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Technical Topics => Equipment => Topic started by: Rafman on September 13, 2014, 1321 UTC

Title: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
Post by: Rafman on September 13, 2014, 1321 UTC
I just want to mention to those who desire a VFO knob for their SDR, I have successfully been using a Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as a generic VFO & Master Mute button for a while now...

At under $40, it is easy to program for things your mouse won't do easily & gives you back the "feel" of the Big Knob, missing from our beloved black boxes...

I simply programmed:
Spin Right = UP
Spin Left = DOWN
Click = MUTE

with 2 spare functions TBD

Take a stroll up/down the band with a VFO feel  ;D

Rafman
Title: Re: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
Post by: Token on September 13, 2014, 1412 UTC
I used one for a while with SpectraVue and an SDR-14 or SDR-I/Q.  I had it set up so Left / Right were tune up and down, Press and Turn moved the digits position.  This allowed me to use the knob to tune in whatever steps I wanted, but I never really liked it, possibly because even using this there was still a lot of keyboard / mouse action going on.  I never really got to like it, but it did work well, if I had given it more of a chance it probably would have grown on me more.

For my G31DDC and G33DDC I use the XKeys Jog Shuttle Pro.  This allows for almost every function to be done without ever touching the keyboard or mouse.

T!
Title: Re: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on September 13, 2014, 1609 UTC
SdrDx lets you use MIDI devices. So a MIDI controller with lots of sliders, knobs, and buttons gives you quite a few control possibilities, and they can be picked up on Amazon fairly inexpensively. Not sure if other SDR apps support MIDI or not.
Title: Re: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
Post by: Rafman on September 13, 2014, 2111 UTC
Hmmm, never thought about a MIDI controller... I will research this...
I'm just happy having a VFO on an SDR!!! LOL
Title: Re: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
Post by: Pigmeat on September 13, 2014, 2142 UTC
Our Great Leader will be ecstatic.

Of course, this may set back the whale oil as a renewable energy project for awhile.