Re: Need Help to setup SOftrock RXTX6.3 with MOBO 4.3 & PowerSDR2.4.4
Hi Ed,
Just remembered this post.
What other DDC/DUC radios have you compared against QSD/QSE?
I may be missing something here having compared Softrock/UHFSDR/SR63ng+Mobo etc. vs. HiQSDR,+Preselctor-PA/openHPSDR Hermes/HermesLite2.
DDC/DUC for me proved the winner instantly but after these many years I will put a SR63ng+Mobo-4.3.4 on the air in case I am proved wrong.
73 ... Sid.
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On 22/07/2021 20:41, murphy edward via groups.io wrote: Hello Ravi,
Yes, the basic configuration as used in the Softrock, ie NOT DDC/ DUC, will put the IC7300 in its place where it belongs.
For interest, I regularly get reports from Scottie Globemaster SDR owners telling me about their experience.
Here is one example:
*"I have compared the GM with my IC-7300 . ( SSB and CW )*
**
*It is very significant different : The IC-7300 is like an noise-generator ...*
**
*Stations which can copied on the GM absolutly clear .... they are on the IC-7300 much , much more*
**
*in noise and weak . Ofcourse : Using the same antenna for compare ."*
He then goes on to say after comparing many other receivers :
*"The worst receiver by far ... with the worst signal-to-noise ratio is the IC-7300 !!!! "*
*
*
Not my words !
**
*
*
*
*
So forget about all these fantastic digital radios with their limited dynamic range,
stick with the 24 bit analog radios with solid Bandpass Filtering if you are interested in performance.
BTW, It is so refreshing to see Yeasu using an analog front end in their very latest SDR radio.
THERE MUST BE A REASON WHY.
LOL , as if they did not know !
Don't be caught up in the digital hipe !
Regards
Ed GM3SBC???????
**
On 7/22/2021 5:52 PM, ravishankerp via groups.io wrote:
Thanks Alan...
My RXTX 6.3 with Mobo 4.3 is successfully sorting to action...
What is more surprising is that the Softrick + Mobo combination is preforming better over 7300 under low signal conditions probably due to the BPF acting as preselector in RX mode aiding the reception &? that its what is missing in 7300...
Thanks again Alan...
73'sde Ravi
?? On Mon, 19 Jul 2021 at 13:22, Ravi Shanker<ravishankerp@...> wrote:??? Thanks Alan, the link I shared was strangely not opening for me.
What you sent has opened up.
Let me try & use it & in case i need something else, I will get back on this post.
Thanks,Ravi
???? On Monday, July 19, 2021, 12:52:46 PM GMT+5:30, Alan G4ZFQ <alan4alan@...> wrote:
? ? > Google search for this leads to the below link which is unavailable:?
?? Ravi
That link is good, goes to
Do you see it? Is
something else missing?
73 Alan G4ZFQ
--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks
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Hi All,
Well I do have a Softrock Ensemble II LF ordered and eagerly awaiting it's arrival (being built by Tony Parks).? Over the years I've had a number of Softrocks, built most of them myself.? But at 78 eyes are a bit older and I don't think I'm the sharpest knife in the drawer any longer ;-)? Also, it's been awhile since I used a Softrock but figured that since I sold my Perseus it'll help fill in the gap in chasing/recording NDBs (my primary use for one).
I DO know that I always used a pair of transformers between my Softrock and the external soundcard.? My external soundcard of choice has traditionally been the "Ultimate USB Audio 2.0" with a 24 bit/192kHz response.? It's noise floor is supposed to be -108dB, not sure how that compares to others, but is more than good enough as any time I connect an antenna the existing noise floor rises, a good test to see if the receiver is the limiting factor.
Any-who, it's been so many years since I built my last setup that I forgot which transformers I used (to keep the center spike down).? I do know they were little red Triad units, I think 600/600 Ohms and was checking the Mouser catalog.? It seems that the frequency response of most that they have are 300Hz-100kHz. It seems that if I want to use the full range of the sound card (192kHz) I'd want transformers with more than a 100kHz upper limit, but like I said, it's been so many years that I've forgotten probably 90% of what I knew (been working with Electronics since around 1953).
QUESTION:? If you were ordering a pair of transformers, what would you buy, and where???
--
<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" ><>
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,
RADIOS:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Icom: IC-718 Xceiver, DSP.
