[Discuss-gnuradio] RA Receiver front end

[Frank Rawlins]

Hi Groups (sara and gnuradio),

I am planning to use UHF TV tuner module and satellite TV tuner module for the 
front end of RA receiver.  The frequencies of interest are 600MHz (TV antennas 
are cheap!) and 1.4GHz.  I have a R-8500 receiver but choose the TV tuners 
because of their wide bandwidth.  The IF of each can be amplified and fed to 
integrator/DC amp or the IF could be fed to the USRP.

I want to choose the best tuners with regard to Noise figure etc.  There is 
very little on the internet regarding the specifications of each type.  The web 
site "TV tuners in Donberg's Warehouse" list over a hundred TV tuners with 
prices but which one do I choose? Could it be they are all the same to an 
industry standard specification? I have some tuners from old wrecked TVs  Guess 
what? there is no model number on the modules.  Another problem - what about 
identifying the pin-outs?  There is one very good website using a TV tuner 
UV916 building a 45-860MHz receiver (just put UV916 into search engine).  I 
cannot find any more information regarding other types.

Finally, I must admit I am confused between analogue and digital tuners.  Hope 
someone has experience of TV tuners and able to help.

Best wishes,

Frank Rawlins
South Coast England


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