Re: [Flexradio] Fw: Re: PowerSDR 1.18.1 Release notes

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi!

Me too!
I like Janus/Ozy with SDR-1000. Should we just skip over versions
1.18.1 and upwards until version 1.20 release arrives?

Ahti OH2RZ


2009/6/22 keega...@juno.com :
> Hello,
>
> I also agree with Joe and Ronald.  I to use the Janus/Ozy sound card.   
> 1.18.0 works fine but 1.18.1 give and error about no audio devise.  In the 
> set up there is a selection for the Janus/Ozy set up.
>
> Bob
> AC8O
>
>
> -- Forwarded Message --
> From: "roland etienne" 
> To: "'Joe - AB1DO'" , 
> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] PowerSDR 1.18.1 Release notes
> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:34:58 +0200
>
> Hello,
>
> I think exactly the same as Joe, I use my SDR1000 with Ozy/Janus as sound
> card and control, and I am a bit frustrated as I cannot play with PowerSdr
> 1.18.1!
>
> What can I do?
>
> 73,
> Roland, f8chk.
>
>
> -Message d'origine-
> De : flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz
> [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] De la part de Joe - AB1DO
> Envoyé : lundi 22 juin 2009 21:09
> À : flexradio@flex-radio.biz
> Objet : Re: [Flexradio] PowerSDR 1.18.1 Release notes
>
> I noticed that in 1.18.1 support for HPSDR hardware has been removed in
> FlexRadio's official release. Although I certainly understand this from a
> commercial standpoint I would like to plead for one exception and that is
> the use of the Janus/Ozy sound card in combination with the SDR-1000. The
> reasons are the following:
>
> There are still SDR-1000 users out there and many have added the Janus/Ozy
> soundcard to add a superior ADC/DAC when compared to any audio device.
>
> Additionally, selecting Ozy as the control device enables the SDR-1000 user
> to replace all computer connections to the SDR-1000 with one single USB
> cable.
>
> Although HPSDR has gone on to develop several more cards, many SDR-1000
> users have only purchased the Janus/Ozy combo specifically for the purpose
> of enhancing their SDR-1000 experience. Especially when FlexRadio supported
> Janus/Ozy. Maintaining support for Janus/Ozy enables users to continue the
> enhanced experience of a FlexRadio device (SDR-1000), sustains FlexRadio's
> statement of supporting all legacy devices as PowerSDR develops and may even
>
> lead to future upgrades (FLEX 3000/FLEX-5000A). Although Janus/Ozy were not
> developed by FlexRadio, nor were any of the other sound cards and Janus/Ozy
> was (is?) a "supported sound card" if I'm not mistaken. At least, it is
> still in the list of sound cards to select in PowerSDR's start-up wizard
> (but selecting it seads to a PortAudio error).
>
> Cernatinly, an HPSDR version of PowerSDR is available elsewhere (where?),
> which is great for those interested in HPSDR. But SDR-1000 users are
> interested in FlexRadio - and why drive such users away from FlexRAdio
> towards HPSDR?
>
> 73 de Joe - AB1DO
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Tim Ellison" 
> To: ; 
> Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 13:37
> Subject: [Flexradio] PowerSDR 1.18.1 Release notes
>
>
>> It is recommended that everyone should review the PowerSDR release notes
>> before installing a release.  If there are dependencies or caveats, they
>> are noted there.  For PowerSDR 1.18.1, the Release Notes are found here in
>
>> the Knowledge Center.
>> http://kc.flex-radio.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50419.aspx
>>
>>
>> -Tim
>> -
>> W4TME
>>
>>
>>
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Re: [Flexradio] K-3 setup vs Flex setup

[Ahti Aintila]

Thank you Lee for bringing up this valuable feature of the Flex and
other SDR equipment. Proper use of compression (or clipping) together
with equalizers and filters makes high power amplifiers unnecessary in
many cases. Try this concept and you'll find that you can manage in DX
pileups with much less of output power. The DSP can make this function
better than those clumsy hard wired processors of the yesteryears.
Since some time already I'm using 10 W only.

Please, don't pollute the scarce nature's resource, the
electromagnetic spectrum. Save and use small and smart power on HF
rather than heat waves on the infrared bands. ;-)

73, Ahti OH2RZ


2009/3/18 Lee A Crocker :
> Ahti OH2RZ recently sent a link to an article that looked at the K3 speech 
> processor.
>
> http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/elecraft_k3_speech_processing.htm
>
> I found it interesting you need a room full of test equipment to analyze the 
> K-3's performance.  With the Flex radios you need to turn on the bandscope, 
> and use the recorder.
>
> Here are a couple my blog entries that look at the versatility of the Flex 
> system
>
> http://w9oy-sdr.blogspot.com/2009/02/audio-2.html
>
> http://w9oy-sdr.blogspot.com/2009/03/vomax-schmomax-gimme-equation.html
>
> http://w9oy-sdr.blogspot.com/2009/03/recording.html
>
> The article on the compander is how the Flex does its processing.  The others 
> do not address the issue directly but show how easy it is to analyze your 
> signal.
>
> 73  W9OY
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Upgrades and bug fixes to test

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Phil and Bob,

2009/3/18 Phil Harman :
> Hi Bob,
>
> Just tried the latest test code. A HUGE improvement in the AGC performance -
> sounds just great - many thanks.
>
> Now, about the speech compressor.. :)

... or clipper?! See these interesting measurements of K3:
http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com:80/elecraft_k3_speech_processing.htm

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] Couple questions about Option>Window Filtering Algorithms

[Ahti Aintila]

I like the Blackman-Harris as the best "general purpose" window.

Ahti OH2RZ


2009/3/6 richard allen :
> Also, the windowing functions are done in the time domain before the fft 
> produces the frequency domain.  The window is a set of points that the time 
> domain sample set is multiplied by.  The rectangular window is a set of
> 1's.  The others have various shapes.
>
> Again, you'll not be able to hear the differences as they are ONLY applied to 
> the data that is going to the display.
>
> Richard W5SXD
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] blown SDR-1000 final opamp

[Ahti Aintila]

Gerd,

I completely agree with you. Nevertheless, the following excerpt from
the data sheet may help understanding the instability problems:

DRIVING CAPACITIVE LOADS
One of the most demanding and yet very common load
conditions for an op amp is capacitive loading. Often, the
capacitive load is the input of an analog-to-digital (A/D)
converterçincluding additional external capacitance that
may be recommended to improve the A/D converter linearity.
A high-speed, high open-loop gain amplifier like the
OPA2674 can be very susceptible to decreased stability
and closed-loop response peaking when a capacitive load
is placed directly on the output pin. When the amplifier
open-loop output resistance is considered, this capacitive
load introduces an additional pole in the signal path that
can decrease the phase margin. Several external solutions
to this problem have been suggested.
When the primary considerations are frequency response
flatness, pulse response fidelity, and/or distortion, the simplest
and most effective solution is to isolate the capacitive
load from the feedback loop by inserting a series isolation
resistor between the amplifier output and the capacitive
load. This does not eliminate the pole from the loop response,
but rather shifts it and adds a zero at a higher frequency.
The additional zero acts to cancel the phase lag
from the capacitive load pole, thus increasing the phase
margin and improving stability. The Typical Characteristics
show the Recommended RS vs Capacitive Load and the
resulting frequency response at the load. Parasitic capacitive
loads greater than 2pF can begin to degrade the performance
of the OPA2674. Long PC board traces, unmatched
cables, and connections to multiple devices can
easily cause this value to be exceeded. Always consider
this effect carefully, and add the recommended series resistor
as close as possible to the OPA2674 output pin (see
the Board Layout Guidelines section).

BOARD LAYOUT GUIDELINES
Achieving optimum performance with a high-frequency
amplifier like the OPA2674 requires careful attention to
board layout parasitic and external component types. Recommendations
that optimize performance include:
a) Minimize parasitic capacitance to any AC ground for
all of the signal I/O pins. Parasitic capacitance on the output
and inverting input pins can cause instability; on the
noninverting input, it can react with the source impedance
to cause unintentional band limiting. To reduce unwanted
capacitance, a window around the signal I/O pins should
be opened in all of the ground and power planes around
those pins. Otherwise, ground and power planes should
be unbroken elsewhere on the board.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 10/12/2008, Gerd Loch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I have accidentially made all sorts of mismatching the output from my
> OPA2674 and never have blown it.
> Running audio with Ozy/Janus and more than 1W rf-output. Maybe the reason is
> that you have overdriven the audio input.
>
> Gerd, DJ8AY
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Pete Ferrand
> Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:16 AM
> To: Ahti Aintila
> Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] blown SDR-1000 final opamp
>
>
>
> Ahti:
>
> Thank you for taking the time to reply. My radio has the OPA2674 and that is
> what it had originally. The issue is not one of a short circuit, but most
> probably one of dealing with a high impedance load which would send the
> voltage up beyond what the part can handle. At least that's what I'm
> guessing; I'm not sure of the correct troubleshooting procedure for this
> kind of fault.
>
> My hope was that someone has figured out how to make the circuit more robust
> but since yours was the only reply and there's no mention of it in the
> archives I suppose that hasn't happened.
>
> 73,
> -Pete
> WB2QLL
> Somers, WI
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -Original Message-
>>From: Ahti Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Sent: Dec 9, 2008 4:54 AM
>>To: Pete Ferrand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
>>Subject: Re: [Flexradio] blown SDR-1000 final opamp
>>
>>Pete,
>>The very old SDR-1000 units have OPA2677 as the final amplifier and
>>cannot stand short circuit. The newer radios use OPA2674 that has
>>internal short circuit protection. Anyhow, ask Flex people directly,
>>they know better the difficulties with some of the first  production
>>units.
>>
>>73, Ahti OH2RZ
>>
>>On 09/12/2008, Pete Ferrand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Some months ago I blew the final opamp in my 1W SDR-1000 whilst
>>> matching it to a linear. Wasn't happy about that but since I
>>> accidentally 

Re: [Flexradio] blown SDR-1000 final opamp

[Ahti Aintila]

Pete, Dudley,

I used protection circuit outside the SDR-1000 in the both audio
cables. It was with a 100 ohm current limiting resistor and two
opposite parallel connected strings of 3 silicon diodes (1N4148).
Nominally this limits the input voltage to 2.1Vpp.

In my case also the unit from the first production run showed
parasitic oscillations that were cured by grinding off some copper
foil around the input/output pads to reduce the ground capacitance.
Additional 3 units from the later production runs are completely
stabile.

Ahti


On 10/12/2008, Pete Ferrand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Ahti, Dudley:
>
> I'm using a Delta 44. That's interesting, I had been thinking the amp failed
> due to output issues as I've rarely seen opamps fail due input drive
> problems. I hadn't checked the circuit but in most designs the would have
> been limited at some earlier stage.
>
> Ahti, how did you set up the diodes? Back to back from the high side of the
> input transformer to ground, or across the differential inputs or?
>
> While this is an easy fix to implement and does make the circuit more robust
> as I asked I doubt it will fix the issue. I will give it a try though.
>
> In both cases where the chip failed the drive setting was less than 10 and
> the rig was in "tune" mode for a few seconds. In addition, for the almost
> half year I've had this working the rig was terminated in a 50 ohm resistor
> in the linear. In both cases where it failed the radio was working into some
> other load.
>
> If it's extreme swr sensitivity or possibly parasitics I can guess at the
> causes but I do not know what the logical troubleshooting procedure would
> be.
>
> -Pete
>
>
>
>
>
> -Original Message-
>>From: Ahti Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Sent: Dec 9, 2008 11:54 PM
>>To: Dudley Hurry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Cc: Pete Ferrand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, flexradio@flex-radio.biz
>>Subject: Re: [Flexradio] blown SDR-1000 final opamp
>>
>>Dudley and Pete,
>>
>>The absolute maximum differential input voltage for OPA2674 is
>>+/-1.2V. For that reason I used clamping diodes for protection in one
>>instrumentation application of SDR-1000 when I was not sure the
>>operators remember to keep the sound card output at reasonable level.
>>Be careful though not to distort the signal.
>>
>>73, Ahti OH2RZ
>>
>>
>>On 10/12/2008, Dudley Hurry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>> Pete,
>>>
>>> You did not mention what sound card you are using,  but if the sound
>>> card output is too high you can easily overdrive the low level driver,
>>> particularly the PreSonus can drive more than 4 volts peak to peak..
>>>
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Dudley
>>>
>>> WA5QPZ
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Pete Ferrand wrote:
>>>> Ahti:
>>>>
>>>> Thank you for taking the time to reply. My radio has the OPA2674 and
>>>> that
>>>> is what it had originally. The issue is not one of a short circuit, but
>>>> most probably one of dealing with a high impedance load which would send
>>>> the voltage up beyond what the part can handle. At least that's what I'm
>>>> guessing; I'm not sure of the correct troubleshooting procedure for this
>>>> kind of fault.
>>>>
>>>> My hope was that someone has figured out how to make the circuit more
>>>> robust but since yours was the only reply and there's no mention of it
>>>> in
>>>> the archives I suppose that hasn't happened.
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> -Pete
>>>> WB2QLL
>>>> Somers, WI
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -Original Message-
>>>>
>>>>> From: Ahti Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>>>> Sent: Dec 9, 2008 4:54 AM
>>>>> To: Pete Ferrand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>>>> Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] blown SDR-1000 final opamp
>>>>>
>>>>> Pete,
>>>>> The very old SDR-1000 units have OPA2677 as the final amplifier and
>>>>> cannot stand short circuit. The newer radios use OPA2674 that has
>>>>> internal short circuit protection. Anyhow, ask Flex people directly,
>>>>> they know better the difficulties with some of the first  production
>>>>> units.
>&g

Re: [Flexradio] blown SDR-1000 final opamp

[Ahti Aintila]

Dudley and Pete,

The absolute maximum differential input voltage for OPA2674 is
+/-1.2V. For that reason I used clamping diodes for protection in one
instrumentation application of SDR-1000 when I was not sure the
operators remember to keep the sound card output at reasonable level.
Be careful though not to distort the signal.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 10/12/2008, Dudley Hurry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Pete,
>
> You did not mention what sound card you are using,  but if the sound
> card output is too high you can easily overdrive the low level driver,
> particularly the PreSonus can drive more than 4 volts peak to peak..
>
>
> 73,
> Dudley
>
> WA5QPZ
>
>
>
> Pete Ferrand wrote:
>> Ahti:
>>
>> Thank you for taking the time to reply. My radio has the OPA2674 and that
>> is what it had originally. The issue is not one of a short circuit, but
>> most probably one of dealing with a high impedance load which would send
>> the voltage up beyond what the part can handle. At least that's what I'm
>> guessing; I'm not sure of the correct troubleshooting procedure for this
>> kind of fault.
>>
>> My hope was that someone has figured out how to make the circuit more
>> robust but since yours was the only reply and there's no mention of it in
>> the archives I suppose that hasn't happened.
>>
>> 73,
>> -Pete
>> WB2QLL
>> Somers, WI
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -Original Message-
>>
>>> From: Ahti Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>> Sent: Dec 9, 2008 4:54 AM
>>> To: Pete Ferrand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>> Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
>>> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] blown SDR-1000 final opamp
>>>
>>> Pete,
>>> The very old SDR-1000 units have OPA2677 as the final amplifier and
>>> cannot stand short circuit. The newer radios use OPA2674 that has
>>> internal short circuit protection. Anyhow, ask Flex people directly,
>>> they know better the difficulties with some of the first  production
>>> units.
>>>
>>> 73, Ahti OH2RZ
>>>
>>> On 09/12/2008, Pete Ferrand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Some months ago I blew the final opamp in my 1W SDR-1000 whilst matching
>>>> it
>>>> to a linear. Wasn't happy about that but since I accidentally hooked up
>>>> the
>>>> attenuator resistors wrong I wasn't too surprised since the rig saw a
>>>> very
>>>> high impedance. Worked fine ever since.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately I'm less happy about blowing the amp this morning, about a
>>>> half year after that first incident, whilst trying it on six meters for
>>>> the
>>>> first time. Without the linear which doesn't cover six. Just wanted to
>>>> see
>>>> if I could work a couple locals. As far as the MFJ-269 showed there was
>>>> a
>>>> perfect match into the ATU but when I increased the power beyond about a
>>>> tenth of a watt output the opamp popped again.
>>>>
>>>> Besides the time and money aspect, the circuit board clearly can't take
>>>> a
>>>> lot of parts replacements.
>>>>
>>>> Has anyone figured out how better to protect this part? Or some better
>>>> solution. This is a four stack including the rfe board, older version
>>>> with
>>>> nylon spacers.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> -Pete
>>>> WB2QLL
>>>> Somers, WI
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>> http://www.flex-radio.com/
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
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Re: [Flexradio] blown SDR-1000 final opamp

[Ahti Aintila]

Pete,
The very old SDR-1000 units have OPA2677 as the final amplifier and
cannot stand short circuit. The newer radios use OPA2674 that has
internal short circuit protection. Anyhow, ask Flex people directly,
they know better the difficulties with some of the first  production
units.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

On 09/12/2008, Pete Ferrand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Some months ago I blew the final opamp in my 1W SDR-1000 whilst matching it
> to a linear. Wasn't happy about that but since I accidentally hooked up the
> attenuator resistors wrong I wasn't too surprised since the rig saw a very
> high impedance. Worked fine ever since.
>
> Unfortunately I'm less happy about blowing the amp this morning, about a
> half year after that first incident, whilst trying it on six meters for the
> first time. Without the linear which doesn't cover six. Just wanted to see
> if I could work a couple locals. As far as the MFJ-269 showed there was a
> perfect match into the ATU but when I increased the power beyond about a
> tenth of a watt output the opamp popped again.
>
> Besides the time and money aspect, the circuit board clearly can't take a
> lot of parts replacements.
>
> Has anyone figured out how better to protect this part? Or some better
> solution. This is a four stack including the rfe board, older version with
> nylon spacers.
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Pete
> WB2QLL
> Somers, WI
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] 40m QRM

[Ahti Aintila]

David,
If you are using any UPS equipment or any other switched mode power
supplies, try to switch them off.