Uniden: SDS-200 Scanner, 25-1300MHz (2020)
Portables: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element) ~35 Feet AGL.
Butternut HF-6V 6 Band Vertical, ~12 Feet AGL for 75-10M
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~22 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Diamond Discone ~35 feet AGL for Scanner.
QTH: Merced, California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh
|
Re: Is the Ensemble II LF still available?
Good Morning All,
I still do RX II kits and built receivers, on special order for the LF version. Please contact me at kb9yig@... .
Regards,
Tony, kb9yig
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Show quoted text
On Jun 21, 2022, at 12:10 AM, Shirley Dulcey KE1L <mark@...> wrote:
?fivedash.com They're still listed.
On Mon, Jun 20, 2022 at 7:34 PM Philip Atchley via groups.io <ko6bb=
[email protected]> wrote:
Hi All,
Sometime back I gave away my Ensemble II LF and now just sold my last
existing SDR (Perseus) a couple days ago. Sorta wish I hadn't, but
while it's still pending receipt of payment, I'm NOT one to go back on
my word! Guess we live and learn. . .
Just wondering, does Dash Five still sell the Ensemble II Series of
receivers. My old 'puter crashed last week (one reason I sold the
Perseus) and I don't have their web link.
Thanks all.
--
<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" ><>
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,
RADIOS:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Icom: IC-718 Xceiver, DSP.
Uniden: SDS-200 Scanner, 25-1300MHz (2020)
Portables: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element) ~35 Feet AGL.
Butternut HF-6V 6 Band Vertical, ~12 Feet AGL for 75-10M
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~22 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Diamond Discone ~35 feet AGL for Scanner.
QTH: Merced, California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh
|
Re: Is the Ensemble II LF still available?
Thank you.? Guess I had the name backwards. . .
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 6/21/2022 4:09 AM, Shirley Dulcey KE1L wrote: fivedash.com They're still listed.
On Mon, Jun 20, 2022 at 7:34 PM Philip Atchley via groups.io <ko6bb=
[email protected]> wrote:
Hi All,
Sometime back I gave away my Ensemble II LF and now just sold my last
existing SDR (Perseus) a couple days ago. Sorta wish I hadn't, but
while it's still pending receipt of payment, I'm NOT one to go back on
my word! Guess we live and learn. . .
Just wondering, does Dash Five still sell the Ensemble II Series of
receivers. My old 'puter crashed last week (one reason I sold the
Perseus) and I don't have their web link.
|
Re: Is the Ensemble II LF still available?
fivedash.com They're still listed. On Mon, Jun 20, 2022 at 7:34 PM Philip Atchley via groups.io <ko6bb= [email protected]> wrote: Hi All,
Sometime back I gave away my Ensemble II LF and now just sold my last
existing SDR (Perseus) a couple days ago. Sorta wish I hadn't, but
while it's still pending receipt of payment, I'm NOT one to go back on
my word! Guess we live and learn. . .
Just wondering, does Dash Five still sell the Ensemble II Series of
receivers. My old 'puter crashed last week (one reason I sold the
Perseus) and I don't have their web link.
Thanks all.
--
<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" ><>
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,
RADIOS:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Icom: IC-718 Xceiver, DSP.
Uniden: SDS-200 Scanner, 25-1300MHz (2020)
Portables: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element) ~35 Feet AGL.
Butternut HF-6V 6 Band Vertical, ~12 Feet AGL for 75-10M
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~22 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Diamond Discone ~35 feet AGL for Scanner.
QTH: Merced, California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh
|
Is the Ensemble II LF still available?
Hi All,
Sometime back I gave away my Ensemble II LF? and now just sold my last existing SDR (Perseus) a couple days ago.? Sorta wish I hadn't, but while it's still pending receipt of payment, I'm NOT one to go back on my word!? Guess we live and learn. . .
Just wondering, does Dash Five still sell the Ensemble II Series of receivers.? My old 'puter crashed last week (one reason I sold the Perseus) and I don't have their web link.
Thanks all.
--
<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" ><>
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,
RADIOS:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Icom: IC-718 Xceiver, DSP.
Uniden: SDS-200 Scanner, 25-1300MHz (2020)
Portables: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element) ~35 Feet AGL.
