablets and phones may not work.

For both forms of access, the username is Test and the password is Test  – you can see your place in the queue by clicking on the network symbol. For small devices, once you have your settings chosen, minimise the control panel to give room for the spectrum display. Also click on the hand symbol to enable the special fingers controls for zoom and tune.

For this particular demo (wire antenna on antenna A), here are some things to check when using the web version:

(Please note this appears in your browser to be a “non secure” website because these units create web servers which are usually shared with friends and colleagues so self-signing certification is not an issue)

  -First press the green “Play” arrow (top left) and enter Test and Test as username and password

  -Choose the appropriate “mode” in the control panel- eg LSB or USB for HF ham bands (you can change away from the default filter bandwidth as well). It will start in wideband FM! Check it is set to Antenna A or you will hear nothing.

  -If you have control, you can choose your band or specific centre frequency from the band buttons or keypad. If someone else still has control, then you will have to use the band or frequency range already selected. Your tuning range will be limited.

–You can see your place in the queue by pressing the network symbol.

  -For small handheld devices, hold in “landscape” and slide the header row if needed with a finger. Select the hand symbol to enable finger controls for zoom and tune. 

  -For easy tuning of SSB signals, expand the spectrum display scale to a smaller section of the band and then toggle off the control panel (top right button). Then swap back to holding the  device in “portrait” mode for fine tuning.

  -If you’re using an iPhone be sure not to have “silent mode” switched on!  (at the side) – otherwise you get no audio!

  -If you’re using an iPad, check silent mode is off.  Go to Settings, Sounds and turn off silent mode – otherwise on some iOS versions, you will get no audio!

If using the SDRconnect software for the first time , then we recommend viewing the video guides on https://www.sdrplay.com/sdrconnectvideoguides/ and the SDRplay Youtube channel

For newcomers to SDRplay, you can get some idea of the experience you would have if you had your own RSP plugged into your computer locally. The cheapest RSP is the RSP1B which has just one antenna port: https://www.sdrplay.com/purchase/

This video guide demonstrates using a small handhelp device like an Android phone or iPhone: https://youtu.be/424jdYWFoP0

How many simultaneous users can one nRSP-ST support?
The maximum number of simultaneous users that the device can support depends upon the connection mode, signal bandwidth and signal type (demodulation mode). For this demo we have not allowed full IQ as an option – due to internet bandwidth limitations. 
The limitation in the number of users is determined by the CPU and GPU load on the host inside the nRSP-ST. A lot of work has been done to balance the signal processing that is performed on the CPU vs the GPU to maximise the use of the available processing power. By this approach, we have been able to increase the supportable number of users by perhaps 50% when compared to software that exclusively uses the CPU. The most severe load is when using ‘compact mode’ for SWFM. In this case if there are more than 3 connections, then there may be some audio break up as all of the processing is being performed on the host itself. For lower bandwidth signals such as AM or SSB, the limit is a lot greater. In this case, the device can support up to 8 users. In
Full IQ mode, the limitation is really network bandwidth. The most useful mode in many ways is IQ Lite. For AM and SSB signals, it only uses about 2-3x the network bandwidth
of compact mode, but reduces the processing load on the nRSP-ST host considerably. It has all of the advantages of full IQ with the exception that it will not allow IQ recording on the client side.
At this stage, we have not attempted to artificially limit the number of connections that can be made. However, in a future release of the firmware, we will most likely add the ability for the owner/administrator to limit the number of simultaneous users, but we want to do that in an intelligent way that doesn’t place unnecessary restrictions, so we want to take account of the modes in which the connections are made.

 

nRSP-ST update introduces more finger controls for mobile devices

It’s nearly three weeks since we launched the nRSP-ST networked receiver.  Since then users have provided valuable feedback and uncovered some defects which we have been able to fix with the latest firmware and software updates. SDRconnect 1.0.3 has been released.  nRSP-ST users should go to the https://www.sdrplay.com/nrspstart page and make sure to update your firmware to the latest (currently 1.0.6) during the SDRconnect installation process. A list of what’s been added/changed  can be found in the release notes:  https://www.sdrplay.com/docs/SDRconnect_Release_Notes.pdf

A particularly cool feature is the new touchscreen control for handheld devices using the web browser:

By clicking on the hand symbol, additional arrow controls are provided for zooming in and out of the spectrum display. There are also new tuning control arrows. By adjusting the step size this feature can be adapted for optimal use depending on the frequencies and signals of interest.  On extra small screen like phones, once you have the settings you need, you can minimise the control window and just have the spectrum display and waterfall as shown int he picture above.

More about the nRSP-ST:

The nRSP-ST is a truly “plug and play” remote-access general-coverage SDR receiver

  • Access your personal RSP from any point in your house or when away from home
  • Share your RSP with friends or colleagues by allocating usernames and passwords with timeout options
  • Covers all frequencies from 1kHz through VLF, LF, MW, HF, VHF, UHF and L-band to 2GHz, with no gaps
  • Apply power and connect to the internet (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and the nRSP-ST is easily accessible from anywhere
  • Designed for long-term unattended operation
  • Remotely monitor up to 10MHz of spectrum at a time from up to 3 different antennas
  • Access via SDRconnectTM client software or by using a web browser (ideal for tablets and small devices including Android and iOS)
  • Multi-platform SDRconnect software supports local operation and remote access on Windows, MacOS or Linux/Raspberry Pi platforms
  • SDRconnect provides 3 choices of network connectivity – Full IQ, IQ Lite and Compact modes to suit available network bandwidth
  • For more information, go to www.SDRplay.com/nRSPst

 

See the nRSP-ST in action at the Dortmund Amateur Radio Market

The 52nd Dortmund Amateur Radio Market will take place on Saturday December 7, 2024 at the Dortmund Messe, in the Westfalenhalle 8, in Germany.  

