Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] Recommended RF Front End for USRP

[Eric Blossom]

On Fri, Dec 08, 2006 at 02:27:35PM -0500, M. Ranganathan wrote:
> Thomas, Eric and Dan, thanks for your replies!
> 
> Looking at Ettus Research web page and given that I have already ordered 
> a BasicRx board + USRP, can a TVRX (50 MHz to 870 MHz Receiver) do the 
> trick in conjunction with the BasicRx if I want to receive VHF/UHF from 
> a walkie talkie?

If you're OK with receive only, a TVRX is a great way to get started.

> Seems like a cheaper option than the RFX400 (which I 
> will get if there's no choice).  Is it simpler to just use an RFX400 
> rather than BasicRx + TVRX even if this is an option? ( I want to reduce 
> the learning curve and make life simple given that I am a beginner. )


> As for hooking up a long piece of wire to recieve AM/FM radio, I assume 
> I don't need any hardware other than BasicRx and USRP Mother board 
> (please correct this if I am wrong).

With a piece of wire you've got zero selectivity.  You can receive
strong FM stations, but because of where the images fall (based on the
64 MS/sec A/D), you can't for example distinguish 96M - 1M from 96M + 1M.

Eric