Butternut HF-6V 6 Band Vertical, ~12 Feet AGL for 75-10M
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~22 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Diamond Discone ~35 feet AGL for Scanner.
QTH: Merced, California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh
|
Re: conflict between CFGSR and USB soundcard
David,
I am not sure what you meant by "However, the noise level is a couple of db worse than the Delta 44". Did you mean the noise floor of the Behringer USB DAC vs. the Delta 44's noise floor, which would have nothing to do with the noise floor of the Ensemble?
If so, then your USB ADC/DAC is really very good! Likely the noise from the Ensemble with a decent antenna will be significantly higher than the Behringer sound card, so the sound card's noise is not degrading the system.
If I have misunderstood, please clarify.
73,
Roger
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Re: conflict between CFGSR and USB soundcard
On 16/06/2022 20:36, David Underwood wrote: A) What did you mean by softrock modification? Is there a way to get the noise lower on the RX ensemble II? David, The discussion was long ago, before the Ensemble. But basically involved reducing the opamp gain. It may have made a difference in extreme cases but the dynamic range of 16 bits may be better than many modern SDRs with 12 bit ADCs. B) I have large noise bumps every 60KHz across the spectrum. Could be from the big Monitor of the computer or a Class D audio amp. Lots to look at. Best of luck with that! There are so many potential interference sources. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Re: conflict between CFGSR and USB soundcard
Alan,
Thanks for the suggestion. It works.
By using one USB slot on the front of the computer and one on the back I got CFGSR and the Behringer to work together. It even works at 192 KHZ sample rate, so I can see at least 180 KHz wide on the waterfall. However, the noise level is a couple of db worse than the Delta 44, and both are about 10 db worse than I remember (some time ago) with the Delta44 and a little softrock lite 6.2 crystal receiver as a panadapter on an old icom USB -only radio.
So:
A) What did you mean by softrock modification? Is there a way to get the noise lower on the RX ensemble II?
B) I have large noise bumps every 60KHz across the spectrum. Could be from the big Monitor of the computer or a Class D audio amp. Lots to look at.
David
K0IMH
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Re: conflict between CFGSR and USB soundcard
On 16/06/2022 15:20, David Underwood wrote: However, even on the desktop PC, Optiplex 780, CFGSR will not connect (with softrock RX ensemble II) ) when the USB the Behringer UMC202HD is plugged in. CFGSR works fine for softrock RX ensemble II with HDSDR and Winrad with other sound cards. (Delta 44, small Behringer 16 bit USB, etc) David, To be clear, on the desktop does the Softrock work when the Behringer is not plugged in? If so it looks like a USB conflict. I would try all USB ports. Try a good hub. What does device Manager show in both circumstances? (24 bits will not improve performance without Softrock modification.) 73 Alan G4ZFQ I am running windows 10 pro which I keep updated. I don't know if this problem is due to windows 10 or some other software, e.g. astronomy software that was installed, or something else. I have tried rebooting with softrock and CFGSR only, (similar to what I had to do for the little vector network analyzer) and various permutations.
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conflict between CFGSR and USB soundcard
I got a USB Behringer Uphoria UMC202HD for use with a laptop because it is 24 bits and 96 KHz and I wanted a portable system. And it has extremely low noise.
I still have a couple of Delta44s running on desktop systems.
However, even on the desktop PC, Optiplex 780, CFGSR will not connect (with softrock RX ensemble II) ) when the USB Behringer UMC202HD is plugged in. CFGSR works fine for softrock RX ensemble II with HDSDR and Winrad with other sound cards. (Delta 44, small Behringer 16 bit USB, etc)
I am running windows 10 pro which I keep updated. I don't know if this problem is due to windows 10 or some other software, e.g. astronomy software that was installed, or something else. I have tried rebooting with softrock and CFGSR only, (similar to what I had to do for the little vector network analyzer) and various permutations.
Suggestions appreciated.
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Re: SdrDX on OS X - python - sound card- mirror image
Hi Peter,
Thanks for starting this. Softrocks interest me, and always have. The software for the communication is windows based and written in assembler for the Windows platform.
This is just a place holder and I will be sending more. I had a right cerebral stroke (#2) but am getting better and using hamradio and building things to get better.
I have several softrocks, one completely built (40M) mostly ensemble RXTX.
More later!
