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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
Circuit Architecture And Technical Specifications All specifications are subject to change without notice. Software for Windows 7, Vista, and XP PC-Connection and Driver installation: USB 2.0 Input Sound Samples: 48000 at 2x16 bit resolution Output Sound Samples: 24000 at 2x16 bit resolution Left Channel: DX-Channel +30 dB for real 48 dB in high resolution Right Channel: RX-Channel real -137 dBm (0.03µV) in 16-bit resolution Automatic channel selection: RX/DX real 144dB in 24-Bit Resolution A/D Converter: 2 x 16 Bit cascaded to 24-Bit high resolution Mixer Dynamic Range: -16 to +45 dB Technical Demodulation method: Real sampling (No I/Q-Complex) Demodulation Modes: LSB, USB, CW, AM, FM, Stereo-DRM IF-Filter: Variable 100-24000 Hz at +/- 5 KHz Shift IF-Equalizer: Manually (mouse) adjusted filter for Notch and Bandpass IF-Recorder: Record and Playback 24 KHz / 48000 Samples IF-Spectrum Analyzer: 24 KHz / 160 dB with 3D-LandScape and Time Spectrum Power consumption: 220 mA max., USB-Powered Size/weight: 4”W x 1-1/4”H x 3-1/2”D, 7 oz. Reception Method: Active Mixer 45.012 MHz + VFO; no AGC Frequency range: 9 KHz – 30 MHz in 1 Hz Steps IF-Band width: 24 KHz IF-Filter: 15 KHz (- 3dB) crystal filter Image rejection: >90dB / 1.IF (LO + 45MHz) >70dB / 2.IF (In-Band -24KHz) Dynamic range: ~96.32 dB real = () =~136.22 dB by “Squaring the circle“ Noise floor (0.15-30MHz/2.3KHz BW): -137dBm (.03µV) -122 dBm (.18µV) Linear processing level (0.15-30MHz/2.3KHz BW): -40 dBm -15 dBm Intercept Point (IP3): (7.00 & 7.20MHz) +14 dBm +29dBm In order to maintain measurement linearity, the receiver does not have automatic gain control (AGC), so to prevent front-end overload, a step-adjustable preamplifier/attenuator can adjust signal gain from -16 to +45 dB. Selection of the signal-level-dependent attenuator can automatically switch the process on or off. A 144 dB scaled signal is channelized to prevent an adjacent 40 dB-stronger signal from suppressing the weaker signal, enhancing DX reception. Depending on the pre-amplification chosen, the 1102S has 96-136 dB dynamic range. ❖ The Bottom Line Getting used to the myriad controls, some with unfamiliar legends, will take some time, but properly adjusted, this receiver offers outstanding performance. Down-loadable updates for this new product are available free of charge from the manufacturer on a regular basis. The Bonito RadioJet 1102S is available for $699.95 plus shipping from Grove Enterprises. Options and accessories available at additional cost: Decoding software (for RTTY, CW, PSK, SSTV, FAX and time signals) Transmitter control and encoder software (for modes listed above) Combination transceiver control and encoder/decoder (for modes listed above) Project 7 RadioCom receiver/transmitter Weather receiving software (NAVTEX, RTTY, Synopsis) USB connected tuning wheel 16 or 32 ft. USB extension cords Mounting bracket C. Crane Twin Coil Ferrite AM Antenna Even though some listening hobbyists would say that AM radio is an anachronism, there are still enough folks listening to the 530-1700 kHz broadcast band to justify new product development. The traditional approach to enhancing medium frequency reception without using an outdoor aerial is by using a loop antenna. These can be large or small, and either an open winding of wire or a smaller ferrite rod loop. Some are amplified (active) and some are not (passive). One of the most successful loops was the Select-a-Tenna. Roughly a foot in diameter, it could be plugged into the external antenna socket of a radio, or simply placed in close proximity to the radio in order to “focus” the desired signal to the radio’s internal antenna. Although an excellent product, it is no longer manufactured. So what makes the C. Crane AM antenna different? It is amplified and has several separate components. Its antenna may be mounted inside or outdoors (which may require ordering an extension cable in 25 or 50 foot lengths). The amplified tuner may be powered by the AC wall adapter (included) or a nine volt battery (not included). It will work with radios with or without an external antenna jack. ❖ Radios without an External Antenna Jack Since portable radios have internal AM antennas, the C. Crane loop must be inductively coupled to the internal antenna. This is done by pressing a ferrite coupling device to the cabinet of the radio close to the internal antenna. The tuner control is set conveniently near the radio so that it can be adjusted by the listener. The antenna element is placed anywhere in a six foot radius that it picks up signals best with minimum environmental electrical noise. ❖ Radios with an External Antenna Jack If your radio receiver is equipped with an RCA phono jack to accommodate an external antenna, or separate antenna and ground terminals as found on most home entertainment stereo receivers, cabling and an adapter are provided to make that interconnection. No provision is made for radios with a 1/8 inch phone jack or SO-239 antenna connections. These adapters would have to be provided by the user. By Bob Grove, W8JHD ❖ Setting it up After the separate modules are interconnected (you can’t mismatch connections) a weak signal is selected on the radio – the more barely readable, the better. With the ferrite probe set on the portable radio top, the tuner is then switched on. Slowly rotating the large concentric knob, an increase in signal should be heard at one setting; the inner, smaller tuning knob is then adjusted for fine tuning. The ferrite probe is move around the radio to find the “sweet spot” of strongest signal coupling, and then the antenna element is positioned the greatest increase in incoming signal strength. ❖ Let’s try it out I decided to try a worst-case scenario. Using an over-the-counter AM pocket radio with the ferrite probe against the top of the case, I randomly selected stations that were barely above the background hiss. In each case the C. Crane loop brought the signal up to 100 percent intelligibility. It must be pointed out that tuning is quite sharp, and although there is backlash in the main tuning dial, it is easily resolved by adjusting the fine tuning knob. Success is dependent upon location and orientation of the main antenna element. If it’s close to interference-generating appliances or wiring, then it’s going to amplify that noise. But with the antenna free and clear of noxious noise producers, and its position favoring desired incoming signals, the ferrite loop antenna will provide substantial signal improvement over the radio’s internal antenna. Twin Coil Ferrite AM Antenna, $99.95 from Grove Enterprises and some MT advertisers and from C. Crane, 1001 Main St., Fortuna, CA. Website: www.ccrane.com, Email rreynoza@ ccrane.com; Phone (707) 725-9000. August 2012 MONITORING TIMES 71
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