lime mini sdr

[g4bgq]

I purchased a Pluto which developed massive frequency drift and then went deaf, it has since been refunded by the company.
I'm now looking at the Lime mini for Q100 use, but keep finding conflicting views about it.
Could members tel me if the Lime mini is to be recommended.
Is it as fragile as it seems, how stable is it and does it get very hot.
I do not want to get caught again because the Lime is quite expensive with VAT added.

[g8gtz]

Hi

It depends what you want to do!

For DATV, the LimeSDR Mini is the only h/w supported by the Portsdown DATV system https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Portsdown_2020 and there are a lot (200+?) happy users.

With the Pluto the Portsdown is not an option and so you would run the DATVExpress PC software which I think is fair to say is not such a mature solution and has not got a future development plan. Alternatively you can use the F5OEO Pluto firmware which gives excellent results for DATV.

For narrow band both the Lime and the Pluto can be used with most SDR s/w including the excellent SDRconsole.

However with the Pluto (which also has a lot of happy users) you can use the very interesting SATSAGEN spectrum analyser software https://www.rtl-sdr.com/satsagen-softwa ... -analyzer/ and the new Langstone Microwave transceiver https://wiki.microwavers.org.uk/Langstone_Project

Not sure if that helps much - the choice is yours!

73
Noel - G8GTZ

[g0mjw]

At the moment Pluto. Portsdown may not support it but I have seen one on Dave's desk. The Lime is good too. Heck. Just get both. Neither costs more than a night out with friends and we can't do that at the moment.

Mike

[g4bgq]

Ok,thanks for thr replies, my Pluto died and the supplier refunded the payment and told me to scrap it locally. I have now purchased a Lime mini from Mouser in the US due in a coulpe of days.
I want to use it for both narrow and wide transponders on the satellite.

[g0mjw]

I hope you scrapped it sensibly - you might be able to fix it.

[g4bgq]

I don't think so because there is a tiny ferrite transformer broken off the pcb, seems to be a feed from the RX socket. It's beyond by skill level.

[G8GKQ]

If its T1 or T5 that is broken (the ones nearest the SMA sockets) they look as though they could be easily replaced.

Dave, G8GKQ

[g4eml]

If it is just the one near the RX socket it would still be perfectly usable for DATV transmission.

[g4bgq]

yes it's the one near the rx socket. I found it loose rattling about inside. it will need an expert to fi it.

[g4eml]

It depends how it has broken.
If the tracks and inductor are undamaged than it should be possible to re-solder it.
If the inductor itself has been damaged then its a case of finding a replacement. Alternatively just leave it and use the Pluto for transmit only. There are plenty of people doing that on QO-100 DATV already.