Come and see the Bonito stand at DNAT25 where Dennis will be demonstrating his famous antennas along with SDRplay hardware and software. DNAT25 is taking place this weekend (August 28/31) in Bad Bentheim in the far north of Germany on the Dutch border. For more information visit: https://dnat.de/
Fo more information about Bonito – see https://bonito.net/
In this video, Dave Casler, of “Ask Dave” fame, uses an RSPduo together with SDRconnect to compare the Goozeezoo K-180WLA active loop antenna with his main station Chamelion loop antenna
And here he looks at the very popular MLA 30+ magnetic loop antenna:
The RSPduo is ideal, with its dual tuners and SDRconnect provides accurate signal strength and SNR readings. Together you can compare the same signal being received by two antennas at exactly the same time. This overcomes the problem you have on HF and MF frequencies where signals are bouncing up and down in strength all the time! Check ou the RSpduo spec here: https://www.sdrplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/RSPduoDatasheetV0.6.pdf
Try accessing an nRSP-ST today!
What’s different about the nRSP-ST compared with a regular SDRplay RSP?
The nRSP-ST lets you:
• Access your personal RSP from any point in your house or when away from home
• Share your RSP with friends or colleagues by allocating usernames and passwords with timeout options
The nRSP-ST is like a traditional SDR receiver but with a fundamental new advantage which is the ability to place the unit wherever it works best and access it from wherever is most convenient. The nRSP-ST is a self contained remote receiver box which doesn’t require a local computer. It is specially designed for continuous unattended operation. It just needs an antenna and an internet connection. The SDRconnect client software provides a robust and flexible interface to whatever decoding apps are chosen. The addition of a web browser (and eventually an Android/iOS app) provides convenience for people who are on the move without access to a laptop. More about the nRSP-ST here
About this demonstration:
You can play with a real nRSP-ST over the internet
You can try out SDRconnect software before buying any of the SDRplay products. See how it runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux or Raspberry Pi.
You can have access to the following nRSPs:
Northern Germany:
-Hostname (for SDR connect client): intranet.baltic-lab.com
-Port number (for SDRconnect client): 50000
-Web Server url (not “secure” but trusted): http://sdr.baltic-lab.com:9001
-Username (case senstive): BalticLab
-Password (case sensitive): BalticLab
-Timeout (control passes to next in line): 30 minutes
-Antenna (important to check): B: Mini-Whip (10 kHz – 30 Mhz)
UK, Bedfordshire :
-Hostname (for SDR connect client): nrsp.ddns.net
-Port number (for SDRconnect client): 50002
-Web Server url (not “secure” but trusted): http://nrsp.ddns.net:9001/
-Username (case senstive): Test
-Password (case sensitive): Test
-Timeout (control passes to next in line): 15 minutes
-Antenna (important to check): A: G5RV wire dipole MF through VHF
UK, Norfolk:
-Hostname (for SDR connect client): g0dwv-remote.ddns.net
-Port number (for SDRconnect client): 50000
-Web Server url (not “secure” but trusted): http://g0dwv-remote.ddns.net:9001/
-Username (case senstive): Test
-Password (case sensitive): Test
-Timeout (control passes to next in line): 15 minutes
-Antenna (important to check): C – subject to change: End-fed 40-10 wire
USA, Colorado:
-Hostname (for SDR connect client): amigasteve.dyndns.org
-Port number (for SDRconnect client): 50000
-Web Server url (not “secure” but trusted): http://amigasteve.dyndns.org:9001/
-Username (case senstive): Demo
-Password (case sensitive): test
-Timeout (control passes to next in line): 15 minutes
-Antenna (important to check): TBD: Endfed 40-10 + another coming soon
The Northern German nRSP-ST is maintained by Baltic-Lab – checkout their excellent YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BalticLab There is also a webpage dedicated to the nRSP-ST demo: https://baltic-lab.com/websdr/
These nRSPs are available on a first come first served basis. The UK nRSP-ST has a G5RV wire dipole on Antenna A which has best performance over the HF frequencies but also good signals from MF (AM band) to VHF (FM and aircraft bands). Please be patient if you find you have to wait for access. At times it may be oversubscribed. We have set timeout limits. Please note that only the first user gets to select the frequency range.
You can access the actual nRSP-ST server directly from your web browser by simply clicking on the Web Server url link listed above. Read the notes lower down about entering the username and password.
You can also try accessing the demo nRSP-ST from a copy of the SDRconnect client software – download it (for Windows, MacOS or Linux) from here
You can then add one of the remote nRSPs by clicking on the 3 dots and choosing “Remote server”. Fill in the details as shown below:
The easy access from the built-in web server (e.g. for an Android or iOS device) can be found by going to the “Web Server url” shown above, on your web browser – the web interface takes up to 30 seconds to set-up the graphical user interface so be patient. Also some older tablets and phones may not work.
