[NLRS] [BC'ers] Use of Icom PCR receiver for contesting?

[Zack Widup]

Whoops, I overlooked the fact it doesn't do SSB or CW above 1300 MHz. It
might work on 1296 but for the stability.

There are other SDR radios on the market that are better suited to
weak-signal work on the microwave bands. A couple were presented at the
CSVHF conference.

I did work W9SNR once on 10 GHz with NBFM using my FT290RII as the IF rig
when I had a serious stability problem on transmit. My only FM microwave
QSO!

73, Zack W9SZ

On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:36 PM, John (JK) Kalenowsky, K9JK <
hamk9jk at ameritech.net> wrote:

>
>
> David and Zack,
>
> Well...since it does NOT demodulate SSB or CW above 1300 MHz
> ("microwave frequencies")...will one ever see an a "problem"
> with being potentially 14 kHz off at 2304 MHz...possibly in
> "narrow" FM, maybe not in "Wide FM" (and it might have the
> ability to lock/AFC to the received carrier up in those
> frequencies). Of course "we" don't typically use FM for weak
> signal work.
>
> The published "sensitivity" of 0.40 uV for 10dB S/N in SSB/CW is
> "reasonable", especially if they really DO meet it from 50 -
> 699.999 MHz. Noise Figure *might* be an issue, though, and how
> does it perform with other strong signals in or near the band of
> interest, a common "opportunity" with broadbanded Front Ends on
> VHF Receivers where intermodulation can produce 'phantom'
> signals that might cover up a signal of interest.
>
> For general interest "scanning" and/or Shortwave listening,
> maybe okay...I'd personally take a different approach for trying
> to monitor "weak signal" action/contesting.
>
> 73, JK
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Zack Widup" <w9sz.zack at gmail.com>
> To: "NLRS List" <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 12:09
> Subject: Re: [NLRS] Use of Icom PCR receiver for contesting?
>
>
> >
> >
> > That's pretty impressive. It does say it includes SSB and CW
> > modes. You can
> > always make up for sensitivity with an LNA.
> >
> > The frequency stability might be its downside. Plus or minus 3
> > ppm is
> > about 14 kHz at 2304 MHz. That's about 800 Hz at 144 MHz. It
> > might do OK at
> > VHF but I don't know about microwave frequencies.
> >
> > 73, Zack W9SZ
> >
> > On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 11:57 AM, David Palm
> > <thepalmhq at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> Has anybody considered using one of the ICOM PCR series
> >> receivers for
> >> contesting, perhaps for monitoring bands for activity while
> >> operating
> >> elsewhere?
> >>
> >> http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/widerxvr/1500.html
> >>
> >> Do these receivers have sufficient sensitivity to be useful
> >> for this kind
> >> of
> >> weak signal work?
> >>
> >> Thanks and 73,
> >>
> >> David  W9HQ
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