FUNcube with HDSDR

As stated in the previous post, I now have the FUNcube working as recommended, with "WRplus" and Firmware 18f.

But, I like the "HDSDR" interface better than that provided by "WRplus". I use "HDSDR" for all other SDR projects and products (i.e, SoftRock).

HDSDR provides multiple VFO's (A and B), up to ten notch filters, and can displayed with other desktop windows.

So, while experimenting with FUNcube, I copied the "WRplus" suggested "ExtIO_FCD_GOMJW.dll" into the "HDSDR" program folder, and started the program.

To my pleasant surprise - it WORKED!

Also,  with more digits, "HDSDR" appears to tune the full range of the FUNcube (64 -1700MHz), above the "WRplus" limit of  999MHz. A signal source and more testing is needed.

Note: "HDSDR" and "WRplus" are both spin-offs or modification of the original "Winrad" program.

Unfortuantly via some of my experiments, I have messed-up (or reset) the I/Q balance parameters, therefore currently the decoding is not working very well - I just need to find more doc's to make the adjustments - more information will be posted here.

I still need to figure out how to calibrate the FUNcube LO - the NOAA Weather Station of 162.55MHz is reported 6kHz off frequency - more things to read and learn.

More experimentation is needed with HDSDR and FUNcube to verify they will really play together.

Currently all of my use of HDSDR and FUNcube is on MS Windows XP, my goal is to have all of this working on Ubuntu 10.10 workstation.


- Follow the FUNcube Label Link below to follow ALL of my FUNcube adventures.

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UPDATE:
I understand the WRplus is no longer available for Free, and older copies have now expired and no longer work.



-- Home Page: https://WA0UWH.blogspot.com

FUNcube - Fun

I got my FUNcube working with MS Windows XP using WRplus and Firmware 18f.

Now, changing the received frequency is a simple flick of the mouse wheel, while the cursor hovers over one of the LO frequency digits.

So now - the FUN begins!

The first test was to listen to the local 2m Repeater on 146.82MHz, and then the obligatory 162.55MHz NOAA Weather Station. For each the FUNcube reported the frequency was off by about 6kHz - which suggests that I need to Calibrate the FUNcube LO - just as soon as I figure out how with the new control interface?

I found the following Band Plan Chart useful while using the FUNcube.

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.pdf

With the wide receive frequency range (64 - 1700MHz) of the FUNcube you need a "Program" listing. I plan to collect detailed frequency listing as they are found.

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UPDATE

Jeff - KO7M, found this interesting Frequency Reference List for authorities and agencies around the country, it includes the Trunking Frequency Lists. 

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/

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UPDATE:

I understand the WRplus is no longer available for Free, and older copies have now expired and no longer work.

- Follow the FUNcube Label Link below to follow ALL of my FUNcube adventures.

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FUNcube - Fun

After the initial FUNcube test (see previous post) I wanted to try to find my cell phone transmitted signal.

But there are two problems;

• I do not know the transmitted frequency of the cell phone.
• And, searching for a signal within a 35MHz wide band while looking at just a 40kHz segment on the waterfall, is problematic. I just could not change the LO Frequency fast enough to make the search reasonable.

Finding a signal with a known frequency should and will be easy. But, finding a particular signal at a unknown frequency within the FUNcube's very wide frequency range (65MHz to 1.7GHz) will take some real effort.

I think my cell phone transmits on the 880MHz to 915MHz range - but I need to do some more Internet research. 

The digital cell phone signal can not be decoded into audio by the FUNcube, but it will make for an easy FUNcube demonstration using only a short wire antenna, once I find the right frequency.

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UPDATE

On MS Window XP, Setting the FUNcube LO Frequency Calibration from 999885 to 999854 corrected the previous erroneously reported FT-817 to 440.000480MHz, until I have something better for a Frequency Standard, this will do.

So far, I have not figured out how to set the FUNcube LO via Ubuntu 10.04 (the computer of choice).  The HDSDR program running via Wine, decodes the audio, but I can not set the LO Frequency.  Also, the FCHid.exe Control Program runs. but it can not find the FUNcube.

- Follow the FUNcube Label Link below to follow ALL of my FUNcube adventures.

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FUNcube

FUNcube - Received

My FUNcube - S/N 212 - was received today (near Seattle) after 10 days in route, see previous post for ordering adventure.

It came in a small static bag, within a neat little soap box (great idea), inside of a bubble wrap envelope, with lots of postage, routing and customs declaration stickers attached.

Within 15 minutes of arrival, I was listening via a short wire for and antenna.

I used the suggested "Windows full-on front end" - the "FUNcube Dongle Frequency Control" software to set the receive (LO) frequency, and I used the "HDSDR" program to view the waterfall and decode the audio. Note: without direct control of the LO from "HDSDR", it's reported frequency was manually set to match that of the FUNcube.

I connected my FT-817 to a shielded Dummy Load (several feet away), and tuned it to 440.000MHz. And then I quietly spoke the word "Test" into the microphone. About one second later my test word was heard on the computer speaker (the delay was the typical SDR decoding delay). The resulting waterfall erroneously indicated the FT-817 was on 439.9865MHz.

It looks like the first test was successful, but the FUNcube LO Frequency may need some calibration.


Now I need to work on building a real antenna, maybe a simple disk cone.

Just, more FUN(cube) and things to learn!


Thanks to: Howard!


- Follow the FUNcube Label Link below to follow ALL of my FUNcube adventures.

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FUNcube

I was one of the lucky ones.

The latest on-line FUNcube sale was to be held today, Friday 14, 2011 at exactly 20:00 UTC. As it turned out, all 100 available units were sold in about 90 seconds.

At 19:59:45 - I was ready:

• My computer clock was calibrated and in sync with the on-line time standard
• All unnecessary or extra windows and processes were removed from the computer
• My Paypal account was up-to-date
• The FUNcube "Buy It Now" page was on the screen
• My Paypal password was in the "Cut Buffer"

At 20:00:03 - I pressed the "button".

The results was a sale logged at 20:00:09, and a Paypal email receipt from "Hanlincrest Ltd" created at 20:00:34 !

I am sure many more FUNcubes could have be sold, if they had been available.

The FUNcube is a VHF/UHF (64MHz to 1.7GHz) Dongle SDR Receiver, see:

http://www.funcubedongle.com/

Now, I just have to wait for the postal service.


- Follow the FUNcube Label Link below to follow ALL of my FUNcube adventures.

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