{"id":13388,"date":"2015-06-01T08:05:27","date_gmt":"2015-06-01T12:05:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=13388"},"modified":"2015-06-01T12:38:06","modified_gmt":"2015-06-01T16:38:06","slug":"a-review-of-the-titansdr-pro-software-defined-receiver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/a-review-of-the-titansdr-pro-software-defined-receiver\/","title":{"rendered":"A review of the TitanSDR Pro software defined receiver"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TitanSDRPro-2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The following review originally appeared in the May 2015 issue of The Spectrum Monitor<\/a> magazine.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

It\u2019s no secret…I\u2019m a bit of an SDR geek<\/strong>. Yes, after discovering the power of software-defined radios a few years ago, I\u2019m hooked: SDR listening represents nearly 95% of my home listening and monitoring. And I love it.<\/em><\/p>\n

As a result, I\u2019m always looking at new SDR technologies to note advances that could improve both my at-home and on-the-road listening\u2013\u2013not to mention, satisfy my appetite for spectrum and broadcast recordings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A few months ago, I heard about a new military-grade SDR called the TitanSDR. Being eager to check it out, I reached out to the Italy-based manufacturer, Enablia<\/a>; they kindly lent me a TitanSDR Pro<\/strong> for review.<\/p>\n

\"TitanSDR<\/a>

TitanSDR back panel (Photo: Enablia)<\/p><\/div>\n

But here I must insert a disclaimer. Even though I love SDRs, I always find myself hesitating slightly when it comes to writing a review of one\u2013\u2013simply because, when compared with tabletop and portable radios, SDRs tend to be so very<\/em> complex. While I\u2019m fairly well versed in what to expect of an SDR application, the learning curve (and sometimes even installation<\/em> curve) can be formidable. And the TitanSDR seemed especially daunting: since it\u2019s designed for heavy, full-duty, multi-channel SIGNET and military use, I expected to need a at least a few days to both install the device and, more significantly, to learn the ropes of the application which drives the SDR.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, my fears were unfounded. The TitanSDR and I were in sync almost before I knew it, hinting favorably about an accessible user interface.<\/p>\n

First impressions<\/h2>\n

The TitanSDR ships in a box with the following components: the Titan SDR \u201cblack box\u201d receiver, a TitanSDR installation DVD, a printed installation manual, a USB memory stick with a license key, USB cable with chokes on both ends, and a separate regulated power supply.<\/p>\n

Not purely a plug-and-play device, the TitanSDR requires a proper three-step installation. Fortunately, the installation manual walks you through the process, which is actually quite simple. Within a mere five minutes, I had the TitanSDR installed and on the air.<\/p>\n

The TitanSDR application<\/h2>\n

The application which runs an SDR is your interface to all of the radio\u2019s capabilities. A top-notch SDR paired with a confusing SDR application will greatly diminish usability and, frankly, sheer enjoyment.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, this is where the TitanSDR comes up trumps. To be clear: the TitanSDR has one of the best user interfaces of any SDR I\u2019ve ever tested.<\/em> While SDR interfaces are subjectively evaluated\u2013\u2013some prefer a more dense, involved GUI\u2013\u2013I always appreciate simplicity and overall usability over lots of (visible) bells and whistles.<\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a>

Click to enlarge<\/p><\/div>\n

I\u2019m especially impressed with how easily the TitanSDR app is designed to cope with multiple band windows, both wide and narrow, while many SDR manufacturers struggle with making an intuitive interface for merely one<\/em> wideband and on<\/em>e narrowband window, each.<\/p>\n

The user interface is divided into three major components: the panoramic scope, the wideband scope, and the narrowband scope. Let\u2019s take a look at each.<\/p>\n

Panoramic Scope<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"TitanSDR<\/a>

TitanSDR Panoramic Scope. Click to enlarge.<\/p><\/div>\n

When you first open the Titan application and connect the SDR, the panoramic display, which spans the top of the window, comes to life. If hooked up to an antenna, you\u2019ll see spectrum peaks across the display, but you\u2019ll hear no audio because you must first select a wideband and then a narrowband window.<\/p>\n

Wideband Scope<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the upper left portion of the panoramic scope, you\u2019ll find a button that allows you to add a wideband selection\/channel. After clicking the \u201cadd\u201d button, you\u2019ll need to choose the width of your wideband slice. Your choices:<\/p>\n