Expert Electronics MB1 Prime 2021 SDR, Overall Review, Ham Radio SDR HF/6M/2M With Built In PC

nerfd

3 years ago

In this video I’m taking a more detailed overview, showing some of the features it will do, and my overall opinion about what I think about it.

Expert Electronics MB1 PRIME (2021 Version)

The MB1 PRIME transceiver is a game-changer, it’s a transceiver and a PC in a single package. It has a classic design, developed over several decades, with the most advanced DUC/DDC SDR technologies – Direct Down Conversion (DDC) and Direct Up Conversion (DUC) and a fully-featured high-end personal computer with an Intel Core i7 processor onboard.

The main advantage of the MB1 PRIME 2021 over its predecessor has improved TX IMD3 AND all-new PC hardware:

GIGABYTE GA-IMB370TN Industrial ITX Motherboard
Intel Core i7-9700 3.00GHz 8-Core/8-Thread CPU (4.70GHz Turbo Freq)
16GB DDR4 RAM
Samsung 970 EVO 500GB SSD (Solid State Drive)

Purchase your new MB1 PRIME SDR Transceiver from GigaParts today!

Transceiver Features:

Independent RX path based on DDC(Direct Down-Conversion) architecture
Independent TX path based on DUC(Direct Up-Conversion) architecture
2software RXs + SubRX for each of them (4 slices total) + independent wideband Bandscope up to 80 MHz
ExpertSDR2 software in two styles: Desktop style and MB1 display (for integrated GUI)
Remote controloperation, using it, you connect PTT and CW-key to the E-Coder panel. Microphone and E-Coder are connected to the remotely set up PC
TCI interfacefor seamless connection with third-party software
Professional TX processing moduleprovides the most advanced tuning capability for voice operation
High-quality IPS 7″ touchscreendisplay with a 1280×800 resolution
Supports any software applicable for Windows 10 OS
ExtCtrlconnector to control external devices with 8 powerful keys with open collector
COM-portfor connection of external devices, like PA, antenna switches etc.
ALCconnector for external power amplifiers*
Has a special XVTRconnector for VHF transverters** (SMA connector)
4separate programmable PTT outputs for external power amplifiers
An opportunity to use the transceiver as a signal generator via DAC OUTconnector (SMA connector)
An opportunity to use external filters in the middle of the RF path, using RX INand RX OUT (SMA connector)
Monitoringdelay in CW mode is about 5-6 ms
Input for external 10 MHz reference oscillator
An opportunity to use the transceiver in SO2Vmode
Full duplexor half duplex modes***
4 HF (UHF (SO-239) connector) and 2 VHF(N-type connector) antenna connectors
Internal power-meter for HF and VHF bands and SWR-meter for HF band
Recordand play on air fragments (IQ files) with a bandwidth of up to 312 kHz
Internal ATU(Automatic Tuner Unit)
The embedded power supply unit

* ** *** These functions are supported by the transceiver’s hardware but is not implemented in the ExpertSDR2 software. They will be supported in the future ExpertSDR2 software releases.

PC Capabilities:

Installation of digital modes software
Installation of HAM and Contest logs
Two CW Skimmers may be used on different bands
The transceiver can connect to the LAN and the Internet
Use of Internet applications (e.g., e-mail, Skype, ICQ, TV, etc.)
Play video and audio files
Watch TV via USB-receivers
An opportunity to connect two external displays, keyboard, mouse
An opportunity to connect external speakers to the PHONES jack on the front panel

Application area

Full-function radio amateur transceiver
Mobile contest-station
Remote receipt point for the contests and other applications
Spectrum analyzer with the bandwidth up to 80MHz
Work with the external programs of digital connection types, CW Skimmer, etc.

Software

A version of ExpertSDR2 software with adapted GUI for 7″ display was specially developed for the MB1 transceiver. At the present time software works in RX/TX mode and supports two independent receiving channels with the bandwidth up to 312 kHz. A DSP library developed by company Expert Electronics allowed improvement of receiving quality and higher the stability of the software.