Hi, I am new to the LimeSDR Mini 2.4. I just got the board operational and have it running on the SDR Console 3.3 and also on SatDump. Testing the board on 162.400 NOAA Radio, I have been comparing the signals to one of my other SDR’s. On my RTLSDR I am receiving the signal at about -85 dB. With the Mini2.4, I am receiving the signal at -117 dB. I have played with the LNA gain to no avail. All things equal. I have not made any changes to the board other than the LNA gain (30), Loopback (9) and TIA gain (3). I am looking for information on how to improve the receive power and what the above setting should be. I have not digested the configuring of the board. I’m still locating information on what parameters change what functionality. – Gary
If the used LimeSuite version predates LimeSDR Mini v2.4 release, it might not be configuring antenna’s on board RF switches, so you would receive almost nothing despite maximum gains.
Thank you. I had not considered that. I remember reading about the antenna config – Gary
One other thing to consider is good RF screening between the cable to the SDR input and the digital section of the SDR. It can pick up quite a lot of noise that gives the impression of poor sensitivity.
With the Mini V2 series, there is less noise if you use a USB2 cable than if you use a USB3 cable. You do lose some bandwidth, but it is not usually much of a problem.
If you’re main objective is to decode weak signals, I would suggest using a low noise preamp near the aerial.
Dave, G8GKQ