Cheap wide band radio receiver (USB Dongle) - Page 2

pinballlooking · 02-04-14, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xringer

I was getting about a 40 mile range with the 'radar', using a 1/4 wave vertical antenna taped to the window.
I'm amazed, because 1/4 wave at 1090 mHz is about 2.6 inches.. (AKA paper clip antenna).

I got a little BNC adapter off Ebay, (from China) since it's got an odd connector.

I like the full coverage of this radio.. Most radios don't have 310 mHz..
(So you can listen to tire pressure signals from passing cars)..

Can you post a link for the adapter?

Xringer · 02-04-14, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

Can you post a link for the adapter?

BNC Female Nut Bulkhead to MCX Male Right Angle RG316 Pigtail 15cm | eBay

It takes 2 or 3 weeks from China. I just used the standard mag-mount whip for a few weeks.
The BNC adapter cost about 2x more on Amazon. For the same part.
You can also get them for TV connectors (F-Connectors), SMA (both sexes) and N-connectors (what Hams like to use).

I'm also getting a 1 meter USB extension cable. I don't like it sticking out of my PC.. Can't open the DVD..

Xringer · 02-04-14, 03:34 PM

I'm using this Globe-S RTL1090 edition 'Radar' scope, and down at the bottom of the screen,
I see my weather report data from Boston (Logan airport).
I changed the default METAR from Hamburg Germany's EDDH to KBOS.

So, now I'm wondering how to read the weather from this line of data.?.

KBOS 042054Z 00000KT 10SM FEW040 SCT130 BKN250 01/M09 A3037 RMK AO2 SLP282 T00111089 58011

Then I found this page. A METAR Translator at
METAR Translator

Here's the Logan weather report!!

METAR KBOS 4th @ 2054Z, wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, Sky: few clouds at 4000, scattered at 13000, broken at 25000, temperature 1, dewpoint -9, altimeter 30.37 inches, remarks: automated report w/precipitation discriminator, sea level pressure 1028.2 Mb, temp 1.1 dewpoint -8.9, 3-hour pressure tendancy: steady or increasing then decreasing OR decreasing then decreasing more rapidly 1.1 Mb

I wonder if the NSA can crack this code too?

Xringer · 02-16-14, 07:34 PM

It's been snowing so much, I got a SAD attack and dug an old ham radio antenna out of the basement.
It worked great on VHF and UHF.. Never expected it to perform on 1090 MHz..
Wow, it works great! Then, I dug out an old radio astronomy LNA. (1420 MHz $75 from Down East Microwave)..
The LNA 12V power components were burned to a crisp, but I was able to repair them.
My "Radar" can now track aircraft 90 miles north (in Maine) and about 60 miles south.

I think it's a bit odd that microwave signals from a jet 90 miles to the north,
can transmit signals that are picked up by my antenna, in a south facing window!

Heck, I wonder if I can pick up some free Wi-Fi from passing jets??

theworldtrekker · 02-17-14, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the heads up on these. I just ordered one as well to play with.

If nothing else, hopefully it'll help diagnose a WiFi issue I've been having on determining whether its interference or an issue with the router's radio. Does minimizing router transmit power levels tie all of this back to the eco part of this site?

Xringer · 02-17-14, 05:14 PM

The upper frequency limit of mine is too low(1.769 GHz) to hear WiFi..

But, if you have a 10 foot dish antenna, you can listen to galactic core on 1.420 GHz (Hydrogen Line)..

You just need a good LNA at the feed point..

'minimizing router transmit power levels'?? LOL!
I wonder exactly how much an extra 100 mw of Wifi signal would cost you each month.?.

Loads of planes around here tonight!

theworldtrekker · 02-19-14, 11:14 AM

Oops...that's what I get for thinking about this too early in the morning. For some reason I had it stuck in my mind yesterday that WiFi frequency was GPS L1 frequency. Don't even ask where I had L1 pegged at

Are you suggesting that worrying about 100mW of transmit power for the year might not offset say running the clothes dryer--once?

Xringer · 02-19-14, 05:27 PM

Last night it was cold and way too humid.. The Sanyos were struggling to keep the house warm. Defrost cycles galore.
WOBURN WEATHER CENTER - WU Station History

So, I turned on a couple of wasteful space heaters..

They use about 1kW on low power. So, we burned up about 12 kW hours. ($2.04).

I had this idea the space heaters would keep the house from getting too cool while the defrost cycles were running.
The extra space heating would allow the Sanyos get back into heat mode easier.
(Without a big power surge).

The surprise came this morning. The TEDs showed the Sanyos didn't use
but a couple of kw hours all night!
Those dumb space heaters were doing about 94% of the heating last night!

The house wasn't super warm, but it was okay. I shut them down,
and the Sanyos came up and were doing the same job, using about 900w.

So, it seems like I can use twice the power (when it's in the 20s) and it's
not really that costly. Just twice as much..

So, when you get old, comfort & convenience is important enough
that you can forgo being green a night, when the need arises.

My obtuse point:
I just used up about 138 years of cutting back my wifi to 50mw..
And it was money well spent..

stevehull · 02-19-14, 06:19 PM

"My obtuse point:
I just used up about 138 years of cutting back my wifi to 50mw.. And it was money well spent.. "

You made my day (me chuckling . . . ).

Spring IS coming.

Steve

Steve

NiHaoMike · 02-19-14, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xringer

Last night it was cold and way too humid.. The Sanyos were struggling to keep the house warm. Defrost cycles galore.
WOBURN WEATHER CENTER - WU Station History

So, I turned on a couple of wasteful space heaters..