For both forms of access, you will need to enter username and password (they are case sensitive) – you can see your place in the queue by clicking on the network symbol. For small devices, once you have your settings chosen, minimise the control panel to give room for the spectrum display. Also click on the hand symbol to enable the special fingers controls for zoom and tune.
Here are some things to check when using the web version:
(Please note this appears in your browser to be a “non secure” website because these units create web servers which are usually shared with friends and colleagues so self-signing certification is not an issue)
-First press the green “Play” arrow (top left) and enter the (case sensitive) username and password
-Choose the appropriate “mode” in the control panel- eg LSB or USB for HF ham bands (you can change away from the default filter bandwidth as well). It will start in wideband FM! Check it is set to the correct antenna or you will hear nothing!
-If you have control, you can choose your band or specific centre frequency from the band buttons or keypad. If someone else still has control, then you will have to use the band or frequency range already selected. Your tuning range will be limited.
–You can see your place in the queue by pressing the network symbol.
-For small handheld devices, hold in “landscape” and slide the header row if needed with a finger. Select the hand symbol to enable finger controls for zoom and tune.
-For easy tuning of SSB signals, expand the spectrum display scale to a smaller section of the band and then toggle off the control panel (top right button). Then swap back to holding the device in “portrait” mode for fine tuning.
-If you’re using an iPhone be sure not to have “silent mode” switched on! (at the side) – otherwise you get no audio!
-If you’re using an iPad, check silent mode is off. Go to Settings, Sounds and turn off silent mode – otherwise on some iOS versions, you will get no audio!
If using the SDRconnect software for the first time , then we recommend viewing the video guides on https://www.sdrplay.com/sdrconnectvideoguides/ and the SDRplay Youtube channel
For newcomers to SDRplay, you can get some idea of the experience you would have if you had your own RSP plugged into your computer locally. The cheapest RSP is the RSP1B which has just one antenna port: https://www.sdrplay.com/purchase/
This video guide demonstrates using a small handhelp device like an Android phone or iPhone: https://youtu.be/424jdYWFoP0
How many simultaneous users can one nRSP-ST support?
The maximum number of simultaneous users that the device can support depends upon the connection mode, signal bandwidth and signal type (demodulation mode). For this demo we have not allowed full IQ as an option – due to internet bandwidth limitations.
The limitation in the number of users is determined by the CPU and GPU load on the host inside the nRSP-ST. A lot of work has been done to balance the signal processing that is performed on the CPU vs the GPU to maximise the use of the available processing power. By this approach, we have been able to increase the supportable number of users by perhaps 50% when compared to software that exclusively uses the CPU. The most severe load is when using ‘compact mode’ for SWFM. In this case if there are more than 3 connections, then there may be some audio break up as all of the processing is being performed on the host itself. For lower bandwidth signals such as AM or SSB, the limit is a lot greater. In this case, the device can support up to 8 users. In
Full IQ mode, the limitation is really network bandwidth. The most useful mode in many ways is IQ Lite. For AM and SSB signals, it only uses about 2-3x the network bandwidth
of compact mode, but reduces the processing load on the nRSP-ST host considerably. It has all of the advantages of full IQ with the exception that it will not allow IQ recording on the client side.
At this stage, we have not attempted to artificially limit the number of connections that can be made. However, in a future release of the firmware, we will most likely add the ability for the owner/administrator to limit the number of simultaneous users, but we want to do that in an intelligent way that doesn’t place unnecessary restrictions, so we want to take account of the modes in which the connections are made.
Chris from ICQ Podcast caught up with Andy Carpenter, SDRplay’s software director at Ham Radio in Friedrichshafen in Germany in June. He asked him about the status of the latest hardware and software, with particular questions around the networked radio, the nRSP-ST and our multiplatform SDRconnect software status. Here’s the interview:
The full edition of the latest ICQ Podcast can be heard here: https://www.icqpodcast.com/download-the-show/2025/7/13/icqpodcast-episode-460-ham-radio-friedrichshafen-2025-part-one
Find out more about ICQ Podcast here: https://www.icqpodcast.com/
At HamRadio, Friedrichshafen, we showed a couple of demonstrations of where we are with rig control for SDRconnect:
We are now in bug fixing mode and are priositising rig control for release ASAP.
A big thank you to Funk24.net for hosting us and to the other German resellers Bonito and Funktechnik Dathe for their enthusiastic support for our products.
We really appreicate all the feedback and encouragement from existing customers who drop by to share their experiences with their RSPs and to ask questions. We were also pleased to meet all the new new customers who are just starting our with our technology.
