[GreenKeys] USB SDR radios

[epvgk at limpoc.com]

On Thu, Jan 29, 2015 at 11:24:32AM -0600, John Foust wrote:
> 
> I recently bought one of those sub-$20 USB SDR radios, a Ham-It-Up
> upconverter, and the assorted necessary connectors for putting
> it together and attaching an antenna.  I've spent less than $100
> so far, and it's fun!  It looks like there's software out there
> to decode all sorts of ham and commercial traffic.  It definitely
> remakes the old ham rule of "buy a $10 radio and a $100 antenna."
> 
> Anyone else here using one?
> 
> - John

I have one, but no upconverter. For the price, it's impressive. 
Downsides are that the SDR itself has fairly limited dynamic range
and no filtering of any kind, so nearby strong signals pretty
much wipe it out, there are images and artifacts, etc.. but it's
certainly sufficient for listening to local repeaters, police, fire,
pager, ADSB from nearby airplanes, etc... If the upconverter is
well designed, it could overcome some of the shortcomings of the
SDR. 

eric