SDR Radio Help

[Loha101]

Hello, I am currently using the SDR-RADIO software by RF Space. I am not using any hardware whatsoever and am connecting to servers. Could anyone advise me on how to connect to numbers stations like UVB-76? Greatly appreciated.

[Beerus Maximus]

UVB-76 is definitely a shortwave oddity, but not really a numbers station; it's more of a marker, beacon or pilot. It is not necessarily known to broadcast messages on a regular basis, though strange messages have been heard from it.

True numbers stations, on the other hand, exist for the purpose of transmitting encoded messages with regularity and there are a great variety of these types of stations. Some are voice, some are CW (morse code) and some yet might be other modes. A lot of work has gone into identifying the regularity and schedule of these transmissions and you can find some of that information here in our Numbers forum, or on #wunclub on IRC, or from a number of other resources.

Your SDR-Radio software, as you know, lets you connect to various internet-enabled radios where you can, from there, control the radio (tuning, mode, etc). Hearing UVB-76 (or any other signal) from these radios will vary widely, with propagation and time of day at the location of the remote receiver being the most significant variables. UVB-76 broadcasts at 4625 KHz. I'm assuming you are in one of the North American timezones and so in all likelihood you would be listening in the late afternoon or evening. Connecting to a remote receiver located in Europe might be your best bet for hearing UVB-76, though at times and depending on propagation a North American based receiver might hear this reasonably well, too.

Incidently, a VERY good European based SDR is available on the web at:

http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/

The beauty of this receiver is that you do not need any special software... just a web browser with a Java plugin, which is fairly universal. I just connected to it (at about 1:30 PM Eastern time) and punched in 4625 KHz (also, switch the mode to AM) and sure enough, there is UVB-76 in all of its buzzing glory. By contrast, I am unable to hear this signal on the receivers that sit here on my desk, connected to large outdoor antennas. This is a (predictable) consequence of propagation. Signals on this frequency, transmitting from Europe during daylight in North America, are unlikely to be heard here. However, since it is likely dusk or dark in the Netherlands, where this receiver is located, I can hear it well using a remote receiver located there.

I'd expect to possibly hear this signal on my own receivers when nightfall reaches the east coast (I'm in Boston).

I hope this was helpful, and others are sure to chime in.

[Loha101]

Thanks Just typed in 4625Khz and there it was. Hopefully I will be able to get some hardware. What do I need? A radio, an antenna and what else?

[Beerus Maximus]

For general purpose reception in the HF spectrum, yes, you need a radio and an antenna. Some higher-end radios might require an additional power supply. These are almost always 12VDC and readily available from the same suppliers as the radio. You don't need much else; those are the basic elements.

It's possible to spend anywhere from $50 to $5000 (or more!) on a radio for receiving HF. How much you choose to spend depends on your situation; what you want to hear, your level of interest in the hobby, and of course, how much cash you have lying around.

Some listeners you'll find here make do with a portable and a whip antenna, which might cost $50. Others have many thousands of dollars invested in the hobby. Truthfully, it's much easier to hear a variety of interesting things if you can make a reasonable investment in equipment and, most importantly, if you can erect an outdoor antenna. I happen to also be a ham radio operator, so I have two HF transceivers here in my radio room, and they work extremely well as general purpose HF receivers. My antennas are outdoor dipoles that I built myself. You don't need to be particularly handy or highly technically oriented to do the same (I'm a complete moron, rarely sober, etc). Some other bits and pieces are part of the equation; antenna switches, feedline, depending on the complexity of the situation.

Would you be able to deploy an outdoor antenna?

[desmoface]

I second what Beerus Maximus said.  You can have the greatest radio in the world, you won't hear anything without a good antenna.  But, HM01 is active right now (2106) on 11.635am - Numbers and Data, about s9+40 into NE Ohio.  As far as antenna's, I'm very happy with my horizontal 80 meter loop. Good luck.

Steve

[ChrisSmolinski]

Yes, you really do need a good antenna. I understand this can be a challenge for many, especially if you live in an area where outside antennas are frowned upon.

[nl12SDR]

The beauty of the webbased sdr Twente here is that its using the Mini whip antenna mounted on a real big metal roof ,amazing what this little wonder is receiving here .
since i have the whip antenna in the garden,from pa0rdt a Dutch radio amateur, the developer of this antenna. and its not working as the one on the roof of the Twente university
the big iron roof really makes a difference here.