Hi
I have generated a beta release of the G8JCFSDR V1.0 Build 281, which may be downloaded from
Release Notes for Elektor SDR Shield aka SDR Reloaded V1.0 Build 281
G8JCFSDR V 1.0 Build 281 fully supports the Elektor SDR Shield.
Frequency Calibration V1.0 Build 281
The crystal on the Si5351 is uncalibrated, so you will need to
calibrate the software to allow for the crystal. Go into Config, and click
the Calibrate button on the General tab which will bring up the
calibrate window. Click the Help button to view the procedure you
will need to follow.
G8JCFSDR Build 281 incorporates an improved SDR Shield frequency
calibration algorithm. A new version of the Arduino firmware, V 1.3, is
included with build 281 and should be installed when prompted.
I am very grateful for the perseverance of Jean-Marc Paratte for figuring
out that the original frequency calibration only worked 100% accurately
at 10MHz.
IQ and SMeter Calibration
G8JCFSDR Build 281 uses CLK0 of the SI5351 to generate :-
a)? IQ Calibration signal - the IQ calibration signal is generated at +1KHz
???? from the currently tuned frequency, and if you set the G8JCFSDR to
???? USB mode you will hear a 1 Khz tone when you switch on the IQ
???? calibration signal.
b)? SMeter 10KHz signal - see Burkhard Kainka's SDR Hands On book,
???? Chapter 7, section 7.2 pages 79-80 (English Translation)? for details of
???? how the 10KHz signal is used.
These functions are accessed using the Calibrate button on the General
Tab in Config.
Hamlib Support V1.0 Build 281
Build 281 of the G8JCFSDR has a completely different mechanism for using
the Hamlib interface to rigs. This new method has been tested with an
ICOM IC-7200, and supports the following methods with the GM8JCFSDR
1)??? Set Frequency
2)??? Set Mode, eg USB, LSB, AM, FM etc
3)??? Set Bandwidth
When in Hamlib mode, the Notch filtering, Noise Reduction & Noise Blanking
mechanisms of the G8JCFSDR will still function. Build 281 support for
Hamlib is still in very early form and will be improved upon over time.
Firmware Upload
The first time you run the G8JCFSDR and select the Elektor SDR Shield
you will be prompted by the G8JCFSDR to upload the new firmware
to the Arduino Nano.
If you are having problems uploading the firmware, use the StartMenu
entry "XLoader" to manually upload the firmware named "si5351vfoGM8JCF.hex"
usually located in? "C:\Program Files (x86)\G8JCFSDR\ArduinoCode". The
StartMenu entry should place you in the correct directory.
Usually I would just place the setup file on the G8JCFSDR website, adjust the
URLs and make Build 281 generally available, but the G8JCFSDR Build 281
includes many changes and extensions which I would like tested before
making it widely available hence why it's classed as a Beta made available
from a direct URL. Feedback will be very graefully received.
73s
Peter - GM8JCF
