Testing a very basic software defined radio on the 80 and 40 metre amateur bands.
Uses the easy to use SDRadio software developed by I2PHD (see www.sdradio.org/ ) and a simple hardware interface which is a direct conversion receiver without audio filter or amplifier stages. Apart from an RF amplifier (not really necessary) all the receiver's gain comes from the computer (microphone in used, not Line in).
This is a very 'bare bones' implementation for use with a low-end laptop with a mono soundcard input. Unlike a 'proper' SDR there is no image rejection. Hence signals will appear twice on the spectrum display (one USB and the other LSB) and some juggling may be required to dodge interference. Also signal to noise ratio will never be as good as a single-signal receiver.
The hardware unit comprises of (i) transistor VFO (using ceramic resonators for 3.58 MHz (80m) and 7.2 MHz (40m), (ii) buffer stage, (iii) single balanced diode product detector and (iv) transistor RF amplifier (optional). Your favourite direct conversion receiver circuit without audio filtering or amplification would work fine.
This unit is USB powered but a 9 volt battery would also be OK if you want to keep it independent from the computer (this also helps reduce interference radiated from the computer).
Performance isn't as good as a home station rig but in some aspects is better than a basic direct conversion receiver. The AGC is a bit slow for my liking and it would be good to have an option to switch it off. There is a slight delay between when you adjust a setting and when the resultant audio is produced. A weak signal is generally clearer and less noisy on the commercial rig as well. And tuning can be fiddly when trying to null out an interfering signal on the opposite image (a full SDR with stereo sound card would fix this).
Nevertheless for its simplicity this is a good receiver and would be a good beginners project. As a starting point, build a simple direct conversion receiver without the audio filtering or much audio gain. A strong detector - eg a diode single or double balanced type - is suggested.
In response to questions, I am not in the kit production business however I intend to write it up for a local magazine. These comments will be updated when published.
I've been working on taking the IF from my Icom 910 into my SDR Flex 1500. I've built a PIC interface to tune the Icom radio to the signal I select in the PowerSDR screen.
Here is the scoop: If you don't see two drivers under flexradio in the device manager- once you install 2.0.16, you'll need to do the driver batchfile repair posted on the flex site. Then you'll see both when you plug in the 1500. If you then get the non-moving screen in SDR, use the new Custom DLL on the site (last option in the troubleshooting guide there). This Dll patch is because of the Intel "5"-series chipset on your motherboard. Most new I-3/I-5/I-7 chip laptops use these Intel "5"series
This demonstration video shows how the ircDDB network is used to exchange D-Star callsign routing information between gateway systems on different networks. The VK5REX gateway is on the US Trust system and has the ircDDB client installed. The laptop is running the Jonathan Naylor G4KLX ircDDB Gateway software and the Dummy Repeater software in lieu of a "real" RF repeater.
This is a short video of 9K2GS operating W3JK remotely as W2/9K2GS. (This is legal as 9K has reciprocal arrangement with USA, please see http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regu... )The transceiver used is a Yaesu-FT2000, the amplifier is a Yaesu Quadra and the antenna is a Optibeam OB17-4. The remote station was controlled using PCC-2000 software and Skype was used for Audio.
Following my discovery that eHam have pulled my review of the CHA250 (done a couple of years ago and was on the site for a long while) I thought I would make a graphic demonstration of how this antenna compares with an alternative 'restricted space' antenna, the Cobwebb. This video seeks only to present the truth, as seen by the front end of a receiver; the one with the most accurate S-meter available in the amateur radio world...
The Cobwebb is mounted 2 metres higher than the mean height of the CHA250, which in terms of HF is not significant. The CHA250's feeder has 0.3dB less loss than the Cobwebb @ 21 MHz.
The test receiver is a Flex-5000 SDR which has a calibrated S-meter, not AGC derived and is highly accurate, making it the ideal choice for this test. Combined with the identical second receiver, true A/B comparisons are easily accomplished in real time.
A/B tests don't exist for the CHA250 in its previous mounting location however I firmly believe that it performed considerably better at 2.5m AGL than it does at 7m (feedpoint).
This video was a quick attempt to explain how to set up the NQSM Hotspot from NI2O. I am working on putting a more focused and professional version. Anyone that might help with video editing would sure help the project along.
This video shows how I connected SDR-Radio to Ham Radio Deluxe using Virtual Serial Port Emulator and Virtual Audio Cable programs to receive digital mode transmissions. A virtual Audio Repeater program was used to monitor the Receive audio. I hope this is useful in explaining how to use virtual ports and cables. 73, N7JFP.
This video shows the performance of FM vs D-Star under impulsive noise conditions. It is clearly audible that D-Star works without problems when FM is hard to understand.
