AFEDRI LAN-IQ: Standalone 12-bit 30 kHz to 1.7 GHz SDR with LCD Screen for $339
AFEDRI have recently begun shipping their new software defined radio called the "LAN-IQ". The LAN-IQ is a full standalone SDR with good advertised specifications and a very decent price of only US$339. The advertised specs from the Afedri LAN-IQ website are pasted below:
- 30 kHz to 1700.00MHz continuous frequency range
- Direct sampling
- DDC - Digital Down-Conversion
- 12- bit 76.8 MSPS A/D conversion
- Stand Alone mode (AM, CW, SSB, NFM, WFM stereo, BPSK, QPSK demodulators)
- Up to 2.2MHz recording and processing bandwidth
- Waterfall display functions, when used with appropriate software
- Recording and playback, when used with appropriate software
- Sensitivity - MDS -136 dBm at 500Hz bandwidth (0.03MHz-35MHz)
- Sensitivity - MDS -143.5 dBm at 500Hz bandwidth (50MHz-435Mhz)
- USB 2.0 (Full Speed) interface
- LAN interface for remote access
- Compatible with: Linrad, Winrad, HDSDR, Studio1, SDR Console (SDR-radio), CuteSDR, SdrDX, Quisk, PowerSDR_mrx
- Powered from USB or external power supply 7-10VDC
- Dimensions 120mm deep x 78mm wide x 27mm high
- Unit cost - $339
![The Afredi LAN-IQ SDR](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LAN-IQ-SDR-front-view-1024px.jpg)
They go on to elaborate on the specs:
LAN-IQ SDR is stand-alone, direct sampling Software Defined Receiver (see picture above) it has ability to send it's received I/Q stream in three different modes:
- Stand-Alone (Digital processing, filtering , decoding is implemented inside SDR)
- Network (LAN)
- USB
LAN-IQ SDR has the following specification:
- Frequency Coverage: 0.03MHz-35MHz & 35MHz-1700MHz
- Noise Figure: ~11dB (for 1MHz-35Mhz range and maximum RF gain 35dB)*
*input VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier) has variable Gain from -10dB up to +35dB- Noise Figure: ~3.5dB (for 50MHz-435Mhz range and maximum LNA/MIX gain )
- MDS: -136 dBm at 500Hz bandwidth (0.03MHz-35MHz)
- MDS: -143.5 dBm at 500Hz bandwidth (50MHz-435Mhz)
Output data format: two 16-bit I/Q channels (audio stereo stream emulation)
Maximum Receiving Bandwidth:
- BW = up to 2200kHz (for 2400kHz sample rate) - using Network connection
- BW = up to 706kHz (for 768kHz sample rate) - instand-alone mode
- BW = up to 230kHz (for 250k samples/s sample rate) - using USB connection
RF ADC sampling rate: 76.800 MHz
Power Supply Voltage Requirements:
- 5V (supplied from the PC's USB bus or from external) or from external power supply able to provide 5VDC +/-0.2V).
- 7.0-10V DC to the DC power connector.
Power Supply Current Requirements:
- up to 850mA (max. LCD brightness, network cable connected, VHF/SHF band)
The LAN-IQ SDR is designed to be used in stand-alone mode , i.e. without need to use any additional computer and software.
In same time the SDR can be connected and used with Personal Computer (PC) by two interfaces:
1. Ethernet Network connection.
This can now provide up to 2400 kHz sample rate
2. Full Speed USB
From PC point of view, the SDR-Net can be used alternatively as:
1. Network device using two IP protocols: TCP and UDP.
- TCP protocol is used to control the SDR parameters.
- UDP protocol is used to send received I/Q stream from SDR to PC
2. Or exactly like the AFEDRI SDR-Net -USB Composite Device, that contains two USB functions:
- Generic USB Audio device - to transfer baseband I/Q signal, as an audio stereo stream
- USB HID device - used to control AFEDRI SDR-Net
From the Afedri Groups.io forum we've learned that by default the unit will come without the tuning knob, but a knob can be requested if preferred, although it comes with some limitations.
Ordering of the LAN-IQ is done via email only, and the email address can be obtained at the end of their ordering page. They accept PayPal, and shipping costs anywhere from $18 - $32 depending on the country. Also regarding shipping they note that deliveries may be delayed due to COVID-19 which is of course the case for every global delivery right now.
From the SWLing Post blog post we've also learned of a short demonstration video created by Fenu-Radio which is shown below. We are also awaiting his full review which will be posted on fenu-radio.ch.
In a second video Fenu-Radio compares the LAN-IQ against the Malahit-DSP which is another similar low cost standalone SDR which we posted about back in November 2019.
More videos of the LAN-IQ in action can be found on the Afredi-SDR YouTube channel.