Guy
--
guy (at) eastroad (dot) org
-.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.. .
\|%|///
| ~ ~ |
^( @ @ )^
---------o000o--_/-o000o---------
N1GMM
Have a good day!
|
SdrDX on OS X - python - sound card- mirror image
This is a new thread on this subject -a similar one is many years old and I guess was never resolved.
I have SdrDX working with an old MacBook Air and Ensemble RX II.
I am about 50% successful - a Sabrent USB audio device works well but I get only half the bandwidth... the mirror image problem. Thinking that it may not have a stereo (mic) input,
I bought a behringer UCA202 (Amazon) works too, but is no improvement with the same mirror image. I dont know much about USB sound "cards" stuff - need a deeper dive - last night I checked if there might be the full 48khz bandwidth but with an image overlaying the spectrum display and that appears to be the case. Another thing I want to know: is whether sdrdx is running the fft on the usb sound device - guessing it must,
I rewrote the python scripts supplied by the developer of SDRDX for python3 and have good transparent control over the Si570 through the USB port with a helper python3 tcp monitor program running as a daemon in background on the same macbook. If there is any interesest at all after all these years, lmk, be glad to share them.
The developers sdrdx stuff is here:
SDRDX a huge program and now pretty old - surprisingly, luckily this site is still viable. Re SdrDX, I've explored maybe 10% of it so I'm no expert.
Developer on the fyngyrz site includes python 2x source for TCP and UDP agents if you go digging around - it's there.
SDRDX has UDP and TCP network communications built in. The code are fragments are solutions to talking to sdrdx over a tcpip network - to run them you will need some python libraries - available within the OSX infoverse.. I opted to add python3 to my macbook and it can be done quickly but not without a fight.
I've only run the python on the same machine as sdrdx (the mac). Without too much difficulty you could run them on a separate machine - e.g. a raspberry pi to the running instance of sdrdx on the macbook - that would make setting up the python environment a LOT easier ... but for now I run all on the macbook so I don't have boxes and wires all over the place.
The reason for doing this is to use the mac as a pan-adapter for my amateur radio tranceiver - TS590sg. Done this before but not with a macbook.
Kinda works now but it's a hack, looks it, and needs improvement.
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Re: SdrDX on OS X - Script for Ensemble RX II
Hi Peter,
Yes please do create another thread. I am insterested in your python control scripts for the SI570.
Thanks! Do you have a website
--
guy (at) eastroad (dot) org
-.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.. .
\|%|///
| ~ ~ |
^( @ @ )^
---------o000o--_/-o000o---------
N1GMM
Have a good day!
|
Re: SdrDX on OS X - Script for Ensemble RX II
Tom,
Peter here - I have SdrDX working with an old MacBook Air and Ensemble RX II.
I rewrote the python scripts supplied by the developer of SDRDX for python3 and have good transparent control over the Si570 through the USB port with a helper python3 tcp monitor program running as a daemon in background on the same macbook. If there is any interesest at all after all these years, lmk, be glad to share them.
I am about 50% successful - the Sabrent USB audio device works well but I get only half the bandwidth... the mirror image problem.
A behringer UCA202 works too but is no improvement.
I will create a new thread since this one is like 9 years old!
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Re: Softrock RX Ensemble II case / casing / enclosure
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Re: Softrock RX Ensemble II case / casing / enclosure
I used a radio shack project box, 5.25" long, 2" high, and 3" deep. for my RXTX ensemble. I don't know the exact number, but Bud, Hammond, LMB Heeger are other brands that are similar. Check www.mouser.com or www.digikey.com
73 Steve, KM5HT
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Re: Softrock RX Ensemble II case / casing / enclosure
Thats the KM5H Kase
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Show quoted text
On Feb 18, 2022, at 5:53 AM, Eduardo A de Carvalho <eadc@...> wrote:
This video shows a very nice case. Probably the one no longer being made.
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Re: Softrock RX Ensemble II case / casing / enclosure
This video shows a very nice case. Probably the one no longer being made.
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Re: Softrock RX Ensemble II - RF gain
Thank you Alan
I ask because my noise floor level is 9db at times depending on the time and band. Mostly is above 7db.
I also need to improve my antenna setup so, its not the radio's fault actually.
73 Eduardo W4BTK
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Shirley Dulcey KE1L
Guy Mengel N1GMM