"nothermark" wrote in message Of course in these
days you can use an RTL2830 DVB-T stick as a measurement
device (with some software like SDR#)

For $10 you will have a spectrum analyzer, measurement receiver and
deviation meter, without using your receiver or scope.

I did not know that. Do you have a link to where to start?



I don't know if they can be used for deviation checking,but they do work
sort of as a spectrum analizer and make a very good broad range receiver
from about 25 MHz To 2 Ghz depending on the model. Either the 820 or the
4000 modles are the ones to look for. The 820 starts about 25 mhz and goes
to 1.5 ghz. The 4000 starts around 55 mhz and goes to about 2 Ghz.
They are made for the Europen TV stations,but it was found out that with the
right software they will receive AM,FM, SSB. I have both units and the
sensitivity is around .5 uV for a full quieting signal. Not great, but not
bad for the price.

Looks for some software called SDSHARP or it might be called SD#. That is
one of the easy ones to get started with. Don't expect to hear much with
the antenna that comes with them, but with a Discone antenna up about 20
feet I hear lots of stations all over the bands.

They come with a disc for th eEuropean TV stations, but do not load or use
that.
You may need an antenna connector adaptor for them.

YOu can start here

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/tag/sdrsharp/

Just order them off ebay direct form China and get them in about 2 to 3
weeks.

Look on ebay for some of the dongles such as this for around $ 10 to $ 20.
400585241203