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FIRST LOOK
MT Takes a Look at the Latest Tech
Bonito 1102S RadioJet Shortwave Receiver
By Bob Grove, W8JHD
Bonito has released a new shortwave
receiver – the RadioJet 1102S – that
combines an innovative design with
the advantages of modern computer technology.
The tiny size of this electronic package
belies its potential. With a frequency range of 40
kHz to 30 MHz, a sensitivity of 0.03 microvolts
(-137 dBm), and an intermodulation figure (IP3)
of +29 dB, this computer-hosted analog receiver
has a lot going for it.
Receivable modes and decoders include
LSB, USB, CW, AM, FM, and stereo DRM. Fine
tuning adjustability is 1 Hz. A combination of
noise reduction and squelch massage reception
without the irritation of background interference.
A spectrum display reveals all signals in real
time on a swath up to 24 kHz wide, maintaining
linearity for 16 kHz (some roll-off is seen from
16-24 kHz). The baseline screen presentation is
quite smooth with its 48 kHz sampling rate.
Since this is an up-conversion receiver
with some analog circuitry, occasional “birdies”
(oscillator/mixer image products) will appear as
phantom signals in the receiver’s tuning range.
These are easy to identify on the spectrum display
since their spikes will move in the opposite
direction of legitimate signals.
The system is designed to work best with a
PC running Windows 7 or XP, interconnected by
a USB 2.0 cable. As with any other computerdependent
application, the faster the
computer, the better the program will
run.
Since the 1102S is powered
through the USB connection, no power
supply is required. A BNC connector is
provided for the antenna port. Surgeprotection
diodes are installed on both
inputs. A CD is included to off-load the
software from the computer.
After the installation, which requires
registration information, a small
window pops up showing successful
activation, followed by the operating
control window with the spectrum
display.
The display may be contoured to
fit four different screen formats – net
book, small monitor, notebook, and
standard desktop PC.
As illustrated by the accompanying photos,
the screen is a busy place with an extremely
flexible selection of control functions, including
your choice of six different pallets of color (with
additional custom selections as well).
❖ What’s in the Box?
The following items are included as part of
the 1102S package.
• 1 x Bonito RadioJet 1102S
• 1 x Bonito RadioJet Software in selected Version
• Short instructions
• Online Manual
❖ Integrated Frequency
List
For shortwave listeners, the 1102S is an
SWL’s dream. After your general preferences
are set up and you don’t really care to see tech
specs any longer, just click the arrow next to the
truncated frequency list and it expands to nearly
a full page. Stations currently scheduled for your
time are highlighted in red; just double-click and
you’re there.
While Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) is a
cost option for many receivers, it’s included in
the 1102S decoder package. Double clicking on
the red-highlighted listing for the current time,
within three seconds the DRM signal synchronizes,
presenting high-fidelity, noise-free reception
– if the broadcast is currently using DRM.
The large frequency list is useful to the
shortwave broadcast listener and the utilities
hunter. It shows such details as frequency, mode,
name, time schedule, language, location, call
sign, and use. On the spectrum display, the user
may choose to present visual station identifiers
right on their frequency locations. The list is
Internet-updated free of charge on a regular
basis.
At the top of the listings is a chart providing
additional station information not found in the
listing lines.
Hams will appreciate the instant spectrum
switching through the HF bands, 160-10 meters
as well as the emerging135 kHz LF band, with
automatic mode changing to the dominant voice
sideband (LSB, USB) for each band as applicable.
Although the list is admittedly Europeoriented
(the 1102S is made in Germany), you
can custom-edit it with your own revisions and
entries.
A global map may be brought up showing
the locations of stations worldwide. As each
frequency/station highlighted is double-clicked
on the list, the corresponding map location
highlights in red. A single click allows precise
readout of latitude and longitude anywhere the
cursor is placed. Zoom allows extreme magnification
for accuracy.
❖ Memory
Using your computer, you can record the
entire 24 kHz spectrum like the spooks do (“predetection
recording”) and listen to it later as if it
were in real time, invoking all the functions of
the receiver to process the signal for whatever
time length was recorded.
Additionally, you can associate custom
filter settings with specific frequencies in the
list. Thus, when you click on that listing
later, the special settings will apply.
❖ Single-Signal
Slicing
Your computer mouse cursor can
manipulate selectivity, IF shift, passband
tuning, notch, and many other
signal-processing functions. The mouse
can be used to draw a series of notches
with 2 Hz resolution to suppress unwanted
interfering signals within the
passband of the desired signal.
IF filtering bandwidth is continually
adjustable from 100 Hz to 24 kHz,
and can be shifted +/- 5 kHz either side
of center frequency. An additional 16
kHz crystal roofing filter assists in
selectivity.
70 MONITORING TIMES August 2012