They use about 1kW on low power. So, we burned up about 12 kW hours. ($2.04).

I had this idea the space heaters would keep the house from getting too cool while the defrost cycles were running.
The extra space heating would allow the Sanyos get back into heat mode easier.
(Without a big power surge).

The surprise came this morning. The TEDs showed the Sanyos didn't use
but a couple of kw hours all night!
Those dumb space heaters were doing about 94% of the heating last night!

The house wasn't super warm, but it was okay. I shut them down,
and the Sanyos came up and were doing the same job, using about 900w.

So, it seems like I can use twice the power (when it's in the 20s) and it's
not really that costly. Just twice as much..

So, when you get old, comfort & convenience is important enough
that you can forgo being green a night, when the need arises.

My obtuse point:
I just used up about 138 years of cutting back my wifi to 50mw..
And it was money well spent..

If the increased heating is needed mostly at night, put a window A/C on a cart in the doorway to the bedroom with the hot side facing inside the bedroom. Use that instead of the space heaters.

02-04-14, 03:34 PM	#13
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Weather report from the airport I'm using this Globe-S RTL1090 edition 'Radar' scope, and down at the bottom of the screen, I see my weather report data from Boston (Logan airport). I changed the default METAR from Hamburg Germany's EDDH to KBOS. So, now I'm wondering how to read the weather from this line of data.?. KBOS 042054Z 00000KT 10SM FEW040 SCT130 BKN250 01/M09 A3037 RMK AO2 SLP282 T00111089 58011 Then I found this page. A METAR Translator at METAR Translator Here's the Logan weather report!! METAR KBOS 4th @ 2054Z, wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, Sky: few clouds at 4000, scattered at 13000, broken at 25000, temperature 1, dewpoint -9, altimeter 30.37 inches, remarks: automated report w/precipitation discriminator, sea level pressure 1028.2 Mb, temp 1.1 dewpoint -8.9, 3-hour pressure tendancy: steady or increasing then decreasing OR decreasing then decreasing more rapidly 1.1 Mb I wonder if the NSA can crack this code too? __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

02-16-14, 07:34 PM	#14
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Hamming it up! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! It's been snowing so much, I got a SAD attack and dug an old ham radio antenna out of the basement. It worked great on VHF and UHF.. Never expected it to perform on 1090 MHz.. Wow, it works great! Then, I dug out an old radio astronomy LNA. (1420 MHz $75 from Down East Microwave).. The LNA 12V power components were burned to a crisp, but I was able to repair them. My "Radar" can now track aircraft 90 miles north (in Maine) and about 60 miles south. I think it's a bit odd that microwave signals from a jet 90 miles to the north, can transmit signals that are picked up by my antenna, in a south facing window! Heck, I wonder if I can pick up some free Wi-Fi from passing jets?? Attached Thumbnails __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

02-17-14, 05:14 PM	#16
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	The upper frequency limit of mine is too low(1.769 GHz) to hear WiFi.. But, if you have a 10 foot dish antenna, you can listen to galactic core on 1.420 GHz (Hydrogen Line).. You just need a good LNA at the feed point.. 'minimizing router transmit power levels'?? LOL! I wonder exactly how much an extra 100 mw of Wifi signal would cost you each month.?. Loads of planes around here tonight! Attached Thumbnails __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less.. Last edited by Xringer; 02-17-14 at 05:25 PM.. Reason: adding photo

02-19-14, 05:27 PM	#18
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Waste not Want not... Last night it was cold and way too humid.. The Sanyos were struggling to keep the house warm. Defrost cycles galore. WOBURN WEATHER CENTER - WU Station History So, I turned on a couple of wasteful space heaters.. They use about 1kW on low power. So, we burned up about 12 kW hours. ($2.04). I had this idea the space heaters would keep the house from getting too cool while the defrost cycles were running. The extra space heating would allow the Sanyos get back into heat mode easier. (Without a big power surge). The surprise came this morning. The TEDs showed the Sanyos didn't use but a couple of kw hours all night! Those dumb space heaters were doing about 94% of the heating last night! The house wasn't super warm, but it was okay. I shut them down, and the Sanyos came up and were doing the same job, using about 900w. So, it seems like I can use twice the power (when it's in the 20s) and it's not really that costly. Just twice as much.. So, when you get old, comfort & convenience is important enough that you can forgo being green a night, when the need arises. My obtuse point: I just used up about 138 years of cutting back my wifi to 50mw.. And it was money well spent.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

02-19-14, 06:19 PM	#19
stevehull Steve Hull Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA Posts: 826 Thanks: 241 Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts	"My obtuse point: I just used up about 138 years of cutting back my wifi to 50mw.. And it was money well spent.. " You made my day (me chuckling . . . ). Spring IS coming. Steve Steve __________________ consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990

02-17-14, 11:13 AM	#15
theworldtrekker Lurking Renovator Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Corvallis, Oregon Posts: 19 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thanks for the heads up on these. I just ordered one as well to play with. If nothing else, hopefully it'll help diagnose a WiFi issue I've been having on determining whether its interference or an issue with the router's radio. Does minimizing router transmit power levels tie all of this back to the eco part of this site?

02-19-14, 11:14 AM	#17
theworldtrekker Lurking Renovator Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Corvallis, Oregon Posts: 19 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Oops...that's what I get for thinking about this too early in the morning. For some reason I had it stuck in my mind yesterday that WiFi frequency was GPS L1 frequency. Don't even ask where I had L1 pegged at Are you suggesting that worrying about 100mW of transmit power for the year might not offset say running the clothes dryer--once?