RF Preamp

Useful information regarding antennas for SDR products.
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starlite
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:47 pm

RF Preamp

Post by starlite » Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:58 pm

Newbie question.. Would an RF pre amp overload the input of my SDRplay?, I didn't try it yet but I don't want to damage my unit...
Thanks
Last edited by starlite on Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am, edited 0 times in total.
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g1hbe
Posts: 494
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 3:28 pm
Location: Cheshire, UK

Re: RF Preamp

Post by g1hbe » Sat Jan 20, 2018 11:20 am

You shouldn't need a pre-amp on HF at all, as reception is limited by external noise. On VHF and above, you may need one if you are looking for very weak sigs like satellites etc, but the amplifier should preferably tuned to the frequency of interest (not wideband) or you can get overload and intermod effects. The RSP's are already very sensitive, so unless your feeder is very long and lossy you don't need an amp for most listening.

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Andy

starlite
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:47 pm

Re: RF Preamp

Post by starlite » Sun Jan 21, 2018 12:58 am

Ok, thanks for the info, on further looking the amp says it has a 30db gain from 01 to 2000mhz and it is powered by 12vdc so I will leave well enough alone, thanks much.
Last edited by starlite on Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am, edited 0 times in total.
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