The transceiver is a modified former C5 C-Net phone with DVmodem by DO1FJN. The test signal was provided by DL3OCK. It contained the same voice information in D-Star and FM modulation on two different channels
This video shows the comparison between D-Star and FM at around -115dBm.
It is clearly audible that D-Star has some advantages against FM if the decoder can stay in sync. The microphone of the camera does not represent the FM very well. In reality the FM sound was slightly better.
The transceiver is a modified former C5 C-Net phone with DVmodem by DO1FJN. The test signal was provided by DL3OCK. It contained the same voice information in D-Star and FM modulation on two different channels.
HAMSPOTS http://hamspots.net A place for spots for the Digital Ham Operator, IOTA, LOTW, WFF, ARLH & ILLW chasers and more! Features: • Easy Log In and FREE to anyone to use – log in and enjoy • If you want to know who is logged on and where they are at on the HamSpots site go to the Digital Clubs section and click on a Club. Stations logged on will appear at the middle top area and if have mouse over station call or click on call information the Op name, DXCC Country, all Club numbers, and QSL route will appear • All LOTW users are high-lighted in yellow • All LOTW chasers for WAS or Awards go to LOTW `Search Page' and find out what ops are on now with States needed (i.e. LOTW US State page then bottom middle search for State) • Looking to work IOTA Islands, WFF Flora Fauna or ARLHS & ILLW Lighthouses then this the place just go to the `Special Activations' page • All stations spotted have DXCC tag if mouse over • All stations spotted if clicked will show `History' • All spot information listed by UTC time, time AGED, DX, ST, Country, Freq, Mode, Comment, Spotter • All HF bands spots listed including WARC, 60m and 6m (160m,80m,60m,40m,30m,20m,17m,15m,12m,10m,6m) • Spot site for Digital Mode Ham Operators(CW,PSK,MFSK,HELL,OLIVIA,CONTESTIA,ETC), IOTA-Islands, LOTW chasers, WFF-Flora Fauna & ARLHS & ILLW-Lighthouses…but geared more towards the Digital Ham Operator so if you are into Digital Modes give this a look over and use it while in the shack • Home page with HamSpots News and RSS Feeds. • Once logged in shows your SFI Propagation numbers (bottom right), IP Address(bottom left),time you have been `Online' (top left),UTC time (top right) • Top section of HamSpots homepage lists individual categories or pages within HamSpots to choose from (i.e. Settings, Search, Digital Clubs, Digital Modes, Special Activations, Single Band Spots, Dual Band Spots) • Settings page – user can change display colors to the users liking. Band Display Filters can also filter out what spots the user wishes to see, filter by location (i.e. AS, EU, NA, OC, SA, AF) or by mode, i.e. all modes, CW, PSK, RTTY, HELL, MFSK, or combination of CW and PSK, etc) • Search page – user can search by Callsign history for a particular call to see the number of spots of this call and or the summary of spot data. LotW Search can be displayed also for those looking for LOTW US STATE and at a glance see all stations spotted for a particular State a user may need. Also included is LOTW DX search for spots of DX LOTW users spotted on the band • Digital Clubs – those that are members of Digital Clubs of 30MDG (30 Meter Digital Group) or FH (Feld-Hell Club) can use these pages for Club members , Club Events, or Club activities (I'm sure VK3AMA would be willing to add your Digital Club if requested and if will be used). These pages show Club members spotted and spots for the particular band or mode used by the club. There is also a `local spots & chat' area to these Digital Club pages. Stations logged on will appear at the middle top area and if have mouse over station call or click on call information the Op name, DXCC Country, all Club numbers, and QSL route will appear • Related links to related sites on each page i.e. 30 Meter Digital Group Page upper right links to 30MDG Home Page, 30MDG Yahoo Group, 30 Meter Live PSK Online Receivers etc • Digital Modes – Most all popular digital modes are listed here and have a separate page so if you are looking for PSK, RTTY, SSTV, HELL, OLIVIA, CONTESTIA, MFSK, WSJT, ARQ or ALL MODES the user can find spots by mode and local spots & chats included on each page • Special Activations – IOTA-Islands, WFF-Flora Fauna, ARLHS-Lighthouses spots also includes same features with mouse over call and statistics on the right side of page • Single Band Spots – Spots by single individual band only (160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 12m, 10m, 6m). These pages are spots only and no local spots or chat here • Multi Band Spots – Dual Band spots (160m-80m, 40m-30m, 20m-17m, 15m-12m, 10m-6m). ). These pages are spots only and no local spots or chat here • Spot Filters can be toggled on and off at any time! • Auto cross-posting between the Club and Mode pages • User can also manually post spots to DX Cluster Network right from the HamSpots pages!! (but no tolerance for any abuse on this feature) • Where do the Spots come from? HamSpots maintains a private dedicated Cluster Node and processes all incoming spots to that node to determine the mode being used (CW, PSK, RTTY, SSTV, HELL, etc.) to display correctly on the individual Mode Pages. HamSpots also takes direct feeds from the PSKReporter Network (thanks to N1DQ) and the JT65 Reverse Beacon Network (thanks to W6CQZ) • HamSpots continue to add more and more neat features and more are coming soon If you are a Digital Mode operator (or even if not) give HamSpots a try and look over because VK3AMA has added lots of features to this site and it is FREE for all to use. http://hamspots.net GL on the Bands De KB9UMT Don http://www.30mdg.net
VK3YE has made available a video showing a demonstration of his homebrew software defined radio.
