Description
Details
Now shipping v1.3! We believe this is the best SDR upconverter available. Here is why.
Major version changes:
- Proudly designed, fabricated and assembled in the USA and Canada!
- Input, output and LO filters reconfigured for substantial sensitivity and selectivity improvements
- New ultra low-noise linear power regulator (LP5907), with voltage noise under 10 µVRMS!
- Optional battery-powered operation for DXing on the go! (easy-to-assemble AAA battery holder sold separately, or roll-your-own solution with the easily-accessible battery power input vias)
- New side-mount LED indicators, easily visible with or without an enclosure (Green = upconvert mode enabled; Yellow = USB powered; Red = low voltage)
- u.FL socket (also known as IPX and UMCC) available for optional clock injection from an external clock source, should a higher-accuracy clock be desired
- 5 other u.FL socket mounting footprints for simplified testing, troubleshooting and demonstrational purposes
- Additional mounting holes to facilitate custom installations
- Sturdy right-angle SMA connectors to improve spacing tolerances and ensure physical compatibility with our machined aluminum enclosures (enclosures sold separately)
- Redesigned for a surface-mount oscillator to eliminate potential oscillator-desocketing issues
IMPORTANT NOTE: due to changes implemented in v1.3, enclosures built for previous Ham It Up models are NOT 100% compatible. Specifically, new end-panels are required for full compatibility with older enclosures. Along with v1.3-specific enclosures, we also carry end-panel sets to allow for installation of Ham It Up v1.3 into older enclosures. If you cannot find these in our store, please contact us!
Standard features:
- Female SMA for both input and output for a wide array of connectivity options
- In-line SMA connectors. Much easier to connect and manipulate than side-by-side SMA connectors
- Antenna protection on RF input--in-circuit in both enable and passthrough mode--to protect your Ham It Up & SDR from stray ESD
- All critical components sourced exclusively from North American parts distributors
- Only ultra-low-noise components used in the signal path
- Ultra-high-Q, low ESR inductors and capacitors used for all filters
- Powered by a sturdy & common USB-B USB socket for a multitude of power input options
- RF-suitable power supply regulation (LP5907)
- PTC fuse on USB power input to protect your Ham It Up upconverter from short circuits
- Upconverter enable/passthrough toggle switch--less fiddling with small, delicate cables and connectors
- 125MHz oscillator for improved sensitivity (away from high-traffic RF zones, like broadcast FM)
- Stable <25ppm oscillator included
- LO disabled in passthrough mode
- A maximum input level of +1dBm with LO at +7dBm
- High-quality 2-layer PCB with ENIG finish
- Small, light-weight PCB (just 3.8" x 1.9")
- Designed to fit standard off-the-shelf Hammond enclosures
- 7 mounting holes for standard PC screws
- Designed and manufacturered in conjunction with Opendous Inc., an excellent open-hardware design company
- Full project documentation--schematics, PCB design files, assembly information--is freely available.
- A portion of the proceeds from your purchase will be used to support this and other open-hardware, open-source initiatives
Operation:
Before operating your unit for the first time, and every time you run with a new SDR, we recommend running the tuning procedure located here. It is not a mandatory procedure but may help fine-tune your, erm. tuning. The basic operational instructions follow.
- Connect your antenna to the RF input
- Connect your SDR to the IF output
- Ensure your toggle switch is in the enable position
- Plug your USB power source into the USB-B USB jack
- Fire up your favorite SDR software. Tune to 125MHz + (+/- the tuning offset from the tuning procedure) + your desired frequency and enjoy!
Installation & Demo Video:
Additional Info
Additional Info
| SKU | 100555 |
|---|---|
| UPC | 0616469145581 |
Reviews
- ham it up.Review by Hans
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Now it is working fine, had to do some tweaking. (Posted on 3/8/2017)Quality Performance Value - great performance!Review by Donald
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I can't tell you how much fun and education I've received from NOOELEC parts. The Mini 2+ was a shock by itself and works well. I also purchased 2 upconverters. I purchased a v1.3 upconverter (approx: -125mhz offset) and one of the earlier ones (approx: -100 mhz offset) with the noise generator. (one needs a small kit on the earlier version for the noise generator) Both work very well and both are compatible with SDR# and HDSDR. (and other SDR programs, even a Chromebook version which I also installed) Once warmed up they are "sufficiently stable," certainly for home - I'm getting coverage from around 0.1 mhz to 65 mhz (approximate) with the upconverter on and "bypassed" 24 mhz to "unknown" on the "dongle" alone although the dongle appears to drop off around the stated maximum of 1750mhz. Anyway, they are inexpensive radio parts and a great intro to SDR (Posted on 11/7/2016)Performance Value Quality - A1Review by joe ka9ucn
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I bought the V3 with an enclosure as soon as the V3 was available. Since that time. It has been a true joy to use. The V3 has an on board noise source that adds greatly to the value while making more than just an up converter. It becomes a piece of test equipment that if doing antenna or filter work you will find to be something you can’t do without.Performance Value Quality
1 The converter works flawlessly.
2 The noise source is an extra that is the perfect add on.
3 The technical assistance from NooElec are very courteous, quick to respond and very knowable!
4 The optional case fit and finish are perfect.
5 It is bidirectional. I have not tried this yet but do intend to in the near future.
Would I recommend this to a friend? With enthusiasm! If this review sounds over optimistic. I would like to say that I have written my share of reviews and what is reflected in this review is how I see it.
If it were a substandard or marginal product I would not hesitate to put it down as such. In this case I am happy to say NooElec did a great job!
