[Flexradio] 100 Delta44 Interface kits to be shipped 9/26/05
Folks The first 100 kits will be shipped on 9/26/05. Took me a couple of days to get it all packaged, but packages are ready to go to the post office tomorrow. Some helpful hints and some simple assembly instructions will be posted on Dale's website in the very near future. The kits were 'dry assembled' to protect the pins on the audio connectors. and the smt parts carriers taped to the board. The exact number of filter and chip caps are included, so be very careful not to lose any of these parts in the carpet etc. http://flex-radio-friends.net/Upload/d44kit/D-44IntrfaceKits.JPG Dry assembled kits. More details to follow. I have another 50 Kits on order which should be available in early October. Thanks to all who participated in design and manufacture. Eric - AA4SW
[Flexradio] Flex Radio Coffee Mugs
Now this isn't radio or computer related but I've noticed that many ham shacks pictures show guys drinking coffee from mugs with their favorite radio manufacturers logo on it. They are usually simple 10 or 11 oz white ceramic mugs. Has there been any interest in such a thing? I sure would buy a couple! --Larry W8ER
[Flexradio] Receiver Sensitivity
Is there a simple way to confirm receiver sensitivity? My receiver front end seems to have lost sensitivity; I don't hear any change when switching Preamp from "Off" to "Low." There is a slight changefrom "off" to"Med." There is an very slight increase from "Med"to "High." However, "High" is down significantly from comparison with my FT-1000D (about 3-4 S units). The difference many times between hearing and not hearing. It's been my habit to disconnect the antenna when not using the radio. To trouble shoot, I've changed the entire antenna input (changes coax and switches / exchanged connections with the FT-1000D) line-up to the SDR with no change. My guess is the receiver front end (Preamp) is out. Using PowerSDRV1.4.5, Computer - Gateway 3.2 GHz with Delta-44 Thanks, Bob K8MLM
Re: [Flexradio] Receiver Sensitivity
John, I Tried different versions of PowerSDR... no difference in receiver sensitivity. SDR runs several S-units behind the FT-1000D. Now that I think back several weeks ago, when turning on the SDR, if the Preamp was in the "High" position, I had to first turn it to the "Mid" or lower position before I would hear anything from the radio. I thought it wasa software thing... It doesn't do it now. Bob In a message dated 9/25/2005 2:38:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, W5gi writes: 2 Things try a different version of Power SDR and A/B with FT1000. The SDR should to equal to or better than the Yaesu. I won't be on this afternoon due to a cocktail party from 4-6. 73, John
Re: [Flexradio] Flex Radio Coffee Mugs
Thanks Ken! I guess it bodes well for the Flex when the subject of postings turns to coffee mugs!! :-) Anybody beside me interested? Are there any objections to the use of the logo? Is it possible to get a good quality JPG of the logo? --Larry W8ER - Original Message - From: Ken N9VV [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Larry W8ER [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 12:17 PM Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex Radio Coffee Mugs Larry, a very generous ham had some made last year from http://www.iprint.com and they were beautifully done with a picture of the 3 board stack on one side and the Flex logo on the other. They sometimes have free shipping and as much as 30% off sales. Seems like a good company with reliable service. de Ken N9VV (slurp, slurp) Larry W8ER wrote: Now this isn't radio or computer related but I've noticed that many ham shacks pictures show guys drinking coffee from mugs with their favorite radio manufacturers logo on it. They are usually simple 10 or 11 oz white ceramic mugs. Has there been any interest in such a thing? I sure would buy a couple! --Larry W8ER ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] SDR1000 IQ Signal Recordings
Cecil, The wave files as recorded by the PowerSDR software does indeed take the raw audio straight from the radio and record it wideband (on RX -- it takes post filtered data on TX). What you are noticing is that the AGC is setup correctly for your system. This means that when a signal is not present, it doesn't add too much gain amplifying the noise. You can change the threshold for the max gain on the DSP tab of the setup form. Notice that if you raise it as high as it will go, you will be able to hear the noise. This is what you try to avoid especially in contests as it is fatiguing to listen to. Note that the flipside of this is that if you can't hear the noise, you probably won't be able to hear a really weak signal near the noise floor. So use your settings carefully. This is just one of the many ways that we can adapt software to perform just like the doctor (or the customer) ordered. Eric Wachsmann FlexRadio Systems -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of