Uncategorized

We’ve pushed out an updated version of SDRconnect Preview 2 to address a small number of defects identified by  customers and an improved server list editor (renamed Remote Devices Editor). Thanks to everyone who tested and reported. You will find this updated preview release available to download here

Above: New Remote Devices editor panel

Changed
• Improved Server List Editor (renamed to Remote Devices Editor)
• Renamed Global Settings to Preferences

Defects fixed
• Mac x64 only – FFT size of 64k causes a crash
• Mac only – opening Global Settings from the system menu causes a crash
• Bandwidth limits incorrect for network audio source
• Server attempted to stream WAV file when no USB device found
• Issue with biquad filter when adjusting bandwidth in AM or SAM mode to 100 Hz

Yours truly has to confess that I have never set up an RSP as a panadapter. Mike, KD2KOG and  Steve, KI5ENW are our resident experts but my practical knowledge is pretty limited.  So yesterday I finally decided it was time to dust off my ICOM-718 and Drake L7 linear amp and get them operational and working safely and in sync with an RSPdx as the main station receiver.  This video describes the process and may be helpful to others starting out using an RSP as a panadapter and much much more:

The folks who run the Radio JOVE project and usually monitor Jupiter, are teaming up with NASA’s citizen science project and Heliophysics Big Year. They want your help in making coordinated observations of the Sun for the October 14, 2023 and the April 8, 2024 solar eclipses.  They are organising a number of practice sessions to help people get prepared.  So get your RSPs ready! To find out more, go to: https://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/citizen_science/rj_eclipse2023.php

For more information about how they use an RSP in general, this video gives an  overview of Radio JOVE 2.0. It includes a short demonstration of the radio spectrograph using an RSP with a dipole antenna and the associated Radio-Sky Spectrograph (RSS) software.

JOVE is a US-based public outreach, education, and citizen science project using radio astronomy and a hands-on radio telescope for science inquiry and education. Radio JOVE 2.0 is a new direction using radio spectrographs to provide a path for radio enthusiasts to grow into citizen scientists capable of operating their own radio observatory and providing science-quality data to an archive. Radio JOVE 2.0 uses more capable software defined radios (SDRs) and spectrograph recording software as a low-cost ($350) radio spectrograph that can address more science questions related to heliophysics, planetary and space weather science, and radio wave propagation. Our goals are: (1) Increase participant access and expand an existing radio spectrograph network, (2) Test and develop radio spectrograph hardware and software, (3) Upgrade the science capability of the data archive, and (4) Develop training modules to help people become citizen scientists.

For more information about the  project, visit: radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov

For more about SARA, visit: https://www.radio-astronomy.org/

Many thanks to all the visitors who dropped by to see SDRplay and our multiplatform SDRconnect demos.  Here’s a short video thanks to Ham Radio Outlet, our US partners:

SDRconnect is the new multiplatform software from SDRplay – coming soon.  For the latest status see: https://www.sdrplay.com/sdrconnect

Gary from Martin Lynch and sons invited Andy from SDRplay to give an update on the imminent multiplatform SDRconnect software.  Andy answers questions and demonstrates some of the features of this complete re-write of SDRuno.

More information about SDRconnect can be found here: https://www.sdrplay.com/sdrconnect/

Martin Lynch website: https://www.hamradio.co.uk/

SDRconnect status update

The long awaited re-write of SDRuno for multiple hardware platforms is progressing.  Here’s more about why it’s taking longer than we originally thought:

Of the features not yet complete, the major effort has been with ensuring we have better support for the advanced feature-set of the RSPduo. Whilst SDRconnect is a ‘ground up’ development in terms of code base, certain approaches have been inherited from SDRuno as the radio API is almost identical. From the outset, decisions had to be made as to which approaches we would carry over from SDRuno and which would be re-designed from scratch. After a lot of reflection we have decided that the approach that we had carried over for ‘Device Selection’, which is key for the RSPduo was too ‘clunky’ and inefficient and so we decided to re-do this from scratch. Whilst this has certainly delayed us several weeks, the final approach will be a lot more robust and responsive and will stand us in better stead for the future.

Sometimes you have to take a step back to go forwards.

More details on: https://www.sdrplay.com/sdrconnect/

ICQ podcast caught up with Andy last weekend at the Hamzilla event in the UK. As we continue to edge ever closer to the long awaited release of SDRconnect, Andy talks about progress and some of the other aspects of software support with Chris Howard M0TCH :

It’s not often that we try to share cultural thoughts with our followers…. and actually, this is no exception – but I felt I had to share this hilarious creation from ChatGPT, the online AI tool.  My son sent me this artificially created poem which came from the command “Write a poem about SDRplay in the style of Edward Lear” :

In a land of radios bright and gay

There lived a gadget not so far away

It was called SDRplay, oh what a name!

It soon became the talk of the radio fame

With its software-defined technology sleek

It captured signals with ease, oh what a feat!

From FM to AM, and shortwave too

SDRplay could tune them all, who knew?

Its users were happy, oh so thrilled

As they listened to stations, their hearts filled

For SDRplay made it all so clear

The sound was pristine, like nothing they’d hear

The signals flowed like a river in spring

And SDRplay made it all so easy, what a thing!

With its user-friendly interface so fine

SDRplay won the hearts of radio lovers divine

Oh SDRplay, you beauty, you joy

You’ve made radio listening a pleasure, oh boy!

With your technology so advanced and bright

You’ve become the star of the radio night

This new video from Paul W1VLF, reminded me that many people don’t realise that their RSP can also be used as a really good spectrum analyser.

This is thanks to Steve Andrew’s RSPSA windows software which, as Paul shows, works impressively well.  In the video, Paul uses it for filter analysis, in conjunction with a low-cost noise source which he also demonstrates.   The demo starts around 7 minutes 40 seconds in:

Steve Andrew’s popular RSPSA software turns the RSP into a wonderful low cost lab tool with fast scan, sample and hold, and most of the key features you’d expect in a piece of lab gear costing 10 times the price.  The signal measurements are calibrated to give readings accurate within +/-1dBm.

For more information, go to: https://sdrplay.com/spectrum-analyser/

The spectrum analyser software runs on windows and is totally separate from SDRuno.  You either run one or the other at any time (not both).   This software is great justification for having an RSP for work!