Folks
The FUNcube Dongle Pro+ has the same design aims as the original FUNcube Dongle, but we’ve taken on board many of the comments about the original FCD, and improved both the performance and the functionality. Indeed, although from the outside it might look similar, it’s an entirely new design.
On the performance side, we’ve added 11 discrete hardware filters to the front end, including narrow SAW filters on amateur 2m and 70cm bands. This has a hugely beneficial effect on front-end blocking, particularly at VHF.
There’s also a new LNA used with far better performance, improving the OIP3 to 30dBm (was about 10dBm). In addition, the RF stages are at 3.15V compared to the original FCD’s 1.5V, innately improving dynamic range.
Also added is a TCXO rated at 0.5ppm, althogh typically in practice tests show the accuracy at 1.5ppm (the original FCD used 20ppm crystals).
For functionality improvements, we also took the opportunity to extend the frequency range to add HF, MF and LF, and to provide complete coverage of the amateur 23cm band. The receiver range is now 150kHz to 240MHz and 420MHz to 1.9GHz. In our first 20 units, all have covered 150kHz to 260MHz and 410MHz to 2.05GHz.
Similarly, the sample rate is increased to 192kHz.
Internally the ADC depth used is 32 bits. Initial firmware will provide access to 16 bits of ADC resolution.
The local oscillator phase noise is far less than the original FCD, and typically once an antenna is connected the once-familiar 0Hz spike disappears into the noise. The LO resolution is also down to about 0.5Hz, even at L band.
Some quick stats…
o 240 parts (original FCD: 100)
o 100 BOM lines (original FCD: 28)
o Parts mounted on both sides (original FCD: parts on one side)
o Six layer PCB, two are solid ground planes (original FCD: double sided)
o 21 ICs, 122 capacitors, 49 inductors… on the same space as a 40pin DIP package
Many thanks, Howard
Hello, I am very interested by your SDR !
What should be the price & availability ?
Best 73′s
Francis, F5MIU
Hello Francis
The first units hopefully will be shipping this week (I am awaiting the final results of my CE conformance and certification).
The ordering details are here.
The price in Euros is about €155+VAT.
Many thanks, Howard
I leave my name and Email adress to be advise when the Funcube Pro + will be avilable for order and never received any feedback
Am I on the waiting list?
Francois VE2 MHF
Hello Francois
I’ll be sending out a new batch of email confirmation in the next day or so. The eCommerce waiting list is not very good I’m afraid, so I have to manually extract raw data and ETL it into an email merge batch.
Many thanks, Hwoard
Hallo I order a Funcube dongle from ML&s and can’t wait to try it out. I would like to know what is the best software to use and what is the spectrum analyzer’s spread in Mhz.
Regards
Peet
Hello Peet
We recommend using SDRSharp to begin with, but there are many other packages that also work with the FCD+ like SDR Radio and HDSDR among others.
Take a look at the current manual here which covers your queries: http://www.funcubedongle.com/MyImages/FCD2ManualV3.pdf
Many thanks, Howard
Hello how much would the radio cost plus shipping in us dollars? also what kind of antanna hook up does it use? Hank
Hello Hank.
FCD+ GBP124.99
Shipping GBP9.42
Total GBP134.41
With the exchange rate of GBP1=USD1.59
Total including shipping to US GBP134.41 * 1.59 = USD213.71, plus whatever Paypal or your card charges for GBP transactions
Details are in the FCD+ ordering page, http://www.funcubedongle.com/?page_id=1113.
Many thanks, Howard
Hello.
I’m considering purchasing one to use as a panoramic adaptor, feeding it the 3395 kHz IF from my transceiver. Do you have any suggestions what would be the best software for this application?
Hello Burton
Personally I use SDRSharp or Spectravue (although note Spectravue only supports 96kHz span).
Many thanks, Howard
Hi,
I have the older funcube and am interested in getting the newer one to embed inside my Panasonic Toughbook CF-18. Assuming the pro + is the same size as the old one, there is just enough room for the main pcb and usb connector but not enough for the sma connector. Is there any way I could order a pro + with the antenna connector either not soldered or on a pigtail? I wouldn’t mind paying extra or waiting longer.
Thanks,
John
Hello John
Thanks for your note. The FCD+ is indeed exactly the same size as an FCD, it uses the same enclosure and cut-outs.
As part of the testing procedure, we do several full end-end tests including the RF connector: it may surprise you but about 0.1% of these connectors fail!
It is possible to remove the SMA connectors with a hot air iron, but extreme care has to be taken not to break the PCB tracks. In addition, the original FCD had 1mm vias deliberately placed in the SMA pads which the FCD+ doesn’t have. This means (1) it’s more difficult to remove the SMA for thermal reasons and (2) any pigtail would need to use the SMA pads as there are no through-hole terminations.
Many thanks, Howard
Just a reminder to the lucky people who have purchased the FUNcube Dongle, We have two Yahoo groups with hundreds of FUNcube dongle members who are more than willing to help with any issues you may have,or just to get the most out of your dongle.
FUNcube Dongle Pro http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/funcube/
FUNcube Dongle Pro Plus http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fcdproplus/
Regards
Rob M0TFO
Hi Howard, have you seen and read about the new RF board that is taking the Arduino type approach with 260 MHz to 3.8 GHz coverage? Developement board is only 5 cm square and runs at 5 volts. Might be an idea companion that could work in conjunction with the FUNcube dongle Pro+ receiver or the next generation as it could take Amateur radio by storm just as your dongle has done. Email me if you need the link or further info.
What aerials perform best , cost least, cover the/
full spectrum ???
Hello Rob
Good question, but it could be a very long answer.
At one extreme, I use an un-bent paper clip to pick up local FM radio. In fact sometimes I don’t even need that, I can pick up the local FM radio station here without any antenna but I am on the third floor.
Of course I don’t recommend a paper clip for optimum reception!
I use a Maldol HVU-8 for the greatest range but they are not cheap. This gives me LF to UHF.
For LF through HF, a simple long wire will work, and for reception there’s no need to spend hours tuning it.
For VHF and above a discone or even a simple whip on a ground plane will get you started.
Any antenna that’s outside is bound to be better than anything inside.
Many thanks, Howard
Hello Howard,
Great works on the FunCube Dongle Pro+.
I’ve heard the original FunCube Dongle Pro won’t be available anymore. Well, there are some interresting frequencys Funcube Dongle Pro+ isn’t able to receive anymore (e.g. 380 MHz to 400 MHz).
Is it possible to make this frequencies available somehow? I know the old FunCube Pro was able to handle with this frequencies.
Greetings from Germany
Hello Max.
I’m afraid the new tuner chip used on the FCD won’t reliably cover below 420MHz, so we don’t advertise it as so. The manufacturer of the tuner chip used in the original FCD went out of business so we changed device. While this gave us vastly improved coverage down to LF and full L band coverage, we did lose from about 260MHz to 420MHz.
Many thanks, Howard