Ahti OH2RZ

On 29/11/2008, David Beumer W0DHB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Folks
>
>
>
> I'm trying to track down the source of some nasty QRM that appears as an
> 4khz wide carrier that meanders through 40m with 2nd ,3rd and 4th harmonics
> on 20, 15 and 10.  I've got a screen shot of waterfalls of 40m (Top) and
> 20m(bottom) showing the signal at URL:  www.wa3fdb.net/40mQRM.htm
>
>
>
> I'd appreciate any clues as to what it is .. I don't believe it is anything
> internal to the 5000A.
>
>
>
> It is strong enough on 20 m that it prevents digital mode reception.
>
>
>
> I'm located about 40 miles NNW of Denver, grid DN70kc .
>
>
>
> I'm also checking with folks in a 10 mile radius or so to see if they can
> hear and/or see it.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Dave - W0DHB
>
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Re: [Flexradio] K9DUR Voice Keyer v1.1

[Ahti Aintila]

On 01/07/2008, Ray, K9DUR <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Version 1.1 of my voice keyer program is now available for download from my
> web site:
>
>  http://www/qsl.net/k9dur/downloads.htm
>
Hi Ray,

Thank you for the useful info. This is the correct URL:
http://www.qsl.net/k9dur/downloads.htm

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] K8RA P4 Paddle with Flex5000

[Ahti Aintila]

On 26/06/2008, Jim Lux <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>> The key words when working with relays are debouncing, contact
>> "wetting" currents and contamination control of contact materials.
>> Contrary to the common belief, silver is not the best material for low
>> voltage contacts (<24 V) due to the high breakover voltage  of the
>> naturally developing silver oxide and silver sulphide layers. Gold
>> works much better with low voltages and low wetting currents, but is
>> suspectible to mechanical wear. Use vacuum protected read relay
>> contacts whenever applicable.
>
> I hadn't ever thought about it before, but devising a rock solid
> interface to any sort of contacts that someone might hook up to it is
> quite an engineering challenge.  Usually, you're designing for some
> small subset, or you actually get to pick the contacts.
>
> I'd guess that you want a fairly decent voltage (12Vish) with a decent
> current (10mA), but your input circuit also needs to tolerate
> transient voltages, etc.
>
> Something like an Optoisolator diode with an optional pullup
> (which is what they use on a lot of industrial PLCs).  That would give
> you galvanic isolation, too, which is nice.
>
> Jim
>
Jim,
Optoisolator is a good solution, but even those need some kind of
debouncing circuitry, as well as reed relays (sorry for my earlier
mispelling: "read relay"!).

Ahti

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Re: [Flexradio] K8RA P4 Paddle with Flex5000

[Ahti Aintila]

On 26/06/2008, Jim Lux <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> One should also distinguish between problems in the software running
> in the PC (which your problem almost certainly is not) and the
> firmware running inside the 5000 (which actually does the interface
> to the key and debounces it, turning it into MIDI note messages) or
> the hardware interface in the 5000 from the key to the microcontroller.
>
> This kind of thing is *hard* to make work universally, since there
> are a plethora of contact closure devices out there.  Even when you
> control the hardware for something as simple as a keypad on a piece
> of equipment, it can take a while to get it right.
>
> As noted, it might be an electrical issue (contact resistance, amount
> of current or voltage, etc.), although, one would think, given the
> enormous number of solid state keyers out there, that the interface
> circuitry is pretty standardized by now. So, it might be a subtle
> timing thing in the firmware (which is closed source for regulatory
> reasons) and is difficult to reliably reproduce (I'm pretty sure that
> the folks at flex tried a bunch of different keys and keyers on it).
>
> It could even be a RF interference thing (I assume you've tried it
> running the rig into a dummy load, though).
>
> The original SDR1000 used a network with a 1K pullup to 5V, a 16K
> pulldown to ground, with a 0.1 uF cap and a forward biased diode
> across the 16K feeding a 74HC14 Schmitt trigger, which then fed the
> parallel printer port (a LS245 or LS374, typically) and using one of
> the lines as an interrupt input.
>
> So, on the SDR1K, you'd have about 0.7V across the open circuit
> contacts, and about 5mA current when closed.  The time constant is on
> the order of 100 microseconds.
>
> I don't recall, off hand, what sort of software debouncing is done in
> PowerSDR for the SDR1K.
>
>
> I don't have the F5K schematic, so I don't know what sort of
> conditioning or input circuit they use.
>
Jim gave a good list. I agree, SDR1k has a pretty reliable contact
interface. Read also this: http://www.vias.org/feee/switches_03.html
This gives the basic understanding to the designers of
electromechanical contacts and the designers of interface between
contacts and electronic circuits.

The key words when working with relays are debouncing, contact
"wetting" currents and contamination control of contact materials.
Contrary to the common belief, silver is not the best material for low
voltage contacts (<24 V) due to the high breakover voltage  of the
naturally developing silver oxide and silver sulphide layers. Gold
works much better with low voltages and low wetting currents, but is
suspectible to mechanical wear. Use vacuum protected read relay
contacts whenever applicable.

Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] articulation and bandwidth

[Ahti Aintila]

Peter, Tim and All,

My settings for Elecraft K3 TX equalizer are following for high
noise/DX pileup conditions:
50 Hz -16 dB
100 Hz   -16 dB
200 Hz   -12 dB
400 Hz   ±0 dB
800 Hz   + 9 dB
1200 Hz +16 dB
2400 Hz +16 dB
3200 Hz -16 dB
After that there is 2,7 kHz "roofing" filter. The compression setting
is put to the maximum 30.
I have used similar kind of settings also for SDR-1000. I'm using a
dynamic  microphone with a practically flat frequency response.
Remember however, that the optimal settings depend on the personal
voice. Remember also that these settings are not for HiFi, but only
for efficient punch with limited TX power and bandwidth through high
noise and QRM.

Since 1970's Im using same kind of equalizer settings together with
the old fashioned "RF-clipper" during the years in all of my heavily
modified analog "rice box" radios and I'm usually getting easily
through the pileups with only 100 W output power. Now the DSP can do
the same thing much better and in a more elegant way.

Please, read the KB articles Tim is referring to:
 http://support.flex-radio.com/Downloads.aspx?fn=speech-processing.pdf
 http://support.flex-radio.com/Downloads.aspx?fn=filter-clipped-speech.pdf
(Thanks Tim for putting those articles to the KB!)

73, Ahti OH2RZ


2008/6/5 Tim Ellison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
> Ahhh Grasshopper.  The KB is all knowing.  It should have all that your heart 
> desires.
>
> http://kb.flex-radio.com/article.aspx?id=10343
>
>
>
> -Tim
>
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Peter G. 
> Viscarola
> Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 3:42 PM
> To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] articulation and bandwidth
>
>
> I've been following the discussion of SSB intelligibility with much interest.
>
> While I don't think I'm game for reading the journal articles, I *would* 
> appreciate some practical EQ advice... I think I heard somebody say "cut at 
> 150" and also "bump at 2300" (was it)??
>
> I'm not asking for a prescription, obviously, but I know it'd help ME to get 
> some starting values,
>
> de Peter K1PGV
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] The inherent muddiness of typical amateur transceiver

[Ahti Aintila]

>>> On 6/3/08, Brian C <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:>
>>>
 That said, everyone knows wider bandwidths should not be employed on very 
 crowded amateur bands, nonetheless, the key to intelligibility and 
 fidelity is  b a n d w i d t h.

Hi all,
Actually, IARU recommends max. bandwidth of 2700 Hz on ham bands below
28 MHz. If you obey the rules and don't want to drown the information
content of your transmission into the mud, you better equalize your
signal in a smart way. I apologize for referring again to these two
old and good articles that every phone (SSB) operator should read and
understand:
http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf
http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/speechproc.pdf

Of course those articles discuss analog signal processing, but the
same ideas apply to the DSP radios as well - actually much better.
Study the TX equalizer and compressor setup possibilities of PowerSDR
of Flex and K3 of Elecraft. It is really a pity that the both
manufacturers have not given any recommended (default) SSB equalizer
settings along the principles discussed in the given articles.

Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] SSB Tx Audio Punch

[Ahti Aintila]

On 05/01/2008, Greg - ZL3IX <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I am still using a very old SVN with my HPSDR, so have not experienced
> these recent problems.  Personally, I am in favour of using the envelope
> tracker, which I believe is implemented in COMP, rather than CPDR.  The
> envelope tracker seems to be the closest we get to analogue RF clipping,
> which is still my favourite.  I do not like companding, as it is very
> difficult to obtain enough compression without introducing harmonic
> distortion, which detracts from intelligibility on DX contacts.
>
> I am toying with the idea of not using any compression with PowerSDR,
> and using an outboard RF clipper, either analogue RF, or possibly the
> software version by Alex, VE3NEA.  Unfortunately, my own coding skills
> are not adequate, or I would be writing a DSP version of an RF clipper
> myself, and offering it to the project.  Does anyone with better skills
> than mine feel like trying that?
>
> 73, Greg, ZL3IX

Greg,

Unfortunately I am in the same situation with you - no software
skills. Since early 70's I'm using so called RF clipper (home built)
in the IF chain of all Japanese transceivers I have had. So far some
earlier and short transmitting trials have not made me convinced about
the correct function of the SSB process of the PowerSDR, so I have
refused to use otherwise so excellent SDR-1000 for transmitting. I
want to admit, that during the last few months I have not tried any
new SVNs.

However, after some private communication with John, W5GI, I believe
that FlexRadio finally understands what kind of "DX-sound" we need and
want. Maybe, SVN1875 already is good. I am still waiting that the
version will be reasonably bugfree and suggested settings will be
given with good explanations in the Knowledge Base.

Just some more patience and FlexRadio will do that!

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] 11kHz DC noise

[Ahti Aintila]

On 26/10/2007, Gerald Capodieci <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I apologize for being so late with this question or to repeat it again but, 
> please someone point me to a definition of  11kHz DC noise and what problem 
> it causes. I'm sure I have the problem too. I just don't recognize it.
>  Thanks - Jerry

Jerry,

Some sound cards or SDR-1000/sound card combinations have very low
frequency noise or hum (or even some small DC offset). That causes a
hump on the left end of the Panadaptor noise floor (11.025 kHz down
from your reception frequency in the older versions of PowerSDR or 9
kHz with the new PowerSDR). You may not see it, if your sound card has
48 kHz (or lower) sampling frequency, because it is outside your
Panadaptor range. Switch on 96 or 192 kHz sampling, if your sound card
can do it, then you may see it.

In most cases this hump is just a cosmetic fault and does not make any
harm to your normal bandwidth operation. If you want to get rid of the
hump, buy the Flex-5000 or use HPSDR's Janus/Ozy combination with the
SDR-1000 to replace the sound card.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] New Bandplan effective Jan 2008

[Ahti Aintila]

Jon,

Take it positively. Isn't it good that you have the excellent digital
filters in your Flex Radio? With the 2.4 kHz SSB filter you can pass
safely your 300 Hz to 2.7 kHz audio modulation to the ionosphere and
rest safe that you don't splatter around with your unnecessarily broad
transmission and disturb your fellow hams on the neighboring channels.

And by the way, I really wonder that some still, after more than 60
years of amateur SSB, want to use double sideband with full carrier
outside anywhere else than in Faraday cages of some Radio Museums.

Best regards from the RF-congested Europe,
Ahti OH2RZ


On 17/10/2007, K6JEK <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> That band plan is a really awful thing.   Why have a Flex Radio?  The
> plan calls for 2.7 kHz SSB bandwidth and 6 kHz AM (and not much of
> that).  You sure don't need a Flex radio to do that.
>
> Perhaps we can derail this thing.
>
> Jon
>
> On Oct 16, 2007, at 6:35 PM, KQ8RP wrote:
>
> > Sure glad I own a SDR!!
> >
> > http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=3&t=171194
> >
> >
> > Scott Gordon
> > Phone: (888) 428-6622
> > Fax (866) 505-7171
> > http://www.srgproperty.com
> > -- next part --
> > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> > URL: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
> > attachments/20071016/4bbdb970/attachment.html
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> >
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Re: [Flexradio] Prototype VFO Dial

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Bill,

Great idea to make it a real product! That will have a lot of
customers, I believe, because: a) SDR needs at least one knob, b) I
have three years' successful experience of this concept.

I modified a Logitech USB mouse wheel like this picture shows:
http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/VFOknob.jpg

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 28/08/07, FireBrick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> If you have been reading my posts re: struggling to develope a system where
> I can return to contesting as I did before venturing into the realm of SDR.
>
> I've had mixed results trying to be a 'Two Handed Contester'.
>
> Today, I developed a new approach, by building a vfo type dial that mimics
> the big hardbox radios to some degree. By applying some Green Technology and
> a product from 3M, I think this will work.
>
> I have a working prototype and a production design version available for
> your study and suggestions.
>
> They can be viewed at www.qsl.net/w9ol/FODial.zip
>
> I can take preproduction orders.
>
>
> -
> West Virginia State Motto: One Big Happy Family. Really!
> -
>
> Bill H. in Chicagoland
> webcams at http://76.16.160.118:8080/
> weather at http://hhweather.webhop.org
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] USB-parallel drop out.

[Ahti Aintila]

David,

Perhaps a heavy common mode choke at both ends of your USB-to-parallel
cable will help. See:
http://kb.flex-radio.com/article.aspx?id=10273&cNode=8F5A7W

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 06/08/07, David Hilton-Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I know that this issue has been raised before but would appreciate hearing 
> peoples solutions.
>
> My PC (Dell E521) doesn't have a parallel port. It has only two PCI slots - 
> one is used for a modem (we live too far away from the exchange and can't get 
> Broadband so have dial-up!), the other for the Delta 44.
>
> So, I use the Flexradio supplied USB-parallel adaptor. It is a pain! Even 
> when not using the computer for any other purpose, the adaptor may drop out. 
> Power SDR then has to be shut down and restarted, and told the adaptor is in 
> place. If you don't shut it down, but just go to Setup, it won't accept 
> ticking the adaptor box.
>
> Any tips/tricks gratefully received.
>
> 73
>
> David, G4YTL
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] 10 Meter Sensitivity SDR-1000

[Ahti Aintila]

Larry,

My personal experience and preference for a 10 meter receiver is the
noise figure of about 7 dB. That means -140 dBm noise level @ 500 Hz
bandwidth. You possibly need a preamplifier for the weak 10 m signals
during clear and cold winter days.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 05/07/07, Larry W8ER <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I have been experimenting with an old Collins 75A2 and the SDR-1000 on
> 10 meters. I was listening to a QSO on 29.00 and copying 100% with the
> A2. I decided to switch to the Flex and was surprised to not hear the
> QSO at all!
>
> I brought in an IFR-1200 to check the sensitivity of each and generating
> a -73 dbm signal, I saw the s-meter read S9 on the Flex. That's exactly
> what I would have expected had not the performance been so different on
> a real antenna. My noise level is between -130 and -120 dbm on the Flex.
> Dropping the generated signal to -110dbm found that the Flex could only
> barely hear the presence of the IFR carrier but the A2 had a noticeable
> quieting in the speaker as I tuned across the signal. I can only assume
> similar results on the 6 meter band.
>
> A buddy with  an SDR-1000 has noticed the same thing by comparing 10
> meter signals on his TS-870.
>
> Am I doing doing something wrong or expecting the wrong results? Should
> I be looking for a preamp? The 10 meter band is beginning to open and
> I'd love to rack up some DX but I'm afraid the SDR-1000 won't hear it alone.
>
> --Larry W8ER
>
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Re: [Flexradio] audio punch

[Ahti Aintila]

John, Gerald and All,

John is right about the commercial broadcast like frequency response
of the SDR-1000 transmitter.

Instead of John's statement about the traditional amateur radios, I
would like to say that in their frequency response basses are already
somewhat attenuated, which means that the higher frequencies are
pre-emphasized up to a certain corner frequency, beyond which the
frequency response goes down rapidly.

That will add the audio punch, which I like. I sincerely believe that
this is also the explanation what Stig was asking for. Another
additional property of the SDR-1000 decreasing the "punch", is
obviously the accurate "feed forward" control of the peak power that
prevents transmitting signal going to the clipping level.

As you know, software defined radios can be put to different tasks. To
me it is mostly a measurement instrument like a spectrum analyzer and
an excellen receiver - especially having now the Janus/Ozy connected
to the radio. Sometimes I would like to use it also as an efficient
ham band transmitter, but according to my (not so humble) opinion Flex
has so far almost completely ignored the needs of serious DX hunters
by delaying the introduction of a multichannel equalizer combined to a
feed forward compressor that was already started almost four years ago
by the initiation of Phil Harman.

I think, it is a shame, if Flex-5000 will be entered to the
marketplace without at least a promise of a quick update to this
optional feature.

My very best regards to all and especially to Gerald,
Ahti OH2RZ


On 04/06/07, John P Basilotto W5GI <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> It simply is in the adjustments. Traditional amateur radios have
> pre-emphasis in the audio, i.e there is a certain amount of bass already
> there. The SDR1K is flat as a pancake. When you add bass, either externally
> or with the built-in EQ, you are simply adding pre-emphasis.
>
> The SDR1k was designed to be flat just like a commercial broadcast
> transmitter.
>
> John P. Basilotto
> W5GI
> Marketing and Product Manager
> FlexRadio Systems
> 512-535-5266
>
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Stig Rasmussen
> Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 1:28 PM
> To: Ahti Aintila; Dale Boresz
> Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] audio punch
>
> Hello, please stop this. :-)
> I dont want any discussion around ESSB / and or DX-pileups modulation. Whats
> best etc.
> My point is only to state the fact that SDR-1000 handle bass-less modulation
> much
> less punchy than other traditional transceivers, f.example my TS-870 or
> IC-746PRO.
> Same power-meter used. Thats it! If there is an explanation I would like to
> hear...
>
> Stig
>
> -Opprinnelig melding-
> Fra: Ahti Aintila [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sendt: 4. juni 2007 10:26
> Til: Dale Boresz
> Kopi: Jim McLester; flexradio@flex-radio.biz; Stig Rasmussen
> Emne: Re: [Flexradio] audio punch
>
>
> Stig and Jim,
>
> Dale is telling the plain truth, if your main interest is getting your
> signal through in noisy conditions and DX pileups. The basses convey
> very little speach information, but eat up the limited power of your
> transmitter. Unless you want to broadcast a Hi-Fi music program on ham
> bands use a good quality multi-channel equalizer to attenuate the
> lower frequencies of your modulation. And if you want real information
> carrying audio punch, you may use a PROPERLY MADE compressor or even
> RF clipper. However, never use compressors and/or clippers, if the the
> basses are not attenuated.
>
> Almost four years' time already I have tried to convince our Flex
> software wizards and gurus to implement an integrated audio processor
> that would enhance the speech signal intelligibility in noise at least
> as well as explained in the following "ancient" articles. Sorry for
> this repeated use of the bandwidth, but please, please, read carefully
> and understand these:
> http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf
> http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/speechproc.pdf
>
> My understanding is that these functions can be implemented by the DSP
> means much more elegantly than 30 years ago by the hardware means. I
> sincerely hope that some of our software experts would take my request
> seriously.
>
> 73, Ahti OH2RZ
>
>
>
>
>
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>
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Re: [Flexradio] audio punch

[Ahti Aintila]

Stig and Jim,

Dale is telling the plain truth, if your main interest is getting your
signal through in noisy conditions and DX pileups. The basses convey
very little speach information, but eat up the limited power of your
transmitter. Unless you want to broadcast a Hi-Fi music program on ham
bands use a good quality multi-channel equalizer to attenuate the
lower frequencies of your modulation. And if you want real information
carrying audio punch, you may use a PROPERLY MADE compressor or even
RF clipper. However, never use compressors and/or clippers, if the the
basses are not attenuated.

