APRS Weather station in the south of Johannesburg

 APRS Weather station in the south of Johannesburg

http://www.ham-radio.co.za/weather/

JT65 Digital mode

Here is how used JT65-HF to Decode Digital modes.

I was on holiday and was wondering what I could here on my webSDR from my holiday location on 80 meters.

1) Connected to a WEBSDR http://zr6aic.giga.co.za:8901/
2) To my surprise I herd the tones of JT65 digital mode and started my JT65 application.

Here is where I did the same on a webSDR on 20m wit JT65

Configuring the M-Audio (ICE1712 chip) Delta 44 for webSDR

Here is the steps I had to take to get my  M-Audio (ICE1712 chip) Delta 44 sound card working as a SDR input on a Ubuntu Linux computer.
Where can I get a Delta 44 sound cart interface for my SDR http://www.giga.co.za
or if you looking for softrock SDR you also can get it at  http://www.giga.co.za
Here is a picture of my configuration.

1) The Sound card has 4 input and 4 output ports but could only sample at 24-bit/96kHz full-duplex audio. This means I can only connect two softrocks lite II sound cards to my computer. 96kHz is a bit slow but this is all I can afford at the moment. (Need about 192kHz to display the full  40M band).

2) To configure the Delta 44 to be used for WebSDR was not so easy as I thought.

3) Ubuntu Linux is using  ALSA sound drivers for your sound-card interfaces and it took we a lot of reading to understand how it works.

4) My problem was that the webSDR server was only able to read ALSA devices defined as a 3 digit interface. (hw:[INT],[INT],[INT]) where INT must be replaced by integer values (0,1,2,3....) hw,[CARD],[DEV],[SUBDEV].

5) So I jumped right in and installed the Delta 44 card and needed to find out how to map the card input ports to (hw:[INT],[INT],[INT]) for the webSDR server to read the inputs. (to set the Delta 44 card audio levels run this command sudo envy24control) or a another good command is sudo pavucontrol

So the commands to list available ALSA sound input ports is as follows.

sudo arecord -l

**** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
card 0: M44 [M Audio Delta 44], device 0: ICE1712 multi [ICE1712 multi]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: IXP [ATI IXP], device 0: ATI IXP AC97 [ATI IXP AC97]
Subdevices: 0/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

So the commands to list available sound output ports is as follows.

sudo aplay -l

**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: M44 [M Audio Delta 44], device 0: ICE1712 multi [ICE1712 multi]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: IXP [ATI IXP], device 0: ATI IXP AC97 [ATI IXP AC97]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: IXP [ATI IXP], device 1: ATI IXP IEC958 [ATI IXP IEC958 (AC97)]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

So in my case the the M-Audio sound card is 0 and my build in motherboard card Card 1. So we need to find out what is the sub device for this card 0.(What I found is if you reboot your computer the cards mite swap but if you explicit name the card on it's name M44  and not 0 it will always use the correct card)

sudo arecord -L

Home directory /home/anton not ours.
null
    Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
default:CARD=M44
    M Audio Delta 44, ICE1712 multi
    Default Audio Device
front:CARD=M44,DEV=0
    M Audio Delta 44, ICE1712 multi
    Front speakers
surround40:CARD=M44,DEV=0
    M Audio Delta 44, ICE1712 multi
    4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
surround41:CARD=M44,DEV=0
    M Audio Delta 44, ICE1712 multi
    4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround50:CARD=M44,DEV=0
    M Audio Delta 44, ICE1712 multi
    5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
surround51:CARD=M44,DEV=0
    M Audio Delta 44, ICE1712 multi
    5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
iec958:CARD=M44,DEV=0
    M Audio Delta 44, ICE1712 multi
    IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output
default:CARD=IXP
    ATI IXP, ATI IXP AC97
    Default Audio Device
front:CARD=IXP,DEV=0
    ATI IXP, ATI IXP AC97
    Front speakers
surround40:CARD=IXP,DEV=0
    ATI IXP, ATI IXP AC97
    4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
surround41:CARD=IXP,DEV=0
    ATI IXP, ATI IXP AC97    

4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers

surround50:CARD=IXP,DEV=0
    ATI IXP, ATI IXP AC97
    5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
surround51:CARD=IXP,DEV=0
    ATI IXP, ATI IXP AC97
    5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakersSo the IXP sound card is the one on the motherboard.

