[Lowfer] receiver comparison

[Douglas D. Williams]

I am in the position of being able to make some VLF/LF receiver comparisons
this season, using my R75 plus AMRAD converter (analog system) and the
Winradio G33DDC (software defined radio). I believe I will purchase one of
the new KIWA VLF splitter/combiners so I can compare the two receivers
using the same antenna, same computer, same signals, at the exact same
time. Should be able to get a perfect A/B comparison between the two
systems, using some weak LF signals. I'll post some pics on this reflector
when I get started.

I was looking back at some of my captures over the last two seasons using
the R75+AMRAD (Todd Roberts modified) converter, and I'm starting to get
that sinking feeling in my gut that the Winradio may not compare favorably.
The "sinking feeling" comes from the amount of money invested, LOL. I
sincerely hope the Winradio receiver can at least hold it's own. It's far
too early to tell yet, and the only true test is to have both receivers on
the same signal using the same antenna.

Of course, the systems are so wildly different that it's almost like
comparing apples to oranges unless the comparison parameters are strictly
defined, which will be, in my case, which system can best receive weak
signal QRSS signals on LF. For airport beacon hunting, the Winradio
software allows me to see the entire NDB spectrum at the same time,
scrolling by on a waterfall display, and simply point and click to jump
around in frequency where I see a signal. The R75 is much more cumbersome
in that regard.

-Doug