Just to help people understand different connectors.......The first adapter you showed is called a ‘PAL’ or ‘IEC’ connector which is the most common type of TV antenna connector in Europe and Australia. (It’s actual, technical name is the ‘Belling-Lee’ connector.) The second one is called an ‘F’ connector, which is the standard connector for TV’s in most other parts of the world. Both are 75 ohm impedance. The PAL connector pre-dates the F connector. (PAL - 1922, F -1950’s) Before the F connector, most of our televisions used 300 ohm twin lead antenna lead cable. The F connector only became popular in the early 1970’s when cable TV rolled out in the U.S. and needed a coaxial type connector. Excellent video! I really enjoyed it. I’ve been an RF engineer for 39 years, I’m now retired and still dabble with it as a hobby. I got into SDR about two years ago and have had a lot of fun with it. Thanks and take care!
You're welcome! Glad I could help. The more people know about connectors, they will have a better chance at getting the ones they really need. Even after all of my years in the industry, it still gets confusing at times. :-)
I would like to add that you described the balun in reverse. The coaxial cable is unbalanced (the shield is grounded) and the 2 wires coming from a dipole are the balanced input. It's not a tuned/un-tuned issue, simple balanced-unbalanced. You need a separate matching network for antenna 'tuning'.
According to their website, once you find a page that has enough of a description: "Three antenna masts are now included! A telescopic mast with a variable frequency capability, a fixed frequency 433MHz (ISM) antenna mast, and a fixed frequency UHF (GSM) antenna mast"
Hello Matt, thank you very much for the good explanation. It helps a lot if you can see the things you need to do to connect and configure the devices. Great job 73 de Achim
hello Mat, thank you for your explanation. i am a sailor and would like to have weatherfax by means of HF. can you tell me what exactly the stuff to buy?? i am not a technician
Great videos! Do you know the radio chipset? Is it the R820T series? I read the specs of this chip, and said the range is 42-1002Mhz, but many say is can go up to 1700Mhz?
Thanks Cliff! I have some Satellite Weather Fax videos in the pipeline, but and just about to record some videos of how to build a good antenna for it. Thanks for watching!
Remember, if you put the word "marine" on something it is worth 2x... You might also consider reaching out to some of the sailing channels and doing some cross-promotions on tech/radio stuff. Tech on boats is super messy and expensive. I saw you wanted more subscribers and even mediocre boat channels seem to get 5K pretty fast.
Thanks Cliff! In fact I do want to cover more marine topics, I just don’t live near the coast but I am investigating what I can receive here. Thanks! 🙏
There are a number of SDR's that do not require a separate up-converter but they are not cheap. SDRPlay makes a few models and there is also the HackRF One but these are pricey compared to the RTL-SDR/Ham It Up combo.
Good explanations Tech Minds. Dunno if you agree with me but I don't understand why THE CIRCUIT OF THE BALUNS DEVICE IS OPEN, NOT INSERTED INSIDE A BOX. Wow, isn't a perfect situation to blow it up suppose for example that open circuit receive only a drop of liquid....your Bud light for example! What's a matter with that manufacturer? Oh yeah, they want us to buy it again after 6 months!
Right I meant the one You said was cable tv connector , but I looked and understand Ty for your reply , subscribed to ur channel, and ordered one too !!
How come everyone raves about sdr, I’ve been involved with Airband and shortwave for over 40 years. Tried this stuff with roof mounted dedicated Airband antennas and find sdr can’t hear most strong signals….only any good for local fm radio stations…..
If you had actually paid attention to the beginning of the video, you would have heard Tech Minds say that he would be showing how it works in a separate vid.
Great video! Love how you explained every device and did not assume that anyone knew anything about it.
Just to help people understand different connectors.......The first adapter you showed is called a ‘PAL’ or ‘IEC’ connector which is the most common type of TV antenna connector in Europe and Australia. (It’s actual, technical name is the ‘Belling-Lee’ connector.) The second one is called an ‘F’ connector, which is the standard connector for TV’s in most other parts of the world. Both are 75 ohm impedance. The PAL connector pre-dates the F connector. (PAL - 1922, F -1950’s) Before the F connector, most of our televisions used 300 ohm twin lead antenna lead cable. The F connector only became popular in the early 1970’s when cable TV rolled out in the U.S. and needed a coaxial type connector. Excellent video! I really enjoyed it. I’ve been an RF engineer for 39 years, I’m now retired and still dabble with it as a hobby. I got into SDR about two years ago and have had a lot of fun with it. Thanks and take care!