The YouTube description reads:
Testing a very basic software defined radio on the 80 and 40 metre amateur bands.
Uses the easy to use SDRadio software developed by I2PHD(see http://www.sdradio.org/) and a simple hardware interface which is a direct conversion receiver without audio filter or amplifier stages.
Apart from an RF amplifier (not really necessary) all the receiver's gain comes from the computer (microphone in used, not Line in).
This is a very 'bare bones' implementation for use with a low-end laptop with a mono soundcard input. Unlike a 'proper' SDR there is no image rejection. Hence signals will appear twice on the spectrum display (one USB and the other LSB) and some juggling may be required to dodge interference. Also signal to noise ratio will never be as good as a single-signal receiver.
The hardware unit comprises of (i) transistor VFO (using ceramic resonators for 3.58 MHz (80m) and 7.2 MHz (40m), (ii) buffer stage, (iii) single balanced diode product detector and (iv) transistor RF amplifier (optional). Your favourite direct conversion receiver circuit without audio filtering or amplification would work fine.
This unit is USB powered but a 9 volt battery would also be OK if you want to keep it independent from the computer (this also helps reduce interference radiated from the computer).
Performance isn't as good as a home station rig but in some aspects is better than a basic direct conversion receiver. The AGC is a bit slow for my liking and it would be good to have an option to switch it off.
There is a slight delay between when you adjust a setting and when the resultant audio is produced. A weak signal is generally clearer and less noisy on the commercial rig as well. And tuning can be fiddly when trying to null out an interfering signal on the opposite image (a full SDR with stereo sound card would fix this).
Nevertheless for its simplicity this is an amazing receiver and would be a good beginners project.
Michael VK5ZEA takes you on a quick tour of the VK5REX D-Star repeater comms site. Starting outside, you get a shot of Port Lincoln and Boston Bay, then you get to see the 2m and 70cm TX antennas and MikroTik 5.8GHz network link. Inside the building you are shown the equipment that makes up the VK5REX D-Star repeater.
This video shows Michael VK5ZEA testing the G4KLX Software based D-Star client. This software uses a DV Dongle, two sound cards and a 9600bd compatible radio (plus some other stuff) to both transmit and receive D-Star compatible GMSK audio.
If you've wondered what all the sounds are in the digital modes section of the amateur radio 20-metre band, then this video is for you.
The YouTube description reads:
Enable Captions for the mode-name. Turn off to test yourself.
Audio/video samples, splatter and all, of the following modes:
ACARS VHF, ALE 141A, AMTOR, BPSK-31, CONTESTIA 4/250, DominoEX-8, DTMF,Feld Hell, HF FAX, JT65A, MFSK-16, NAVTEX, Olivia 8/500, PACKET VHF, RTTY 45, SSTV, THOR 16, THROB 4
PACC contest 2010 held at PI4D.
This is a yearly event that is favorite among many clubmembers of the Dordrecht Electronics Club DEC. Not only because of the contesting, but also (and maybe this is the main reason) because people meet and have fun. PACC contest dinner is a long time tradition.
All kinds of transceivers were used: Elecraft K3, Yaesu FT-2000, Kenwood TS-2000, Icom 756 Pro III. No Flex 5000 or Yaesu FTDX-5000 inda house yet. Also no panadapters with running cw skimmers. But may in the future it will come to that.
If you ever wanted to know how to configure PowerSDR to operate digital modes then you have chosen the correct video. Burt, K1OIK, provides another excellent "step-by-step" instructional video on how to configure VAC (Virtual Audio Cable), which is the software that allows PowerSDR to communicate directly with digital mode sound card programs without using any audio cables. There is no slight of hand or misdirection here. Using VAC with PowerSDR is the easiest and highest performance method for working digital modes and no other radio on the market can provide an internal direct digital exchange of audio between the radio and any sound card based program.
This is the second part of the instructional video of how to configure PowerSDR and a FlexRadio transceiver for operating sound card based digital modes.
