SDR Radio v2.0 and higher vs. SDRSharp

[AA6IO]

For some of you interested in using programs like DSD+, you may find SDR-Radio to be a useful alternative to SDRSharp. I have used SDRSharp for discriminator audio output to both DSD+ and Unitrunker. (as well as the RTL dongle itself). However, I just started using SDR-Radio v2.2 and notice that my DSD+ decoding seems to be a bit better. The main advantage, however, is the remote control feature of SDR-Radio.
This allows me to find NXDN and DMR stations from all sorts of remote locations (I am in Los Angeles). Thus, my decoding of NXDN and DMR is not limited to the Los Angeles area. Lately, been listening to some DMR and NXDN on East Coast. There are also several remote locations in Europe, which should provide interesting data for DSD+ decoding. This would be interesting for many of you who do not have a lot of DMR, NXDN, or other modes in your local area.
Have also found it interesting to lock on to control channels on remote servers and run Unitrunker to see what is being picked up. Obviously, you cannot use the voice control function (I don't think) on stations outside your area.
Steve AA6IO

 

[mtindor]

Steve,

Thanks for the tip. I didn't know anybody else had public SDR-Server stuff running with NXDN / DMR. Nice.

Incidentally, if you haven't taken advantage of multiple VFOs in SDR-Radio, you should try it out. You could, for example, run your Airspy [when it arrives] -- you'll need the latest v2.3 SDR-Radio. And you could have four or more VFOs, all tuned somewhere within the 9 mhz or so of the Airspy, and you can set the audio output of each of those VFOs to a different VAC / VB cable, and then you could be running DSDPlus on all of those. Depending upon how beefy your system is, you might find it really fun to try out the multiple VFOs.

Mike

 

[AA6IO]

Mike,
They don't specifically have stuff running with NXDN/DMR. But many of the servers are RTL dongles and FCDP+s that you can remotely control up in the 150 Mhz or 450 Mhz range. You then find what looks and sounds like DMR or NXDN, run the discriminator audio, which is available on SDR Radio (available under FM tab as FM wide, data (no filters, no de-emphasis), you can then adjust the bandwidth if needed, and run that through VB-Audio to DSD+.
Have successfully monitored NXDN, DMR, and P25 from several different remote sites using this set-up. There are quite a few remote sites in Europe. Should make for some interesting decoding.
Steve AA6IO

 

[mtindor]

Mike,
They don't specifically have stuff running with NXDN/DMR. But many of the servers are RTL dongles and FCDP+s that you can remotely control up in the 150 Mhz or 450 Mhz range. You then find what looks and sounds like DMR or NXDN, run the discriminator audio, which is available on SDR Radio (available under FM tab as FM wide, data (no filters, no de-emphasis), you can then adjust the bandwidth if needed, and run that through VB-Audio to DSD+.
Have successfully monitored NXDN, DMR, and P25 from several different remote sites using this set-up. There are quite a few remote sites in Europe. Should make for some interesting decoding.
Steve AA6IO

Thanks, Steve. I'll certainly give it a try. Sounds like fun!

Mike

 

[Forts]

Avast keeps blocking my download from https://www.dropbox.com/s/7v9q7jiorie5p3x/SDR-RADIO-Pro_v2.3b1874.exe?dl=0

Anyone else having issues downloading? I have no concerns about malware, so I guess I'll just disable Avast during the download.

 

[Forts]

OK... downloaded and installed 2.3 Build 1874... But I don't see Airspy as an available radio. Do I have to add/configure it manually? Thanks!

Disregard... I downloaded from the Download/V2.3 Preview screen which gave me Build 1874. Now I see that if I just click on Download (ignoring the sub menus) I can get Build 1990.

 

[mtindor]

OK... downloaded and installed 2.3 Build 1874... But I don't see Airspy as an available radio. Do I have to add/configure it manually? Thanks!

Disregard... I downloaded from the Download/V2.3 Preview screen which gave me Build 1874. Now I see that if I just click on Download (ignoring the sub menus) I can get Build 1990.

yes, you want 1990

m

 

[prog]

SDR# has a more advanced DSP and supports multiple plugins (multi-vfo is a plugin actually). Make sure the audio level is adequate for DSD and you should get better results.

 

[mtindor]

SDR# has a more advanced DSP and supports multiple plugins (multi-vfo is a plugin actually). Make sure the audio level is adequate for DSD and you should get better results.

I still use SDR# as my regular SDR software I just thought multiple VFOs was cool. I'll have to get the plugin for SDR#

m

 

[prog]

I still use SDR# as my regular SDR software I just thought multiple VFOs was cool. I'll have to get the plugin for SDR#

m

Have a look on RTL-SDR. Lots of useful plugins.