Ok I now have all the sound card info and need to configure the ALSA sound system environment to expose my sound card inputs as a 3 digit device.(eg hw:0,0,0 .....) I also have a additional requirement where I want to have multiple audio clients connect to the same input.
I want my SDR server to read the audio inputs and I also want my beacon / PSK monitoring application to monitor the SDR output. The sharing of the SDR output will have to be done by Linux application called jack.

The jack server will have to be configured to read SDR audio output and and allow the webSDR and other applications use the same audio stream.

configuring the ALSA file ~/.asoundrc or the /etc/asound.conf to define hardware audio interfaces.
The following options need to be configured in this file.

1) ALSA devices (hardware) and ALSA plugins (software).
2)  Device hw: and plughw: plugin give you access to the physical hardware. Both have as parameters the card (ID string or numerical index)
2) Control interface for the card.
3) Additional plugins for the card.
3.1) mixer, snoop , rate , lost more ......



ALSA recording device name for my M-Audio delta 44 (pcm.sdrM44Record) all 4 inputs
ALSA Playback device name pcm.sdrM44Play all 4 outputs


Here is my configuration file  ~/.asoundrc

#This configeration file is for sdr server pc.
#This pc has 3 sound cards
# 1) IXP motherboard (1 sterio input and 1 sterio output)
# 2) M44 M-Audio Delta 44 (4 mono inputs and 4 mono outputs)
# 3) Audiophile192 M-Audio Audiophile 192 (2 mono inputs and 2 mono outputs)

#************************** pcm definition ************************************
pcm.sdrMIXP_card{# interal sound card
        type hw
        card IXP #internal sound card
}
pcm.sdrM44_card {# defining the card to be used
     type hw
     card M44 # this has to be done to force reboot to point to same card
}
pcm.sdrAudiophile192_card {# defining the card to be used
     type hw
     card Audiophile192 # this has to the same as above to force reboot to point to same card
}
#************************* controle section ***********************************
ctl.sdrM44_card {#defining the control interface
     type hw
     card M44 # this has to the same as above
     }

ctl.sdrAudiophile192_card {#defining the control interface
     type hw
     card  Audiophile192 # this has to the same as above
     }

ctl.sdrIXP_card {#defining the control interface
     type hw
     card IXP  # this has to the same as above
     }

#******************************** channel dev *****************************
#        0 1   # front left
#        1 0   # front right
#        2 6   # rear left
#        3 7   # rear right
#        4 2   # center
#        5 3   # lfe
#        6 4   # side left
#        7 5   # side right

pcm.sdrM44_channel1 {#(only has 4 mono inputs/outputs)
    type plug #
    ttable.0.0 1 # studio monitor ...Delta 1 L
    ttable.0.1 1 # studio monitor ...Delta 2 R
#    slave.pcm ice1712
     slave.pcm pcm.sdrM44_card
}
pcm.sdrAudiophile192_channel1 {#(Only has 2 mono inputs/outputs)
    type plug #
    ttable.0.0 1 # studio monitor ...Delta 1 L
    ttable.0.1 1 # studio monitor ...Delta 2 R
    slave.pcm ice1724
}

pcm.sdrM44_channel2 {#(only has 2 mono inputs/outputs)
    type plug
    ttable.0.2 1 # studio monitor ...Delta 3 L
    ttable.0.3 1 # studio monitor ...Delta 4 R
    slave.pcm ice1712
}

#******************************** dmixer ***************************************
pcm.dmixer_M44 { # slave plugin dmixer
     type dmix
     ipc_key 4714
     slave {
     pcm sdrM440_card
     format S32_LE
     period_time 0
     channels 2 # 4 input
     period_size 512
     buffer_size 4096
     }
#     bindings {
#             0 0
#             1 1
#     }
}
#****************************** dsnoop ***************************************
pcm.dsnooper_M44 {
     type dsnoop #This plugin splits one capture stream to more streams
     ipc_key 4711
         slave {
         pcm sdrM44_card
         channels 2
         format S32_LE
         period_time 0
         period_size 512
         buffer_size 4096
        rate 96000
#       ttable.0.0 1 # studio monitor ...Delta 1 L
#       ttable.0.1 1 # studio monitor ...Delta 2 R
         }
         bindings {
                       0 0
                       1 1
         }
}
pcm.dsnooper_Audiophile192 {
     type dsnoop #This plugin splits one capture stream to more streams
     ipc_key 4711
         slave {
         pcm Audiophile192_card
         format S32_LE
         period_time 0
         period_size 512
         buffer_size 4096
         }
         bindings {
                       0 0
                       1 1
         }
}
#******************************* play ****************************************
pcm.sdrM44Play {# ouput
     type plug
     slave {
     pcm "dmixer_M44"
     }
}
#****************************** recording ***********************************
pcm.sdrM44Record { # input
     type plug
     slave {
     pcm "dsnooper_M44"
     }
}

pcm.sdrAudiophile192Record { # input
     type plug
     slave {
     pcm "dsnooper_Audiophile192"
     }
}

In webSDR I just add a device $pcm.sdrM44Record in place of $hw:0,0,0

I got the info from http://www.ruby-forum.com/topic/2162026


here is the jack configuration if you want to add jack.

pcm.jackplug {
 type plug
 slave { pcm "jack" }
}

pcm.jack {
 type jack
 playback_ports {
  0 pcm.sdrM44Play 

  
 }
 capture_ports {
  0 pcm.sdrM44Record

  
 }
}

I will add some more info as I get time.

Gnuradio with RTL2832U dongle

I got my RTL2832U dongle working with the Gnuradio SDR development environment on Ubuntu Linux.
Here is the block diagram for a FM receiver.You can by your dongle here http://www.giga.co.za

 RTL2832U dongle 

FM Receiver Gnuradio block using  RTL2832U dongle.

Application details of the above block.

1. Here is the Gnu radio block file for the FM Receiver above. (Save and Rename to fmRadio.grc)
2. Here is the compiled python FM Receiver file for the above.
3. Here is a link to info on the hardware RTL2832U USB dongle.
4. Here is a link to BorIP server config for Linux.
5. You Tube help on Gnu Radio and Gnu Radio2
6. Shop where you can get your  RTL2832U 

My WebSDR on 2M Satellite and ISS frequency

I have disabled the 2M SDR until I can fix the adjacent channel interference.
I am only running the 40m SDR for now.

My WebSDR on 2M Satellite and ISS frequency seems to be stable with some adjacent channel interference.
I will try and make some change with a different antenna to reduce the interference.(Eggbeater antenna)
Here is the link http://zr6aic.giga.co.za:8901/
Here is also a very nice link to find out what is herd from a satellite point of view (live Sat DX spot)
 http://www.dxsummit.fi/CustomFilter.aspx?customCount=50&customRange=507

Beacons http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT

Building my first SDR (Software Defined Radio)

Wow my SDR on 40m is up and running. 

(Softrock  receiver) Where can I get a receiver kit http://www.giga.co.za
Here is the details
Here is the link to to the webSDR server http://zr6aic.giga.co.za:8901/

Add caption

I am starting to build a SoftRock Lite II SDR receiver for 40m Band and will publish my experiences with the construction and testing.
I will use my default Ubuntu sound card that could only sample 96Khz but will be looking for a internal or external sound card that would be able to sample 192khz/24 to replace the 96Khz card to give me bettor bandwidth on 40m.
Here is some pictures during the construction and testing process.

Sort all your components and measure and label them before you start assembly

Check the numbers on the Capacitors carefully

I used Solder paste to put on the surface mount components before I placed them on the board

Her is the PCB with solder paste on IC Pads

Transformer wound

Softrock lite II testing the local oscillator divider on 40m.

