DXZone web page about SDR

The DXZone has a nice page about SDR, including many links to product information, technical information, and other relevant sites.

QuickSilver QS1R

Here's another SDR receiver that covers the HF radio spectrum and more:
"15 kHz through 55 MHz in its standard configuration and can be used in undersampling applications to 500 MHz"

A Youtube video shows it in action using SDR Max III software.

SoftRock SDR videos

IK1NPP has posted 5 Youtube videos that feature a SoftRock SDR receiver kit.

Modular Receiver for LF/VLF Bands

Larry Coyle, K1QW, published a 2-part article in QST (Nov & Dec 2008) that presents a high performance LF/VLF receiver design. The December portion of this article describes the use of a software defined radio I-Q detector module as part of the overall design. Larry gives a good high-level explanation of how the detector works, and also highlights the versatile DDS-60 that serves as the receiver's software-controlled VFO.

Perseus Receiver

The December 2008 issue of QST has a product review of the Microtelecom Perseus Software Defined Receiver. Its frequency range is 10 kHz to 30 MHz, and reception modes are SSB, CW, AM, FM. Since this receiver uses a high-speed ADC to convert the received RF signal to data, and derives the I and Q signal streams internally, it is able to interface with a PC via USB interface, rather than a sound card interface.

The Perseus is available from SSB Electronic USA.

SDR - Contesting & Bandscope

The DH1TW web site covers two topic areas that may be of interest to hams interested in exploiting SDR capabilities.

- A presentation about the applications of SDR for contesting incorporates a nice high-level summary of the technologies and SDR products that may facilitate contest activity.

- The implementation a 20 kHz wide bandscope using an inexpensive SDR kit connected to an IF stage of the FT-1000MP transceiver is documented.

The latter application is discussed regularly in Yahoo's Softrock-40 Interest Group for various receiver / transceiver brands and IF ranges.

SDR-14 Receiver

This receiver is the "big brother" of the SDR-IQ. It also samples directly the RF band of 500 Hz to 30 MHz using a 66.6 MHz ADC, but includes a direct input port to also allow sampling of signals up to 230 MHz. Like the SDR-IQ, it converts the digitized signal data to I and Q format for transfer to a PC via USB 2.0 interface.

It provides a spectrum display of up to 30 MHz wide and uses SpectraVue (proprietary) software. Software drivers are available for Windows and Linux for use by developers. The SDR-14 web page provides additional details and indicates that it works with I2PHD WINRAD, SM5BSZ LINRAD, HOKA and DRM software.

The SDR-14 was reviewed in the December 2005 issue of QST. Its price class as of this writing was $1099.