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Topic starter
2020-02-01 10:03 pm
Hello:
I have plans to connect a USB SDR dongle to a RPi3b and place it in my attic so I will have a shorter RF cable run to the roof for the antenna. I plan to set the pi up as a WiFi hotspot (although without connection to the internet) so I can connect to it and be able to SSH into it from any laptop in range.
My question is: What would be the best way to power the SDR dongle (it is a NooElec sdrsmart, black case) such that it avoids drawing power from the RPi? I assume most answers would be to get a USB hub, but which one would you recommend? I have access to mains (110 VAC) power in the attic so the power source isn’t a problem.
Thanks for the replies!
2020-02-02 11:18 am
I use these powered hubs to power multiple Pis, there's more with less sockets and different power outputs down the page. You can plug the pi into one of the powered sockets (red one) and the hub data line into the pi, and the dongle into a data and power socket (blue). Clearly you would need a US equivalent, I don't think a UK one would be happy at half power 🙂
2020-02-02 12:55 pm
I have 3 of these, and they work well:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07D3Q551N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc= 1" target="true"> https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07D3Q551N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They resolve a lot of problems (i.e. heat in particular if you upgrade to a Pi 4 B.) It might be overkill for what you want, but a powered USB hub of some sort is the answer, in my view.
Paul VE1DX
Topic starter
2020-02-16 9:22 pm
Hi just an update....I did get a 4-port powered USB hub and it has worked well in powering my pi/SDR dongle combination. That is, before using the hub, the pi’s internal, resettable fuse would shut the pi down when I used the SDR dongle, even when it wasn’t doing active, FFT operations. At first I thought I had “bricked” my pi but later discovered that I had lucked-out.
I am disappointed however in that the power supply that shipped with the USB is only rated for 2 amps, so I will have to be more diligent in reading the “fine print” - sorry but a 4-port USB hub should have a bigger power supply than just 2 amps.