Conrad,

I use the Innov 8 element Yagi, highly recommended.

Hi Jim and others

So, if I want to track the MUF on Es how good an antenna do I need? I just want an early warning; for impending 2m openings. In the past I have used a dipole but that was years ago, things have moved on. I have space for a 5m long boom on an 8m mast. Can you point me to a few good broad band Band II antennas? Maybe an omni would be better for this purpose? I have very good antennas for 6m and 4m so I will have some warning.

I am going to buy an S3.

I am quite looking forward to it.

Conrad

Seconded.

Had mine since November the year before last, and it really is the dog's danglies, both on HF and on Band 2.

Also,

 

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Simon Brown
Sent: 29 March 2022 14:23
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

My 10 pence:

 

1.       I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
Correct

2.       I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.

3.       On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.

4.       How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.

5.       If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Conrad, PA5Y
Sent: 29 March 2022 12:58
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

I am seriously thinking of buying an Elad FSM S3. At first I was going to buy an ANAN-7000DLE but then I thought about it. The ANAN delays are variable and I don’t really need a transceiver. What I need are receivers.  I see the Elad being useful for tracking the MUF during the Es season and also creating multiple receivers connected to different instances of WSJT-X on 6m

 

A few questions to those who have them.

 

1.       I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?

2.       I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz undersampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.

3.       On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough

4.       How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.

5.       If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

I assume that on 6m I can easily create what Flex call ‘slices’. For instance I use a 1536kHz sample rate and I can create multiple receivers, 2 attached to WSJT-X for FT8 and one for 50.110 for example.

 

73

 

Conrad PA5Y

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Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

--

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--

Hi Jim and others

So, if I want to track the MUF on Es how good an antenna do I need? I just want an early warning; for impending 2m openings. In the past I have used a dipole but that was years ago, things have moved on. I have space for a 5m long boom on an 8m mast. Can you point me to a few good broad band Band II antennas? Maybe an omni would be better for this purpose? I have very good antennas for 6m and 4m so I will have some warning.

I am going to buy an S3.

I am quite looking forward to it.

Conrad

Seconded.

Had mine since November the year before last, and it really is the dog's danglies, both on HF and on Band 2.

Also,

 

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Simon Brown
Sent: 29 March 2022 14:23
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

My 10 pence:

 

1.       I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
Correct

2.       I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.

3.       On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.

4.       How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.

5.       If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Conrad, PA5Y
Sent: 29 March 2022 12:58
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

I am seriously thinking of buying an Elad FSM S3. At first I was going to buy an ANAN-7000DLE but then I thought about it. The ANAN delays are variable and I don’t really need a transceiver. What I need are receivers.  I see the Elad being useful for tracking the MUF during the Es season and also creating multiple receivers connected to different instances of WSJT-X on 6m

 

A few questions to those who have them.

 

1.       I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?

2.       I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz undersampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.

3.       On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough

4.       How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.

5.       If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

I assume that on 6m I can easily create what Flex call ‘slices’. For instance I use a 1536kHz sample rate and I can create multiple receivers, 2 attached to WSJT-X for FT8 and one for 50.110 for example.

 

73

 

Conrad PA5Y

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

On 29 Mar 2022, at 19:59, Conrad, PA5Y <g0ruz@...> wrote:



Hi Jim and others

 

So, if I want to track the MUF on Es how good an antenna do I need? I just want an early warning; for impending 2m openings. In the past I have used a dipole but that was years ago, things have moved on. I have space for a 5m long boom on an 8m mast. Can you point me to a few good broad band Band II antennas? Maybe an omni would be better for this purpose? I have very good antennas for 6m and 4m so I will have some warning.

 

I am going to buy an S3.

 

I am quite looking forward to it.

 

Conrad

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Jim Smith G0OFE via groups.io
Sent: 29 March 2022 20:21
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

Seconded.

Had mine since November the year before last, and it really is the dog's danglies, both on HF and on Band 2.

 

================================
Need help with SDR Console? If you have a problem:
Go to https://www.sdr-radio.com/support
Please follow instructions in that link.
===================================
Jim, Bournemouth, Dorset. IO90BR.
Elad FDM-S2, Airspy HF+, SDRPlay and Funcube Dongle SDR Recievers
8-element OP-DES for Band 2, 8-element LFA for 2m, 3-element LFA for 6m, 20m Windom for HF,. Wellbrook 1530 Loop for LF

On 29/03/2022 13:27, Simon Brown wrote:

Also,

 

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Simon Brown
Sent: 29 March 2022 14:23
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

My 10 pence:

 

1.       I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
Correct

2.       I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.

3.       On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.

4.       How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.

5.       If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Conrad, PA5Y
Sent: 29 March 2022 12:58
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

I am seriously thinking of buying an Elad FSM S3. At first I was going to buy an ANAN-7000DLE but then I thought about it. The ANAN delays are variable and I don’t really need a transceiver. What I need are receivers.  I see the Elad being useful for tracking the MUF during the Es season and also creating multiple receivers connected to different instances of WSJT-X on 6m

 

A few questions to those who have them.