Almost four years' time already I have tried to convince our Flex
software wizards and gurus to implement an integrated audio processor
that would enhance the speech signal intelligibility in noise at least
as well as explained in the following "ancient" articles. Sorry for
this repeated use of the bandwidth, but please, please, read carefully
and understand these:
http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf
http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/speechproc.pdf

My understanding is that these functions can be implemented by the DSP
means much more elegantly than 30 years ago by the hardware means. I
sincerely hope that some of our software experts would take my request
seriously.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 04/06/07, Dale Boresz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Stig,
>
> I think your power meter is misrepresenting your power levels. I suspect
> that you are not using a peak-reading power meter, and that your power
> meter's ballistics are such that it averages the peaks more efficiently
> at the low audio frequencies than it does at the midrange and upper
> frequencies, thereby making it appear that when you boost the low end,
> you're getting extra talk power. Most likely, all that you are doing is
> concentrating the bulk of your transmitted energy into a very narrow
> range of frequencies that are in fact chewing up a lot of power and
> inflating your meter reading, but actually reducing your 'talk power'.
>
> The panadapter of the SDR-1000 has been a very interesting tool for me,
> as I have noticed may stations that have as much as a 20 to 30 dB peak
> at the low end of their transmitted frequency range (say around 40 to 70
> Hz) and are showing S9 on the meter. However, the part of their signal
> which is actually carrying the intelligibility is in fact averaging
> around S4. (S9 minus 30 dB). If the excessive peak was removed (the
> lower frequencies would remain - they just would not be boosted so
> much), the remainder of the audio passband could be amplified all that
> much more, such that the average of the remainder of the passband
> carrying intelligibility would in fact really average out to S9 instead
> of S4. Note though: Unless you are using a true peak reading power meter
> (something like a Coaxial Dynamics 83000-A) or an oscilloscope to
> monitor peak power, it will look as though you are transmitting at a
> much lower power level since the actual peaks will not be properly
> displayed. Attempting to drive everything harder to make the power meter
> read higher will result in a very distorted and severely over-driven signal.
>
> 73, Dale
> WA8SRA
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Attempted removal

[Ahti Aintila]

On 02/06/07, Jim Lux <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> At 03:15 PM 6/1/2007, k5nwa wrote:
> >I just had someone that attempted to remove me from the Flex radio
> >> Heh.. happens all the time, apparently (twice for me
> recently).  Maybe it's worth it for the list manager to look at the
> source of the "unsubscribe" requests? Maybe they all come from one IP address?
>
> James Lux, P.E.
>
That happened to me, too!
Ahti, OH2RZ
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Re: [Flexradio] Audio Punch

[Ahti Aintila]

Frank,
I'm no software man, but I suppose that it can be done.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 31/05/07, Frank Mayer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I am not familiar with the voice shaper.  Is this supposed to be
> incorporated into the SDR?
> - Original Message -
> From: "Ahti Aintila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Greg - ZL3IX" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: 
> Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 5:26 AM
> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Audio Punch
>
>
> > Hi Greg et al,
> >
> > FINALLY! Ihave been waiting for 4 years that other flexers start get
> > interested. As an old hardware man I have been talking about RF
> > clipping alot. I want to admit that the time of this method is over
> > already during this SDR era, but that function in the more
> > sophisticated software form was still missing until Alex, VE3NEA, made
> > his Voiceshaper.
> >
> > Still, again I want to give these links that help to understand why we
> > weak signal fans are missing the function of this brutal RF clipper
> > and look forward that Alex's Voiceshaper will be an integral part of
> > all SDR equipment.
> >
> > Here are the links:
> http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf
> > http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf
> >
> > 73, Ahti OH2RZ
> >
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Re: [Flexradio] Audio Punch

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Greg et al,

FINALLY! Ihave been waiting for 4 years that other flexers start get
interested. As an old hardware man I have been talking about RF
clipping alot. I want to admit that the time of this method is over
already during this SDR era, but that function in the more
sophisticated software form was still missing until Alex, VE3NEA, made
his Voiceshaper.

Still, again I want to give these links that help to understand why we
weak signal fans are missing the function of this brutal RF clipper
and look forward that Alex's Voiceshaper will be an integral part of
all SDR equipment.

Here are the links: http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf
http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf

73, Ahti OH2RZ




On 31/05/07, Greg - ZL3IX <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Frank Mayer wrote:
> >   I wonder if this type of circuit CAN be written in
> > software.
> >
> Hi Frank,
>
> Indeed it can.  In my previous employment we used one that was written
> in DSP assembler for the 56002 (not by me unfortunately, although I did
> give the algorithm inputs).  It was very effective.
>
> 73, Greg
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Low recieve

[Ahti Aintila]

Willi and Frank,

The DC Spark-Over Voltage of SA05-C-T52-A-301-M is specified 200V±20%
and typically the max. device voltage of the preamps is as low as
5-6V. A properly located microgap surge absorber may prevent big
disasters, but still for low voltage transients protective diodes will
be needed, too.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 17/05/07, Willi Reppel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hi Frank,
>
> To protect the receiver of my SDR1000 I stalled ahead of the RF-amplifier a
> microgap surge absorber element in discharge tube. See the below link.
>
> http://www.koaproducts.com/english/catalogue/sa.htm
>
> It may be the right opportunity to install one of these when you unpile the
> board stack of the SDR1000 for repair.
>
> gl de SM6OMH
>
> Willi
>
>
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Frank Mayer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: 
> Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 12:35 AM
> Subject: [Flexradio] Low recieve
>
>

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Re: [Flexradio] Low recieve

[Ahti Aintila]

Sorry, my memory made me a trick. The protection diodes are not shown
in the original schematic. They are shown only in the ECO001 and
ECO025.

Please, FlexRadio, update and publish the schematic diagrams of the SDR-1000.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

On 17/05/07, Ahti Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Frank,
>
> My best guess is the preamplifier on the RFE-board. Unless the
> schematic diagram is not recently updated, there are protection diodes
> (1N4148) before the input capacitor (C47) of the amplifier, so maybe
> they are broken, too. You possibly can repair it yourself. See these
> ECOs for help:
> <http://support.flex-radio.com/Downloads.aspx?id=102>
> <http://support.flex-radio.com/Downloads.aspx?id=109>
>
>
> 73, Ahti OH2RZ
>
>
> On 17/05/07, Frank Mayer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > I have had my SDR for about 6 months now and last night night it was 
> > subjected to a static discharge during a thunderstorm.  Not a direct hit 
> > but enough to affect the receiver.  Now it has very low sensitivity.  Are 
> > there any known causes for this (blown diodes or RF amp transistor in the 
> > front end)?  Or does it need factory repair.
> > Frank  WA3JBT
> > -- next part --
> > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> > URL: 
> > http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/attachments/20070517/386eda1e/attachment.html
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> >
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Re: [Flexradio] Low recieve

[Ahti Aintila]

Frank,

My best guess is the preamplifier on the RFE-board. Unless the
schematic diagram is not recently updated, there are protection diodes
(1N4148) before the input capacitor (C47) of the amplifier, so maybe
they are broken, too. You possibly can repair it yourself. See these
ECOs for help:




73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 17/05/07, Frank Mayer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I have had my SDR for about 6 months now and last night night it was 
> subjected to a static discharge during a thunderstorm.  Not a direct hit but 
> enough to affect the receiver.  Now it has very low sensitivity.  Are there 
> any known causes for this (blown diodes or RF amp transistor in the front 
> end)?  Or does it need factory repair.
> Frank  WA3JBT
> -- next part --
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: 
> http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/attachments/20070517/386eda1e/attachment.html
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Re: [Flexradio] RF output with no mic in SSB

[Ahti Aintila]

On 20/04/07, Hulen Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> harder with a measure of safety, it is also very sensitive to low rf levels.
> Is there anyone who has figured out a way to completely eliminate this low
> level of rf from the SDR-1000 when no modulation is present? It's almost
> like a balanced modulator in an unbalanced condition. Yea yea yea, I

Hulen,
I have noticed that. My guess is that the "carrier leakage" may come
due to any internal hardware unbalance of the QSE circuit (sampling
pulse width, internal Ron resistance, circuit capacitance,
transformer, etc. and their combinations) that cannot be completely
cancelled by the software. The power dependence seems to indicate some
thermal influence to the sampling switch.

Because I use my SDR-1000s more for receiving rather than
transmitting, the minor leakage doesn't disturb me. So I did not want
to add any balancing components.

Any other opinions, suggestions and/or findings?

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] Sound card input Voltage

[Ahti Aintila]

Dave,

The link works for me, but you may try this:

;ten  go to Audio/Video Products and select dBm/dBu/dBv Calculator.

Good luck, Ahti OH2RZ


On 15/04/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>
> >Original Message
> >
> >Cecil,
> >A convenient on-line calculator for signal level conversions is this:
> > com/Analog_Root/static/techSupport/designTools/interactiveTools/dbconvert/dbconvert.
> html>
>
> Using the link brings up up an error page from Analogue Devices (so
> it's found the right site, just the page no longer exists) saying
> "Error
>We are sorry! The page you are looking for could not be found."
>
> Is there an alternative URL for the calculator please?
>
> Thanks - Dave (G0DJA)
>
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Sound card input Voltage

[Ahti Aintila]

Cecil,
A convenient on-line calculator for signal level conversions is this:


73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 15/04/07, Sami Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Usually for audio applications dBm should be referenced to one
> milliwatt into a 600-ohm load. (Your dBm figure is using 50 ohms). In
> order to avoid confusion when we're measuring voltages, it's better to
> not use dBm at all. For voltages, it's probably easiest to use dBV
> referenced to one volt RMS. (There's also dBu which is equivalent to
> dBm @ 600 ohms.)
>
> To answer your original question, while the Delta 44 may not be a
> typical sound card, its input range (peak-to-peak) seems to be 11 Vpp.
> That's about 5.5 Vpeak, 3.9 Vrms, +12 dBV (+14 dBu).
>
> The maximum input level is 6 dB lower when using the "consumer"
> setting in D44's control panel. And using the lowest setting means
> another -6 dB. That would be 0 dBV == 1 Vrms. Maybe that's pretty
> close to a "typical" (cheap) sound card.
>
> 73, Sami OH2BFO
>
>
> On 4/15/07, k5nwa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > What is the full scale input to a typical sound card?
> >
> > I'm thinking it's +10dBm or .7V, am I off my rocker?
> >
> >
> > Cecil
> > K5NWA
> > www.qrpradio.com  www.hpsdr.com
> >
> > "Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light."
> >
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Preamp issue - Results

[Ahti Aintila]

Dana,

it looks to me that you may have a problem with the filter switches
either on the BPF or the RFE boards. Due to bit errors and/or
unreliable connections wrong filter(s) get selected. That has happened
to me.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 03/03/07, N1OFZ <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> When we calibrated with the XG1 both radios (SDR-1000s) showed the
> received signal at S9 after calibration.  The 10 dBm difference was
> on a signal we tuned to on the air.  I think it was on 20m.  I have
> not yet had a chance to get the radio back on the air at my home to
> compare to the Yaesu.  Hopefully this afternoon when the kiddie and
> XYL take a nap!
>
> Thanks,
> Dana  N1OFZ
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Re: [Flexradio] Filter measurements

[Ahti Aintila]

On 18/02/07, Bill Tracey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> The basic FFT bin size is 11hz, so for a filter 30 hz or
>
Bill,
That is a minor difference, but anyhow, I have a question just for
understanding better:
If the sampling frequency is 48 kHz and the number of bins is 4096,
would the bin be 48000/4096 Hz = 11.72 Hz wide and consequently
44100/4096 Hz = 10.77 Hz wide with 44.1 kHz sampling? Please advice so
that I can use correct numbers in my calculations.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] Outboard audio equipment

[Ahti Aintila]

Thank you, Eric and John,

I'm patiently waiting for the better 10-band EQ, but don't hurry. The
highest priority is the MODULAR PowerSDR.
Just wanted to say that the 15-band version was pretty good a couple
of years ago. Also I want to remind why I like a multiband EQ, not
because of the nice sounding "Hi-Fi" voice, but the punch through DX
pile-ups:



73, Ahti OH2RZ

On 02/02/07, Eric Wachsmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> We originally had a 31-band (and a 15-band) option for the EQ.  But it
> didn't work very well.  We scaled it back in favor of having a simpler
> version that performed at a level we were satisfied with.  One bird in the
> hand is worth two in the bush kind of thing...
>
> I'm sure we'll eventually have more than 3 bands, but I doubt we'll ever get
> back to 31 as that was overkill in 99% of the cases with our radio/software.
>
>
> Eric Wachsmann
> FlexRadio Systems
>
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Re: [Flexradio] [KB] Two new Knowledge Base articles have been posted

[Ahti Aintila]

Tim,

Thank you for the excellent articles regarding the optimal voice
settings. As an avid SSB user and supporter and opponent of the double
sideband AM since the mid 50's, I have been wondering why the people
want to waste the scarcest nature's resource of HAM-radio, the
electromagnetic spectrum, by sending unnecessary broad badwidth and
high power at audio frequency bands that don't convey the information
efficiently.

In addition to those articles, I want to remind you of two other texts
that help understanding the importance of proper EQ and signal
processing, if you want to transmit the highest intelligibility at the
lowest peak limited power:



Since 1970 I am using these principles in all my home-brew rigs and
even modified my "rice-boxes". Unfortunately I have not yet been able
to implement that feature in my several SDR-1000s.

73, Ahti OH2RZ



On 07/01/07, Tim Ellison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> To all,
>
> Two new Knowledge Base articles related to optimal voice operation have
> been posted.  The first, Q10342 - Why is there a 160 Hz Notch Filter for
> Phone Use?  http://kb.flex-radio.com/article.aspx?id=10342, explains why
> there is a notch filter for this frequency in the PowerSDR EQ.
>
> The second, Q10343 - Rules for EQing Voice for Optimal Phone and AM
> Operation, http://kb.flex-radio.com/article.aspx?id=103423 goes into
> great detail of how to set your EQ for voice recording and broadcasting.
>
> -Tim
> 
> KB Administrator
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] More Strange Frequency Drift Problem

[Ahti Aintila]

Brian,

This is just my guess:

The thermistor heating the oscillator takes its power directly from
the 13.8 V source. Switching from RX to TX will change the total
current and possibly causes a minor voltage change. That would disturb
shortly the temperature equilibrium of the thermistor/oscillator
system due to the thermal transfer delay.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 06/01/07, Brian Kassel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Folks:
>
>  Can someone tell me where the regulated voltage for the 200 MHz.
> oscillator comes from?   It isn't clear to me in the schematic.  I am
> investigating a 22 HZ oscillator frequency change from TX to RX that
> occurs in the first 10 seconds, then stabilizes to less than 1 Hz
> change. .  Temperature doesn't seem to be the culprit, and as far as I
> can see,  there is no switching or changing of loading  on the
> oscillator between TX and RX.
> Still fighting the uphill battle to determine my frequency shift problem.
>
> Brian K7RE
>
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] SDR-1000 clone ...

[Ahti Aintila]

Krister and Willy,

I totally agree with your opinions otherwise, but the copy or clone
should always in ALL respects be an improvement over the original
design. That the German copy is not. Obviously the worst mistake Mr.
Dipl.-Ing. H.-J. Kneisner made is that he did not know or understand
that Frank's DttSP is not "public domain".

If we call Mr. Kneisner's clone immoral, much better is not
FlexRadio's decision to pull off the "receive only" and "1W" versions
as well as selling the boards as a set of two, three or four. I
uderstand the inventory burden, but perhaps the prices should be
adjusted accordingly.

BTW, I am using four sets of SDR-1000 as: a) an industrial measurement
device where only TRX board is used, b) a ham band 1W transceiver and
an "RF spectrum analyzer", c) a general coverage HF monitor receiver
and d) the fourth with the 100 W module is going to function as my
desktop ham band transceiver together with my desktop computer. Still
I would need a self contained back-pack radio to replace and conquer
the domains of "rice-boxes".
For a reference, here is the copy of Willi's message:
--
I do not understand Flex-Radio´s move either. There is a large potential for
selling a receiver-only version without 1 W or 100 W PA to radiotic
individuals like VLF, LF, MW,  short-wave listeners and beacon hun-ters
which are excluded as possible buyers because they are not licensed hams. To
this group of non-radiant radio enthusiasts  the SDR1k is barely known and
they are barred out already before the goods news of its existence reaches
them.
Hope that so many replies to this topic  lets Flex-Radio reconsider its
move.
vy 73 es gl
SM6OMH  Willi
--
73,
Ahti OH2RZ

On 06/01/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hmm... definitely an "interesting" situation, perhaps a bit more complicated 
> than it seems at first. Could be some work for lawyers here as well. But what 
> kind of infringement might have been committed by the German company? I could 
> be wrong now, but I don't think Flexradio owns any hardware patents related 
> to the radio, many if not all circuit details have been rather extensively 
> published years ago. Maybe someone else has one or three patents, though. In 
> electronics it's practically impossible to do anything at all without 
> infringing some patent, seems that the tiniest little trivial detail has been 
> patented by someone.
>
> Flexradio probably has one or more copyrights for the hardware design. But at 
> least the German company did not violate any PCB copyrights, their design 
> definitely is not a direct copy. Perhaps there is a copyright violation re 
> the schematic drawings, difficult to say without detailed comparisons.
>
> Of course, the ethical considerations are even more interesting than the 
> legal ones, and here we could be skating on some pretty thin ice. Is it 
> unethical to use the PowerSDR with any hardware not purchased from Flexradio? 
> In my ever so humble opinion this attitude would be a bit too extreme. The 
> PowerSDR is used in the HPSDR project as well, with completely different 
> hardware. The difference, though, is that HPSDR is noncommercial, at least 
> for now, whereas the German company is taking advantage of the PowerSDR to 
> hawk their commercial product. On the other hand, I really don't think the 
> German company will receive a large number of orders from the US of A, and 
> the price is not exactly undercutting Flexradio either.
>
> As for "publishing" the existence of the SDR-1000 clone, I did it because 
> there was a lot of valid concern regarding the discontinuation of the 1W 
> version.  I thought this list is a forum for the exchange of ALL 
> Flexradio-related information, and didn't see any reason for self-censorship.
>
> And finally, let me add that I have nothing but the greatest admiration and 
> respect for the outstanding and truly groundbreaking work done by the 
> Flexradio team. However, I don't think we need to canonize the original 
> design and put it above all criticism. EVERY design is always a compromise, 
> and so there's always one or more details that could have been done otherwise 
> or even better. For instance, one has to admit that the original 3-board 
> design is a real kludge, however I'm NOT saying I'd have done it better at 
> the time. At least in this detail the German clone is an improvement, like it 
> or not.
>
> But I'm sure the Flexradio team is already busy at work with some amazing new 
> design that will receive the deepest admiration of us all, and sell like 
> hotcakes, too!
>
> Best regards,
>
> Krister OH2MLQ
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Re: [Flexradio] DSP Windows?

[Ahti Aintila]

On 23/12/06, Robert McGwier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> final filter design.  It is my opinion that the Blackman-Harris filter
> design is optimal for our needs.

Bob,

Thank you. I have the same opinion, but wanted to be sure. I will
change back to Blackman-Harris.

Xmas!
Ahti OH2RZ

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[Flexradio] DSP Windows?

[Ahti Aintila]

Eric and the whole Software Team,

Thank you for the great v. 1.8.0. Nothing to complain - and that's
something that I usually don't do. Just a question this time:

I followed the recommendation of Eric and Bob and let the PowerSDR
build the mdb-file instead of transferring my previous one. I noticed
that the "default" DSP window was Hanning instead of Blackman-Harris
that I have been using earlier. Wouldn't Blackman-Harris give a better
skirt selectivity? What is the other side of the coin?

