"Cyber-Hun" wrote in message
news:hSPBd.678144$%k.627445@pd7tw2no...
If I just want to recieve and not transmit, isn't there a
one-size-fits-all kind of receiver that picks up basically the whole range
from low frequency am all the way up to the Ghz bands?
Another question --- without breaking the bank, what kind of rig will
enable me to get the most use out of my PC for stuff like decoding
satellite pictures, and experimenting with the reception of digital
signals?


Yes, there are several one-size-fits-all answers to this question. None of
them really cheap, but a couple are quite resonibly priced when you thin
what even a few years ago such capability would have cost. But, like a
one-size-fits-all jacket, they do not really fit all that well.

By this I mean all of them are a compromise of some type. All levels of
workmanship and design being equal, something that covers DC to light will
not work as well as something designed for a narrower specific application.
A unit designed specifically for HF SW reception will general outperform the
same money spent on a single unit designed to cover HF, VHF-Lo, VHF-Hi, UHF,
and SHF.

With these shortcomings in mind there are a few options.

Don't get hung up on USB or USB 2.0 for a communications protical. A simple
serial port is plenty fast for the data needed to control a radio. The
audio is not transfered through the data stream in most cases. If your PC
does not have a serial port (many these days donot) a simple USB to serial
adapter can be bought for a very low cost these days, often around $20 USD.

There are several radios with full up front ends capable of being PC
controlled, I mean they look like normal radios but can be PC controlled. I
will address a couple here that are meant ONLY to be controlled via PC.

The WinRadio WR-1550e. It covers something like 150 kHz to 1500 MHz. All
mode. Works very well from about 50 MHz up. Is acceptable for most
applications below 50 MHz. Has a fairly fast scan rate.

Icom PCR-1000. It covers something like 100 kHz to 1300 MHz. All mode.
Works better than the WR-1550e below 50 MHz. Works slightly less well above
50 MHz (when compared to the WR-1550e). Scan rate with some software is not
as fast as the WR-1550e. Better image rejection than the WR-1550e.

In my opinion (some may disagree) the WR-1550e is the better of the two
choices for scanner uses. I have 2 WR-1550e's, one WR-1000i, and two
PCR-1000's. If I was looking primarily for a SW (HF, 30 MHz and down) radio
with the ability to work up above 1 GHz I would opt for the PCR-1000. If I
was looking only for HF (and NOTHING higher than 30 MHz) coverage I would
opt for one of the WinRadio G3xx series. But for general type stuff with
the ability to do it all I would go for the WR-1550e understanding that it
has limitations. Unless you have the funds for the WR-3xxx series. and then
I would say one of the internal DSP equiped models would be the ticket.

C