Digital Mode Setup with VAC for PowerSDR 1.x by WA5QPZ - Part I
This is a "how to" instructional video presented by Dudley, WA5QPZ on how to setup PowerSDR using VAC for operating digital modes using MixW. The step-by-step instructions on how to configure PowerSDR 1.x for digital mode operation is excellent. The cinematography quality is a bit poor due to image format conversions, but you can still make out the modifications Dudley describes as he steps through the setup process.
this is my power production gadgets, now its your turn to do something about it, then video it and upload it, but the first thing you have got to do is become a free member on my forum at www.windchasers.eu see you there.
The First QSO On HF
18 February 2010, at 20:56 UTC took place the First Official QSO with ROS from Vitoria (Spain) to University of Twente (The Netherlands) covering a distance of 1265 Km. on 7.065 Mhz. The first Ham Radio Operator to get it was EA2LE.
The First QSO EME with ROS!!
22 Feb 2010 at 21:01 UTC took place the first jump Moon with ROS. SV8CS had 4 antennas by 16 element each and 100 watts. DL8EBW had 2 antennas and the same power.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Congratulations to DL8EBW and SV8CS!
The First Automatic Reply (If you include your email address in any message, ROS send a automatic notification)
ROS notification: EATEST has received your Radio Message
********** Please don’t reply to this email ********************
EATEST has received your Radio Message sent at: 21:03 UTC
Received Message: ‘CQ CQ CQ de EA2LE EA2LE EA2LE pse k My email is: ’
Operator Info:
Callsign: EATEST
Name: Jose Alberto Nieto Ros
E-mail: nietoros@hotmail.com
QTH: La Aljorra-Cartagena SPAIN
Locator: IM97lq
Station: webSDR at The Netherlands
ROS Version: 1.6.1 beta
Signal Info:
Symbol Rate: 16 bauds
Frame Acquisition: 20/20
Final Acquisition: 15/16
Frequency Shift: -39,1 Hz
Symbol Errors detected by Viterbi: 2/50
Metric: 0 dB
Vumeter Level: -8 dB
CPU Usage: 20 %
Tip of the day: Enter in the Email Menu in order to configure your email options. And, when you load a new version for the fisrt time, you have to reset the PC. Thanks
ROS Frequencies (Mhz) USB version 2.4 (stay tuned to the changes at this site, please)
Did you know your IC-2820 should have the ability to cross-band repeat on D-Star, making it a simple HotSpot? There is a UHF D-Star repeater some 20 miles away. My home is below the crest of a hill, so I erected an antenna in my attic. I cross-band repeat to VHF and I am able to chat using my IC-V82. Here is how you set it up: First Step on the 2820:
Hit the function (F) button twice to take you to the DV menu.
Hit the Menu Button on the Right side of the rig.
Scroll to the DV Set Mode and press the lower round knob on the bottom left
Scroll down to the Digital Monitor entry, and make certain it is set to "AUTO" Second Step:
Dial in the desired VHF frequency (of your repeater or your desired crossband frequency) and set the mode to FM (Not DV, nor FM-N!). Set the offset (DUP+ or DUP-)
On the right side, set your frequency to the UHF frequency (of your desired crossband frequency, or your repeater). Make sure you set the appropriate Duplex mode (DUP+ or DUP-)
Also make certain to set the mode to FM. Last Step:
This can be a bit tricky until you get the hang of it. To start crossband mode, press the two main tuning knobs and the function button (F) simultaneously. If you did it correctly, the lock symbol on the right side of the display will flash. Make certain the squelch is "just at" the closed setting with no signal present. On your Handheld:
Set the VHF frequency if you are crossbanding to UHF, or visa versa. Also set DV mode. Make certain to enter the opposite offset duplex that you set on the 2820. Set all other settings as if you were connecting directly to the repeater. I recommend you store these entries into memory.
EasyPal Lite Demo for Digital Images, This is a capture of video from W4UAT & N0PAO, I am N7LMV in Creel, Chihuahua Mexico, Using a KNWD TS-50 Transceiver and a Buddie Pole Antenna
EasyPal software was created by Eric VK4AES, use DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) encoding to allow the sending of images via HF or VHF using only 2.5kHz (like voice) This is known as Digital SSTV.'s DRM Easypal used, allowing very fast data transmission with error correction, requesting missing blocks, allowing highly accurate decoding. images up to 1280x1024 is sent in a little over 1 minute, Easypal compresses images to reduce transmission times. In the city of Rosario in the frequency 144.980Mhz a group of ham radio enthusiasts are often found to test different digital modes, including EasyPal. Everyone is invited to participate in the broadcasts, Best Regards.
Hi All My names Robert and my other callsign's are M0AOV and LZ2AOV I've been a Ham for a few years and I've started to get in to D-star Radio so you will see a lot of info on here about d-star and Digital Modes also all different post regarding Radio.