My warmest Season's Greetings,
Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] [KB] A new Knowledge Base article has been posted

[Ahti Aintila]

> > The updated BandText table is contained in a small MS Access database
> > and must be copied or exported to your working PowerSDR database
> > (powersdr.mdb).
> >
> > This file has been supplied courtesy of Ahti, OH2RZ
> >
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Many thanks to Tim Other thanks go to Bodo, DJ9CS, who made the table.
I acted just as an editor and a middle man.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] Why not a Multi Region BandText installation?

[Ahti Aintila]

On 18/12/06, Marzan, Edwin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> Could one just delete the existing table and replace it with the new table? 
> If that is the case I'll try it on my own system and if it works I'll be 
> willing to do the swap for others as well.
>
That's it how I did it. Using MS Access I opened the PowerSDR.mdb
file, clicked open the BandText table, deleted the the content of the
table and pasted my own data.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

>
> Gordon and other Flexers,
>
> Thanks a lot. I received the BandText table from Bodo, DJ9CS, and
> found an unused ACCESS in my office computer. Now the new PowerSDR.mdb
> works already.
>
> Maybe, Tim or Bodo are going to upload the table to the Knowledge
> Base. However, I think that PowerSDR installation should already build
> the proper mdb-file according to the selected Region number. Not very
> many hams have access to the ACCESS.
>
> 73, Ahti OH2RZ
>
> On 17/12/06, Gordon & Lois Duff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > I have Access and am willing to do this, but it will have to wait until
> > January 1.
> >
> > Gordon, KA2NLM
> >
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Re: [Flexradio] Why not a Multi Region BandText installation?

[Ahti Aintila]

Gordon and other Flexers,

Thanks a lot. I received the BandText table from Bodo, DJ9CS, and
found an unused ACCESS in my office computer. Now the new PowerSDR.mdb
works already.

Maybe, Tim or Bodo are going to upload the table to the Knowledge
Base. However, I think that PowerSDR installation should already build
the proper mdb-file according to the selected Region number. Not very
many hams have access to the ACCESS.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

On 17/12/06, Gordon & Lois Duff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I have Access and am willing to do this, but it will have to wait until
> January 1.
>
> Gordon, KA2NLM
>
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Question about RF pre-amplifier

[Ahti Aintila]

On 17/12/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Question about RF pre-amplifier
>
> Arial > [0 or -10dB] > [RF preamp] > [mixer] > [amplifier X dB or X+Y dB] > 
> Soundcard
>
Peter,
That is almost right. The RF preamp is always on, but [amplifier X dB or Y dB].

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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[Flexradio] Any mdb-file with Region 1 frequencies?

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Flexers,

Has anybody "Access", time and interest for making a downloadable
general purpose (or even personalized) mdb-file with IARU Region 1
frequency allocations?

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] Schematics

[Ahti Aintila]

Schematics and ECOs found by using Knowledge Base search.
Why to make it so difficult? I could not even use the same user name
that I earlier registered for Forum.

Ahti OH2RZ

On 07/11/06, Ahti Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Eric,
>
> I miss the schematics and all ECOs. Why not put them downloadable as
> they were earlier? Actually, the schematic diagrams should be updated
> to reflect  the present situation with all the ECOs included. At the
> same time the resolution should be increased so that the component
> values and finer details of the circuitry would have better
> legibility.
>
> 73, Ahti OH2RZ
>
> On 07/11/06, Eric Wachsmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Jon,
> >
> > I'll contact you off-list with the information.
> >
> >
> > Eric Wachsmann
> > FlexRadio Systems
> >
> > > -Original Message-
> > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > radio.biz] On Behalf Of K6JEK
> > > Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 6:10 PM
> > > To: 'FlexList'
> > > Subject: [Flexradio] Schematics
> > >
> > > Where are the schematics?   My esteemed and Flex-famous friend Jeff,
> > > K6JCA, has a nice set of schematics.   Now that I've toasted something
> > > in my Flex I'd like to get a set to in the hopes that I can do some
> > > untoasting here instead of sending the box back to Texas.   But I can't
> > > seem to locate the schematics on the web.   Where are they?
> > >
> > > What's toasted you ask? Something in the X2 driver.   I built my own
> > > UCB (why did I do this?) and in the process of trying it out I got
> > > something wrong.  Now pin 7, PTT out,  goes from O.L. to 5M on
> > > transmit, hardly sufficient.   I enabled pin 1 on transmit thinking
> > > dang I've toasted the driver for pin 7 I'll use pin 1 as a substibute.
> > > Guess what it does once enabled.   Yes, O.L. to 5M on PTT.   How
> > > interesting.
> > >
> > > Jon, K6JEK
> > >
> > >
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Re: [Flexradio] Schematics

[Ahti Aintila]

Eric,

I miss the schematics and all ECOs. Why not put them downloadable as
they were earlier? Actually, the schematic diagrams should be updated
to reflect  the present situation with all the ECOs included. At the
same time the resolution should be increased so that the component
values and finer details of the circuitry would have better
legibility.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

On 07/11/06, Eric Wachsmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Jon,
>
> I'll contact you off-list with the information.
>
>
> Eric Wachsmann
> FlexRadio Systems
>
> > -Original Message-
> > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > radio.biz] On Behalf Of K6JEK
> > Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 6:10 PM
> > To: 'FlexList'
> > Subject: [Flexradio] Schematics
> >
> > Where are the schematics?   My esteemed and Flex-famous friend Jeff,
> > K6JCA, has a nice set of schematics.   Now that I've toasted something
> > in my Flex I'd like to get a set to in the hopes that I can do some
> > untoasting here instead of sending the box back to Texas.   But I can't
> > seem to locate the schematics on the web.   Where are they?
> >
> > What's toasted you ask? Something in the X2 driver.   I built my own
> > UCB (why did I do this?) and in the process of trying it out I got
> > something wrong.  Now pin 7, PTT out,  goes from O.L. to 5M on
> > transmit, hardly sufficient.   I enabled pin 1 on transmit thinking
> > dang I've toasted the driver for pin 7 I'll use pin 1 as a substibute.
> > Guess what it does once enabled.   Yes, O.L. to 5M on PTT.   How
> > interesting.
> >
> > Jon, K6JEK
> >
> >
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Re: [Flexradio] list has been quiet?

[Ahti Aintila]

Are we already addicted to the Flexradio reflector?

Ahti OH2RZ

On 01/11/06, Tom Thompson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Jim Lux wrote:
>
> >Just a test..
> >Jim, W6RMK
> >
> >James Lux, P.E.
> >Spacecraft Radio Frequency Subsystems Group
> >Flight Communications Systems Section
> >Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop 161-213
> >4800 Oak Grove Drive
> >Pasadena CA 91109
> >tel: (818)354-2075
> >fax: (818)393-6875
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> Yes, Jim, I thought maybe the reflector was down.
>
> Tom   W0IVJ
>
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Re: [Flexradio] High SWR indication and loss of keying

[Ahti Aintila]

On 16/10/06, Jim, W4ATK <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> RFI elimination
> is trial and error.
>
> 73 Jim, W4ATK
>
Yes, Jim, so it is!
In my case one common mode choke was not enough. I tried two cokes
first at the radio end and then at the computer end. The best result
was with one choke at both ends. It obviously depends on the mode of
the RFI coupling due to different routing of the cables.

Jon,
Thank you for informing about the Amidon materials.

73, Ahti OH2RZ
>
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Re: [Flexradio] High SWR Problem...

[Ahti Aintila]

Ferrite can help in the case of common mode interference problems. I
am using several turns of USB cable wound in double E-core ferrite
(Grade N27) at BOTH ends of the cable.
 If you
have no E-core, you may use big toroids with several (3-4) turns.

The best solution, of course, would be proper groundings and routing
of the cables, but that is usually more easily said than done.

73 Ahti OH2RZ


On 16/10/06, Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> If I key the rig with the mouse I have no issue.
>
> But if I key the rig with my footswitch it keys and unkeys the amp.  I
> have put ferrit cores on both the footswitch and the amp circuit but
> doesn't seem to help.
>
> But I key with the mouse it all works fine.  So the RF seems to be
> getting back into the SDR.
>
>
> On Sun, 2006-10-15 at 20:48 -0400, Scott wrote:
> > Funny you sent this today.  I had this happen to me on 40m and 75m
> > today.  Only when I am running my CLipperton.  This has not happened to
> > me before.  But I am using a new V1.6.3 and my 160m loop antenna came
> > down saturday so had to put it back up and I shortned it about 8 feet.
> > So now I may just have RF getting into the USB cable.
> >
> > Not sure if its related to what your seeing but same thing is going on.
> >
> > 73's
> > Scott
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sun, 2006-10-15 at 20:23 -0400, Pete wrote:
> > > While experimenting with a multiband wire antenna today, I ran into a
> > > problem.  On one of the bands the radio reported high swr (I think this
> > > was on 10m) when I went into tune mode.
> > >
> > > PowerSDR then displayed a dialog indicating that the USB connection was
> > > no longer functional (can't remember the exact text).
> > >
> > > I seem to remember there were some problems reported recently where
> > > users were having USB disconnect problems but I don't remember them
> > > being related to reported high swr.
> > >
> > > It was necessary to go into setup and check the usb box again in order
> > > to get the radio to operate normally.
> > >
> > > This is the only time I've ever experienced any problems with the usb to
> > > parallel connection.  Just wondering if this is something others have
> > > seen, before I file a bug report.
> > >
> > > Pete, N3EVL
> > >
> > >
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> > >
> >
> >
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Re: [Flexradio] Option to remove dB display?

[Ahti Aintila]

Dan,

Let me comment some statements in this discussion:

On 07/10/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> that we have great analog signal meter, I'd like the option to remove the dB
> signal level display
> >
> > Why to hide the absolutely best and most useful display feature of the
> > whole SDR-1000?!  I need dBm for my measurements.
> >
> > 73, Ahti OH2RZ
> >
>
> Ahi,
>
> Is this box (SDR-1000) a piece of bench test gear or a radio?
Both.

>
> If it will help you would you like me to send you a copy of the latest HP
> catalog?
Thanks, but no need, I have them. On the other hand, I cannot afford
these H(igh) P(rice)/ (Agilent) products.

> My problem is I can't work
> the CQP Contest (and score worth a darn) while watching the flickering
> display.
Sorry for your concentration difficultes. Now I got a good explanation
and answer to my simple question "Why to hide ...".
Thanks for the many options of PowerSDR, you have already got some
advice how to get rid of the SMTP flickering rate of the displays.
Here are some more to slow down the flickering by adjusting:
- Display Mode AVG and/or Peak,
- FPS of the main display and use Averaging,
-  Meter Delay,
- Averaging Time,
- Multimeter Analog Peak Hold,
- Digital Peak Hold,
- Average Time.

After using more than three years SDR-1000 and owning four (4) of
these "boxes" I am, in general, happy about the options, we are so
many users with different opinions and preferences. However, I think
that FlexRadio has wasted too much time and efforts for modifying the
GUI when the MODULAR SOFTWARE still waits for the completion - three
years after the first promise!
>
> PS: well.. don't  whine, you asked for it...
Very well said! I cannot put it better.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] Option to remove dB display?

[Ahti Aintila]

On 05/10/06, Wayne Roth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Now that we have great analog signal meter, I'd like the option to remove the 
> dB signal level display

Why to hide the absolutely best and most useful display feature of the
whole SDR-1000?!  I need dBm for my measurements.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] clock ticking from sdr-1000

[Ahti Aintila]

Cecil,

Good joke, but don't Shock us. Any silly search machines may connect
us to a wrong group of people due to careless dirty words.

73, Ahti

On 30/09/06, Cecil Bayona <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Douglas Shock wrote:
> > Why does my SDR-1000 sound like a ticking watch when powered off? Did I get
> > more than I ordered here?
> >
> > Doug / K0ZU
> > FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com
> >
> Was it shipped from the * division?
>
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Re: [Flexradio] A plea for a cable-free experience (was Re: Iambic Keyer)

[Ahti Aintila]

Larry, Jim, Joe,

Actually, in principle I agree all you said. Nevertheless, let me
express my opinion about the HPSDR project. It is now really overly
complicated and space hungry concept, especially due to that ATLAS
motherboard. However, at this phase of DEVELOPMENT this kind of
solution makes anything possible. It is an excellent general purpose
tool, not the final product!

As soon as the submodules are available, I think, will be the time to
design some more convenient interconnection systems tailored for the
actual application. Then possibly each of us can easily be his or hers
own tailor or seamstress.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

On 25/09/06, Joe - AB1DO <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Larry,
>
> it sounds like what you are looking for is what is currently developing at
> HPSDR (see < www.hpsdr.org >). A ham dedicated ADC/DAC (sound card) board
> and controller board are currently being prototyped. Last week a replacement
> board for the SDR-1000 PIO card was suggested with enthousiastic response.
> The combination will result in only one USB cable going from the SDR-1000 to
> the PC - no more audio cables, no more parrallel cable.
>
> It is still early days and it may take a little while for everything to
> develop to the point where the boards can be purchased (most likely through
> TAPR). At this stage it is also unclear how much technical prowess will be
> required to make it all work (h/w and/or s/w skills)but at least you don't
> stand alone in your plea.
>
> Only drawback: is that  to combine everything, you'll need a larger
> enclosure. Exactly how large remains to be seen.
>
> Thought this might interest you,
> 73 de Joe - AB1DO
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Larry Loen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Jim Lux" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: 
> Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 08:53
> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] A plea for a cable-free experience (was Re: Iambic
> Keyer)
>
>
> > Jim Lux wrote:
> >
> >> At 07:48 PM 9/24/2006, Larry Loen wrote:
> >>
> >>> David Ackrill wrote:
> >>>
> >>> >Guy Olinger, K2AV wrote:
> >>> >
> >>> I've thought long and hard about this note.
> >>>
> >>> I believe the main issue here is simple -- while the software has
> >>> improved by leaps and bounds, we have only the most modest changes to
> >>> the hardware.
> >>>
> >>> Last night, even with all my experience, I had a major heartache.  The
> >>> CW was "stuck on".  After reseating the parallel cable maybe three times
> >>> (and reseating everything else and rebooting Windows inbetween), it
> >>> finally went away.  Imagine my consternation with a week to go before
> >>> leaving town.  And, I was about 80 per cent sure of the solution at the
> >>> start!
> >>>
> >>> The cables, their care and feeding, and the sheer complexity of
> >>> remembering the 25 leading things that can go wrong as they come loose
> >>> are far and away the biggest problem with owning this otherwise
> >>> wonderful rig.
> >>>
> >>> I think many of us have forgotten how much of a problem it can be to
> >>> deal with all of it.  We get it going, it glitches once in a while (it
> >>> does at my QTH anyway), we get really busy figuring it out.  And, when
> >>> we do, it goes away for a while.
> >>>
> >>> I know it's asking a lot, but we do need that Flex 2000 of my dreams
> >>> where the sound card function is brought inboard and the entire
> >>> communication takes place as data bytes over a USB cable as an ordinary
> >>> PC peripheral.  That is, an on-board D/A and A/D process, all run in a
> >>> manner like a printer or any other PC peripheral.  Whether it is a
> >>> chosen sound card or a real D/A A/D pair, I don't care.  Whatever meets
> >>> the need. It probably means some modest CPU in there, too.  So be it.
> >>
> >>
> >> I would support this.. put a Mini-ITX mobo in the package with the
> >> radio and give it an ethernet interface and I'd be a really happy camper.
> >
> >
> > As long as the Mini-ITX is separate from what I'm asking for, analogous
> > to what is done with the Dell package, I have no problems with this.
> >
> > But, I want the radio _itself_ to be portable or at least reasonably
> > "transportable."  That means a 12v unit and also a unit as a whole that
> > can be put into the bottom of a carry on bag for an airliner.  Something
> > physically not much bigger (maybe not bigger at all) than the current
> > unit.  I just want it very _slightly_ smarter in roughly the same
> > package.  I want it to be just a little more like a conventional radio
> > and not outsmart ourselves with added complexity.  Conceptually, take
> > out the 2m transverter and insert the A/D D/A CPU-based package in its
> > place.  That's all, at least physically.
> >
> > Start adding in a full Mini-ITX PC as a single, indivisible unit and the
> > whole suggestion becomes more problematical.  Flex (whatever it does) is
> > not going to have a gigantic product line.  I vote for a KISS USB
> > peripheral approach because it would acutally serve a _wider_ menu of
> 

Re: [Flexradio] DC/DC Converter (DC1)

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Tim and Ross,

Let me copy what I answered to Cris and Willi few hours ago:
--
Willi,

Thanks for remembering! Linear power supply/voltage regulator is
always a good solution for low noise applications. Unfortunately,
sometimes we cannot use them.

Actually, now I'm using the original "chopper" with better filtering.
You may add 47uF capacitor parallel to C7 and double the values of L2,
L3, C8 and C9. Be careful though, the chopper DC1 (NMA1215S) is very
sensitive to all kind of overloads - even to the higher inrush current
of the output filter capacitors! That's why higher inductance values
will be needed. My suggestions are beyond the recommendations of the
manufacturer and naturally, you violate the guarantee rules of
FlexRadio, too. Anything you modify is totally at your own risk and
responsibility.

It may be my good luck only, that this modification has worked three
years in my oldest SDR-1000 and about two years in the two other sets.
For anybody else I suggest  buying (or building) a quiet power supply
with well filtered output voltages +13.8V and ±15V (±12V).

73, Ahti OH2RZ



On 25/09/06, Willi Reppel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Chris,
>
> This subject has already been a topic  three years ago on the Forum and so
> far I remember >
--


On 25/09/06, Tim Ellison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I think it is more prevalent than not.  The noise is real easy to find
> when the rig hasn't warmed up and you have it on a dummy load.  In the
> Panadapter you can watch the "little hump" wander you the band until the
> radio starts coming to temperature and then back down.  As the radio
> warms up, its rate of travel slows down to almost a crawl.  Eventually
> it settles in a frequency range and wanders around in it.
>
> I see this behavior all the time on 20 meters, and have observed it on
> other bands as well.
>
> -Tim
> ---
> Tim Ellison
> Integrated Technical Services
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ross Stenberg
> Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 10:56 AM
> To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
> Subject: [Flexradio] DC/DC Converter (DC1)
>
> I have noticed this being discussed as an issue several times. It
> appears
> that not everyone is affected by the meandering signals. Some are worse
> than
> others or not even noticed. Is this a known issue or are they just
> isolated
> occurrences?
>
>73 Ross K9COX
>
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Re: [Flexradio] FlexRadio Digest, Vol 17, Issue 24

[Ahti Aintila]

Willi,

Thanks for remembering! Linear power supply/voltage regulator is
always a good solution for low noise applications. Unfortunately,
sometimes we cannot use them.

Actually, now I'm using the original "chopper" with better filtering.
You may add 47uF capacitor parallel to C7 and double the values of L2,
L3, C8 and C9. Be careful though, the chopper DC1 (NMA1215S) is very
sensitive to all kind of overloads - even to the higher inrush current
of the output filter capacitors! That's why higher inductance values
will be needed. My suggestions are beyond the recommendations of the
manufacturer and naturally, you violate the guarantee rules of
FlexRadio, too. Anything you modify is totally at your own risk and
responsibility.

