I have been an avid SWL hobbyist for 40 years. Though I wouldn't recommend that radio for a casual listener, its the clear choice for tech literate SWLer. I own many great radios, and this radio to me is the best for any radio under $1,000. Yes the RSPDX is just as good, but its costlier. It hands down beats any Sangean Chinese made portable radio cost about 2x the $115 price tag I paid.
I have the RSP1A and different antennas. I am a SWL learning the ropes. I built an antenna switching box with 4 inputs and a good rotary switch. Would that be more or less the same as buying a RSPDX with twin antenna inputs.
I have an RSP2 and I got very disappointed when I starded tuning images and spurous. I tried to change from zero to low IF to no avail in many occasions. So I acquired an Airspy HF+ Discovery and later an SDRplay RSPdx. Both are far better on this issue than the RSP2. Not to mention, better dynamic range on lower bands such as VLF, LW and MW.
I have the same three radios. With the RSP2, I found the RF needs to be turned way down in a lot of cases just to stop the overloading. It's not bad, but it doesn't seem to be designed for DXing.
Check out the airspy hf+ discovery, i am blown away with mine. My Elad FDM Duo was my previous best rig for shortwave but the airspy is about 5db better signal to noise. On long wave the airspy is the best i’ve ever seen, it beats every other radio and sdr i have by a huge margin.
How does the HF+ perform on Low VHF, oh it doesn't. How does it perform at 8MHz instantaneous coverage, oh it doesn't. You're comparing two different types of SDR so your comment is meaningless.
What antenna, or antennas are you using? Would a discone be a good “General purpose” antenna? What about a chameleon?
how do both of them perform against a PL-330 or other portables in the $50-$300 range on HF (shortwave) ?
I have been an avid SWL hobbyist for 40 years. Though I wouldn't recommend that radio for a casual listener, its the clear choice for tech literate SWLer. I own many great radios, and this radio to me is the best for any radio under $1,000. Yes the RSPDX is just as good, but its costlier. It hands down beats any Sangean Chinese made portable radio cost about 2x the $115 price tag I paid.
Thank you for the excellent review. How do the rsp1a compare to say the airspy discovery. I have one of them
I have the RSP1A and different antennas. I am a SWL learning the ropes. I built an antenna switching box with 4 inputs and a good rotary switch. Would that be more or less the same as buying a RSPDX with twin antenna inputs.
For VHF band (144 MHz) - what better?
Thankyou for the review
Now the new SDR Play DUO is available, what will be your recommendation
will the rspa1 tune the entire AM, MW band?
I have an RSP2 and I got very disappointed when I starded tuning images and spurous. I tried to change from zero to low IF to no avail in many occasions. So I acquired an Airspy HF+ Discovery and later an SDRplay RSPdx. Both are far better on this issue than the RSP2. Not to mention, better dynamic range on lower bands such as VLF, LW and MW.
I have the same three radios. With the RSP2, I found the RF needs to be turned way down in a lot of cases just to stop the overloading. It's not bad, but it doesn't seem to be designed for DXing.
Thank you !
Check out the airspy hf+ discovery, i am blown away with mine. My Elad FDM Duo was my previous best rig for shortwave but the airspy is about 5db better signal to noise. On long wave the airspy is the best i’ve ever seen, it beats every other radio and sdr i have by a huge margin.
Meh, nice ad. Lol
How does the HF+ perform on Low VHF, oh it doesn't. How does it perform at 8MHz instantaneous coverage, oh it doesn't. You're comparing two different types of SDR so your comment is meaningless.
@@AceBlaggard exactly, HF+ is more specific for HF and Band II reception