SDR appliance: JN1SDD’s NCDXF / IARU Beacon Monitor

4. June 2010 in DSP, Software Defined Radio

On my ongoing search for SDR appliances, I discovered a couple of weeks ago an SDR (Softrock & Linux) based Beacon Monitoring System. The system is making use of the NCDXF Internation Beacon Project (IBP) which consists of 18 timely synchronized automated transmitters, located around the world. It monitors the signals on the various bands and generates in real-time a graphical chart showing the signal’s strength. The chart is uploaded to a webserver and accessible for everyone through the Internet. Lately I had the possibility to interview the author of the system, Atsushi (JN1SDD). In this interview he revealed with great deepness how the system is build up. I hope you will enjoy this interview as much as I did!

CW Skimmer, Win-Test & FT1000MP: my wish!

30. May 2010 in Software Defined Radio

Three years ago I added a Software Defined Radio (Softrock Clone) to the 455kHz intermediate frequency of my FT1000MP shortwave receiver. The idea was to use it as a spectrum scope in conjunction with CW Skimmer. Unfortunately, the solution has one big disadvantage: I can’t use it with Win-Test my favorite Contest Software. In a detailed investigation, I found out why CW Skimmer and Win-Test can not be used simultaneously with the same Radio. Now, about past 30 months later, the situation has improved. However, there is still one little change necessary to finally be able to use CW Skimmer and Win-Test with (my) FT1000MP. Read in this article what has changed and what is still missing (my wish)!

PMSDR – an interview with IW3AUT

14. March 2010 in Software Defined Radio

This week I had the pleasure to interview Martin, IW3AUT. He’s the developer and founder of the Italian PMSDR Software Defined Radio receiver. In this interview you will get a look inside a successful SDR project. You will read about the design goals, the milestones of the project, the problems which Martin encountered an how he solved them. Enjoy the interview!

Do you truly understand the SDR concept?

4. February 2010 in Software Defined Radio

A lot of magazines and articles have already covered the principles of software-defined radio. Most of them contain mathematical equations which require a greater level of math. Certainly, without math, there would be no SDR, but I believe, that the concept of SDR can also be explained without. Let me show you the SDR concept from a different point of view!

FA-SDR-TRX part #3 – the Transmitter

25. December 2009 in Software Defined Radio

In the third article, we will have a deeper look into the TX path of the FA-SDR-TRX. All components will be discussed, including the optional 1 Watt amplifier.

FA-SDR-TRX part #2 – The Receiver

9. December 2009 in Software Defined Radio

After a systems view on the FA-SDR-TRX, it’s time to go into more detail. This post is dedicated to FA-SDR-TRX’s receiver.

FA-SDR-TRX part #1 – Systems View

8. December 2009 in Software Defined Radio

The FA-SDR-TRX is an all-band low-cost software defined radio. The FA-SDR-TRX was created by Harald DL2EWN and described in an article series in the German Ham Radio Magazine Funkamateur. After the big success of the single band kits like Softrock, SDR4080, or Genesis, the FA-SDR-TRX is the next step in the evolution of SDR kits. Thanks to the support of Harald I’m able to provide a detailed description of the concept behind FA-SDR-TRX.