FM USB Tuner Shootout: PC Ear vs Instant Radio (ADS Tech RDX-155)

Welcome to another radio shootout, Boxing Kangaroo edition! These shootouts feature ‘dirt cheap’ radios and are intended to appeal to a variety of different potential audiences, including terrestrial FM radio listeners and hobbyists interested in elementary electronics or FM reception capabilities.

Digital Signal Processing on the cheap?

At the time of writing, the cheapest Chinese portable FM radio currently available incorporating Silicon Labs’ (Silabs) Digital Signal Processing (DSP) costs about $49 including delivery. This model is the Tecsun PL-606. For those with a laptop and access to a directional antenna, USB computer devices with the SI4700/01 integrated circuit (IC) are considerably more inexpensive, representing a cheap entry to Silabs DSP.

The contenders: Two popular Silabs USB FM tuner

Instant FM Radio (Instant Radio) costs about $17 including delivery.

PC Ear costs about $17 wholesale but is no longer readily available new.

Gunning for the best: PC Ear versus Instant Radio

A rudimentary inspection of the datasheets suggest the FM sensitivity measurements are equivalent for the Silabs ICs inside PC Ear and Instant Radio. To test this, a modest directional antenna was connected to the devices. Both devices were housed in a metal enclosure with two suppression chokes and operated with a Radio Frequency (RF) quiet laptop running from battery power.

Reception conditions were well below average with heavy, unrelenting rain. 15 stations were chosen for the test. Of these, 13 stations were detected with the minimum signal strength of 0, where signals are just audible above the noise floor. Because of the heavy rain, two of the usual weak signals were not audible during the test and accordingly, do not appear in the performance table.

Software

PC Ear does NOT support firmware upgrades using the Windows-based Silabs configuration software utility. Firmware updates to PC Ear can be done under Ubuntu/Linux, but the process may be complicated. The Silabs Radio DLL software appears to function, but audio issues were evident when tested briefly with PC Ear. According to the developers, it is supported.

The upgraded firmware was used with Instant Radio. The upgrade was performed per the ADS Configuration user guide instructions for Silabs Radio DLL, developed by Beezer, Guino and Pete.

Characteristic	PC EAR	INSTANT RADIO
Tunable frequency range	76 – 90 MHz, 87.5 – 108 MHz	76 – 90 MHz, 87.5 – 108 MHz
Circuit board approximate size	1.3 x 0.6 inches	2.4 x 1.1 inches
Tuning steps	50 kHz	50 kHz
Radio Data System support	No	Yes
Software support	USB Radio 2.0-3.0 (supplied), FM Signal Strength Analyzer 1.0.0.19, Silabs Radio DLL, Silabs configuration software utility.	Instant Radio 1.0.0.11 (supplied), Silabs Radio DLL, FM Signal Strength Analyzer 1.0.0.19, Silabs configuration software utility.
Hardware version	PC Ear 1.77	Silabs 1.7.15
Firmware upgradable	No, Please refer to body of article	Yes, ADS NoiseMod Primary.dec

The software support listed in the characteristics table (above) is NOT exhaustive. Please understand that the priority was to test reception performance.

Any frequency (or broadcast) can be easily recorded for hours ‘on schedule’ using third party Windows audio recording schedule software such as Fox Magic Audio Recorder (free) and High Criteria Total Recorder Professional ($36). The software supplied with the devices also offers recording ‘on demand’. ADS Tech Instant Radio software is especially recommended for this purpose, since it offers high resolution 96 kHz uncompressed recording capabilities.

Comparative performance

PC Ear is constructed on a double sided printed circuit board, whilst the Instant Radio device uses a much larger single sided board (above). Unsurprisingly, both designs feature surface mount components.

