Based on a presentation by Paul, N2EME, I’ve picked up an SDR device for more fun and excitement with amateur radio. It’s the Nooelec NESDR SMAart Premium USB RTL-SDR w/0.5ppm TCXO and metal case, covering 25 to 1750 MHz. It cost $30 on eBay or on their own website.
Installation on Windows can be a bit tricky but they provided great support with their NESDR Installation Guide plus Getting Started page as well as a superb Installation FAQ page. I needed to review the FAQ notes as I was having a bit of trouble finding the right USB device. It all worked great based on their documentation.
Now I’m working with the recommended software package SDR-Console. My first test was listening to the local FM Broadcast stations. Next I found the Satellites option that includes Doppler tracking.
So my follow-on trick was to find a working copy of WXtoImg to decode and display the images from the NOAA weather satellites. Then it was off to find a virtual audio cable. I tried VB Cable, but for some reason it wouldn’t work with the quirky WXtoImg software. This morning I tried Virtual Audio Cable and it worked great. Not sure what’s up there. BTW the 2 meter M2 Eggbeater works great down to 135 MHz for the NOAA satellites.
My goal is to use the SDR as the receiver for 6 meters with my IC-9100 as the transmitter. Toward that end, I’ve purchased Paul’s TR switch (called PaulFLEX) and will put it into play when it arrives. In the meantime I’m having some fun with satellites.
I’ll keep you updated on this latest installment of My Ham Radio Adventures.
[…] may have read my earlier post SDR Arrives at K5ND. In mid-May I added this $30 SDR that covers 25 to 1750 MHz. Paul, N2EME, provided an introduction […]
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