We’re up and running at Ham Radio Friedrichshafen June 27-29 to support our resellers – you can find us on the Funk24.net Stand No. A1-240. Funk24 are kindly hosting us. We’ll be demonstrating the networked radio nRSP-ST in action. Come and meet Andy Carpenter, our software architect, and ask your questions. Come and see what else is on offer from all our participating resellers which include our friends at Bonito and Funktechnik-Dathe. Bonito are on stand A1-527 and Funtechnik Dathe are on stand A1-641
We’re looking forward to meeting old friends and new customers 🙂
Radio World has reviewed the nRSP-ST networked receiver – see what they say on page 24 onwards, by clicking here
Steve, KI5ENW, recently retired from SDRplay wrote to tell of his success with a dedicated ADSB antenna at his home in Colorado;
“One advantage of full retirement is that I can delve into radio matters more deeply without the need to tear down a setup constantly and try a different receiver etc.
If you have any stories you’d like to tell, with an SDRplay theme, then email me at jon.hudson@ sdrplay dot com and I’ll try to include them.
A Tribute to Steve Brightman, KI5ENW who has retired from SDRplay
Steve Brightman, my friend since we were at school together aged 14, has been a cornerstone of the SDRplay community for many years, bringing his technical expertise and infectious enthusiasm to the world of SDRs. From our days working on TV and smoke detector chips together at Texas Instruments to his contributions to SDRplay, Steve’s passion for technology and knack for making complex ideas accessible have left an indelible mark.
Steve, has been SDRplay’s go-to guy for demystifying SDR technology. Whether he was demonstrating the latest products at Ham Radio Outlet or guiding users through the intricacies of SDRconnect at Dayton Hamvention, Steve had a unique ability to turn technical jargon into something even a newbie could grasp. His “How to” videos proved very popular with SDRplay users, offering practical tips and a dash of humour to keep things lively.
From helping users troubleshoot technical problems to showcasing the nRSP-ST at Hamcation, Steve’s been the face of SDRplay at countless events. His talks, weren’t just informative—they were a masterclass in making radio technology fun and always resulted in a queue (line up) at the HRO booths afterwards with folks wanting to buy an RSP! And when Steve went to the hamfests, he really went to town. Rather than try and cope with airline travel with all the delicate kit involved with setting up a booth display and demos, Steve instead would hit the road with his trusty RV loaded with all he needed. Often the latest demo software was still being tweaked and Steve would end up searching for an internet connection so as to get it downloaded and checked out, while camping en route!
Many people have commented on how much they appreciated Steve’s “down to earth” posts in the various forums – these formed a treasure trove of insights, tips, and the occasional dodgy joke!
Thank You, Steve!
Steve, from our teenage days playing soldiers in the army cadet “signals” section to your time at SDRplay, you’ve been a good friend and a true asset to the SDR community. Your work has helped thousands of radio enthusiasts discover the magic of SDRplay’s hardware and software. Here’s to you, KI5ENW, for making radio fun, accessible, and compelling. Enjoy your next chapter, and don’t be surprised if we’re still bugging you for help and suggestions from time to time!
73, Jon G4ABQ
Steve at HamVention, Dayton, Ohio 2025 (photo courtesy Chris Danby, G0DWV, RSGB)
Steve in action at Hamcation
Steve giving out a prize at Hamvention
Steve has made his networked radio, the nRSP-ST available for people to try before they buy:
You can have limited access to it on a first come first served basis.
If you download and run the SDRconnect client, you can add a remote device with hostname “amigasteve.dyndns.org” and port 50000
The more limited access from the built-in web server (e.g. for an Android or iOS device) can be found by going to amigasteve.dyndns.org:9001 on your web browser – the web interface takes up to 30 seconds to set-up the graphical user interface so be patient. Also some older tablets and phones may not work.
For both forms of access, the username is Demo and the password is test
As already mentioned here , you can check out a real nRSP-ST networked radio, in action, here in the UK. Recent winds have seriosuly damaged the Bedford-based G5RV antenna at my location but the good news is that Jez, Adrian and Justin from UK-based Moonraker have donated a replacement G5RV and upgraded balun especially for the renovation task. The task is quite tricky since the centre-mount is a very tall poplar tree which only the craziest of tree surgeons would volumteer to climb! I apologise for the weaker signals until the new antenna is in place.
Colorado-based Steve, KI5ENW to whom we send our very best wishes, has now retired (special post to follow). However, he has kindly set-up and maintains an nRSP-ST that people can try as well. We will add his details to the “Try accessing” article: https://www.sdrplay.com/try-accessing-an-nrsp-st-networked-receiver-today/
You can visit Moonraker at https://moonrakeronline.com/ – they are real experts on antennas and always happy to provide good advice on the choices available.