If you are coupling this to a TV dongle be aware that the RTL dongle has some shortfalls that no converter alone can correct. The converter will work 100%. Making a RTL dongle perform well takes some antenna and filter considerations.
Joe KA9UCN
(Posted on 9/7/2016) - Absolutely greatReview by Brian (((G3INQ)
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It works with excellence a first class product (Posted on 4/12/2016)Performance Value Quality - Awesome deviceReview by Mikey
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love it, thank you to who made it.Performance Value Quality
like the others here have said, great way to get short wave and ham and cb.
(Posted on 12/12/2015) - Love itReview by Carl
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I would never think it would well as it does cause most SDR in $300 and up! (Posted on 3/17/2015)Quality Performance Value - Outstanding way to extend your SDR range.Review by Jay
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This thing is just outstanding. One of the largest problems with upconversion is good filtering; and this unit has it. The unit injects an almost undetectable amount of noise and has very low insertion loss. The 125MHZ LO is a blessing; pushing the frequencies in to a band that's usually pretty quiet. The board is wonderfully designed; with RF stages assembled close together, but sections spaced far enough apart to prevent interference. Passthrough ability means you don't have to disconnect it to switch back to VHF, saving that tiny MCX connector on your dongle. It's a solid unit and it's intelligent board layout is why it' performs so well. I've pulled some pretty weak signals out of the air with it. Add a small RF preamp and this unit really can shine. (Posted on 12/28/2014)Performance Value Quality - Great HF up-converter for the buck!Review by Doyle
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I purchased mine month and a half ago. It transforms your RTL2832U R820T SDR DVB-T DAB dongle into a general coverage receiver from DC to 1.766 ghz all modes. Weather facsimile, ADS-B, Military, Weather reports over HF, Amateur radio, SSTV, RTTY, FM Stereo, AM broadcast MW and SW, Why spend $500 or more for the same range of frequency? Here is my video example with the Ham It Up up converter in action.Performance Value Quality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIuGZr0oYi8 (Posted on 9/11/2014) - Great Way To Get Into SWL using a R820T chipReview by gccradioscience
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I bought this along time ago, and I am working on getting another one for my tablet and new desktop computer for the bedroom listening post. It covers the long wave band through the short wave bands with no problems. I like to use it for DXing signals far away using a long wire antenna with a 600 ohm to 50 ohm balun. I also use it with my Kaito KA35 antenna for AM and Longwave DXing. The thing I do recommend is a RF preamplifier for weaker signal reception and I hope Noo Elec starts selling one. (Posted on 5/9/2014)Performance Value Quality - Excellent unit for the priceReview by Bob
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Bought mine of their Amazon store and love it. It came quick (got stuck at the border but that had nothing to do with NooElec) and is working like a charm. I love that they updated it to a 125Mhz rock, but I don't like that they are using the large USB connector. Others complained about the micro so they changed it to this one, but I much prefer the small one as I have more of that cable time around.Performance Value Quality
Also, I would like to know if this thing is capable of VLF reception?
I posted some YouTube vids on my website at http://ve7wnk.ca/?p=387 and http://ve7wnk.ca/?p=376
Cheers, VE7WNK (Posted on 3/26/2014) - Excellent and Inexpensive choice for HF listening.Review by Benjamin
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My primary hobby with sdr is being able to surf the shortwave spectrum listening to far away places and news. Setup is simple and the product is one of the best on the market. I have had this product up and running for a week without issue or incident. I would highly recommend it if you wish to listen to frequencies often times well below the ability of most of the inexpensive dongles and sdr kits. (Posted on 1/25/2014)Quality Performance Value - Great productReview by Diddy
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An excellent up converter with hardly any noise injected into the signal.Value Quality Performance
Works as intended and within 5 minutes had a working short wave receiver.
The up-converter looses 10db but this is to be expected, but I didn't notice as there is so much to pick up on the HF bands.
I would strongly recommend placing the up-converter and card into a box and with a bit of soldering run the lot from one usb port.
As for delivery, being in the UK the converter took almost 3 weeks to arrive. Not a problem with NooElect but the postal service. the up-converter had a nice holiday in Miami for several days. maybe overseas purchasers should be made aware that it can take up to 4 weeks to arrive. not a problem but would have been nice to know. (Posted on 11/25/2013) - Excellent item! Works as advertised. Review by Larry F. (n3lt)
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This item is a great purchase for someone getting into SDR for the first time. I received mine on Jan. 24 and have just finished initially testing it with their SDR Starter Bundle which includes a DVB-T Dongle. It's performance has been excellent. The hardware combination of the upconverter, the dongle and the free download software, SDR# (not included with any purchase) work well together. It was easy for me to get it all going with no hassle other than my own ignorance. The upconverter certainly works as advertised, and its construction quality is very impressive for any amount of money. I consider this to be a wonderful buy. I, therefore, give both NooElec service and the up-converter a "5-Star" rating due to its performance, ease of use, and quality construction.
Thanks Again NooElec for a quality product and excellent service.
(Posted on 1/25/2013) - Great and Affordable for the average Amateur Radio Operator !!!Review by Steven Jones - KB9FUS
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This is GREAT and AFFORTABLE !!! What more can you say !!!!!
I am Glad some one finally made a radio product of this quality that the average Ham operator can offered. !!!!!
THANKS, NOOELEC.com (Posted on 1/4/2013)
Downloads
Product Downloads
Datasheet
(Size: 939.7 KB)
Ham It Up v1.3 Barebones Datasheet - Revision 2
URL