kd5nwa Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 6:31 PM To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Flexradio] SDR1000 IQ Signal Recordings I have a couple of simple questions to the group. I'm awaiting a SR-40 radio to come in, in the meantime I have setup several PC's to hook up the the radio, and I have installed the software. I noticed something funny last night, my other four PC's do the same thing. While listening to a IQ recording there is practically no noise at all, this a particular recording is of a 40 meter CW contest. Even when I tune in-between signals there is no noise. I played with the squelch settings, no change, the filters are off. My question is, when someone with a SDR1000 radio makes a recording does it record the raw band data, or does it record it after whatever filters the user has applied? I have several recordings and they are all the same, no noise. The funny thing is on the scope you can see noise and sometimes weak signals that rise about 4 to 7 db above the noise level and when you tune them you get nothing, no audio out, even when you can see a weak signal there. I'm using the version 1.4.4 with the Soft-Rock modifications, is there a bug where the squelch is on all the time? Setup; Dell Precision 220 2X Pentium III 512 Meg Ram Win2K SP4 .Net V1.1 SP1 DirectX 9 MDAC 2.8 SP1 Flex software with Soft-Rock patch V1.4.4 ASIO4All V1.8 (Latest), I tried ASIO and MME drivers, do difference. SB Live 24 (Pci), SB Live, SB Audigy 2 Zs, Built in SoundMax Digital Audio, I tried all these cards. The System is patched up with all the latest security patches from Microsoft. -- Cecil Bayona KD5NWA www.qrpradio.com I fail to see why doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results every time is insanity: I've almost proved it isn't; only a few more tests now and I'm sure results will differ this time ... ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
[Flexradio] SDR-1000 Net
The following stations checked into the SDR-1000 net at 1900Z on September 25, 2005. W5PNM K2LT W9DR DL2JA W4MO AA6FT K9LZJ Net Control. I hope to have my SDR on next week. 73, Hank K9LZJ
Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.
Hello Ahti! In my previous message the input signal specification should read: AKM (Asahi Kasei) recommends before the ADC (AK5394A) a balanced input buffer (NJM5534) that reduces the input signal from max ±12.7Vpp to ±2.4Vpp. Sorry for ignoring the + and - signs. Are you using a commercial soundcard that includes the AK5394A? If so, please tell me which one it is. 73, Lyle KK7P
Re: [Flexradio] SDR1000 IQ Signal Recordings
I came to a similar conclusion last night, the radio was acting like it's RF gain was way down. I discovered that by turning up the AGC gain I could hear the crud between signals. At first I turned it way up, but after a while it got old hearing all that noise, so I started turning it down a little bit at a time, until I arrived at a value that would let me hear weak signals yet barely hear the constant crud. That is a pretty nice feature, I have a FT-817 and one of it's failings is that the AGC cranks up the gain so high when there is no signal, that it drives crazy with all the noise. I resort to manual gain and you get a much nicer result. I've been playing with the settings on the software and cranked up the DSP buffer to 2048, that makes the filters really much sharper, yet it doesn't seem to eat too much more CPU time. The two displays are the ones that eat up the CPU. One more question; the ASIO4all has setting for using DMA for the transfers, I have not seen anything on it, it seems to cut down CPU usage by a few %, Is this recommended, using DMA on the sound card transfers? Thanks At 03:31 PM 9/25/2005, you wrote: Cecil, The wave files as recorded by the PowerSDR software does indeed take the raw audio straight from the radio and record it wideband (on RX -- it takes post filtered data on TX). What you are noticing is that the AGC is setup correctly for your system. This means that when a signal is not present, it doesn't add too much gain amplifying the noise. You can change the threshold for the max gain on the DSP tab of the setup form. Notice that if you raise it as high as it will go, you will be able to hear the noise. This is what you try to avoid especially in contests as it is fatiguing to listen to. Note that the flipside of this is that if you can't hear the noise, you probably won't be able to hear a really weak signal near the noise floor. So use your settings carefully. This is just one of the many ways that we can adapt software to perform just like the doctor (or the customer) ordered. Eric Wachsmann FlexRadio Systems SNIP -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.6/111 - Release Date: 9/23/2005 Cecil Bayona KD5NWA www.qrpradio.com I fail to see why doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results every time is insanity: I've almost proved it isn't; only a few more tests now and I'm sure results will differ this time ...
Re: [Flexradio] Flex Radio Coffee Mugs
Larry Take a close look at the pic of the D-44 kits. A FLEX radio mug! Check with Ken N9VV perhaps he can tell us where he had them made and how the art work was done. Eric From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Larry W8ER Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 11:06 AM To: Flex Reflector Subject: [Flexradio] Flex Radio Coffee Mugs Now this isn't radio or computer related but I've noticed that many ham shacks pictures show guys drinking coffee from mugs with their favorite radio manufacturers logo on it. They are usually simple 10 or 11 oz white ceramic mugs. Has there been any interest in such a thing? I sure would buy a couple! --Larry W8ER
Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.
Hello Lyle, Yes, my card is Waveterminal 192X from ESI (EGO Systems Inc.) http://www.esi-pro.com/contact.php It has the native ASIO 2.0 driver, too. Of course, the compatibility with SDR-1000 is not the best, but somehow I can manage with it. 73, Ahti OH2RZ - Original Message - From: Lyle Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Ahti Aintila [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Tayloe Dan-P26412 [EMAIL PROTECTED]; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 11:54 PM Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc. Hello Ahti! In my previous message the input signal specification should read: AKM (Asahi Kasei) recommends before the ADC (AK5394A) a balanced input buffer (NJM5534) that reduces the input signal from max ±12.7Vpp to ±2.4Vpp. Sorry for ignoring the + and - signs. Are you using a commercial soundcard that includes the AK5394A? If so, please tell me which one it is. 73, Lyle KK7P
[Flexradio] Delta 44 - Round 2 Orders
Folks Please use Dale WA8SRAs Website for placing orders for the Delta-44 interface card Round 2. I should have more boards and parts sometime first week in October. If you sent me an E-mail message, I have pre-entered you on Dales site but you will have to confirm your order there and make sure the addressing information is correct. The addressing was invaluable on the first round since I was able to make shipping labels very easily. Also it is a much better way to keep track of the orders. If you have interest in purchasing a Kit please use the website rather than E-mail to me. So far on the Round 2 I have DL1IK Burkhard DL9ZAQ Helmut K0PFX Mel K3PZ Paul KA8BVM Mark KC2EE Sid KD5NWA Ceicil N5MO David PA3DVA J. WA0JFS Richard I have will be ordering the other parts tomorrow. The price might be a little higher, since the volume is less. (not a quantum leap however). Dales Website: HTTP://www.hamsdr.com/ Log in with your username. If you dont have an account please create one. Use the Dropdown menu Projects - Delta44 Round 2. Thanks Eric AA4SW
[Flexradio] SQL in v1.4.5 doesn't work
Hi all, don.t know if this has been reported yet, but on my copy of 1.4.5 the squelch function doesn't seem to work. BTW, the agc is absolutely outstanding! 73 de Joe, AB1DO
[Flexradio] UDR - User Defined Radio
Folks This is just a statement of my motivation and the motivation of others like Tony KB9YIG, Phil VK6APH, Bill KD5TFD, Terry W0VB and other idea contributors. Since there are quite a number of new folks and I gather from some of the questions I have received for the D-44, there are some misunderstandings. I will give some history. In the early days when the core group of SDR enthusiasts gathered on Teamspeak and started tossing around hardware ideas, the group who became regulars and fantastic creators who assembled there, started hitting on hardware ideas to add to the of the SDR 1000 where we could. Kits like the QSD daughter card, Universal Controller Board, Parallel Port Booster, 10 Watt Amplifier, SoftRock40 and a few others resulted. Mostly Tony and I agreed that anything we came up with would be offered to Gerald K5SDR if he chose to market it, or if not, we would produce a kit of parts and offer them at Zero cost to those interested in purchasing. Tonys brilliant design expertise has really pulled all these ideas together and produced an end product which works. It was a thrill for me to go through the design and commentary process, in spite of the fact, I have little electronics expertise to contribute. I am basically a facilitator spending my children and granddchildrens inheritance, doing what I truly enjoy! This IS to me, ham radio at its best! This is in keeping with the contributory nature of the SDR-1000, which indeed, is a USER DEFINED RADIO. We the users have incredible talent to add to this already fine product, and advance it beyond original concept. Just the by-the-by in the past few days from Lyle Johnson, Dan Taloe, Jim Lux, Ahti and others are an example of the folks interested in the edge of technology. This IS to me, ham radio at its best! I figure that as long as I dont have a $grand$ or 2 in motion, at any given time, Ill just keep offereing stuff that I would like to own, to others of this fantastic, leading edge community. If it helps, or you feel it is worth it, pay, if not, keep it, and try the next kit and pay for that one. Guarantees dont get that much better than that! Thanks
Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.
