SDRPLAY RSP1A User manual

Using an SDRplay RSP1A
for the first time

What is an SDR (Software Defined Radio)
Receiver?
www.sdrplay.com
A radio receiver where much of what
traditionally was done in hardware,
is now done in software.
The SDRplay RSP1A hardware does up-front
filtering, amplifying, mixing and Analog to
Digital conversion.
It sends the digitised signal to the PC over the
USB cable and the SDRuno software performs
the rest of processing chain

www.sdrplay.com
The SDRplay RSP1A is a powerful wideband SDR
which covers the RF spectrum from 1kHz to 2GHz. All
it needs is aPC and an antenna to provide excellent
communications receiver functionality.
USB cable*
Ideally outside
and at least
4m above
ground
Wire antenna, >10m long
for shortwave
Download SDRuno software
from SDRplay website
RSP1A Windows PC
USB2 Type B cable (used to connect printers

Getting Started with your new RSP1A
Don’t connect the RSP1A to your PC until you are told to
www.sdrplay.com
•Go to www.sdrplay.com and click on “Start Here”

Follow the prompts
www.sdrplay.com

Follow the prompts
www.sdrplay.com

Follow the Prompts
www.sdrplay.com
Click here and then
“open”

Follow the prompts
www.sdrplay.com
Say Yes, to allow SDRuno to run on your computer & accept
the license agreement
PLEASE MAKE SURE your new RSP is DISCONNECTED
FROM THE MACHINE BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THE
DRIVER INSTALLATION

Follow the prompts
www.sdrplay.com
Accept the default file location & click Next
Accept the default file location & click Next and SDRuno will automatically install

Follow the prompts
www.sdrplay.com
Allow Windows to install if you get a message saying that Windows can’t verify the publisher
When you get the message below, wait 30 seconds and then plug in your RSP1A and click
“Next”
Click on “Finish” and SDRuno will launch – lots of windows will automatically appear and arrange
themselves on your PC screen (accept these defaults for now)

Now we need an antenna
www.sdrplay.com
For shortwave, say the 49 metre band, 10 metres or more of PVC coated thin multistrand wire
will work well if you can get it outside and away from strong sources of electrical noise.

Now we need an antenna
www.sdrplay.com
To get started, just strip away the plastic coating from the end of the wire and insert 2 or 3
strands into the centre hole of the coax socket on the RSP1A, taking care not to short
against the outer of the coax socket.

www.sdrplay.com
Connecting another length or wire to the outer of the coax allows you to ground the unit which
will further improve the signal strength. This can be connected to the house-wiring ground, a
metal radiator system, a grounding rod or even a metal window frame to act as a “counterpoise”
Tape the connections carefully. For a more permanent solution we recommend buying
connectors or lengths of coax cable to connect from your RSP1A to a convenient point near the
outside world. Additional matching devices may further improve reception but this basic set up
should work well as a starting point.

Now we need an antenna
www.sdrplay.com
Arrange the length of wire to be as spread out and as high above ground as possible. Cable
ties make excellent supports. Keep the wire away from metal objects as much as possible.
Even with just this simple wire, you should start receiving some shortwave signals

Time to start listening
www.sdrplay.com
We recommend using a mouse with a roller wheel (this becomes your tuning knob!)
Press the Green “Play” button to start the receiver
Look for the Bands button and select “Broadcast” and then the 49 metre band
It should default to 6050KHz and in the main Spectrum display you should see signals
With the default settings, move the mouse to the frequency display - rolling your mouse wheel
will tune whichever digit you hover over (0.1kHz is a good one to choose)
The default settings for AM, 8kHz audio bandwidth, gain and so on should be OK…but now you
should be inspired enough to start watching the video guides and reading the manual!
0.1kHz tuning digits
Broadcast band
Preselect button

If you are just a few hundred kilometres from North Germany, in
the daytime, you should hear Radio Mi Amigo International on
6085kHz (9M TO 6PM cet)
www.sdrplay.com
Click here for a demo recording from the UK
https://youtu.be/Gi99Z0rZryY

This is just the beginning of an exciting journey
Join the Facebook group to find our what others do with their SDRplay
RSPs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sdrplay
Explore different antennas –for restricted space and indoor antennas
for shortwave, a “Mag Loop” antenna is recommended. (Just Google
“mag loop antennas for shortwave” to find lots of information on
these)
There are weather maps, satellite images, TV images, numerous
message systems, Air-traffic control, Plane transponder, and so much
more you can explore –lots of examples on the SDRplay YouTube
channel
www.sdrplay.com

Guides and documentation
www.sdrplay.com

Guides and documentation
www.sdrplay.com

And you’ll get support direct from SDRplay:
www.sdrplay.com
Whether you buy your RSP1A from us directly or via a local distributor: