We seek to understand and document all radio transmissions, legal and otherwise, as part of the radio listening hobby. We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations. Always consult with the appropriate authorities if you have questions concerning what is permissible in your locale.

Author Topic: USB based control surfaces for SDR's  (Read 4370 times)

Offline redhat

  • DX Legend
  • ******
  • Posts: 1585
  • USA
  • Music is my drug.
    • View Profile
    • Email
USB based control surfaces for SDR's
« on: March 31, 2013, 0239 UTC »
Anyone have anything they can recommend as an alternative to the usual mouse and keyboard controls for SDR's?  I've got a Winradio Excalibur on long term loan, and I hated it at first, but I'm slowly getting used to it.  I just wish there was a more "natural" way to tune around, change bandwidth settings, et al.

Looking forward to any suggestions.

+-RH
Somewhere under the stars...
Airspy HF+, MLA-30/Mini-whip/Chi-Town Loop
Please send QSL's and reception reports to xfmshortwave [at] proton [d0t] me

Offline ChrisSmolinski

  • Administrator
  • Marconi Class DXer
  • *****
  • Posts: 31105
  • Westminster, MD USA
    • View Profile
    • Black Cat Systems
Re: USB based control surfaces for SDR's
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2013, 1242 UTC »
This would be very very cool for SDR apps: https://www.leapmotion.com/product

Imagine a virtual knob that you turn in the air! Fansome would love it!
Chris Smolinski
Westminster, MD
eQSLs appreciated! csmolinski@blackcatsystems.com
netSDR / AFE822x / AirSpy HF+ / KiwiSDR / 900 ft Horz skyloop / 500 ft NE beverage / 250 ft V Beam / 58 ft T2FD / 120 ft T2FD / 400 ft south beverage / 43m, 20m, 10m  dipoles / Crossed Parallel Loop / Discone in a tree

Offline desmoface

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 477
  • NE Ohio
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: USB based control surfaces for SDR's
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2013, 0121 UTC »
What about something like this?:  http://store.griffintechnology.com/powermate

Steve
Kenwood TS-870SAT
Full Wave 80 Meter Horizontal Loop ~ 260 Ft Long
Pse qsl to Kb8viv @ yahoo . com
NE Ohio

Offline ChrisSmolinski

  • Administrator
  • Marconi Class DXer
  • *****
  • Posts: 31105
  • Westminster, MD USA
    • View Profile
    • Black Cat Systems
Re: USB based control surfaces for SDR's
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2013, 1216 UTC »
SdrDx supports MIDI. So you can use a MIDI controller with knobs, buttons, etc.
Chris Smolinski
Westminster, MD
eQSLs appreciated! csmolinski@blackcatsystems.com
netSDR / AFE822x / AirSpy HF+ / KiwiSDR / 900 ft Horz skyloop / 500 ft NE beverage / 250 ft V Beam / 58 ft T2FD / 120 ft T2FD / 400 ft south beverage / 43m, 20m, 10m  dipoles / Crossed Parallel Loop / Discone in a tree

Offline Token

  • Global Moderator
  • DX Legend
  • *****
  • Posts: 2118
    • View Profile
Re: USB based control surfaces for SDR's
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2013, 1951 UTC »
For my Excaliburs I use the X-Keys Jog Shuttle Pro.  Old picture below, some functions have been changed as I decided over time what features needed to be on what button, and added other features I needed more immediate access to.



I find it works very well.  The Jog-Shuttle can be used to slew the frequency (outside spring loaded ring) while the inside ring acts as a VFO knob.  I also have most of the common functions assigned a button, so I very seldom need a mouse click for anything other than to click on a signal I see.  It does provide a way to work the radio that can mostly be done one handed and in the dark if needed.  I still find that most of the time I use two hands, one on the mouse and the other on the X-Keys.

T!
T!
Mojave Desert, California USA

Offline Rafman

  • DXing Phenomena
  • *******
  • Posts: 2584
  • Virgilina Border
  • Pirate Radio: Radio FUN minus Station Management!!
    • View Profile
    • WirelessDX - Collection of Pirate Radio clips by Rafman K4RAF
    • Email
Re: USB based control surfaces for SDR's
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2013, 1817 UTC »
I have tried the Griffin PowerMate with my Perseus. I had limited success as it just didn't "feel" right & while the control is configurable, it was not fully capable of what I wanted to do.

I actually still have one NEW in the box, if anyone is interested... My other is floating around just in case I want to experiment further or with my AFEDRIs...

Rafman
~
Rafman
Onion Flats [Baskerville] VA USA
[All QSLs greatly appreciated: WIFIDX@gmail.com]
Elad FDM-S1&S2 / SDRplay1 & SDRplay2
Mizuho SX59 & SX3 preselectors / JPS ANC4 Noise Phaser
41m EU beverage / 40m loop / 75m CF Zepp / 41m Sloping Dipole
The "Real FCC" http://bit.ly/2lQDNYm

Offline redhat

  • DX Legend
  • ******
  • Posts: 1585
  • USA
  • Music is my drug.
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: USB based control surfaces for SDR's
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2013, 2112 UTC »
Token, thats pretty much what I was looking for.  I was sold until I saw the pricetag.....

At any rate A very usable interface, I could even use it with adobe for multitrack!

+-RH
Somewhere under the stars...
Airspy HF+, MLA-30/Mini-whip/Chi-Town Loop
Please send QSL's and reception reports to xfmshortwave [at] proton [d0t] me