Dan, You are failing to account for the bandwidth difference in the measurements. Blocking dynamic range in receivers is measured typically in 500Hz. Sound cards are typically measured in 20KHz, which puts your assumptions off by 16dB. Lynx sound cards will deliver around 117dB unweighted, which would put them at 133dB IN BAND blocking dynamic range. As I recall from memory, the Lynx cards will overdrive at around +24dBu or so. Once again, most users will agree that third order dynamic range is significantly more important than blocking dynamic range. You will hit third order limits on virtually all modern receivers before you hit blocking limits. 73, Gerald K5SDR -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Tayloe Dan-P26412 Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 4:25 PM To: Ahti Aintila; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc. This 29v pk-pk sound card range is the essence of my concern about sound cards. The gain must not be constant. Sound cards use A/D converter. The two best audio A/D converts I know of (and there may be others) are the Texas Instruments PCM1084 and the Wolfson WM8785 or WM876. The links for the data sheets can be found at: http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/pcm1804.pdf http://www.wolfson.co.uk/products/digital_audio/adcs/WM8785/ A sound card can be no better than it's A/D converter. Both of The above converters are very similar. The TI part, as specified on page 7, has an input range of +/-2.5v, centered around 2.5v or 5v peak to peak. This is the maximum input voltage to this ADC. Distortion + noise is rated at -101 db with an input at 0.5 db. Thus, the noise floor is about -100 db. Since the +/-2.5v input maximum is a level higher than a 0 db level, the dynamic range of the A/D converter is specified on page 7 as being 112 db (A weighted). Lets look at the Wolfson part. On page 6, the input rage of this part is specified to be 2v RMS which can also be expressed as +/-2.8v or 5.6v pk-pk. This seems a bit odd because the part has a supply voltage of only 5v, and I would not expect the input to be larger than the supply range. The distortion is -102 db (I am assuming this is distortion + noise), similar to the TI part, and the dynamic range is 111 db A weighted and 108 db non-weighted. The A weighted vs. non-weighted difference is probably significant since we probably use these in an unweighted manner. Thus the TI part is probably really a 109 db dynamic range part. Ideally, you should be able to get 6 db of range for every bit in the A/D converter. Thus, it would seem that 24 bit A/D converters would be capable of 144 db of dynamic range (there might be a n-1 factor in here, 138 db, I do not remember). This is obviously not the case with real converters. I have seen real converters approach this only when they are running very slow, such as a 10 Hz sampling rate. Since we want 48+ KHz sampling rates, we get less conversion accuracy and a smaller dynamic range. Thus, the range on either of these parts from the weak to the strongest signal than can be handled is 108 to 109 db. Thus, it is not possible for this A/D converter to have a blocking dynamic range greater than 112 db. Since the current SDR1000 implementation is a wide band receiver, meaning the A/D converter has no hardware filtering protection from large signals far away, the burden of receiver performance falls squarely on the A/D converter. If the A/D converter has a smallest signal to largest signal range of 108 to 112 db, then the receiver can do no better than this. Thus my comment on why it would be nice to have a sound card with 145 db of dynamic range. They do not exist because the very best A/D converters that the sound card uses can do no better than 108 to 109 db. A sound card is capable of reducing its gain when it sees a signal of 29v pk-pk, and increasing it gain when the signal is much smaller. However, the dynamic range, the ability to hear a weak signal in the presence of a large signal, does not change. It can be no better than 108 to 109 db in a wide band receiver such as the SDR1000. If the detector is good for 5v peak to peak, and the A/D converter is good for +/-2.5v signals, the best large signal performance would be to run with no gain at all. The problem would be an MDS of only -100 dbm, as the spec sheet indicates. A gain of at least 40 db would be required to lower the MDS down to -140 dbm. However, not matter what you do, the A/D converter still has only ~110 db of dynamic range. Thus, with an MDS of -140, I would expect blocking to occur with a signal any where with in +/- 100 KHz with a level of -30 dbm or more (110 db of dynamic range). Although I have found -140 dbm sensitivity to be useful on 20m on at least one occasion (I was comparing one of my homebrew DC rigs to a K2 capable of -136