 

1.       I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?

2.       I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz undersampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.

3.       On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough

4.       How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.

5.       If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

I assume that on 6m I can easily create what Flex call ‘slices’. For instance I use a 1536kHz sample rate and I can create multiple receivers, 2 attached to WSJT-X for FT8 and one for 50.110 for example.

 

73

 

Conrad PA5Y

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

Seconded.

Had mine since November the year before last, and it really is the dog's danglies, both on HF and on Band 2.

Also,

 

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Simon Brown
Sent: 29 March 2022 14:23
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

My 10 pence:

 

1.       I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
Correct

2.       I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.

3.       On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.

4.       How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.

5.       If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Conrad, PA5Y
Sent: 29 March 2022 12:58
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

I am seriously thinking of buying an Elad FSM S3. At first I was going to buy an ANAN-7000DLE but then I thought about it. The ANAN delays are variable and I don’t really need a transceiver. What I need are receivers.  I see the Elad being useful for tracking the MUF during the Es season and also creating multiple receivers connected to different instances of WSJT-X on 6m

 

A few questions to those who have them.

 

1.       I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?

2.       I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz undersampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.

3.       On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough

4.       How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.

5.       If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

I assume that on 6m I can easily create what Flex call ‘slices’. For instance I use a 1536kHz sample rate and I can create multiple receivers, 2 attached to WSJT-X for FT8 and one for 50.110 for example.

 

73

 

Conrad PA5Y

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

Also,

 

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Simon Brown
Sent: 29 March 2022 14:23
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

My 10 pence:

 

1. I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
   Correct
2. I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
   I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.
3. On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
   It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.
4. How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
   NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.
5. If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Conrad, PA5Y
Sent: 29 March 2022 12:58
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: [SDR-Radio] Elad S3 versus Perseus and FDM Duo

 

I am seriously thinking of buying an Elad FSM S3. At first I was going to buy an ANAN-7000DLE but then I thought about it. The ANAN delays are variable and I don’t really need a transceiver. What I need are receivers.  I see the Elad being useful for tracking the MUF during the Es season and also creating multiple receivers connected to different instances of WSJT-X on 6m

 

A few questions to those who have them.

 

1. I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
2. I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz undersampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
3. On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
4. How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
5. If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

 

I assume that on 6m I can easily create what Flex call ‘slices’. For instance I use a 1536kHz sample rate and I can create multiple receivers, 2 attached to WSJT-X for FT8 and one for 50.110 for example.

 

73

 

Conrad PA5Y

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

Sorry,

On FT8 you don’t work people, just their computers. That’s not amateur radio.

Actually Simon, if you listen tonight on 144.174 (if you can stand it) I have worked 3 stations in IO70 in the last few days as well as EI. I will be on, no need to reply but it will be interesting to know if you hear me. Conditions are not good enough for SSB.

I will put 4m up in the next few weeks.

73

Conrad

Hi,

When we get some decent Tropo we should be able to work on 4m / 2m. Sadly all still quiet over here.

OK Simon.

I’m convinced.

My only comment would be that I do not use MDS as a metric as I always use an external preamp to set the system noise figure. Even on 6m where I sometimes do EME. While the NF requirements are quite low on 6m using an LNA allows the use of splitters for my transceiver and SDRs and also finding a sweet spot for any situation. It is easy to make a very high IIP3 LNA for VHF these days, just add enough gain to overcome cable/splitter losses and the receiver noise figure. During big Es openings I typically add 6-12dB attenuation, but this covers all eventualities. A step attenuator in the RX path is an essential accessory, does not matter if it is internal or external to the radio.

I must admit that I trust Elad and the photos of the innards of the FDM-S3 look very well implemented.

So I will buy one. 😊

I just remembered that I have a spare transverter for 2m so the downconverter may not be necessary, I will wait and see what Elad offer.

Regards

Conrad PA5Y

Also,

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

My 10 pence:

1. I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
   Correct
2. I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
   I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.
3. On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
   It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.
4. How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
   NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.
5. If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

--

--

--

--

Actually Simon, if you listen tonight on 144.174 (if you can stand it) I have worked 3 stations in IO70 in the last few days as well as EI. I will be on, no need to reply but it will be interesting to know if you hear me. Conditions are not good enough for SSB.

I will put 4m up in the next few weeks.

