New SDRplay reseller in Australia

SDRPlay have announced a new reseller and authorised repair centre in Australia.

SDRPlay have welcomed Guy and VKRadio to their worldwide reseller network. Guy is knowledgeable about the RSP family from his close working with Ross at Strictly Ham over the years.

VKRadio - https://www.vkradio.com.au/

Web-based Antenna Designer and Calculator

Rob (DM1CM) has created a website for all of us who find trying to understand EZNEC, 4NEC2 and similar packages too hard. Rob says that while the site is simplified and concentrates on common wire antennas, it is still fairly accurate as behind the screen he is using antenna modelling software. As the work is not done on your local PC some operations can take a little while to complete but be patient and it will get there.

As well as supplying dimensions for you to build one of the four "standard" antennas (Linked Dipole, End-Fed-half-wave, Delta Loop or Half Square (more to be added)), it also shows you the propagation pattern, VSWR charts, antenna current diagram and the smith chart for the chosen antenna.

More Information - https://sota-antennas.com/

RTL-SDR Releases V4 SDR Dongle

RTL-SDR has released their latest V4 model of their USB software defined radio dongle. Updates include:

• Improved HF reception with use of built-in upconverter.

• Out of band interference from strong broadcast stations is less likely to cause desensitization.

• Consumes less current and produces less heat.

The RTL-SDR V4 SDR will be priced around $40.

More Information - https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v4-dongle-initial-release/