Arinst SDR Dreamkit: A Portable RX SDR with 16-Bits, 1 – 3100 MHz Range and 5 MHz Bandwidth
Thank you to reader 'sunny' who has written in to share a new software defined radio that he has found being previewed on YouTube. The SDR is the Arinst SDR Dreamkit, a Russian made portable receive only SDR that will have a 16-bit ADC, 1 - 3100 MHz tuning range, up to 5 MHz instantaneous bandwidth, and have very fast processing which can scan the spectrum at 20 GHz per second. It also comes with a built in 3.9" touchscreen and loudspeaker.
Arinst are a Russian company that designs, produces and sells affordable portable spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, power amplifiers and antennas.
The Dreamkit is not yet available for sale but reader sunny has indicated that the pricing will be ~$250, although we cannot confirm that information. In a YouTube comment the developer only writes that it will be slightly more expensive than the Malachite SDR, for which an original non-clone unit sells for around $200.
We have not seen any announcement of the product on their website, but on their first YouTube video for the product they write some specs (translated from Russian):
- There is no preselector.
- Possibility to supply preselectors and source repeaters via SMA antenna connector. It also provides for the generation of a code message for each frequency range by pulse modulation of the supply voltage supplied to the antenna connector.
- Operating frequency range - 1-3100MHz
- Input impedance 50 Ohm.
- ADC capacity - 16 bits, effective 13 bits.
- Instant scan bandwidth - 5 MHz, sampling rate: 2 IQ channels at 6 MHz.
- Scanning speed over 20 GHz per second.
- Audio: built-in loudspeaker, headphones, bluetooth (optional).
- Battery life up to 3 hours.
From the English demo video shown below, the interface looks very slick, customizable and with a very responsive refresh rate. The video shows off the features which include all the standard demodulation modes, an RDS decoder, 12V 100mA bias tee, and the ability to connect to a PC and run it on HDSDR.
It appears that they plan to sell additional preselectors and LNAs that will be powered via the 12V bias tee. An interesting point is that it appears that they will control the external devices via a some sort of modulated pulse on the coax.
Slightly more accurate translation of the point 2 in the feature list:
* It is possible to power preselectors and source-follower amplifiers via the SMA antenna connector. It is designed to generate a code message for each frequency band by pulse modulating of the antenna connector supply voltage.
In the comments they mention some ongoing efforts to produce a device with freq range up to 12 GHz. I keep my fingers crossed.
What is the point of having a “portable” if you end up having to hang other pieces of equipment such as filters etc on the outside of it?
Not having a tuning control is also a big minus for me.
Hi,
This looks like a fun one. Does anyone know what type of antenna connector they use and if an adapter comes with it? I can’t quite tell what that is from the video. Thanks.
Scott
A better view of the connector:
https://kroksw.com/shop/network-equipment/arinst-sdr-dreamkit-v1d-portativnyj-radiopriemnik/
Looks like an SMA (female) adaptor is added to the built in connector.
I just received mine about 1 week ago, ordered from eBay. They had 15 available I think, but see they are now gone. Mine came with firmware 1.02, but I updated their firmware to 1.06. ( read the manual on firmware ) It has no bandpass filters that I know of. I hooked up my Wellbrook loop, and it overloaded it. I did have to use a bandpass filter ( AM Broadcast ) for SW and ham bands to remove the overloading. Very acceptable performance, in my opinion. It is indeed different to use, but fun. I paid 240.00 US. Bluetooth comes with it, and use that to connect to my speaker. The internal speaker is acceptable with plenty of volume, but my BOSE speaker is much better. Listening right now to RRI on 7375.00 kHz @ 00:42. Good signal, good audio and very nice. The specs say up to 31 MHz, but it is very good on the FM broadcast, 2M, and NOAA weather. Not sure what the specs are receiving wise now, because there has been a change with the firmware, but you can email them and ask. It also interfaces with HDSDR. This works well too, directions are in the manual. Not a bad radio for under 250. I also have the Russian Malachite ( from Russia ) and in my opinion the Malachite is easier to use, with performance similar. Build quality of the Arinst SDR is much better than the Malachite, but you need to get used to NO tuning knob. You must use the supplied stylus ( cheap ) or get another one, but if you do, get a firm pointy one, this works best. Hope this helped. H
What cost of AM and hambands filters?
Because it is must be additional cost for base device.
up to 3100 MHz, not “up to 31 MHz”?
Could be a very nice portable radio. I would prefer a >= 5″ LCD with capacitive touch though.
Elad S3 with Downconverter module covers 9khz to 3Ghz at 16bit with 24mhz of bandwidth…