WR G33DDC EXCALIBUR PRO

RCV62

 

$1,649.95

WinRadio products are available only to customers in the U.S. and Canada.

Overview
 
Overview

The WiNRADiO WR-G33DDC 'EXCALIBUR Pro' is a high-performance, low-cost, direct-sampling, software-defined, shortwave receiver with a frequency range from 9 kHz to 49.995 MHz. It includes a real-time 50 MHz-wide spectrum analyzer and 4 MHz-wide instantaneous bandwidth available for recording, demodulation and further digital processing.

This product is an advanced version of the award-winning WR-G31DDC receiver offering the following additional features and improvements:

 4 MHz instantaneous processing bandwidth
 Low-noise preamplifier
 Configurable preselection filters
 Filter bandwidth adjustable down to 1 Hz
 0.5 ppm frequency stability
 Test and measurement functions

WiNRADiO WR-G31DDC receiver

The receiver's superior performance results from its innovative, direct-sampling, digital down-conversion architecture along with the use of leading-edge components and design concepts. These all result in a very high IP3, wide dynamic range, high sensitivity, and accurate tuning. These key features create a receiver in a class of its own, with wide application potential, at a very affordable price.

The entire 4 MHz DDC (digitally-down-converted) bandwidth is available for recording and demodulation. Three demodulators allow the simultaneous reception of three signal frequencies within the 4 MHz bandwidth.

Features

 9 kHz to 49.995 MHz continuous frequency range
 Direct sampling
 Digital down-conversion
 16-bit 100 MSPS A/D converter
 50 MHz-wide, real-time spectrum analyzer
 4 MHz recording and processing bandwidth
 Continuously adjustable filter bandwidth down to 1 Hz
 Three parallel demodulator channels
 Waterfall display functions
 Audio spectrum analyzer
 Audio and IF recording and playback
 Recording with pre-buffering
 EIBI, HFCC and user frequency databases support
 Very high IP3 (+31 dBm)
 Excellent sensitivity (0.20 µV SSB, 0.10 µV CW)
 Excellent dynamic range (107 dB)
 Excellent frequency stability (0.5 ppm)
 Selectable medium wave filter
 User-configurable preselector
 Selectable low-noise preamplifier
 Test and measurement functions
 USB 2.0 interface
 

The receiver's robust front-end is equipped with an ultra-high-linearity amplifier which results in exceptional strong-signal performance. This already robust front-end is further enhanced with a user-selectable preselector that can operate either in a fully automatic or user-configurable mode. As many as 119 different filter combinations can be constructed by the user (91 bandpass, 14 low-pass and 14 high-pass). The front-end employs 34 subminiature electromechanical relays (rather than often used but distortion-prone semiconductor switches) to ensure high dynamic range.

A user-selectable low-noise preamplifier provides additional sensitivity for the receiver to be able to extract even the weakest signals from noise.

An advanced dithering technique eliminates spurious signals without significantly increasing the receiver's noise floor. The superior 16-bit 100 MSPS analog-to-digital converter provides exceptional performance over an extremely wide range of signals.

 

WR-G31DDC Graphical User Interface

Graphical User Interface Software

The WR-G33DDC software provides an elegant and logical user interface. There are several spectrum analyzer configurations including the 50 MHz full span with 1.5 kHz resolution. The fully-zoomable display can be viewed in either the standard or waterfall mode.

The down-converted portion is highlighted and can be selected either via keyboard or by the mouse cursor and then displayed in another window, within which three independent receiver channels can exist. For any channel, the receiver's selectivity, IF shift, passband tuning, notch, and other functions can be adjusted, and the audio spectrum of the demodulated signal can be observed.

In spite of the receiver's ground-breaking architecture, the software still remains simple and intuitive to use, containing all the features generally expected in modern receivers such as noise blanking, memories, scheduler, squelch (level, voice or noise activated), numerous tuning options, and a wide choice of demodulation modes, including user-defined and optional DRM mode.

The digital down-converter provides 24 selectable output bandwidths ranging from 20 kHz to 4 MHz. The receiver's selectivity can be adjusted with 1 Hz resolution. The bandpass audio filter's low and high cut-off frequencies are graphically adjustable, as is the notch filter and noise blanker.

The parameters of all three independent channels can be set separately, allowing each to be recorded simultaneously and independently. Recording and playback are also provided at the output of the digital down-converter, where an entire 4 MHz spectrum band can be recorded for later demodulation. Pre-buffering prevents signal loss at the start of a transmission.

A flexible scheduler function allows unattended recording of each channel at specified dates and times, and the built-in support for HFCC, EIBI and user-defined frequency databases ensures effortless storage and maintenance of frequencies.

The software-defined architecture allows easy software upgrades for demodulation and decoding requirements. Component variations and aging are greatly diminished in a software-defined receiver, assuring long-term premium performance.