RADIO STATION FREQUENCY (MHz)	PC EAR MAXIMUM SIGNAL STRENGTH (BARS)	INSTANT RADIO MAXIMUM SIGNAL STRENGTH (NUMBER)	INSTANT RADIO RDS DECODING	DISTANCE (MILES)
90.5	0	3	No	43mi (200 W)
91.1	2 – Quieting Mono	19 – Quieting Mono	Instant	35mi
92.1	0	6	N/A	43mi
93.7	0	0	N/A	62mi
94.9	0	6	No	27mi
95.3	1	6	N/A	88mi
98.5	1 – Quieting Mono	9 – Quieting Mono	N/A	88mi
99.4	0	0	No	48mi (2 kW)
99.5	No signal, Slight high adjacent channel interference (99.7)	0	N/A	208mi
102.9	0	6	N/A	48mi
104.5	4 – Quieting Stereo	50 – Quieting Stereo	Instant	11mi
105.7	0	5	No	48mi
107.7	5 – Quieting Stereo	57 – Quieting Stereo	N/A	11mi

Instant Radio consistently offered a slight edge with superior adjacent channel suppression on one station and the advantage of RDS. PC Ear did ‘stutter’ occasionally on one RDS-enabled station. A change to the device settings (below) and immediately unplugging the device solved the problem. This trivial audio issue could not be replicated again after 15 minutes of listening to the station, nor the next day.

There were no consistently observable differences in sensitivity, audio quality or immunity to internally-generated spurious noise (interference) between the devices. This result was somewhat unexpected because PC Ear is rumoured to be an earlier Silabs USB tuner prototype with its share of critics on the world wide web. Perhaps the critics use the supplied wire antenna (in both devices, 29 inches long) and therein lies the problem? But the test suggests PC Ear performs just as well as Instant Radio with a directional antenna. If anything, the test was biased against PC Ear because of expectations the device was of poor design quality relative to its sister models.

Performance improvements

It should be stressed that Instant Radio and other Silabs devices require antenna modifications (below) for connection to a directional antenna such as a rooftop television antenna. Soldering skills are recommended for permanence. The use of other alternatives to ‘mate’ the device with an external antenna, such as passive induction as used in some mobile broadband device antennas might also be feasible, but discussion is beyond the scope of this shootout.

With the additional expense of a metal enclosure, shielded five metre USB cable, pre amplifier and several ferrite suppressors, the total cost equates to approximately $135. Many readers may already own much of this equipment, but it does represent a potential outlay. In this blogger’s opinion it is only worth pursuing such a project for the sheer fun of experimentation!

Notwithstanding the extra Do It Yourself (DIY) effort and cost required to extract the device’s DX potential, Silabs tuners feature satisfactory signal separation and strong signal handling. With the above modifications, Instant Radio is sensitive enough for daily signals from in excess of 265 miles. Momentary meteor pings from distant FM stations are possible to receive. Although untested at the time of writing, it is anticipated that modifications to PC Ear would accomplish the same. The bottom line is that these Silabs devices were designed for learning projects. It is NOT suggested to ‘throw good money after bad’.

Comparative performance with expensive stand alone tuners

As one should realistically expect because of the tiny footprint and price, the devices are outclassed by stand alone tuners with a proper shielded tuner module. Even with a preamplifier used in-line to desperately boost sensitivity, this is apparent. Head-to-head, the following tuners or SDRs (tested without preamplifiers, using the same antenna) all noticeably outperform Instant Radio (FM usable sensitivity* is listed in brackets):

• Blaupunkt Casablanca CD51 (1.68 microvolts),
• Elad FDM-S2,
• Sherwood TX-5090 RDS (1.58 microvolts),
• Yamaha TX-950 (0.8 microvolts).

For example, in a ‘dead-of-winter’ test, the Blaupunkt automotive receiver consistently achieved better performance than Instant Radio. Improved RDS sensitivity meant that the car radio decoded digital RDS data from two extra stations. Like all models in the Sharx range, the car radio more readily discriminated stations spaced 100 kHz apart.

Instant Radio was capable of receiving 2/3 of the 15 weak signals chosen for the test, whilst the car radio nabbed 93% of weak signals! The Silabs devices enable reception of the same stations from in excess of 265 miles as standalone tuners. However, this reception will obviously be more transient and weaker signals are unlikely to be audible. From a DX enthusiast’s perspective, that may be a frustrating prospect.

The number of RDS decodes achieved with Instant Radio was equivalent to the Bauhn ADS-215 dual band portable radio connected to a carefully aligned rabbit ears antenna mounted near a window. Invariably, Instant Radio outperformed the Bauhn portable radio using its inbuilt telescopic antenna.