73

Conrad

Hi,

When we get some decent Tropo we should be able to work on 4m / 2m. Sadly all still quiet over here.

OK Simon.

I’m convinced.

My only comment would be that I do not use MDS as a metric as I always use an external preamp to set the system noise figure. Even on 6m where I sometimes do EME. While the NF requirements are quite low on 6m using an LNA allows the use of splitters for my transceiver and SDRs and also finding a sweet spot for any situation. It is easy to make a very high IIP3 LNA for VHF these days, just add enough gain to overcome cable/splitter losses and the receiver noise figure. During big Es openings I typically add 6-12dB attenuation, but this covers all eventualities. A step attenuator in the RX path is an essential accessory, does not matter if it is internal or external to the radio.

I must admit that I trust Elad and the photos of the innards of the FDM-S3 look very well implemented.

So I will buy one. 😊

I just remembered that I have a spare transverter for 2m so the downconverter may not be necessary, I will wait and see what Elad offer.

Regards

Conrad PA5Y

Also,

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

My 10 pence:

1. I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
   Correct
2. I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
   I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.
3. On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
   It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.
4. How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
   NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.
5. If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

--

--

--

Hi,

When we get some decent Tropo we should be able to work on 4m / 2m. Sadly all still quiet over here.

OK Simon.

I’m convinced.

My only comment would be that I do not use MDS as a metric as I always use an external preamp to set the system noise figure. Even on 6m where I sometimes do EME. While the NF requirements are quite low on 6m using an LNA allows the use of splitters for my transceiver and SDRs and also finding a sweet spot for any situation. It is easy to make a very high IIP3 LNA for VHF these days, just add enough gain to overcome cable/splitter losses and the receiver noise figure. During big Es openings I typically add 6-12dB attenuation, but this covers all eventualities. A step attenuator in the RX path is an essential accessory, does not matter if it is internal or external to the radio.

I must admit that I trust Elad and the photos of the innards of the FDM-S3 look very well implemented.

So I will buy one. 😊

I just remembered that I have a spare transverter for 2m so the downconverter may not be necessary, I will wait and see what Elad offer.

Regards

Conrad PA5Y

Also,

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

My 10 pence:

1. I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
   Correct
2. I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
   I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.
3. On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
   It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.
4. How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
   NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.
5. If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

--

--

--

OK Simon.

I’m convinced.

My only comment would be that I do not use MDS as a metric as I always use an external preamp to set the system noise figure. Even on 6m where I sometimes do EME. While the NF requirements are quite low on 6m using an LNA allows the use of splitters for my transceiver and SDRs and also finding a sweet spot for any situation. It is easy to make a very high IIP3 LNA for VHF these days, just add enough gain to overcome cable/splitter losses and the receiver noise figure. During big Es openings I typically add 6-12dB attenuation, but this covers all eventualities. A step attenuator in the RX path is an essential accessory, does not matter if it is internal or external to the radio.

I must admit that I trust Elad and the photos of the innards of the FDM-S3 look very well implemented.

So I will buy one. 😊

I just remembered that I have a spare transverter for 2m so the downconverter may not be necessary, I will wait and see what Elad offer.

Regards

Conrad PA5Y

Also,

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

My 10 pence:

1. I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
   Correct
2. I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
   I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.
3. On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
   It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.
4. How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
   NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.
5. If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

--

--

Also,

I would just add that the S3 is a class product.

My 10 pence:

1. I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
   Correct
2. I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
   I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.
3. On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
   It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.
4. How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
   NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.
5. If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

--

--

My 10 pence:

1. I assume that you cannot overlap the VHF and HF ranges, you select one or the other?
   Correct
2. I see several VHF ranges in the manual, one of which is 108-147MHz under sampled at 98.304MHz, so for 2m I just need a good external band pass filter before the VHF input, correct? Of course I will need sufficient gain to make up for the relatively high noise figure, this is easy.
   I think so but there’s a big downconverter coming – suffering from unobtainable parts atm.
3. On HF how does it compare to the Perseus, especially with respect to dynamic range. I have always found the Perseus to be almost good enough, another 3dB would be enough
   It’s excellent. Can’t give you any figures, but FWIW I think the Airspy Discovery has better MDS than Perseus. Perseus is good but we do have better now.
4. How does the FDM-S3 compare to the FDM-DUO, I owned one and it was not as good as I expected based upon user feedback. However it would make a fine uwave transverter driver. I probably should have kept it.
   NO comment really – I use the DUO on HF and to drive 4m / 2m / 70cms Q5 Signal transverters, BDR at least 110 dB. For microwave there’s always the Pluto with preamp etc.
5. If I like it I may buy a second one,  to cover 50MHz and MUF duties simultaneously, it all boils down to dynamic range

--