 

What's included?

The standard WR-G33DDC package includes:

 WR-G33DDC receiver
 Application software
 Comprehensive user's manual
 Low-noise linear power supply
 USB cable
 BNC-to-SMA adapter

 

System requirements:

 PC with 2.4 GHz quad core CPU or faster *
 1 GB of RAM
 One free USB 2.0 socket
 Windows XP/Vista/7
* The receiver will work with slower CPUs (minimum 2 GHz dual core), but this may result in somewhat reduced performance in terms of maximum achievable selectivity, DDC bandwidth and the number of simultaneously operated receiver channels.

 

 
WR-G33DDC 'EXCALIBUR Pro' Specifications
Receiver type Direct-sampling, digitally down-converting software-defined receiver
Frequency range 9 kHz to 49.995 MHz
Tuning resolution 1 Hz
Mode AM, AMS, LSB, USB, DSB, ISB, CW, FMN, FSK, UDM (user-defined mode)
DRM mode optional
Image Rejection 100 dB
IP3 +31 dBm (preamp off)
+21 dBm (preamp on)
Attenuator 0 - 21 dB, adjustable in 3 dB steps
SFDR 107 dB min. (preamp off)
103 dB min. (preamp on)
Noise figure 14 dB (preamp off)
10 dB (preamp on)
MDS -130 dBm @ 10 MHz, 500 Hz BW (preamp off)
-134 dBm @ 10 MHz, 500 Hz BW (preamp on)
 
Phase noise -145 dBc/Hz @ 10 kHz
RSSI accuracy 2 dB typ.
RSSI sensitivity -140 dBm
Processing and recording bandwidth
(DDC bandwidth)
20 kHz - 4 MHz
(selectable in 24 steps)
Demodulation bandwidth
(selectivity)
1 Hz - 62.5 kHz
(continuously variable in 1 Hz steps)
Spectrum analyzers Input spectrum/waterfall, 30 or 50 MHz wide, 1.5 kHz resolution bandwidth
DDC spectrum/waterfall, max 4 MHz wide, 1 Hz resolution bandwidth
Channel spectrum, max 62.5 kHz wide, 1 Hz resolution bandwidth
Demodulated audio, 16 kHz wide, 1 Hz resolution bandwidth
 
ADC 16 bit, 100 MSPS
Sensitivity
(@ 10 MHz, with preamplifier)
AM -106 dBm (1.12 µV) @ 10 dB S+N/N, 30% modulation
SSB -121 dBm (0.20 µV) @ 10 dB S+N/N, 2.1 kHz BW
CW -127 dBm (0.10 µV) @ 10 dB S+N/N, 500 Hz BW
FM -117 dBm (0.32 µV) @ 12 dB SINAD, 3 kHz deviation, 12 kHz BW,
audio filter 300-3000 Hz, deemphasis -6dB/oct
Tuning accuracy 0.5 ppm @ 25 °C
Tuning stability 0.5 ppm (0 to 50 °C)
MW filter Cut-off frequency 1.8 MHz @ -3 dB
Attenuation 60 dB min @ 0.5 MHz
Preselection filters 119 filters available in automatic or manual mode (14 high pass, 14 low pass and 91 bandpass) + bypass
Antenna input 50 ohm (SMA connector)
Output 24-bit digitized I&Q signal over USB interface
Interface USB 2.0 High speed
Power supply 11-13 V DC @ 510 mA typ. (preamp off)
11-13 V DC @ 620 mA typ. (preamp on)
11-13 V DC @ 55 mA typ. (power save)
Operating temperature 0 to 50 °C

Specifications are subject to change without notice due to continuous product development and improvement.


FAQ for G33DDC Excalibur Pro 

Q. My G33DDC seems to be working on all functions, but it just doesn’t seem as sensitive, even on its factory settings, as it should be when I compare it to my former receiver. I’ve scraped the software on my new computer (2.5 GHz I7 CPU, 8 GB RAM, Windows 7) and reloaded it. What is the likely problem?

A. 1. Be sure the RF filter (bottom of screen) is turned OFF.

     A.. See that the Gain tab (top middle) shows that AGC is ON and set to medium speed.

     B.  Turn the Preamp ON.

     C. Since your CPU is I7, extend the filter length from its factory-set 200 to 3500.

2. Be sure all of your interconnect cables are 100% (RG-6/U, RG-8/U, Belden 9913, etc.)
    Check your SMA antenna adapter to be sure it is making proper contact.

3. Your antenna must be outdoors, as far from you house and power lines as practicable.

4. Unplug nearby switching type power supplies which are electrically noisy.    

5. Disconnect the antenna cable from the G33 to make sure the S-meter drops to no more than  S-2 or3.

6. If noise seems to be coming from your power supply, the WiNRADiO CMC-30 common mode choke can suppress this.