It may be my good luck only, that this modification has worked three
years in my oldest SDR-1000 and about two years in the two other sets.
For anybody else I suggest  buying (or building) a quiet power supply
with well filtered output voltages +13.8V and ±15V (±12V).

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 25/09/06, Willi Reppel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Chris,
>
> This subject has already been a topic  three years ago on the Forum and so
> far I remember >
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Re: [Flexradio] Help - Hardware Guys

[Ahti Aintila]

On 15/09/06, Kevin Hobbs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On
> the SDR-1000RFE v1.4 PCB, I found 2 diodes attached to a trace between K14
> and C47 . the other end of both diodes go thru the PCB near T2, but they
> aren't soldered top or bottom . the PCB bottom solder mask has been scraped
> away where the diode leads thru to the bottom, but no solder. Is this a
> factory thing or a mod / upgrade that the previous owner got part way thru?
> I do not see these diodes in the RFE schematic? I assume soldering them in
> is a good idea? I doubt this is the problem I was looking, but who knows.

Kevin,

It seems to me that the previous owner has not done the modification
properly. The diodes before the RX preamplifier should clip any high
voltage spikes before they damage the sensitive amplifier. See the
Engineering Change Order (ECO-001):


Good luck and 73,
Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] Image Null Calibration.

[Ahti Aintila]

On 14/09/06, Tim Ellison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> So anyone have a good recommendation for a stable signal generator that
> won't break the bank?
>
> -Tim

Tim,

Why not use  Analog Devices evaluation board for AD9952
? Does
USD250.00 break the bank?

73, Ahti OH2RZ
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Re: [Flexradio] USB Adapter Disabling itself for no apparent reason?

[Ahti Aintila]

On 04/09/06, Gerald Capodieci <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I've found this problem with USB connections. I simply unplug the device and 
> plug it back in then it usually connects. >

Hi Tim, Gerald and all,

That is good advice, but don't forget to check the USB connection on
the set-up window. However, it is irritating that all the small
switching transients coming from the mains power circuits trigger the
USB adapter off.

There is no better help but good grounding of your house mains power
system, and even better in your hamshack for your computer, all
peripherial equipment, the radio itself, of course, and finally the
RF-ground. How to lay out all the grounding cables and points and draw
the signal cables to avoid grounding loops, that is more art than
science.  Every location is different, I simply can't give any
suggestions. If you cannot eliminate  the transient, you still can
suppress its influence to the sensitive USB circuits.

The apparent reason of your problem is the common mode transient
current that somehow got coupled to your USB cable. You can reduce the
coupled current (and the interference) by increasing the common mode
impedance of the cable. Use ferrite chokes at both ends of the cable.
I use four turns of cable around the center pole of a double E-core
made of grade N27 ferrite.


Good luck and 73, Ahti OH2RZ

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Re: [Flexradio] I/Q imbalance and calibration

[Ahti Aintila]

Jim,

Thank you very much for your mathematical treatment of the I/Q
balancing matters. That is really the weak point of the otherwise
excellent SDR-1000. To me personally, it means so much that as soon as
I realised this more than about 3 years ago I refused to transmit
before manually correcting the I/Q balance at the frequency. You know,
I am mentally sick in this respect long time! Since the early days of
SSB when the signal was generated by home made equipment I had for
"convenience" even front panel controls for phase and balance
adjustments!

Now that I have been experimenting with "Active Integrating Quadrature
Sampling Detectors" (ISD for short and simplicity) I can clearly see a
slanting noise floor graph on the display, raising up towards the
increasing negative frequencies, i.e. towards the "DC-frequencies".
When using 96 or 192 kHz sampling there is a narrower or wider hump
visible on the display at around 11 kHz. I have been thinking that the
hump is due to higher phase and amplitude erros at low IF-frequencies
and due to sampling pulse errors at higher RF-frequencies.

Just came into my mind, do we actually need any lowpass filters after
the DDS and do we need sinus and cosine outputs? Would just accurately
controlled quadrature 180° wide clocking pulses do the trick with a
lot less of critical filter components?

Then there is some more complication in the QSD circuits. Most of them
sample the signal in four short 90° narrow slices when it can be
handled by two 180° wide pulses. That is the way I'm sampling in my
IDS experiments.

Please, wise answers to my silly questions!

73,  Ahti OH2RZ



On 27/08/06, Jim Lux <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Put some analysis of the variability of the DDS LO filters out on my website.
> It's a draft still: comments appreciated.
>
> http://home.earthlink.net/~w6rmk/sdr1000/index.htm
>
>
> Take home message so far.. At least from the DDS LO side of things, you
> don't need a huge number of calibration points across the HF band in order
> to get good image rejection. {of course, this depends on what you think
> "good" is...}
>
> While there can be pretty substantial differences in phase between I and Q
> sides due to component variations, once you know what the difference is
> (e.g. by calibrating), the difference doesn't change a lot over the entire
> range.
>
> If someone has any information on the temperature characteristics of the
> components (in particular, what's the temperature coefficient of the caps),
> I can roll that into the analysis.
>
> Jim Lux, W6RMK
>
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Zero IF: 1/f noise

[Ahti Aintila]

Peter,

To Sami's comment I want add my purist's  0.02 Euro worth:

1/f noise is real, but cannot be easily seen in the present
implementation of the SDR-1000 hardware. As a good designer Gerald has
hidden it by: 1) putting the preamplifier gain so high that the noise
coming from the front end masks all other noise and 2) selecting the
IF frequency (11.025 kHz) well away from the worst 1/f noise area.
Already these design decision were enough to make a pretty good
receiver for the average ham radio operator on HF bands.

Adding the front end gain increases the dynamic range at the weak
signal end but limits it with the strong signals as the QSD can stand
only about 1.5 Vrms. Ignoring everything else, the 20 kHz wide noise
of the output stage alone without signal is about 8.5 uVrms. That
calculates roughly to 105 dB blocking range before the sound card. Not
bad!

But because  I know that better is possible with normal price and
off-the-shelf components, I wait for the results of the JANUS project.
Possibly some minor hardware modifications and adjustments will be
necessary in the SDR-1000  to match the promised 120 dB dynamic range
of JANUS.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

On 24/05/06, Sami Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On 5/24/06, Peter Martinez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > I am really not convinced that 1/f noise is 'physics' in the same sense as,
> > for example, thermal noise is physics which we can't fight.
>
> Who says you can't fight thermal noise? Just use liquid nitrogen or
> helium to cool your circuits!
>
> On a more serious note: Of course different circuits will exhibit
> different noise characteristics, but that doesn't make 1/f noise any
> more less "physics" than thermal noise. All this discussion may be
> beside the point, however, because I don't think 1/f is a very
> significant problem in sounds cards or SDR-1000.
>
> > exhibit what we term 1/f noise and others don't seem to do so, so I
> > speculate that if we are careful we can design it out. I can see it in my
> > cheapo MP3+, Sami sees it, but Alberto's plot of the Delta 44 spectrum and
> > my results on the Firebox don't show any significant low-frequency noise.
>
> Actually, I don't see any 1/f noise. Or maybe very little, but most of
> the near-DC noise is 50 Hz and its multiples just like you suspected
> in a previous post. I'm fully aware that my grounding setup is nowhere
> near perfect, but I know many SDR-1000 users have similar or even
> worse problems.
>
> > I have done a WAV file of an SSB signal received 15dB above noise, received
> > on my SDR1000 into the Firebox using Zero-IF software, and there's no sign
> > of a noise peak in the centre.
>
> I have done this kind of demonstration myself. It works, but I
> obviously can see and hear some noise. But please send your file
> directly to my e-mail address.
>
> There's one more reason why using a non-zero IF can be useful. If
> you're using zero IF, you have to use the exact DDS tuning word that
> takes you to the frequency you're listening to. But some tuning words
> will generate a lot of spurs, and there's no way you can avoid them.
> With non-zero IF you can have 40 kHz (or 90 kHz) of DDS frequencies to
> choose from. Of course, the current PowerSDR software doesn't yet
> offer this possibility.
>
> 73, Sami OH2BFO
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Zero IF SDR

[Ahti Aintila]

Peter,

You are right about the 22 kHz image in transmission. That is why I am
reluctant to transmit without checking (and adjusting) the attenuation
on the used frequency.

With the preamplifier board the leakage of the sampling signal still
can be detected by my other receivers. In practice it is no problem on
the usual noisy bands. That is true also with the 1/f-noise, if you
are running with the gains now used in the SDR-1000.

In my earlier experiments with zero-IF I tried to maximize the dynamic
range without any preamplifier. Then the 1/f-noise determines your
weak signal performance. The maximum signal will be about 4 Vpp at the
200 ohm level that the QSD sees and can handle. This makes about 0 dBm
at the antenna connector.

Just for an explanation, this experiment was made for a commercial
instrumentation project handling about 20 kHz bandwidth.

If you have a SoftRock receiver available, you may tune across the 0
Hz IF. With the present high gain opamp you hardly can see anything
special. Try to set the gain to 0 dB, then you possibly will find a
difference. Measure the signals before the sound card.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

On 21/05/06, Peter Martinez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >From G3PLX:
>
> I just checked my two soundcards for the low-frequency roll-off. My new
> Firebox is 2.4dB down at 1.8Hz and the MP3+ is 1.5dB down at 1.2Hz. And that
> was done quickly by linking line-out to line-in, so it includes the LF
> roll-off of the transmit side too.  I am quite certain the music business
> wouldn't touch a soundcard that rolled-off at 200Hz.
>
> The LF roll-off is really not a problem for zero-IF anyway. Even if you put
> the oscillator right in the centre, which theoretically puts a deep narrow
> null in the passband, I defy anyone to notice it's there on an SSB signal.
> There are ways to eliminate this null completely, but I really don't think
> we need to do it.
>
> To Ahti:  I have never seen 1/f noise in my zero-IF work (I designed such a
> receiver before I retired, for HF GMDSS working).  The local oscillator
> radiation problem looks just like 1/f noise, but that can be fixed once it
> is recognised. It's also possible that poor post-mixer design could result
> in supply-line noise being a problem (this has a 1/f spectrum), but the
> post-mixer amplifier design of the SDR1000 kit is excellent in this respect.
> If 1/f noise was present, it would show as a noise peak at the centre of the
> output spectrum. There is no such peak.
>
> If, as Frank says, the SDR1000 software can do zero-IF already, has anyone
> done any tests with it? What were the results? Were there any problems? Has
> the local oscillator radiation problem gone now that the RF amplifier is in
> place?  I think it's worth looking at this area again. The 22kHz image
> problem will be tolerated by SDR1000 fans but this is surely not a proper
> solution. My GMDSS receiver would not have gained it's approval certificate
> if the operator had to balance the image rejection each time he changed
> bands!
>
> 73
> Peter
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Zero IF SDR

[Ahti Aintila]

Typo correction: ... article in QEX...
Ahti OH2RZ


On 21/05/06, Ahti Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Another reason for using IF higher than 0 Hz is the high inherent
> noise level of typical transistors and opamps at low frequencies (so
> called 1/f-noise). This and the leakage of the VFO signals made me to
> move away from the zero-IF in my early switching (and Tayloe)  mixer
> experiments. Fortunately, before spending too much time for
> re-inventing the wheel came Gerald's famous first article in QSX - and
> here I am!
>
> Now is the time to modify the wheel!
>
> 73,
> Ahti OH2RZ
>
> On 21/05/06, Frank Brickle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > The DSP software is already capable of 0 Hz IF, and has been since its
> > earliest version. IIRC the 11025 Hz IF is primarily a consequence of the
> > frequency response of typical soundcards, which start rolling off
> > somewhere in the vicinity of 200-300 Hz.
> >
> > 73
> > Frank
> > AB2KT
> >
> > Peter Martinez wrote:
> > >>From G3PLX:
> > >
> > > The software that comes with the SDR1000 uses an 11.025kHz intermediate
> > > frequency. I understand the reasons for doing it this way, but even before
> > > the SDR1000 appeared I was doing software radio with an I.F. of zero. By
> > > this I mean that the sine and cosine RF oscillators were set right in the
> > > middle of the wanted signal, not offset by 11kHz.  This may sound 
> > > impossible
> > > to those who were brought up with analogue RF, but that's because it could
> > > never be done with analogue circuitry. With DSP it's actually easier to 
> > > have
> > > the 'IF' frequency down in the audio band than to push it up where you 
> > > can't
> > > hear it.
> > >
> > > The big advantage of zero IF is that the 22kHz image response problem
> > > vanishes. Any slight amplitude or phasing unbalance in the Tayloe sampler
> > > just results in an equally-slight amount of in-band distortion. The
> > > strongest image-frequency signal you ever need to reject is the wanted
> > > signal itself. You don't need to worry about a much stronger unwanted 
> > > signal
> > > 22kHz up the band.
> > >
> > > When I got the SDR1000 kit (I got a very early one), I used it with this
> > > technique, and the results were excellent, except for one thing. It took 
> > > me
> > > a while to trace the problem, but I found it in the end and the cause was 
> > > a
> > > surprise.  The problem showed as noise around the centre-frequency of all
> > > received signals, but it varied across the bands, and was absent when I
> > > unplugged the antenna. It was so bad that it made the receiver unusable on
> > > some bands with some antennas. But if I used the SDR1000 to tap-off and
> > > demodulate the intermediate-frequency of another receiver, it worked
> > > perfectly.
> > >
> > > The cause was oscillator radiation. The DDS oscillator (right in the 
> > > middle
> > > of the wanted signal) was radiating, intermodulating with all kinds of
> > > low-frequency noise sources external to the receiver, and the resulting
> > > unwanted products (either side of the oscillator frequency) were 
> > > re-radiated
> > > into the antenna. The effect is well-known to anyone who has ever
> > > experimented with home-brew direct-conversion receivers, where it usually
> > > shows as a raw power-line buzz in the speaker.  It's possible that this
> > > effect may well have shown in the early work on SDR and it may have been 
> > > one
> > > reason for offsetting the passband by 11kHz in the present software.
> > >
> > > The fix is to stop the local oscillator radiation. Screening helps a lot 
> > > but
> > > another way is to add an RF stage, or configure the receiver as a superhet
> > > with the Tayloe sampler at the I.F. frequency.  My early SDR1000 kit 
> > > didn't
> > > have a pre-amp and I understand the current kits do. The local oscillator
> > > radiation is probably considerably lower on the present kits, so the 
> > > zero-IF
> > > technique would probably work a lot better than it does on mine.
> > >
> > > Has anyone here who is writing his own SDR software tried this on the 
> > > latest
> > > hardware?  I can provide more details of the zero-IF technique if 
> > > required.
> > > All the well-known modes can be impleme

Re: [Flexradio] Zero IF SDR

[Ahti Aintila]

Another reason for using IF higher than 0 Hz is the high inherent
noise level of typical transistors and opamps at low frequencies (so
called 1/f-noise). This and the leakage of the VFO signals made me to
move away from the zero-IF in my early switching (and Tayloe)  mixer
experiments. Fortunately, before spending too much time for
re-inventing the wheel came Gerald's famous first article in QSX - and
here I am!

Now is the time to modify the wheel!

73,
Ahti OH2RZ

On 21/05/06, Frank Brickle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> The DSP software is already capable of 0 Hz IF, and has been since its
> earliest version. IIRC the 11025 Hz IF is primarily a consequence of the
> frequency response of typical soundcards, which start rolling off
> somewhere in the vicinity of 200-300 Hz.
>
> 73
> Frank
> AB2KT
>
> Peter Martinez wrote:
> >>From G3PLX:
> >
> > The software that comes with the SDR1000 uses an 11.025kHz intermediate
> > frequency. I understand the reasons for doing it this way, but even before
> > the SDR1000 appeared I was doing software radio with an I.F. of zero. By
> > this I mean that the sine and cosine RF oscillators were set right in the
> > middle of the wanted signal, not offset by 11kHz.  This may sound impossible
> > to those who were brought up with analogue RF, but that's because it could
> > never be done with analogue circuitry. With DSP it's actually easier to have
> > the 'IF' frequency down in the audio band than to push it up where you can't
> > hear it.
> >
> > The big advantage of zero IF is that the 22kHz image response problem
> > vanishes. Any slight amplitude or phasing unbalance in the Tayloe sampler
> > just results in an equally-slight amount of in-band distortion. The
> > strongest image-frequency signal you ever need to reject is the wanted
> > signal itself. You don't need to worry about a much stronger unwanted signal
> > 22kHz up the band.
> >
> > When I got the SDR1000 kit (I got a very early one), I used it with this
> > technique, and the results were excellent, except for one thing. It took me
> > a while to trace the problem, but I found it in the end and the cause was a
> > surprise.  The problem showed as noise around the centre-frequency of all
> > received signals, but it varied across the bands, and was absent when I
> > unplugged the antenna. It was so bad that it made the receiver unusable on
> > some bands with some antennas. But if I used the SDR1000 to tap-off and
> > demodulate the intermediate-frequency of another receiver, it worked
> > perfectly.
> >
> > The cause was oscillator radiation. The DDS oscillator (right in the middle
> > of the wanted signal) was radiating, intermodulating with all kinds of
> > low-frequency noise sources external to the receiver, and the resulting
> > unwanted products (either side of the oscillator frequency) were re-radiated
> > into the antenna. The effect is well-known to anyone who has ever
> > experimented with home-brew direct-conversion receivers, where it usually
> > shows as a raw power-line buzz in the speaker.  It's possible that this
> > effect may well have shown in the early work on SDR and it may have been one
> > reason for offsetting the passband by 11kHz in the present software.
> >
> > The fix is to stop the local oscillator radiation. Screening helps a lot but
> > another way is to add an RF stage, or configure the receiver as a superhet
> > with the Tayloe sampler at the I.F. frequency.  My early SDR1000 kit didn't
> > have a pre-amp and I understand the current kits do. The local oscillator
> > radiation is probably considerably lower on the present kits, so the zero-IF
> > technique would probably work a lot better than it does on mine.
> >
> > Has anyone here who is writing his own SDR software tried this on the latest
> > hardware?  I can provide more details of the zero-IF technique if required.
> > All the well-known modes can be implemented this way, both for receive and
> > transmit.  Maybe the present SDR software could be patched to implement
> > zero-IF, or my own zero-IF software could be run in parallel on another
> > soundcard.  Would anyone like to have a go?
> >
> > 73
> > Peter
> >
> >
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> >
> >
>
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Re: [Flexradio] 16 versus 24 bit audio

[Ahti Aintila]

Thanks to everybody for the most interesting and educating discussion.
Nevertheless, I am not happy until the JANUS version with AK5394A is
in my hands and I have modified the QSD and the following amplifier.

