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Technical Topics => Software => Topic started by: ChrisSmolinski on October 23, 2020, 1412 UTC

Title: Some adventures with Carrier Sleuth and thermal effects on SDR clock stability
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on October 23, 2020, 1412 UTC
Apparently I need to relocate the AFE822x SDR, right now it is near one of the HVAC air vents. You can see the systematic drift of carrier frequencies from an overnight recording, most likely due to temperature changes affecting the ADC clock frequency.

(https://i.imgur.com/oYlJKrI.png)
Title: Re: Some adventures with Carrier Sleuth and thermal effects on SDR clock stability
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on October 23, 2020, 1414 UTC
I moved the AFE822x SDR as far from the HVAC duct as I could, and ran a circa 24 hour recording again. Much better results!
You can see stations fade in and out around sunset and sunrise, and the overall noise level go up.

BTW, these extended waterfalls are generated with my Carrier Sleuth program for Windows and macOS, and work with SDR I/Q recording files from most popular SDR programs.
If you are a serious MW DXer, you need Carrier Sleuth  :)  Download a copy here https://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/medium_wave_carrier_display_app.html

(https://i.imgur.com/6BHjoiE.jpg)