Messages

1

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: Fobos SDR

« on: April 22, 2024, 1826 UTC »

The hardware device driver for Windows is via Zadig, similar to how the RTL-SDR driver is installed. Otherwise on the SDR software side....

SDR# via SDRSharp.FobosSDR.dll plugin.
HDSDR and other ExtIO_*.dll compatible software via ExtIO_FobosSDR.dll plugin.
uSDR via native Fobos SDR API

Source: https://rigexpert.com/files/product_documentation/Fobos%20SDR/Fobos-SDR-User-Guide.EN.pdf

The ADC is a 14-bit version of the LTC2143.

https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/21454314fa.pdf

It seems you can likely select spectrum in either 100kHz-25 MHz direct sampling or 25MHz–6GHz superhet modes, though I suspect perhaps not an overlap of those two ranges. Not sure here, so a big YMMV on my part.

https://rigexpert.com/files/product_documentation/Fobos%20SDR/FOBOS-SDR-Receiver-Datasheet.EN.pdf

Spotted a post on another site suggesting a $395 MSRP. Potentially an even bigger YMMV.

2

Equipment / Re: Best MWDX antenna?

« on: April 21, 2024, 2053 UTC »

Experimenting with a couple of TDK ferrite mixes. Trying a N30 toroid and a T65 toroid in series with 10 turns of RG-174 on each.

https://www.tdk-electronics.tdk.com/download/187204/fd7b13cb06de3e2edca6c617ac9de7da/pdf-n30.pdf
https://www.tdk-electronics.tdk.com/download/528846/1598c89da613db594840e493e0ffb9fe/pdf-t65.pdf

I should test the setup with my NanoVNA, but anyway, a quick waterfall skim of 0-30MHz looks decent for a common-mode choke without galvanic isolation.

Exmaple of lower LF with WWVB. Notebook on battery. Airspy HF+D and 31' vertical.


(click to enlarge)

I figure this choke will end up near the feedpoint of my HFDY loop if/when I get around to deploying it.

I obtained TDK N30 binoc ferrites as well. I suspect they likely will compare well with my usual mix 73 binocs for 0-30MHz galvanic isolation chokes.

3

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: KiwiSDR 2 Now Available for Pre-order.

« on: April 20, 2024, 2152 UTC »

There could still be supply available through retailers, as per jks....

"We have shipped hundreds now to ML&S (UK) hamradio.co.uk and WiMo (DE) wimo.com. So consider ordering from them. Check if they will ship to your region and the cost.

Source: https://forum.kiwisdr.com/index.php?p=/discussion/3051/kiwisdr-2-kiwisdr-nz-sold-out-please-order-via-hamradio-co-uk-and-wimo-com/p2

4

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Airspy HF+ Ranger | Next-Gen Model?

« on: April 15, 2024, 2222 UTC »

Skimming the Airspy HF library source code, a mention to an "AIRSPYHF_BOARD_ID_AIRSPYHF_RANGER_REV_A" was landed then removed on the same day in February.

https://github.com/airspy/airspyhf/commit/e1dcc17956157b15885a284d9c9b42ba5de7dc51
https://github.com/airspy/airspyhf/commit/39f06a4934a0707a35496cfabce45cfaf5c60d92

No more info found, though i did not dig much further than a couple of web searches.

There is at least one revision of the original Airspy HF+ Dual, plus there are at least two hardware revisions of the Airspy HF+ Discovery. The Airspy HF+ "Ranger" would appear to be something different.

enum airspyhf_board_id
{
   AIRSPYHF_BOARD_ID_UNKNOWN_AIRSPYHF = 0,
   AIRSPYHF_BOARD_ID_AIRSPYHF_REV_A = 1,
   AIRSPYHF_BOARD_ID_AIRSPYHF_DISCOVERY_REV_A = 2,
   AIRSPYHF_BOARD_ID_AIRSPYHF_RANGER_REV_A = 3,
   AIRSPYHF_BOARD_ID_INVALID = 0xFF,
};

5

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Radio Illuminati 6870 AM 2327 UTC 13 Apr 2024

« on: April 13, 2024, 2342 UTC »

Music at 2338z. OTA at 2341z. SIO 332 via Airspy HF+D and 31' vertical. Decent carrier but modulation is largely in the current noise floor here.

