Introducing New SDRconnect - SDRplay

This video shows the demo we showed at Hamvention 2022, in Dayton, Ohio.

This demonstrates the core underlying technology behind what we’re calling “SDRconnect”

“SDRconnect” is the new name for the multiplatform version of SDRuno (up till now we called it SDRuno V2)

We demonstrated the completely rewritten Core DSP engine for Spectrum and Waterfall displays – with the prototype software running on a Mac M1 computer.  We also show the networking capability by remotely accessing an RSP based in the UK.

This is still an early stage demo, and the software team have a lot to do to complete the graphical user interface.
Work is underway on the new graphical user interface which:
• Retains the style and popular features of SDRuno
• Offers a more consistent and intuitive layout
• Addresses fixes and improvements suggested by users ever since SDRuno was first adopted.

 

 

Closer Look at the MFJ-1708SDR T/R Switch

Here is a video explaining in detail the MFJ-1708SDR for protecting your SDR receiver while transmitting. There is another option detailed in the August QST magazine from the ARRL. That homebrew option looks like it might be a good group project to build. And we can bulk order parts for cheaper shipping. We can discuss more at the Wednesday Coffee QSO !!

Your SDR Dongle/Upconverter In A Closet?

This is interesting.... MFJ created the MFJ-1708 SDR.

One of the issues commonly faced by hams is how to protect sensitive receivers in the vicinity of radio transmitters. One popular solution for those who wish to build a pan adapter or just want to protect their RSP which is operated nearby a rig is the MFJ-1708. The MFJ-1708 is a T/R (Transmit/Receive) switch which can isolate the RSP while the transmitter is being keyed.

SDR Play - The Simplified SDR Option

SDR has been a topic here on our site for some time. Many of us have tried the dongle/upconverter hassle and I am pretty sure we loved the SDR side but hated the hardware. This device takes care of that. From the YouTube channel linked below here are some basic facts..

The SDRplay RSP is the natural step up from a low cost dongle - covering 10 kHz to 2 GHz without the need of an up-converter - with high performance front end filters and 12 bit ADC, it gives outstanding general coverage RX capability. As well as supporting popular 3rd party SDR software it comes with downloadable SDRuno software.

For more information see www.sdrplay.com I also noticed it is featured in the latest QST magazine!

Here is the SDR Play YouTube Channel

Great New Portable SDR

This is a great idea. We have posted a lot about inexpensive SDR receivers but not TRANScievers! I think you will all enjoy this one! Check out both the webpage and video. You can also invest in it's development! Maybe a project for the builders group?

PORTABLE SDR

My SDR Adventure

CLICK to ENLARGE

Let's start with the good stuff... It WORKS great!

I ordered the SDR Bundle from NooElec and with the custom enclosure for the Ham It Up upconverter board and the adapter it was a little over $100. Careful because when you choose the bundle, it defaults to buying ALL of the extras which I did not need. But it's easy enough to unselect the extras. Bottom line price for the USB Dongle, Upconverter and Cable to connect the two is $79 I believe. Shipping was pretty cheap via USPS and I received the shipment in less than a week.

Very happy with NooElec, with my only complaint being that there are very little instructions or help on their site as most of my info was gathered elsewhere. The enclosure is nice, A little tricky to put together but looking back it was the easiest piece of this puzzle. I only had to switch 2 of the spacer nuts to get it to line up correctly in the enclosure and from what I hear on the interwebs, the case does a nice job of shielding the upconverter board. Next time I have the case apart I might test those web stories. Not sure why because we can all believe everything we read on the www's right?

November Meeting and SDR

Screenshot From WEBSDR.org

What a great meeting we had last Saturday. That neeting was an example of some of the best things about SEKARC. New technology, learning and friendship. It was nice to see a good turnout on a holiday weekend and if you missed it, be sure and attend our next meeting in January. ( We will not have a Dec meeting, too close to Christmas ).

I showed a basic intro to SDR YouTube video (watch below), which displayed basic info and demonstrated 2 free software programs to listen with and modify the signals. Joe then gave a demo of the fantastic website websdr. Towards the bottom of this article I will embed the youtube video and will post links to the info that Joe presented.

The SDR market is exploding with inexpensive hardware to LISTEN to many bands of radio  frequencies. Many of us have since purchased some of the equipment and I am sure some of that will be on display in the January meeting. If you have any advice of info that would be helpful, please add it to the comments section below.

We also got to meet some new members that we initially met at the Joplin Hamfest! Thanks for coming Kristin KEØBPL and Seth KDØTEL and we hope to see you again soon! Anything you need just give us a post on the Google Groups site!

SDR rcvr  (world wide receiver list)       

http://websdr.org  Good starting place "Great Lakes Listening Post" 40,30,20 mtr

http://n5dux.2y.net  Softrock Lite 40 mtr rcvr     running on Raspberry Pi.

http://75.65.68.216   W5ZA  Shreveport, La.   10 meter Beacon receiver


SDR Software  

www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software.   (free downloads)

SDR Intro Video

What Are Software Defined Radios?

I thought this topic may be of interest to many of you and certainly one that we will discuss on the 30th. What are software defined radios also referred to as SDR? Here is a link and a clip from the article. I am learning still and I am sure this does not cover the topic nearly as well as it should, but perhaps it might spark some interest?

What Are Software Defined Ham Radio Receivers (SDR)?

Photo and Link from http://casimiro.hubpages.com/

Software-Defined Radio, henceforth abbreviated SDR, is a fairly new development for radio receivers that started in the late 1980s. Its greatest strengths are flexibility and design simplification as compared to conventional ham radio receivers. SDR utilizes Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques to achieve signal clarity, which is difficult and expensive to do with conventional receivers. 

SDRs receive the frequencies of an entire radio band segment at one time. Non-SDR receivers have tuned circuits that can only "look" at narrow slices of frequencies at a time, typically 2.8 KHz or less, but sometimes up to 8 KHz for AM reception. Compare that to software-defined receivers that are capable of taking in the entire high-frequency band from 1 MHz through 30 MHz. Because the signal is digital and has such a wide bandwidth, it allows the whole band to be displayed graphically, in real-time, on a computer monitor. This representation looks very much like what we saw using the Digipan software in the previous article. That is, a waterfall of signals, except in that case we were looking at only a narrow slice of a radio band provided by a conventional receiver set to its widest receiving bandwidth (or passband).

Here is a screenshot from the high dollar Flex Radio, these are amazing !

 

 

First SEKARC Net A Success !!

Our first weekly net was a success! We had a total of 7 check ins. Locations varied from Pittsburg, Columbus to St. Paul and even Seneca, MO! Thanks to everyone that participated. We will look for you all again and MORE next week.

We discussed possible meeting days and several items were mentioned that will make excellent topics for the club meetings. Things like SSB on VHF/UHF, SDR ( software defined radio ), foxhunts and kit building.


SEK ARC Weekly Net Log

CALL SIGN	NAME	LOCATION
KD0SEG	Jeff	Pittsburg KS
KD0RTX	Loren	Pittsburg KS
W0MQY	Joe	Pittsburg KS
KD0SSD	Leon	Pittsburg KS
N0IGZ	Frank	Columbus KS
KD0FRL	Casey	Seneca MO
N2UHC	Tom	St. Paul KS

One of the topics was the Hamfest in Claremore OK in march....  you can find more info at this link. And see the previous posts for additional information !

Green Country Hamfest