@William J, thanks for your comment and information, this will be very useful! Thank you 😊
You're welcome! Glad I could help. The more people know about connectors, they will have a better chance at getting the ones they really need. Even after all of my years in the industry, it still gets confusing at times. :-)
I would like to add that you described the balun in reverse. The coaxial cable is unbalanced (the shield is grounded) and the 2 wires coming from a dipole are the balanced input. It's not a tuned/un-tuned issue, simple balanced-unbalanced. You need a separate matching network for antenna 'tuning'.
Absolutely solid explanation of all the parts and how to use. Much appreciated!
Yes please, got the bundle abs a second sdr. You already solved one of problems in this vid. Appreciate it.
According to their website, once you find a page that has enough of a description: "Three antenna masts are now included! A telescopic mast with a variable frequency capability, a fixed frequency 433MHz (ISM) antenna mast, and a fixed frequency UHF (GSM) antenna mast"
...so, I would assume that the longer fixed length antenna is the 433MHz and the shortest one would be for the higher end of the UHF spectrum
question can u use two of these to work with unitrunker
A good talk/walk through.
Hello Matt, thank you very much for the good explanation. It helps a lot if you can see the things you need to do to connect and configure the devices. Great job 73 de Achim
You’re welcome! 👌
Would the up converter work ok on a analogue vhf receiver?
hello Mat, thank you for your explanation. i am a sailor and would like to have weatherfax by means of HF. can you tell me what exactly the stuff to buy?? i am not a technician
Matt, what a great explanation!!! Helped me make a purchase decision. Thank you!
You’re welcome 🙏
What did you decided ?
Great videos! Do you know the radio chipset? Is it the R820T series? I read the specs of this chip, and said the range is 42-1002Mhz, but many say is can go up to 1700Mhz?
Thank hou so much for verry clear and simple explanation.
You’re welcome
Airspy + spyverter or this would you recommend?
Subscribed and thank you. I am looking specifically for marine stuff, so followed your video trail over here. Mmmmm, weatherfax.
Thanks Cliff! I have some Satellite Weather Fax videos in the pipeline, but and just about to record some videos of how to build a good antenna for it. Thanks for watching!
Remember, if you put the word "marine" on something it is worth 2x...
You might also consider reaching out to some of the sailing channels and doing some cross-promotions on tech/radio stuff. Tech on boats is super messy and expensive. I saw you wanted more subscribers and even mediocre boat channels seem to get 5K pretty fast.
Thanks Cliff! In fact I do want to cover more marine topics, I just don’t live near the coast but I am investigating what I can receive here. Thanks! 🙏
do a rtl sdr with frequencies from 1khz to 1.7 ghz exist? without using an expensive ham it up?
There are a number of SDR's that do not require a separate up-converter but they are not cheap. SDRPlay makes a few models and there is also the HackRF One but these are pricey compared to the RTL-SDR/Ham It Up combo.
The MFJ 1899t Antenna is an excellent choice to use with this setup.
Good explanations Tech Minds. Dunno if you agree with me but I don't understand why THE CIRCUIT OF THE BALUNS DEVICE IS OPEN, NOT INSERTED INSIDE A BOX. Wow, isn't a perfect situation to blow it up suppose for example that open circuit receive only a drop of liquid....your Bud light for example! What's a matter with that manufacturer? Oh yeah, they want us to buy it again after 6 months!
Great kit.
Is there any one enclosure that holds both the rtl-sdr and the upconverter?
Not that I’m aware of, you could always make one? But I’m like you, I prefer to buy things already made lol..
Hey, What can you do with this?
many many cool things.
USB the sdr will not fit usb end. How do I get USB/USB connector.
william conlan Amazon has them
Is it a so239 connectors?
No it’s SMA but you can get SMA to SO239 or PL239
Right I meant the one You said was cable tv connector , but I looked and understand
Ty for your reply , subscribed to ur channel, and ordered one too !!
How come everyone raves about sdr, I’ve been involved with Airband and shortwave for over 40 years. Tried this stuff with roof mounted dedicated Airband antennas and find sdr can’t hear most strong signals….only any good for local fm radio stations…..
Why do you need ham it up when it receives vhf and uhf anyway?
Because the Ham it up provides reception from 0 to 30mhz wheres a vhf and uhf dongle does not natively receive that.
Tech Minds ahh ok! Thanks
Man plays with usb dongle, ever heard of show not tell? IE would have been good if you had plugged the bloody thing in and shown us what it did.
Checkout my other videos, I cover exactly what this does :) this video was purely to show the contents of the package and what each part is for 👍
If you had actually paid attention to the beginning of the video, you would have heard Tech Minds say that he would be showing how it works in a separate vid.
Troll.
These SDR devices from Amazon are Chinese crap! Beware the poor quality.
You’re wrong! This is an original NooElec version, which are US/Canada based. However, the Chinese copies will be rubbish, so only buy original.