Summary

The device incorporating the Silicon Labs’ SI4701 IC (marketed as ‘Instant Radio’, above) is one breed of flash-drive sized computer tuner that offers modest potential for weak FM signals. It suits receiving locations with a congested FM band. Its full RDS capabilities can be exploited in locations where broadcasters support the system. PC Ear also offers similar performance, without RDS decoding.

All software tested works successfully on both receivers without noticeable bugs. There is a range of tuning software to choose from. Both Silabs devices are suited to DIY modifications.  Users of Instant Radio benefit from access to the latest firmware.

Further reading

Gadget tunes in to FM via USB

Instant Radio for distant FM reception

Instant Radio satirical shootout

Instant Radio slideshow

Radio recording saved the radio star

Silabs Radio DLL

* Standard DIN sensitivity specifications, tested with THD 3% & S/N of 26 dB. Official data, sourced from manufacturers. Lower numbers (approaching zero) indicate the best FM sensitivity. The Elad FDM-S2 sensitivity is measured differently from conventional tuners. This SDR offers better than 2 microvolts using the 12dB SINAD measurement on the extended FM band.

As always, the writer has no affiliation with any retail merchant or product manufacturer. This entry is NOT intended to be construed as an endorsement of any particular model. Prospective buyers should carefully make their own enquiries according to their particular needs and circumstances. 

Coolum’s hidden gem: Low’s Lookout

Low’s Lookout is a lookout and picnic shelter at the end of Grandview Drive at Coolum on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. Via road, the lookout is a one hour and 24 minute drive north of Brisbane’s Central Business District. Low’s Lookout is a 26 minute drive south of Noosa’s Hastings Street.

Coolum’s residential population was 7,175 in 2006, according to Queensland Places. The lookout is situated on the Point Arkwright (southern) side of Coolum. The name originates from Maroochy Shire chairman Edward (Ted) Low.

The elevation is 73 metres above sea level (240 feet) but to the immediate south and south west there are blockages (NOT pictured) by Eurungunder hill, the Lutheran Youth camp at Luther Heights and surrounding ranges. Mount Coolum is only three kilometres (two miles) south and although it is only 207 m (679 ft) high, it is an exceedingly wide and prominent mountain.

The most obvious hill is pictured in the foreground of the photos. This is Emu Mountain (aka Mount Peregian) which is an easy half hour climb. Despite the modest 71 m (233 ft) elevation, a climb of Peregian provides spectacular views of the region.

The nearest mountains of merit include Mount Cooroy, Bottle & Glass and Eerwah (near old friend Point Glorious) which range in height from 388-409 m (1,273-1,342 ft). Whilst NOT apparent in the photos, these can be found about 18 km (11 mi) away in the quadrant from the west to northwest.

Early photographs of the lookout show how development has profoundly changed Coolum’s landscape in the last 50 years. In the 1980s and 1990s, Coolum was reportedly an exceptional location for MW (AM) reception. (The reason this blogger knows this is that after publication, a reader kindly shared his experiences at Coolum with beverage antennas. Thanks James!)

In contemporary times, Low’s Lookout is useful for FM radio reception to the north, although parking spaces are extremely limited. During an instance of coastal tropospheric ducting, the Mackay FM broadcasts were receivable from roughly the NNW (azimuth: 325°) at Low’s Lookout. This was heard at 8:30 pm on the evening of Monday, December 16 in the car:

Although the broadcast site is a distance of 743 km (462 mi) away, the Mackay 100 kilowatt broadcasts have been observed regularly at the Sunshine Coast by this blogger during December. The signals usually last for at least two hours and occasionally persist until dawn.

Perhaps on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast these conditions are a fortnightly (or weekly) occurrence during December, providing rooftop FM directional antennas can be used? Even quality, Australian-made fibreglass AM/FM monopoles (e.g. GME, Mobile One or ZCG Scalar) may suffice on the rooftop, providing a signal preamplifier is used.