Best regards and special thanks to the HPSDR group for the good work
done so far,
Ahti OH2RZ


On 20/05/06, Philip Covington <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On 5/20/06, Peter Martinez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >From G3PLX:
>
> > Let me close this topic before Phil accuses me of cruelty to dead horses.
> > Before I aquired a 24-bit card, I honestly believed that 24-bit cards would
> > be 8 bits better than 16 bit cards. When I did get one recently, I was
> > surprised to find this wasn't the case. Jim is right. 24 bit cards may only
> > be slightly better than 16-bit cards. I have learned something this week.
> >
> > 73
> > Peter
>
> Hi Peter,
>
> Well, I may have been a little too strong in making that statement
> (dead horse)...it was early morning here...no coffee yet consumed...
> etc... ;-)
>
> The FlexRadio Forum has some interesting discussions in the past about
> different sound cards and what to expect.  It is pretty much true that
> some 24 bit cards are marginally better than some 16  bit cards.  It
> also would be accurate to say that some 24 bit cards are worse than
> some of the better 16 bit cards.
>
> 73 de Phil N8VB
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Interesting artifact

[Ahti Aintila]

Tim,

This sounds like interference coming from the 12 V to +/-15 V DC to DC
converter (NMA1215S) on the PIO board. I have added some extra
filtering, but still sometimes can see and hear it wandering across
the panadapter window at a level -155 dBm. Naturally, that low level
can be seen only without antenna connected to the SDR-1000. In the
normal listening it disappears under the noise coming from the
antenna.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 12/05/06, Tim Ellison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I observed an interesting phenomenon this evening and I wonder if my
> assumption is on track.
>
> When I started up my SDR1K this evening, I had it connected to a dummy
> load to do a little audio testing.  On the Panadapter, I noticed a
> signal 500 Hz wide that was about -100dBm in intensity that sounded like
> a whistle. I could really hear it because the noise floor was about
> -138dBm. The signal never changed in intensity, but was rapidly
> increasing in frequency.  I checked on another radio and the signal was
> definitely in the SDR1K.
>
> I started tracking it at around 14.190 KHz and followed it up the band.
> As it "crawled" up the band, the rate of frequency change decreased, but
> the intensity never did.
>
> I tracked it to all the way to 14.290 KHz where it finally stabilized
> its frequency change.
>
> This whole process took about 20 minutes to complete.
>
> At this point I started transmitting and the peak jumped to 14.335 KHz.
> Once I quit transmitting it started to drop again to stabilize around
> 14.328 KHz.   So it looks like this phenomenon  is very likely
> temperature dependent.
>
> Am I correct to assume that this phenomenon is related to DDS thermally
> instability??  If it is DDS related, shouldn't the intensity of this
> signal decreased in intensity as it stabilized or should this S5 signal
> always be here?  Should this DDS noise be this strong in intensity?
>
> I am just trying to figure out if this is normal operation of do I have
> some other problem.
>
> Any comments and opinions are welcome.
>
> -Tim
> ---
> Tim Ellison 
> Integrated Technical Services 
> Apex, NC USA
> 919.674.0044 Ext. 25 / 919.674.0045 (FAX)
> 919.215.6375 - cell
> >>> PGP public key available at all public KeyServers <<<
> Skype: kg4rzy
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Again USB adapter problem

[Ahti Aintila]

Sami is right. My best guess is the cable at the adapter end. The
cable stress relief may have slipped and wire broken. If you want to
open, check yourself and repair it, ask FlexRadio's permission first.
I think, FlexRadio's policy is to make the repair at their premises.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 05/05/06, Sami Aintila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On 5/4/06, Willi Reppel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > So far I know, the usb adapter is made and has been developed in Finland by
> > Sami Aintila who answered to your post. Perhaps you can arrange with him to
> > send the adapter to Finland for checking.
>
> Although the USB adapter is based on a prototype design by Ahti OH2RZ
> and me, it is still a FlexRadio product. I'm afraid we can't act as a
> service office for USB adapters!
>
> I'm thinking about the fact that Peter was able to use the device for
> a couple of hours, and it seemed to work perfectly well during that
> time. This suggests to me that the USB electronics inside the adapter
> are probably OK, and the most likely cause for this problem is the USB
> connector or cable. Of course I'm only guessing here.
>
> 73, Sami OH2BFO
>
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Re: [Flexradio] RoHS & Tin Whiskers

[Ahti Aintila]

Bill,

A minor correction to your statement: "Another posting by Ahti Aintila
to the reflected has suggested an alternative, but if the components
are tin plated only, then the formation of tin whiskers will occur."

Actually I suggested bismuth as the alloying material for replacing
poisonous lead, preventing tin whisker growth and lowering the process
temperature. The problem with eutectic Sn-Bi is the low melting
temperature (+139 deg C). That is the reason for the separate Bi layer
over tin and a new soldering process that Prof. Kivilahti is calling
Transfusion Bonding.

I completely agree with you that the present lead-free solder alloys
with Sn, Ag, Zn and Cu DO NOT completely eliminate the whisker risk.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 02/05/06, William Bordy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>>Problems with tin whiskers have been around a lot longer than RoHS
>>(perhaps
>>as far back as WW II?). It presents a problem with reliability of
>>equipment
>>designed for low cost production, with no budget for re-engineering, sure.

>>But for the rest, it's not so clear.

Yes, as the listed WEB explains, tin whiskers have been around a lot longer
than RoHS. But, as the below excerpt from the WEB site,
http://nepp.nasa.gov/WHISKER/background/index.htm ,  explains, it is
believed that no-lead solders will increase the risk of tin whiskers.

"
Why the Recent Attention to Tin Whiskers?
The current worldwide initiative to reduce the use of potentially hazardous
materials such as lead (Pb) is driving the electronics industry to consider
alternatives to the widely used tin-lead alloys used for plating. For
example, the European Union has enacted legislation known as the Restriction
of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) Directives which have set June 2006 as deadlines for
electronic equipment suppliers to eliminate most uses of Pb from their
products.  It is widely believed (though reasons remain somewhat of a
mystery) that Pb when alloyed with tin imparts whisker-inhibiting attributes
to the final finish.

With respect to factors such as solderability, ease of manufacture and
compatibility with existing assembly methods, pure tin plating is seen by
the industry as a potentially simple and cost effective alternative. In
fact, many manufacturers have been offering pure tin plated components as a
standard commercial (and in some cases high reliability) product for years
while others are exploring pure tin alternatives for the very first time.
Many electronics manufacturers have never heard of the phenomenon of tin
whiskers and therefore, may not consider the risks of tin whisker growth
during the validation of new plating systems.

Continuing reports of tin whisker-induced failures coupled with the lack of
an industry accepted understanding of tin whisker growth factors and/or test
methods to identify whisker-prone products has made a blanket acceptance of
pure tin plating a risky proposition for high reliability systems.  Still,
organizations such as NASA and the DoD may soon be faced with few options
other than pure tin plating since the desires of the commercial market for
environmentally friendly components carry far more weight than the
infinitesimally small market share of the high reliability user.
"

There is a wealth of information on the tin whiskers problem at the NASA URL
I listed. I won't repeat it here, but I would suggest that those, (I suggest
anyone who buys consumer electronics should be), who are interested read the
information at the URL and resources suggested.

To simply say it has existed, does not resolve the believed increase of tin
whiskers due to the use tin plated only components and the use of no-lead
solder.

Another posting by Ahti Aintila to the reflected has suggested an
alternative, but if the components are tin plated only, then the formation
of tin whiskers will occur. The NASA WEB site does not propose a sure fire
solution and in fact, exceptions are made for mission critical systems to
meet RoHS by the EU.

Obviously, the removal of lead is a good thing, but the introduction of a
new problem without a known solution is short sighted.

I discussed RoHS with a US distributor representative expressing my concerns
of product reliability. His response was products are obsolete in a few
years anyhow. My response is I really wouldn't like to replace a $3000 piece
of consumer electronics equipment in 2 years or less.

I have discussed this with manufacturers also. They are concerned with the
shelve life of products, as tin whiskers are a result of time, not
environment. In fact, one has mentioned changing his warrantee to reflect
time from factory shipment.

Although goods sold in the US do not currently require no-lead components,
the EU RoHS requirements are rippling into the distribution chains.

Regardless, tin whiskers appear to be a real problem that is bei

Re: [Flexradio] RoHS & Tin Whiskers was Re: July 1

[Ahti Aintila]

Bill,

You are right, at least partially. There is a big risk of tin whiskers
shorting the narrow gaps between the fine pitch lead-free solder
joints, unless the manufacturers know exactly their materials and can
strictly control the process.

There are positive examples since several years when some leading
Japanese manufacturers voluntarily changed over to lead-free assembly
in their consumer electronics. So far no alarming reports.

It is true, higher temperatures put a lot more stress to the material
and components, but that is not the fault of politicians. The industry
itself made wrong decisions when selecting the alloying materials for
the lead-free solders used now generally in the RoHS process. There is
a material and soldering process that would work riskless and even at
much lower temperatures. It is called "Transfusion Bonding" that is
using bismuth instead of lead for alloying the solder joint.

In this process you tinplate the solderpads and componets and then add
a thin layer of bismuth over tin. Reflow at +180 deg C, bismuth starts
to melt already at 139 deg C, it diffuses quickly into the tin forming
a thin alloy layer. All the time bismuth continues its diffusion into
the tin matrix, thus the molten mix becomes very lean Bi-Sn alloy that
forms reliable bonds. Also, as the ally becomes leaner, its melting
temperature increases. Actually, even after the temperature is lowered
the bismuth diffusion continues until the alloying is uniform across
the whole solder joint.

The remelting temperature of resulting bond is very close to the
melting temperature of pure tin, +132 deg C! This about 1% content of
bismuth in the alloy can relax the internal energy of the crystal
structure and prevent tin whisker formation.

Why this process is not used generally in the industry? The answer is,
it was invented 10 years ago in the wrong place and hurted interests
of big international companies that already invested huge amounts of
dollars, yens, pounds, etc in tin-silver-zinc alloys. Seldom the best
technolgy wins, only big money talks.

Those who are interested, may read more in the publications of the
IEEE. Look for Professor Jorma Kivilahti, Helsinki University of
Technology. Unfortunately those articles are not freely available,
unless you are a subscriber of the IEEE publications. I found only one
free article that shortly mentions this method:


73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 01/05/06, William Bordy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I have been following the RoHS requirements and one issue I see rarely
discussed is the "Tin Whiskers" issue. For those that are not familiar with
it please see the following WEB site:

http://nepp.nasa.gov/WHISKER/background/index.htm

It appears that with the switch to no-lead that the reliability of the
equipment will be substantially reduced. This appears to be what happens
when politics drive science.

73,
Bill Bordy
NJ1H

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lyle Johnson
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 10:28 AM
To: Jim Lux
Cc: FlexRadio
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] RoHS was Re: July 1

> Bob, I assume you're talking about RoHS, which bans lead (except in
certain
> very narrow situations, not applicable here)  in electronics.
>
> I don't know much about how Gerald makes the boards for the SDR1000, but I

> wouldn't think that changing to no-lead solder is a big issue...

Actually, it is a big issue.

Turns out that no-lead solder manufacturing processes require more heat,
and normal FR-4 PCBs tend to delaminate, so you must use
high-temperature fiberglass.  This is available, just more expensive --
20% to 50% higher cost per board.

Fewer facilities are available to manufacture assemblies in a RoHS
compliant way, and willing to certify same, so those costs go up.  In
the case of my DSPx, the quotes I have for the raw PCB cost are double
and the assembly costs will more than double what I am currently paying.

The components used in the product must all be RoHS compliant.

And it isn't just about lead.  There are six commonly used substances
that are banned or severely proscribed.  Normal passivation processes
used for aluminum, for example, contain banned substances, so even the
case may be affected.

73,

Lyle KK7P




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Re: [Flexradio] 1000 enclosure

[Ahti Aintila]

Jeff,
You might want to see how I did the temporary cooling:



73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 20/04/06, Jeff Griffin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>  I bought a used SDR-1000 . I'm trying to figure out how to assemble the
> enclosure. The mechanical part is not the problem, but a few pictures on the
> wiring would be nice. I would like it setup in a standard configuration so
> if I add any options later I won't have to rearrange anything. I was told by
> another Flex user that there is some info on the website about assembling
> the enclosure. But I couldn't find it.
>  Also I really prefer at the present time to run without the case, as it is
> a bit larger then the 4 stack. Is there any known cooling or RF issues
> running the bare stack? Is it recommended to enclose the 4 stack in a metal
> case?
>
> 73 Jeff kb2m
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] RFI in SDR1000

[Ahti Aintila]

Bill,
If the normal clamp-on chokes don't help, you may use double ferrite
E-cores, wind several turns of cable and close together with ahdesive
tape. See this:
. This
trick works well with my USB-to-PIO adapter proto.

Larrys advice may help even better.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


On 16/04/06, Bill Nagle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I am experiencing some severe r-f problems with the flex at any external
> linear amp power above 100 watts carrier (AM). When the rf feedback starts
> it causes a repeating "echo" in the listeners end receiver. The first echo is
> the normal flex delay but then it builds on itself into multiple echos.
>
>
> There is no problem with my other setup in the same location using an
> ft1000d into a similar L4-b linear.
>
> I have used the TDK ZCAT2035 clamp on rf chokes profusely around all of
> the cables in and out of the flex but the problem still exists.  Does anyone
> have a suggestion for a better choke than the tdk or other suggestions?
>
> Setup is delta44 on a 2.8gig w/512m ram.
>
>
> Bill Nagle
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
>
>
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>

[Flexradio] Calibration: Is this a bug in 1.4.5.18?

[Ahti Aintila]

Is this a bug or a new feature? The Level Calibration of the preview
18  with -70 dBm signal gives me following signal levels on the
Spectrum display with different preamp gains:
Off: -70 dBm
Low: -80 dBm
Med: -70 dBm
High: -80 dBm

If I transfer the mdb-file from the version 1.4.5.16, all gain
settings show the same  -70 dBm.

73, Ahti OH2RZ

Re: [Flexradio] Fwd: PowerSDR Beta Preview 13 has been Released.

[Ahti Aintila]

Gerald and Paul,

I don't have the DUBUS article around. How exactly is the compression 
done in SDR-1000? According to my understanding the compression will 
increase the INBAND intermodulation distortion, unless the audio 
spectrum is sliced to narrow "subbands" that are individually compressed 
and then combined. Naturally, after the processing the final brick wall 
filter is compulsory.


By the way, I miss the multichannel TX equalizer!

73,
Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Gerald Youngblood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "'Paul Wade W1GHZ'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; 
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 4:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Fwd: PowerSDR Beta Preview 13 has been 
Released.




One thing that is very different in the SDR-1000/PowerSDR from Leiff's
excellent article is that our final brick wall filter is AFTER all 
speech

processing, including ALC.  This means that it filters out most of the
splatter before it ever gets amplified.  I verified this on a spectrum
analyzer yesterday at very high levels of processing and ALC 
compression.

73,
Gerald

Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR
President
FlexRadio Systems
8900 Marybank Drive
Austin, TX 78750
Ph: 512-250-8595
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web: www.flex-radio.com



-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Paul Wade 
W1GHZ

Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 10:46 PM
To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] Fwd: PowerSDR Beta Preview 13 has been Released.

anyone thinking about ALC or speech processing should read

"Speech Processing for SSB Transmitters" by Leif Asbrink,
SM5BSZ in the 4/2005 issue of DUBUS

73
paul

>Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:10:41 -0600
>From: "Eric Wachsmann - FlexRadio" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: [Flexradio] PowerSDR Beta Preview 13 has been Released.
>X-Originating-IP: [216.229.20.12]
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>
>PowerSDR Beta Preview 13 has been Released.
>
>This release fixes the ALC problem.  Please read the release notes
>carefully.  Also, several good articles are linked below
about peak to
>average power ratio for the average male voice.
>
>Thanks to those of you that responded to Gerald's request
for bugs.  We
>have a good list to work from now and will be working on
those issues
>before releasing v1.6.0.  Please do not duplicate your
reports unless
>something about your original report has significantly
changed in this
>release (Preview 13).
>
>
>Eric Wachsmann
>FlexRadio Systems
>
>
>Download Installer:
>http://www.flex-radio.com/download_files/PowerSDR/Install/Pow

erSDR_Beta

>_
>v1.4.5_Preview_13.zip
>
>Source:
>http://www.flex-radio.com/download_files/PowerSDR/Source/Powe

rSDR_Beta_

>v
>1.4.5_Preview_13_Source.zip
>
>Release Notes:
>http://flex-radio.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1948
>
>SSB Power Article:
>http://flex-radio.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=6376#6376
>
>
>
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Re: [Flexradio] Auto Mute Idiosyncracies

[Ahti Aintila]

Dale,

This 60 ohms to ground most probably indicates a hardware fault. The 
parallel interface cannot drive that low impedance to the logical "1" 
level.


Earlier, before I changed away from the parallel cable to USB 
connection, I had difficulties that I corrected by soldering a 3.3 kohm 
pull-up resistor between Vcc (pin X2-14) and S3 (pin X2-12). Actually 
the pin X2-12 is also connected to X1-15 on the PIO board, so make sure 
the parallel cable is disconnected when you measure the resistances.


73, Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Dale Richardson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "Flex Radio" 
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 1:17 AM
Subject: [Flexradio] Auto Mute Idiosyncracies



I still have not been able to get the auto mute function to work
correctly. When you set up the SDR as receive only and enable the auto
mute box on Setup->General->Options page the SDR goes into mute. This 
is

the case when the plug in X2 is disconnected. An ohmmeter reading of
X2-12 to ground indicates 60 ohms. If I set up the SDR with PTT 
disabled

on the Setup->General->Options the receiver no longer mutes. Disabling
the PTT also disables the auto mute function. Can anyone else verify
this? I have tried various combinations of settings but nothing works.
The 60 ohm reading seems low to me. Maybe a diode is blown. Any ideas?
73,
Dale AA5XE

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Re: [Flexradio] Mute / Squelch / Eq

[Ahti Aintila]

Willi,

Thank you for the information.
More than 30 years I have used home made clippers in the IF part of my 
all SSB transceivers with a proper audio equalizer in the microphone 
channel. I hope that SDR-1000 would give me a better digital version of 
that feature.

The following articles are worth reading:
<http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/speechproc.pdf>
<http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf>

73, Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Willi Reppel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "Ahti Aintila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; 
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 10:43 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Mute / Squelch / Eq



Ahti,

The need of more equalizer channels was also discussed intensively on 
the 80 m band meeting of German SDR1k users last weekend. I heard here 
that K5SDR, Gerald, is coming to the Friedrichshafen trade show this 
year and hopefully he has time and opportunity to listen to what is 
going on here on HF bands in the old countries.


Best 73 de SM6OMH, Willi


- Original Message - 
From: "Ahti Aintila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 9:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Mute / Squelch / Eq



The new EQ's are amazing,considering that they are only 3 channels.
Behringer could take a lesson for their vx2000 processor.

Bill Nagle
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


More TX equalizer channels needed for the optimal noise penetrating
"communications quality"! Our HF DX-bands are not the best place for
broadband Hi-Fi transmissions.

73, Ahti OH2RZ


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Re: [Flexradio] Mute / Squelch / Eq

[Ahti Aintila]

The new EQ's are amazing,considering that they are only 3 channels.
Behringer could take a lesson for their vx2000 processor.

Bill Nagle
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


More TX equalizer channels needed for the optimal noise penetrating 
"communications quality"! Our HF DX-bands are not the best place for 
broadband Hi-Fi transmissions.