28,22 Mhz (40m) Mixer I and Q input signals on scope.

Testing your Local oscillator as in assembly document

Testing the Oscillator

Wounding the inductors. (Keeping track of the amount of wounding is important)

Following the test on the assembly instructions

And some more test

I am still waiting for some toroid rings to complete the Softrock kit but decided to expose my Funcube on the satellite part of the 2M band in the mean time.
I now have two softrock receivers on webSDR receiver (80,40,30,20M bands)
Here is the link http://zr6aic.giga.co.za:8901/

My beta Android Ham App for South African ham's.

My beta Android Ham App for South African hams.

1) Live SARL news
2) Band Plan.
3) Repeater frequency details.

You can download the South African Ham App HERE (for Android 2.2 +)

Lots to come...

Gpredict on Ubuntu (Linux)

Gpredict

Very Nice program to do Satellite tracking on LINUX (UBUNTU)

Gpredict

If you want to get the Satellite Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page

Android Application for Radio Amateurs

Here is some details of the Android Applications I use on my Galaxy S2


1) Echolink for Android)
2) HF Beacon. (HF beacon monitoring your android clock must be accurate)

Android Galaxy S2

3) Call Log. (Logbook)
4) HamGPS.
5) DroidRTTY.
6) AndPSKmail.
7) APRS View.
8) APRSdroid.
9) DroidPSK.
10) QRZDroid.
11) NCDXF Beacon.
12) NKCCluster.
13) DroidProp (very nice propagation program)
14) ElectroDroid.
15) HamSA.
16) Morse Code Trainer.
17) RF Calculator.
18) AHPSDR (Android SDR client for SDRServers)
19) AMSAT DROID (Satellite tracking)

1) Echolink for Android)

Very nice program works very well 3G or Wifi

Link where you can install the app

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.echolink.android&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsIm9yZy5lY2hvbGluay5hbmRyb2lkIl0.

Echolink Station List

HF Beacon.

Very nice program to monitor 20M Beacons make shore your time is correct.

HF Beacon

Call Log.

Very handy if you are a way from your computer or logbook (Field station)

Call Log.

HamGPS.

Ham GPS

DroidRTTY.

You can connect your radio via Mic / Speaker

DroidRTTY

AndPSKmail.

You can connect your radio via Mic / Speaker

AndPSKmail

 

 

 

 

 

 

APRS View. 

APRS View is just a simple APRS view

APRS View

 

 

APRSdroid.

This the better APRS Viewer that aloes you to send Message as well as publishing you position.(U have the option to use GPRS / HSDPA data not your radio or you can connect to radio with speaker / Mic or blue-tooth)
(Very handy)
Read my details how to connect android to radio.

 

DroidPSK.

QRZDroid

NKCCluster.

NKCCluster

DroidProp

ElectroDroid

This program is fantastic has all resistor xl, xc, f, resonant , and lots more

ic pin outs, regulator, cable details... ,555, tuned  ...78xx regulators.

HamSA

South African Radio armature information application.

Morse Code Trainer

 RF Calculator

AHPSDR (Android SDR client for SDRServers)

Raspberry Pin connections

RPiREF is an easy and quick way of checking the Pin-out and GPIO references of the Raspberry Pi P1 and P5 Headers.

This information is already available in a number of forms but having it available on your Android smartphone or tablet is useful when you are experimenting.

This app covers :

- Pin numbering of the P1 GPIO Header
- Pin numbering of the P5 Header on Rev 2 boards
- Proper GPIO references for each pin
- 3.3V, 5V and ground pins

SDR Touch

This it the best App ever.

Turns your mobile phone or tablet into a cheap and portable software defined radio scanner.

Using the RTL2832U driver you could use one of the following compatible USB DVB-T tuners.

You could also connect to rtl_tcp server (read my write up here)

video link

AmsatDroid

This App predicts future passes for amateur radio satellites for a specified location.

link where you can install it.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.me.g4dpz.HamSatDroid