dsalomon wrote:That really depends on your definition of Nearby, how close the transmitting antenna is from the RSP receiving antenna, and the amount of power being transmitted.
In general it is a VERY BAD IDEA to have a receiving antenna attached to any energized radio when a transmitting is nearby. Many companies sell RX/TX switches that automatically switch the radio out of line when transmitting so the radio is not damaged. It is also very easy to build such a switch. Google it and you will find LOTS of answers.
There are several approaches to protecting your precious RSP (or any receiver, for that matter). There is also a very wide range of costs associated with these approaches. Once such exaxmple is the DX Engineering RTR-1A: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rtr-1a. This device has a number of useful functions, none of which I will discuss here except the one that addresses your concern. It has a circuit that limits the input to a safe level, which allows you to continue to use the attached receiver safely while transmitting. This protection does not come cheap: $170 USD. Read their documentation to find out all the details: https://static.dxengineering.com/global ... rtr-1a.pdf. This is the best of the best when it comes to protection (IMHO). There are many much less expensive alternatives. Here are a few examples:
Yet Another Front End Saver (yep, that is actually the name): http://www.ok1rr.com/index.php/technica ... -end-saver. This site details instructions for a homebrew switch
AY Technologies RIP-1: http://www.aytechnologies.com/TechData/RIP-1.pdf. This is a simple XMIT/RCV switch.
DX Engineering Receiver Guard: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rg-5000
These are just a few examples. Google for lots more.
Bottom line - you MUST have some protection for your RSP if you're going to use it near a transmitter. Even ONE test without some protection can damage the front end of the RSP.
73 - David, AG4F
One thing to consider with the various "RF front end protectors" is rectification of strong signals and creating considerable overload and intermodulation. For example, I used one of these devices (a passive until requiring no power) between my SDR and a TS-990. In this application I was using the SDR as a panadaptor connected to the rig's RX IN/RX OUT ports and wanted to protect both the transceiver and SDR from any potential overload. Unfortunately, at various times and bands I would get all sorts of unwanted products both displayed and fed back into the transceiver. Once I removed the front end protector the problem went away. A google search produced a number of hits about users of these devices having similar experiences with panadaptor applications as well as those having their SDRs relatively close to strong broadcast stations (not "nearby" but miles away).
Now one may ask why use such a device if the transceiver's RX/TX relay should provide sufficient isolation to the RX ports when transmitting? The correct answer is you shouldn't need one assuming (a) there is sufficient isolation, (b) the RX port has sufficient protection and (c) the relay doesn't fail. Unfortunately, some of the earlier transceivers (say 5 years and older) have a history of faulty protection of their RX In ports. In these cases a front end protector would be highly recommended.
After removing the device from my TS-990 I have seen no adverse effects on either the transceiver or the SDRplay for the past year.