73, Ahti OH2RZ

Re: [Flexradio] Coal in my stocking

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Larry,

Due to the failure of the parallel port data communication you may get a 
wrong relay or semiconductor switch - and correspondingly some wrong 
filter - to pass your signal. That would explain the attenuation. My 
recommendation is the USB to parallel adapter.


Happy new year and 73,
Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "FlexRadio - Eric" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; 
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 8:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Coal in my stocking



Eric,

I have the K6GGO box with 4 board stack and 100 watt PA driven by the 
D44 card using Eric2 interface card.
When the PA calibrates properly the audio line out is less than a volt 
P/P if I remember.  It only goes to 2 V P/P when the RFE gain has 
fallen off.  As I said I need to make a better test setup and take 
some written data.  Getting to have too many variables to remember it 
all.


What I don't understand yet is why it will sometimes get to 30 meters 
before it fails and other times it dies on 160.  I need to do a better 
job of grounding things now as I have a lot of cables strung around 
between the computer, the SDR1000 on the bench and the scope in the 
test rack.


Time Passes-

OK, now have a 1 inch copper braid strap between the players in this 
game.  When the rig is working properly in Calibrate I get 1.4V P/P 
audio into the box, 0.6 V P/P RF at the input to the RFE board and 5.5 
V P/P out the BPF board into the PA.  This gives 40 to 60 watts out 
say on 80 meters.  I calculate the gain of the RFE as 19 db.  When it 
doesn't work I get a gain of 9 DB.  It is intermittent but usually 
fails at 30 meters.  Sometimes at 160 meters.  The drive from the TRX 
board seems consistant with the audio input.


I need to figure out how to get PortMon working to look at the 
parallel port to see if the relays are always getting the proper 
signals for each band.  I would think a non working relay would give 
no signal through the string.


I can also pull the RFE board and bench test it to see what is wrong. 
What are the signal levels at the input and output of the RFE board 
for a 60 watt nominal output?


Any other software tests I can do?

And WHY ARE YOU MESSING AROUND WITH THE SDR BUNCH WHILE YOU ARE ON 
HOLIDAY?  Dealing with this crowd is like herding cats.


73, Larry  K2LT


From: "FlexRadio - Eric" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: 2005/12/26 Mon PM 11:34:36 WET
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,  
Subject: RE: [Flexradio] Coal in my stocking

Larry,

If you are measuring that much output on the cable that goes to the 
radio
labeled "To Line Out", but you are likely overdriving the audio.  Are 
you
using the Delta 44?  If so, is it set to -10dBv Output as specified 
in the

Delta 44 Quick Start Guide (www.flex-radio.com/delta44/delta44.htm)?


Eric Wachsmann
FlexRadio Systems

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2005 11:41 PM
To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] Coal in my stocking

I don't have a fireplace much less a furnace down here but I got lump 
of

coal in my stocking for Christmas.

Running the PA calibrate routine gave me a failure window. 
Investigation
shows that the RFE board sometimes doesn't produce its advertised 
gain.
Sometimes the failure is on 160 and other times it will get to 30 
meters

before the failure.

I've been monitoring the audio input which gets to 2 + volts P/P and 
the RF
into and out of the RFE board.  When it works there is the 25 db of 
gain.
When it doesn't it seems to be low gain, 5 db or so.  I'll make up a 
better
set of probes to get into the RFE board tomorrow and use the dual 
trace

scope to get hard numbers.

Don't think the problem is software, I reloaded 1.4.4 and the 
database and
messed around with other settings and no success.  No luck with 
1.4.5v9

either.  Receive works fine.

Thats why I missed the net.  Had the operating station torn apart to 
make up

the test setup for my "lump of coal".

By the way, it was 78 F here this afternoon, a really nice day.

Merry Xmas
Larry  K2LT

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[Flexradio] Audio Processing for SSB

[Ahti Aintila]

The SSB modulation came to the telecommunication in the purpose of 
saving frequency spectrum and reducing transmitting power without 
sacrificing the signal intelligibility. It seems to me that during the 
years and decades the knowledge of processing the signal for optimal 
communication grade frequency/power spectrum has almost vanished down 
and under.


Fortunately, at least our clever software wizards still understand 
better than we, the appliance operators, what and how to do it for 
HF-ham radio communication. I uploaded to my homepage a couple of 
ancient articles that may be fun reading to the newcomers for the basic 
understanding why and how the signal has to be processed: 
http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/speechproc.pdf

http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf

The first article is amateur radio oriented and from ZL1BN in Ham Radio, 
February 1975. This and the more recent good work of our AGC guru, Phil 
VK6APH, shows that the real understanding has survived well "down under" 
in Australia and New Zealand. Now the ideas born in the tube (or valve) 
age are experiencing a rebirth with the better tools of DSP and the Flex 
software team working as the "midwives". Thanks FlexRadio letting this 
happen!


Happy Boxing Day and 73, Ahti OH2RZ

Re: [Flexradio] Change to floats in Preview 9, speed up, and EQ

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi all, audiophiles included (like myself),

Just wanted to remind that any HF equipment doesn't deserve to be called 
SSB transceiver if it has no equalization of the transmitted signal. It 
is extremely important in SSB DX work when you want to get through the 
QRM and other noise. As Bob let us understand, SSB, AM and FM DO NEED 
shaping. We do not need flat frequency response for the best 
intelligibility with the legally or technically limited powers and 
bandwidths. In addition to the frequency shaping we need amplitude 
compression or even clipping. Read this article from 1970's, it is still 
true: http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/ahti/sdr-1000/filtclip.pdf . Now 
with the DSP tools we can make everything in a more elegant and 
efficient way.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with the wonderful presents from 
FlexRadio,

73, Ahti OH2RZ



- Original Message - 
From: "Robert McGwier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "Tim Ellison" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: 
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 8:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Change to floats in Preview 9, speed up, and EQ


Gerald,  Frank, Eric, and I have come to an agreement on what the new 
EQ
will look like.  It will not be like a ISO centered RANE lookalike( 
but

not function-alike !)  but will provide the necessary shaping so that
you do not get this very flat response that sounds so different on TX
from that which people are accustomed to (they are accustomed to at
least a bit of preemphasis and some other shaping).  The new EQ will 
be
10 bands or less and not work above 6 KHz.  We will concentrate on 
those

areas where SSB, AM, and FM needs the shaping.  It will be implemented
using 512 sample buffers to limit latency to 11 ms.  This was NOT that
different from the delay through the low frequency filters in the IIR
version.

Expect this out in preview 10.

Your results are consistent with mine.  We are taking cache hits 1/2 
as

often on average and the total memory bandwidth demands are down under
50% from before.  Slow off chip (not cache) memory was a big limiting
factor before.  The use of floats in the optimized FFTW routines more
than make up for the slightly loss of speed when the floating point 
unit

is used to do floats/doubles.  Many functions automatically promote to
doubles so this can be a net loss.  In this case, the overwhelming
increase in speed in FFTW3 more than makes up for the occasional 
sin/cos

promotion to double and then conversion back to float.  Also, we just
left the oscillators running as doubles so the phase wrap glitch 
occurs

once a week!


On my wife's sempron, with almost no cache, the lowered memory 
bandwidth

demand dropped it from 65% to 25%.

Thanks and again, our apologies for not testing the EQ after the 
change.


Bob
N4HY

Re: [Flexradio] Confession

[Ahti Aintila]

Mike,

I very much understand and agree with you. I also understand Eric's 
opinions. However, the PC connected to radio hardware is just a tool for 
me for developing better and more user friendly radios. The final 
product in my dreams is just a hardware (or better firmware) radio with 
minimal number of knobs, buttons and displays. It is not user friendly 
to carry the present SDR-1000 and the related desktop PC or even a 
laptop on the field. The PC in the modern radio should serve only as the 
development tool and downloading source of the better firmware.


What a lucky old hardware man I am to have a son as the software 
interpreter! We both are anxiously waiting for the REALLY MODULAR 
version 1.5 to come. Hopefully that will be a lot easier for us 
oldtimers to make our own modifications.


73, Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "ecellison" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "'Mike'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; 
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Confession



Folks (Especially USERS of this paradigm shift of a radio)

There are MANY 'just plain' users of this radio out here! Not everyone 
is

interested in the software and development side!

Collectively the flavor of the reflector is currently in a 'design and 
test'
phase of the radio, so there are fewer posts on 'how to'. That is 
exciting
to many who are voluntarily contributing to the advancement of the 
software.
They represent the best and most innovative programmers, special 
interest

operators, and designers the radio art has to offer!

Do NOT hesitate to ask operational questions, as a user! It IS users 
of the
design effort who will make this paradigm shift in the end! The USER 
is what
it really is all about. You might not get that 'feeling' from the 
reflector
at this moment, but don't be intimidated. In this enthusiastic group I 
have

NEVER seen ANYONE, of any brilliance, not stop to help the user. It is
synergistic! You just have to meet Gerald, Bob - N4HY, Frank Brickle, 
Phil
Covington to name a few, to realize the sincerity and dedication of 
these
folks to bring us a better radio, and are also having fun in their 
area of

expertise. If you ever meet them they all make you feel better about
yourself as a user and not a designer! Alas, they are users.

If you can get comfortable with a radio without knobs, CONTROLLED by a 
PC
then that IS the only 'hump' you need to cross. Even that might change 
with

a console with knobs. In the future that is the way it will be done!
Actually it is getting comfortable with "RAPID CHANGE" which is the 
problem.


Hang in there! It just gets Better!

Eric2 - AA4SW - V31SR



-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 10:47 PM
To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] Confession

Fellow SDR users,

I am using version 1.4.4 with my SDR.  I have been reading the 
reflector for


several months and I must admit that perhaps I have made a mistake.  I 
am at


somewhat of a loss at this point.  I am reluctant to try any further
versions of the software.  It seems that my area of expertise is in 
areas
other than computers and computer programming.  Therefore I have very 
little


clue as to the meaning of most of the posted messages on the 
reflector.

Perhaps I am in the minority, or perhaps there may be others who might
benefit from a "translator" of sorts to attempt to put some of the 
available


knowledge into a language which might be understood by a person such 
as I.
At this point in time, I am inclined to "revert" to my comfortable 
regular

style radios that I have been using for the last 46 years.

My onboard computer(brain) is running way over the 100% level trying 
to

comprehend.

At any rate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Flexers.

73,   Mike K5NU





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Re: [Flexradio] Beta 8, DirectX, new AGC, use of FFTW3

[Ahti Aintila]

Bob,

With the changes in Preview 8 the good RX of the SDR-1000 is
now GREAT! My system is: Pentium 4, 3.2 GHz, 1024 MB DDR, XP
Pro SP2, Radeon 9550 256 MB, w/RFE, Waveterminal 192X, WDM-KS,
USB-to-PIO.

The CPU loadings are:
- Display off 3.9%
- Spectrum 5 FPS 4.7%
- Spectrum 15 FPS 6.3%

Well done! Thanks for this Christmas present,
73, Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Robert McGwier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "KD5NWA" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: 
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 3:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Beta 8, DirectX, new AGC, use of FFTW3



Let me say this once since it has not been made explicit.

Whether or not DirectX helps you or hurts you is COMPLETELY dependent 
on
the quality of your video card and its driver.  If you driver and 
video

card do lots and lots of texturing and rendering, etc. in hardware, it
will give you a huge cut down in CPU.  If you own a POS video card, to
match the POS mobo for the sound card, expect no help from this
setting.  Please continue to use GDI.

(POS == piece of slime, otherwise substitute your favorite)

On my laptop,  the CPU %   moves up and down from 1% to 10% with much
more variance than before.  However,  previous to our use of FFTW3 and
DirectX,  it was a steady 40%.  This latest version is an overall
MASSIVE win.

The agc is now the FULL two track specification that Phil proposed.
The implementation has undergone many iterations and the fast track 
came

together in the last two weeks while sitting in my hotel room in
Marburg, Germany.  Frank and I attended an AMSAT meeting there where 
it

became absolutely clear that SDR is the future of amateur radio
satellites.  Phase 3E will use an SDX (software defined transponder) 
and
AMSAT's current Eagle proposal is a software defined satellite.  Now 
if

we could only get Software defined launches!

Back to the AGC,  Phil lives in the land down under.  This means that 
he

and I are inverted!

Phil suggests setting the fast attack threshold to twice that of slow
track to target the same signal.

Phil used AGC voltage (the more negative, the more AGC limiting).   I
use gain.  Furthermore,  my gain is voltage multiplier.  His AGC was 
dB
and inverse gain.  The results were like those of the JPL engineers 
who

spoke metric on one side and feet/yards on the other and sent the Mars
mission into the dirt.   This is entirely my fault and Phil's spec has
been fine since day one.  I really like the new sound this gives.
Thanks so much to Jeff for his constant probing of the agc and his
EXTREMELY useful software analysis and critical remarks.  Also to Dale
for his continued testing and remarks and measurements.  Four days ago
they gave me their latest comments and measurements on overshoot and I
hope we successfully captured the necessary changes in release 8.  If
not,  we are still learning.  What I can say is this is a sweet 
sounding

agc now and we should all send our thanks to Phil, VK6APH.

Eric is busting his rear end on getting DirectX to work.  Like all
things, Microsoft works extremely hard to obfuscate as much as
possible.  I am becoming more and more convinced that you get the 
secret
keys to the kingdom of their documentation, and probably code 
examples,

only as a result of attending this huge thousands of dollars developer
courses.  Monopolies stink.  There is absolutely NOTHING worse than 
the

documentation for WDM-KS.  DirectX is slightly improved with the
"managed directX" is an abomination.  It silently wrecked the floating
point coprocessor and we were pointing the finger at FFTW3 until Eric
found a page or two full of complaints about the idiotic silent 
behavior

and then implemented the (behind the hidden handshake and thousands of
dollars of training) hidden flag that stops this behavior.

Bob
N4HY



KD5NWA wrote:


I just tried Beta 8 on my SR-40 and turned on Direct X, maybe I'm
missing something here but my panadapter works just fine, everything
is working fine.

After turning the panadapter on I doubled checked and the setting is
still on Direct X, I don't see a difference  when turning it on or
off as far as CPU usage.


Cecil Bayona
KD5NWA

Re: [Flexradio] Mute for SDR Receiver

[Ahti Aintila]

Larry wants to use separate receivers and transmitters - 
possible different antennas for the receiver and transmitter. 
In this situation for protecting the receiver, it must be 
completely isolated from the antenna during the transmitting 
time by a good antenna relay, PIN diode switch or high voltage 
PhotoMOS switch. Also, for best protection the receiver 
antenna terminal should be shorted using same kind of devices.


I have used NAIS or Panasonic PhotoMOS AQV204 that can stand 
400 V and switches in less than 100 µs.
See: 
http://www.datasheetarchive.com/semiconductors/pdfdatasheet.php?Datasheet=387760


Naturally, carefully designed sequencing and switch driver 
circuits will be needed. Still, due to switching transients a 
good "RF" mute may be necessary.


73, Ahti OH2RZ

- Original Message - 
From: "Jim Lux" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Larry W8ER" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; 
"'Flex Reflector'" 

Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 11:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Mute for SDR Receiver



At 08:28 AM 12/14/2005, Larry W8ER wrote:
Eric .. I would like to eliminate all other receivers from 
my ham shack.
The Flex is the best. Occasionally I like to fire up an old 
boatanchor AM
transmitter or something other than the Flex transmitter. I 
am looking for
a way to mute the Flex receiver. Killing the audio is fairly 
simple but in
doing so the Flex hears the big local signal and upon return 
to receive,
the AGC has to recover and so forth. A good clean mute is 
what I am after.


I think the confusion might be with what "mute" means, 
because I think most
folks thought it meant shutting off the AF output, but what 
you mean is an

"RF" mute, or at least one that freezes the AGC.


Jim







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[Flexradio] Website

[Ahti Aintila]

Website is now OK, but where is Forum?

73, Ahti OH2RZ

[Flexradio] Welcome WDM-KS, goodbye ASIO!

[Ahti Aintila]

My "exotic" Waveterminal 192X is working now better than ever with Preview 5 
and a modified PortAudio!


Thanks,
Ahti OH2RZ

Re: [Flexradio] Firebox max input signal?

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Dan,

I was wondering the same specification of the PreSonus Firebox, but did not 
ask them. Thanks for doing that.


Obviously Firebox has better dynamic range than Delta 44 (higher max level, 
lower noise?). However, the best specifications I have seen is with AKM chip 
set as given in your link below (123 dB dynamic range with +23 dBu maximum 
input signal ≈ 31 Vpk-pk).


Since the "Tayloe detector" ("QSD" as Gerald says) can handle about 4 Vpk-pk 
and we optimally could use gain of 31/4 = 7.75 (+17.8 dB) between the best 
practically available sound card and the sampling detector. We should also 
find a better amplifier to replace INA163, because it is too noisy at these 
low gains. So far I have not found any pin to pin replacement, but I am 
experimenting with  two OPA2227's as dual balanced output amplifiers 
assembled on a small circuit board. Naturally a minor "surgery" has to be 
done to the TRX board.


I wonder, why TI suggests OPA2134 together with PCB11804? It has higher 
noise than OPA2227.


By the way, my sound card is WT192X that has AKM chip inside and can take 31 
Vpk-pk.


73, Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Tayloe Dan-P26412" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: 
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 12:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Firebox max input signal?


Here is the information that I got about the PreSonus Firebox line inputs. 
It looks like it is good for +18 dBu or about 17.4v pk-pk maximum.


In contrast the Delta 44 is rated to +14 dBu or about 11v pk-pk.

- Dan, N7VE

--

For Line inputs (0dBFS=+18dBu) , we are performing something very similar 
to the datasheet you refer to.  We attenuate the signal by approximately 
5.5x to "fit" into the converter.


Best Regards,

Jonathan Hillman

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

PreSonus Audio Electronics

225-216-7887 x. 117



From: Tayloe Dan-P26412 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 2:15 PM
To: jonathan hillman
Subject: RE: Maximum input to the Firebox?

I have looked at the manufacturer (TI, Cirrus Logic, AKM etc) 
specifications of several of the best 24 bit A/D devices currently on the 
market.


On of the things that I noticed is that although the A/D input is rated at 
0-5v, the reference designs of the parts often show an input buffer that 
has a gain of less than 1 in order to allow the input to go to a level of 
greater than 0-5v (5v pk-pk).  Example 
http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/pcm1804.pdf  figure 44 or 
http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/product/ak5394a/ek5394a.pdf  figure 
13.


The AKM figure 13 above shows an attenuation of about 5.3x (input R=3.3K, 
feedback = 620+91 ohms, gain of ~0.188x). I can see that this might be 
needed since line level devices such as a mixer board often are capable of 
relatively high outputs.  A Heath-Allen mixer console 
(http://www.allen-heath.com/DL/ml4000ug_ap4314_4.pdf - see page 12) is 
rated at an output of +23 dBu, where 0 dBu is 0.775v RMS (1.096v pk or 
2.192v pk-pk).  Thus +23 dBu translates to ~ 31v pk-pk of audio.


Thus, I might expect the line input buffer to the A/D converter to have 
attenuation rather than gain.  I am simply trying to find out what the 
input buffer stage of the A/D converter looks like (gain and voltage 
limits) in order to best match my output to the line input of this box.