Bonito, Funk24, Funtechnik-Dathe and Van Dijken elektronica will all be there with the brand new nRSP-ST all-in-one networked SDR radio.  Check out their demos.

It’s also a great opportunity to get a gift for anyone you want to get interested in Ham Radio or the radio listening hobby. The RSP1B is a perfect gift for anyone with a computer – SDRconnect runs on Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi and MacOS.    

 

The nRSP-ST networked radio goes on sale today

The new nRSP-ST networked radio from SDRplay goes on sale today at authorised resllers worldwide.  A list of authorised resellers can be found here: https://www.sdrplay.com/distributors

Work has been completed on the updates needed for SDRconnect software to support the new features offered by the nRSP-ST.  The new version of SDRconnect is now available to download from a special nRSP start page: https://www.sdrplay.com/nrspstart

This exciting new product addresses the needs of radio enthusiasts who want a ‘plug-and-play’ solution for remote reception.  As well as achieving this, we have addressed typical internet bandwidth limitations with the creation of a novel “IQ Lite” mode, which efficiently delivers channels of IQ data. We have also introduced the ability to control and store IQ recordings at the remote location.  We think the nRSP-ST will be ideal for anyone wanting a wideband remote receiver without needing computer skills and hours of set-up time and ongoing maintenance at the remote location.

The nRSP-ST key features:

  • A truly “plug and play” integrated, networked general coverage receiver:
    • Combines a receiver, a host computer and a whole lot more – all in one box!
    • Apply power and connect to the internet (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and the nRSP-ST is easily accessible from anywhere
    • Designed for long term continuous usage (no noisy or unreliable cooling fan)
  • The 14-bit ADC full featured wideband SDR receiver covers all frequencies from 1kHz through VLF, LF, MW, HF, VHF, UHF and L-band to 2GHz, with no gaps
  • Remotely monitor up to 10MHz of spectrum at a time from a choice of 3 antennas
  • Multi-platform SDRconnectTM software supports local operation or remote access on Windows, MacOS or Linux platforms
  • The nRSP-ST & SDRconnectTM are configurable for available network bandwidth:
    • In “Full IQ” mode, the nRSP-ST provides IQ data transfer of the visible spectrum bandwidth (e.g. for high-speed LAN or superfast internet connectivity)
    • In “IQ Lite” mode, the nRSP-ST provides IQ data of channels up to 192kHz wide (e.g. for digital decoding by the client)
    • In “Compact” mode the nRSP-ST provides compressed audio and visual display (ideal for slower internet connections)
    • Supports multiple client connections with a simultaneous mixture of connection modes
    • All modes support visualization of up to 10MHz spectrum bandwidth
  • Two remote connection options:
    • Use a remote SDRconnect client or
    • Use the built-in web-server for remote access from most up-to-date browsing capable devices, including Android/iOS tablets and phones
  • The nRSP-ST will offer the ability to record IQ and audio files to a NAS (network attached storage) device if available on the LAN.
  • Flash upgradable for future feature enhancements

Details can be found on https://www.sdrplay.com/nrspst/

 

SDRplay will launch the nRSP-ST networked receiver on November 27th

SDRplay Limited will launch the recently announced nRSP-ST on Wednesday November 27th at 0800 UTC.  The nRSP-ST is an all-in-one, plug-and-play networked SDR receiver.   The first production run is complete and we have started shipping the first “nRSP-ST” units to our channel partners and resellers in time for launch.  We have started shipping units to our channel partners and resellers.  We will also be selling them from our website from that date.

 

The suggested retail price is $499 USD before tax; however exact prices will depend on exchange rates and individual resellers.

The nRSP-ST key features:

  • A truly “plug and play” integrated, networked general coverage receiver:
    • Combines a receiver, a host computer and a whole lot more – all in one box!
    • Apply power and connect to the internet (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and the nRSP-ST is easily accessible from anywhere
    • Designed for long term continuous usage (no noisy or unreliable cooling fan)
  • The 14-bit ADC full featured wideband SDR receiver covers all frequencies from 1kHz through VLF, LF, MW, HF, VHF, UHF and L-band to 2GHz, with no gaps
  • Remotely monitor up to 10MHz of spectrum at a time from a choice of 3 antennas
  • Multi-platform SDRconnectTM software supports local operation or remote access on Windows, MacOS or Linux platforms
  • The nRSP-ST & SDRconnectTM are configurable for available network bandwidth:
    • In “Full IQ” mode, the nRSP-ST provides IQ data transfer of the visible spectrum bandwidth (e.g. for high-speed LAN or superfast internet connectivity)
    • In “IQ Lite” mode, the nRSP-ST provides IQ data of channels up to 192kHz wide (e.g. for digital decoding by the client)
    • In “Compact” mode the nRSP-ST provides compressed audio and visual display (ideal for slower internet connections)
    • Supports multiple client connections with a simultaneous mixture of connection modes
    • All modes support visualization of up to 10MHz spectrum bandwidth
  • Two remote connection options:
    • Use a remote SDRconnect client or
    • Use the built-in web-server for remote access from most up-to-date browsing capable devices, including Android/iOS tablets and phones
  • The nRSP-ST will offer the ability to record IQ and audio files to a NAS (network attached storage) device if available on the LAN.
  • Flash upgradable for future feature enhancements

Click here to download the nRSP-ST preview flyer which illustrates the variety of connection modes supported.

Click here for the product page which includes links to video previews and the datasheet

nRSP-ST® is a registered trademark belonging to SDRplay Ltd

 

 

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