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: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO  (Read 5129 times)

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
Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
« 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
« Last Edit: September 13, 2014, 1323 UTC by 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 Token

  • Global Moderator
  • DX Legend
  • *****
  • Posts: 2118
    • View Profile
Re: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
« Reply #1 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!
« Last Edit: September 13, 2014, 2031 UTC by Token »
T!
Mojave Desert, California USA

Offline ChrisSmolinski

  • Administrator
  • Marconi Class DXer
  • *****
  • Posts: 31105
  • Westminster, MD USA
    • View Profile
    • Black Cat Systems
Re: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
« Reply #2 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.
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 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: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
« Reply #3 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
~
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 Pigmeat

  • Marconi Class DXer
  • ********
  • Posts: 6684
    • View Profile
Re: Griffin PowerMate USB Knob as SDR VFO
« Reply #4 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.