- Dan Tayloe



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[Flexradio] SDR-1000 metering

[Ahti Aintila]

Eric,

One of the best features of SDR-1000 is the present metering system. It has 
already replaced expensive spectrum analyzers as a high quality narrow band 
laboratory instrument. Keep it as the default set-up. Many users (especially 
the professionals) like to see on the spectrum, panadaptor and S-meter 
displays what happens at the antenna connector level. Make the other 
suggested display modes selectable only under the Display tab of the Setup 
window.


By the way, my display range is usually set up from -170 to 0 dB. I want to 
see the noise floor changes in all conditions including the spurious signals 
generated by the DDS and the possible start of the system saturation by the 
overloading signal to be measured.


Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Eric Wachsmann - FlexRadio" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "'Alan Davis'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; 


Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 10:42 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] AGC suggestion



Correction:  The panadapter is shown pre-filter.  The Spectrum display
mode should be shown post-filter (so you can see the skirts).  The
multimeter is post-filter, pre-AGC.


Eric Wachsmann
FlexRadio Systems


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
radio.biz] On Behalf Of Eric Wachsmann - FlexRadio
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 2:38 PM
To: 'Alan Davis'; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] AGC suggestion

Alan,

I agree that we need to have some sort of RF Gain control on the front
panel.  It remains to be seen whether this should just control the Max
AGC Gain or some combination of that and the AF and/or other controls.

I have to disagree with the other two suggestions though, and here is
why: The spectrum/multimeter are shown BEFORE the DSP.  This includes
the AGC, filtering, etc.  This is what makes this like a true spectrum
analyzer as it is showing you what is seen by the antenna.  I don't
think we want to involve the AGC in these types of readouts just based
on that idea.

Re: [Flexradio] CAT CONTROL CHECK BOX P3 & P4

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Willi (et al),

Correction to your message: HP's RPN calculators are from the past 
millennium.


Ahti OH2RZ

- Original Message - 
From: "Willi Reppel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2005 11:43 PM

RPN was already used on HP´s desktop calculators in the sixties of the past
century.

Willi

Re: [Flexradio] Receiver dies 2 min after power-up, ideas?

[Ahti Aintila]

Jim,

I agree, this was really a very strange failure in our case. We found out 
that the circuit did not function with our test program if the "sinc" and 
"multiply" options were included. When we removed those functions from the 
control program, both I and Q signal were present. We also noticed that the 
total current consumption was considerably lower. Unfortunately I did not 
make any notes, but if I remember it correctly it was slightly above 500 mA.


After a lot of measurements, optical inspections, mechanical stressing 
(twisting, shocking, vibration) I am pretty much convinced that it was the 
failure of AD9854. Unfortunately I have no possibilities of etching the 
package open for microscopic inspection of the bare die.


73, Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Jim Lux" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ahti Aintila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; 


Sent: Saturday, October 01, 2005 5:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Receiver dies 2 min after power-up, ideas?



At 06:09 AM 10/1/2005, Ahti Aintila wrote:

I can confirm Eric's statement. One of our three SDR-1000 systems had this
problem. Cooling down the AD9854 helped temporarily. Then I installed a
bigger heatsink that worked a couple of weeks until the synthesizer got
damaged so badly that it did not work any more with any version of the
PowerSDR software. Amazingly though, with one of our own small test 
program

it still worked. However, for fully functional tasks of the PowerSDR the
chip had to be replaced.


Thermal damage that results in a partial failure?  This brings up an 
interesting question.  Is there some sort of simple diagnostic program or 
process that could be used to determine if this has occurred?


Did you do any sort of failure analysis on the part that was removed?



73,
Ahti OH2RZ


James Lux, P.E.
Spacecraft Radio Frequency Subsystems Group
Flight Communications Systems Section
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop 161-213
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena CA 91109
tel: (818)354-2075
fax: (818)393-6875

Re: [Flexradio] Receiver dies 2 min after power-up, ideas?

[Ahti Aintila]

I can confirm Eric's statement. One of our three SDR-1000 systems had this 
problem. Cooling down the AD9854 helped temporarily. Then I installed a 
bigger heatsink that worked a couple of weeks until the synthesizer got 
damaged so badly that it did not work any more with any version of the 
PowerSDR software. Amazingly though, with one of our own small test program 
it still worked. However, for fully functional tasks of the PowerSDR the 
chip had to be replaced.


For locating the malfunction, perhaps my private message earlier to Wayne 
may help if anybody else happens to have this same problem:

--
Wayne,

This is just an educated guess. Try to measure the quadrature DDS signals at
U1B pin 6 and U1A pin 7. If no square wave signals present, use cold spray
for cooling AD9854. If that brings the signals back, you should know the
problem. Use the cold spray very selectively to one component at the time,
because the overheating problem may be also on the less expensive
components.
--
Good luck, if you decide to repair the radio yourself. Safer method may be 
what Eric suggests.


73,
Ahti OH2RZ

- Original Message - 
From: "Eric Wachsmann - FlexRadio" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "'Wayne Roth'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; 
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 11:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Receiver dies 2 min after power-up, ideas?



This is exactly what it looks like when/if the DDS quits running.
Contact us directly about getting the unit serviced.  You might look
through the various ECOs on the private downloadp age if your unit is
not up to date.


Eric Wachsmann
FlexRadio Systems


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
radio.biz] On Behalf Of Wayne Roth
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 1:57 PM
To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] Receiver dies 2 min after power-up, ideas?

My SDR-1000 (an older rev box with RFE, no PA or tuner, parallel port
interface) receives fine for the first couple of minutes then goes

deaf.

Cycling the DC power restores the receiver for another couple minutes,
then
it dies again.  Just before it craps out, the baseline as viewed on

the

spectral display raises from -130 to about -70 a couple times along

with

an
increase in the white noise, then drops to -140.  All frequencies

appear

to
be dead.  Restarting the software has no effect, so it's a hardware

issue.

I have yet to open the enclosure and get the scope out, just wondering

if

anyone has seen this, or has a suggestion on where to start looking.

Best Regards,
Wayne
WA2N / 5 Austin Tx


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Re: [Flexradio] Receiver Sensitivity

[Ahti Aintila]

Bob,

I can confirm Willi's advice. I had the same problem. My solution was the 
USB to PIO adapter. You may possibly try to increase the LPT delay, if you 
don't want to use the adapter.


73, Ahti OH2RZ

- Original Message - 
From: Willi Reppel

To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 12:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Receiver Sensitivity


Hi Bob,

I had once problems with reduced sensivity. Make sure that you can hear a 
distinct relay click each time when you step through the positions of the 
preamplifier from off to high gain and back. Missing relay clicks indicate 
that you may have a problem with the parallel port connection.


Best 73 de SM6OMH  Willi

- Original Message - 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 9:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Receiver Sensitivity

Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.

[Ahti Aintila]

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]>; 


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

Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.

[Ahti Aintila]

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.


Ahti OH2RZ

- Original Message - 
From: "Ahti Aintila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Lyle Johnson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Tayloe Dan-P26412" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Cc: 
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc. 

Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.

[Ahti Aintila]

Lyle, Jim, Dan et al.,

You all make so good comments! This is a fun learning process!

Dan said:
"This 29v pk-pk sound card range is the essence of my concern
about sound cards.  The gain must not be constant."

And here is AKM's explanation:
"ALC (Automatic Level Control)
Automatic Level Control (ALC) is found on many AKM
CODECs and ADCs. The ALC is located between the
analog mic preamp and the ADC and maintains the incoming
signal at a constant level. AKM's ALC provides
control of Level, Time, Step and Attenuation. Level is
a threshold value above which the ALC is initiated. Time
is the amount of time that a signal must spend above the
threshold before ALC starts. Step allows you to instantaneously
"step" the clipped value down by the Attenuation
value or to wait until a zero-crossing point is reached
prior to making ALC adjustments. Attenuation allows you
to attenuate on a per-sample basis until the signal level is
reduced below the Threshold."

Interesting!

I don't know how exactly ESI has implemented their Waveterminal 192X, but 
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. 
With this circuit they promise DR= 120 dB, S/(N+D)= 105 dB. There really 
seems to be some potential for dynamic range improvement.


Any GOOD sugestions?

73, Ahti OH2RZ

- Original Message - 
From: "Lyle Johnson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "Tayloe Dan-P26412" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: "Ahti Aintila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; ; "Lyle 
Johnson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 6:40 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.



Hello Dan!

I forgot to say that your measurements show that your sound card shows a 
114 db dynamic range which is 5 to 6 db better than the specs guarantee 
them to be.  Looks like there is some margin in the A/D converter specs.


Sounds like someone need to push TI and Wolfson for better ADCs!


Look at TI's PCM4202, which beats the specs of the PCM1804 by 6 dB at a 
cost of another $3.00 and 75 mW.


And AKM's AK5394A (www.akm.com) is spec'ed 5 dB better than TI's 4202 :-) 
But uses another 365 mW over the '4202 and pricing is hard to find...


-Lyle KK7P

Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.

[Ahti Aintila]

Thank you Dan and Jim for the good comments. Sure I noticed how difficult it
is to measure the sound cards without proper instruments. The clipping (or
compression) levels are easy, but the noise in the present computer
environment and with signals approaching the thermal noise levels are
challenging.

Instead of measuring the audio card only I decided to continue with the
whole SDR-1000 system. I recorded 1) the noise floor (dBm/500 Hz) with audio
card input cable input connected to the radio and the antenna connector
terminated to 50 ohm and then 2) with a signal to radio until clipping or
compression was indicated at the line-in connector of the radio or at the
SDR-1000 own measurement systems.

The results were:
Preamp Setting HIGH, -140 dBm/500 Hz, -26 dBm, INA163 out 25 Vpp
Preamp Setting MED,  -130 dBm/500 Hz, -16 dBm, INA163 out 25 Vpp
Preamp Setting LOW,  -130 dBm/500 Hz, -13 dBm, INA168 out 4.8 Vpp (1.4 dB
compressed)

My conclusion is that the QSD can take about 4 Vpp until it starts to 
saturate and my sound card can take 29 Vpp, so the amplifier after the QSD 
could have 17 dB voltage gain for optimal results. The front end gain need 
to be adjusted accordingly. Dan  mentioned:"... ideally 130 to 145
db to match the blocking performance of other rigs...". This should be our 
target and to achieve that we need audio cards handle signal from tens of 
nanovolts to tens of volts.


I estimate, the accuracy of the above measurements is about 1 dB. The 
measurements were made with PowerSDR 1.4.5 console with unmodified RFE. 
These figures serve as the reference when comparing the results of the 
ECO-25 modifications.


73, Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Jim Lux" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "Tayloe Dan-P26412" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Tayloe Dan-P26412"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Ahti Aintila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;

Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 6:20 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.



At 05:40 PM 9/23/2005, Tayloe Dan-P26412 wrote:

I would think that on top of the audio blocking test we also want to
run audio IP3 tests and audio IP2 dynamic range tests as well to make
sure that the distortion characteristics are at least as good as the
SDR1000 front end.

- Dan, N7VE



Such tests would be useful, but are quite challenging to make for high
performance systems. You can take two general approaches:
1) Obssessively account for all the error sources, use very clean sources,
etc. so you can truly know that what you've measured is just the unit
under test, and not quirks of the experimental setup.

2) Measure it in a "typical setup", in which case the performance will
certainly measure out worse, but at least it's representative of what
you'll really get.


Consider that if you're looking for 140 dB relative levels, you're looking
for signals of a 0.1 microvolt on a 1 volt signal. I've done DC
measurements to 6 digits, and it's, frankly, an ordeal.

You'd also need sources that are that good, which is no easy matter,
especially if you want to cover the full frequency span of the device
(several decades).  For instance, the SRS DS360 claims <-100dBc distortion
from 10mHz to 20 kHz.  It's not too pricey at about $3000.

Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Riho and Bob,

If I am not mistaken, the dynamic range of the loopback measurement in this 
case may be limited by the DAC that happens to have noise about -106 dBA. 
Another limiting factor is the maximum signal before clipping.


The important parameters for our SDR-1000 receivers are the noise and 
clipping levels of the ADC. Almost all ADC's in higher class audio cards 
with balanced input have reasonably low noise but the clipping level may be 
too low. According to my measurements with Waveterminal 192X the clipping 
level is +22 dBu and the noise at 24 kHz bandwidth is less than -103 dBu. 
The measurements have been made with carefully balanced input and isolating 
audio transformers at the input and output connections. Sorry, I don't have 
the A-weighing filter.


Due to the home made signal generator and low noise instrumentation 
amplifier I cannot guarantee the correctness of my measurement values, but 
clearly the limitations seem to be on the SDR-1000 hardware side.


73, Ahti OH2RZ

- Original Message - 
From: "rihob., es7aaz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 7:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Audiocards, USB, etc.



Hi,

Bob:
Esi Juli unbalanced loopback  @ 24-bit, 48 kHz mode:
http://www.hot.ee/es7aaz/Juli.htm

P.S. It was RMAA 5.4 when I did this measurement.

Rgds,
Riho, ES7AAZ.

Re: [Flexradio] In a sentimental mood

[Ahti Aintila]

Hi Friends,

Thanks to Bob for the GREAT news: MODULARITY FIRST!
Thanks to Frank for hollering, but why didn't you holler louder?
Thanks to the software developers for plodding along.
Thanks to the epistolary correspondents, those will be needed more often.
Many thanks to José for the conclusion. We all learned a lot more than new 
words only.


73, Ahti OH2RZ

- Original Message - 
From: José Dumoulin

To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 9:50 PM
Subject: [Flexradio] In a sentimental mood


Hi Friends

This is one of my favoured songs. I have been reading the last posts from 
some of you, guys (Ahti, Bob, Eric1, Eric2, Frank, Gerald, Jim, Sami - 
alphabetical order) :'(
I was afraid of seeing this epistolary correspondence degenerate into a 
brawl. The positive side is that I learned a few new words.
Remember this sentence that you could read in the saloons : Don't shoot the 
pianist down. :-)
Then, as a sort of calmness after the storm, Phil, N8VB, came and informed 
us of his progress with SharDSP and other stuff.


Many thanks to Phil, Sami, Jim, Gerald, Frank, Eric2, Eric1, Bob, Ahti.

73 - José






___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz 

Re: [Flexradio] A plea to SDR software developers

[Ahti Aintila]

Very well said, Bob! The full modularity is also my main interest. That is 
worth waiting, but may I suggest that after implementing and debugging the 
all promised goodies in version 1.5 FlexRadio would freeze it for a while 
and concentrate in rewriting everything in fully modular way.


Many thanks and 73,
Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Robert McGwier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "Sami Aintila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <>
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 3:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] A plea to SDR software developers



This is like a page out of choir book.  This is exactly what we have
proposed and while we have paused to catch our breath, it is what we all
want (people who have been developers). No one likes the monolithic
approach.  It is completely ill-suited to this type of distributed
development.  It has completely prevented many others from
participating.  If the only way to get your piece in is to get it past
Bob, Frank, or Eric, that is a bad thing.  No one agrees more than we
do.  A modular, layered approach, with well specified API's.   In the
small architectural email interchanges we have made with those who have
contributed to the existing code,  this is a universally held opinion.
Brickle has been insisting on this for months and that is how the new
architecture will look.

This is simply required for the model we want to build to, which is
driven by the desire to allow distributed computing.  Nothing else will
do for this.

But of course, your earlier statement chimed in with support for the
Lux's bemoaning the GPL approach.  My apologies for the misinterpretation.

Bob

Re: [Flexradio] Vers 1.4.3 Power Down Glitch

[Ahti Aintila]

I have same kind of problems since the early versions of PowerSDR. In my 
case the system may hang already when starting the program. Usually the CPU 
loading goes up above 50% before I click "STANDBY" to "ON". If at this phase 
I can use the Task Manager. If clicking "ON", the CPU loading goes to 100% 
and Task Manager (or anything) does not respond. I have to make a "hard 
reset". This happens almost daily and more frequently if running longer 
times or using other programs in the mean time.


My configuration:
Pentium 4 3.2 GHz, 1024 MB DDR, XP Pro SP2, Waveterminal 192X and Realtek 
AC97, Radeon 9550 256 MB, w/RFE, Waveterminal 192X ASIO, USB to Parallel 
converter.


73, Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Dale Richardson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: "Flex Radio" 
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 6:41 AM
Subject: [Flexradio] Vers 1.4.3 Power Down Glitch



Sometimes when powering down the SDR the program hangs up. The power on
light remains lit and the program freezes. I have to go to windows task
manager to close the program. If I try to bring up the program again I
get a window that says there are other PowerSDR instances running. I
have to shut down the computer to clear this. This is not an isolated
occurence as it has happened at least 5 times.  The longer I run the
program the more frequent it happens. 

Re: [Flexradio] Problem with SDR in MOX

[Ahti Aintila]

No MOX problem after having 3.3 kohm connected between X2-14 and X2-11.
73 de Ahti OH2RZ

- Original Message - 
From: "Eric" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "'FlexRadio - Eric'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "'Mike King - KM0T'" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; 

Sent: Friday, July 22, 2005 6:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Problem with SDR in MOX



Let me correct myself by noting that Gerald's message is more correct.
It is not powering off the radio that puts it into PTT, but rather
having an unterminated parallel port/cable that causes problems.

Eric

Re: [Flexradio] A/Ds

[Ahti Aintila]

I have a few samples of the PCM4202
coming that I will be testing.

73 de Phil N8VB


Hi Phil,
Good selection but due to the dynamic range I like AK5394A better:
http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/product/ak5394a/ek5394a.pdf 


73 de Ahti OH2RZ

Re: [Flexradio] RFI Issues

[Ahti Aintila]

Dudley,

Thank you for good tips. Actually the RFI is not my problem - not any more. 
All my antennas are fed by coaxial cable with baluns and impedance matching 
done at the antenna terminals high up and far away from the shack. The 
cables are inside the metal tower and come to the house through an 
underground pipe. This solution is the result of "learning by errors".


Most of the problems come from the leaking computers, but also those can be 
solved. As an evidence, below are some noise level measurements (SigAvg) of 
my SDR-1000 with antenna connector terminated to 50 ohm resistive "dummy 
load". The measurements are made at "High" position of the preamp, 500 Hz 
bandwidth and using the USB-to-PIO cable.


MHzdBm
1.86   -137.6
3.6-142.9
5.4035 -138.1
7.1-142.0
10.11  -142.7
14.1   -143.3
18.1   -142.7
21.1   -140.1
24.9   -142.1
28.2   -142.1
(The last decimal is not meaningful, but is given only as an indication of 
the small differences between the different bands.)


The average noise floor of the spectrum display is about -160 dBm. I think, 
these readings are typical to the accurately calibrated SDR-1000 (and I have 
three of them). If somebody has considerably better readings, please tell 
the trick, I want to try.


73,
Ahti OH2RZ


- Original Message - 
From: "Dudley Hurry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ahti Aintila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; ; "Wallace 
Watson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 6:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] RFI Issues



Ahti,

RFI issues can really drive one to drink...HI  HI

One suggestion and one that I do here.Since you said that other rigs 
have your RFI problem also, you might make sure that there is not a large 
amount of RF in the shack.