The 50 watt public broadcasts from Miriam Vale (distance: 288 km/179 mi, azimuth: 329°) were also audible at Low’s Lookout. Miriam Vale is situated between Gladstone & Bundaberg. Although these distant tropospheric signals were NOT audible at beaches (that is, sea level), around sunset the reception of transient jet reflected signals can be readily exploited with virtually any contemporary automotive receiver. Opportunities abound!

It must be emphasized that NOT all of the Sunshine Coast is ideally suited to tropo from the north; such generalizations are completely misleading! Mooloolaba and the northern regions up to Peregian Beach are preferable. Based on limited past experience, Caloundra & Bribie Island for example, seem to be located too far south on the coast; also the nearby Blackall Ranges (including Flaxton, Mapleton, Montville & Maleny) may block signals from the SW to the NNW. Multiple mountain ranges from Landsborough through to Eumundi (Point Glorious) are potential impediments. Reception in Noosa suffers from problematic terrain obstructions; it seems to be the most challenging region for FM/UHF reception from the north on the entire coast by a significant margin. There is good reason for all those translators!

Data was sourced from FM Scan, Google Maps, Hey What’s That & Where Is? The recording was undertaken with an Olin OVR-101 stereo voice recorder at 128 kbps MP3 resolution. An amplified, vertical, dual diversity automotive FM antenna system was used in this instance.

These photographs may be freely used for non-commercial activity provided attribution is given. Should readers choose to use those photos elsewhere, please link back to this page or attribute this blog as the copyright holder.

Returning to the scene of the Glorious crime!

Welcome to 2014 dear readers!

Back in December (sadly, yes it is January already) there was a return visit to Point Glorious undertaken for a hike on the dry dirt roads that were generously littered with horse excrement. This tower was spotted by a companion at the deserted lookout, whose eyesight is evidently better than this humble blogger.

The towers are situated nine kilometres (5.5 mi) away in a straight line, or 26 kilometres (16 mi) via the shortest vehicular route. This broadcast centre is sited off Eungella Drive at Black Mountain near Cooroy. Three 20 kilowatt FM public broadcasts originate from this site. In addition, five regional television affiliate stations are broadcasting on UHF from this site with power of five kilowatts. More photos, taken by photographer Tallowwood Place .net can be found on Panoramio.

Apart from precipitation that accompanies heavy-duty thunderstorms, rain has been rare in this region throughout December. Weather conditions have remained extremely dry (along with excruciating humidity) as is clearly evident in the photographs. Professionals expect this hot weather will continue: it may be South East Queensland’s hottest summer on record since 2008.

Yes, these are new photos. It is probable these are even duller than usual but it is New Year’s Day! Let’s not be too critical please! 🙂

On this occasion, a sedan was used on the sealed dirt road to access the lookout. This time, a German-engineered FM receiver was better suited for mountaintop reception but the fact that particular automobile was taken was more a matter of luck rather than any foresight!

Images from the four FM broadcast sites within 15 kilometres (9 mi) were not readily encountered. This includes the site pictured in the first photograph. Inter modulation and cross modulation was acutely obvious with the factory 2011 Nissan X-trail Four Wheel Drive radio used in 2012. On both occasions, a six-band shark fin antenna was used, as is typically supplied with modern vehicles with on board Global Positioning Service (GPS).

These are a compromised design to preserve space but frequently provide satisfactory FM reception. It helps enormously if the shark fin antenna’s inbuilt preamplifier is built to the highest contemporary standards using GaAs pHEMT Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs), for example.

A curtailed five-minute FM band scan performed the early afternoon revealed few surprises. Only the 100 kW public broadcasts from 425km (264 mi) from the coastal south could be heard belting in. Last time, the 80 kW public broadcasts 389 km (242 mi) north-west were audible even from the edge of Lake Cooloolabin, with coastal tropospheric enhancement playing a starring role.

Data furnished from FM Scan, the ACMA Register of Radio Communications Licences & Google Maps.

The three photographs of Point Glorious may be freely used for non-commercial activity provided attribution is given. Should readers choose to use those photos elsewhere, please link back to this page or attribute this blog as the copyright holder.

Related blog posts

Off road: Conondale National Park & Cooloolabin Dam

Mapleton National Park & Cooloolabin Dam

Point Glorious