Thanke for the broadcast! :)

6

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: Indy Radio 6931 AM 1643 UTC 12 APR 2024

« on: April 12, 2024, 2351 UTC »

Music at 2347z, along with the beeps. SIO 222 via Airspy HF+D and 31' vertical. Rough copy, but it is there. Some band noise and static crashing, plus pekies on 6930 LSB.

Thanks for the broadcast! :)

7

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: SDRSharp v1.0.0.1920 Preview Release

« on: April 12, 2024, 2040 UTC »

As per.....

https://groups.io/g/airspy/topic/upcoming_sdr_r1920_and_third/105400117

Since a few days, the "minimal" build of SDR# is no longer minimal per se. It finally brought all the features of the Telerik enabled UI (r1919) plus a ton of fixes and enhancements. The most important aspect is the performance jump - a direct consequence of ditching Telerik UI in favor of a set of high performance hand crafted controls. The resource utilization is believed to be the lowest for equivalent DSP quality and UI. Carl of RTl-SDR Blog highlighted that some of the very old plugins from the 18xx era started working again, which is an unexpected positive side effect. Thus, I invite you to give it a spin, try your plugins and report privately if necessary: info @ airspy dot com.

Download: https://airspy.com/downloads/sdrsharp-x86-next.zip0

8

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: 77LJS 6950 USB 2156 UTC 10 APR 2024

« on: April 10, 2024, 2255 UTC »

Music at 2253z. SIO 222 via Airspy HF+D and 31' vertical. Tough copy as it is competing with considerable static crashing from regional storms here.

Thanks for the broadcast! :)

9

General Radio Discussion / Re: What radios are remaining domestic HF listeners using?

« on: April 10, 2024, 1848 UTC »

A 5v USB connect solar panel in the 4-6 watt range is $20 or less. Add whatever affordable USB-powered/rechargeable receiver. Like ~$40 total. :)

At a slightly higher price, I am partial to the Tecsun PL-330 for a current-generation SSB-capable HF radio. Lots of features for a decent price. On the downside its SSB tuning does have its highpass audio filter set rather jhigh, like most SI473x-based SSB receivers, thus do not expect much bass response like for listening to SSB pirate radio.

The Tecsun PL-368 is about the same radio but in a neat vertical handheld format. It seems to be quite popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

If you do not care about SSB support, then the prices really come down. Some of even the more affordable models even support the NOAA VHF weather band, Bluetooth, MP3 playback via SD card, and/or more.

10

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Bad Dog Radio 6930 USB 0117 UTC 07 APR 2024

« on: April 07, 2024, 0205 UTC »

Music at 0203z. SSTV at 0205z. SIO 444 via Tecsun PL-330 and 15' active loop in a window. Decent to good copy.

Usual evening 6931 carrier from Indy Radio at my QTH noted as well.

Thanks for the broadcast! :)

11

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: AN ID RADIO 6920 USB 0035 UTC 7 APR 2024

« on: April 07, 2024, 0147 UTC »

Music at 0145z. SIO 445 via Tecsun PL-330 and 15' active loop in a window. Easy copy with strong modulation.

Rocking the hoot. ;p

Thanks for the broadcast! :)

12

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: Channel 292 9670 AM 0003 UTC 7 APR 2024

« on: April 07, 2024, 0010 UTC »

Music at 0009z. SIO 534. S9+20 peaks via Airspy HF+D and 31' vertical. ECSS USB tuning. Some band noise and occasional static crashing, though otherwise a decent to good copy with strong modulation.

Thanks for the broadcast! :)

13

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: Indy Radio 6931 AM 1606 UTC 06 APR 2024

« on: April 07, 2024, 0007 UTC »

Indy Radio waterfall carrier and intermittent faint modulation at 0005z. Along with the beeps as well. Airspy HF+D and 31' vertical.

14

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Wolverine Radio 6955 USB 0056 UTC 6 APR 2024

« on: April 07, 2024, 0004 UTC »

0002z - Music. SIO 545. S9+ via Airspy HF+D and 31' vertical. Easy copy and strong modulation as usual.

0044z - Music. SIO 445 .Tecsun PL-330 and 15' active loop in a window. Still an easy copy even on a portable and indoor antenna.

Thanks for the broadcast! :)

15

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Radio 48 via Mix Radio International 6875 USB 2200 UTC 6 APR 2024

« on: April 07, 2024, 0001 UTC »

Music at 2359z. SIO 545. S9+ via 31' vertical and Airspy HF+D. Usual wide audio and waterfall graphics for MRI. Easy armchair copy.

Thanks for the broadcast! :)