DSDPlus Fastlane + SDRPlay SDRdx : FMPP Crashing

[mtindor]

Do keep in mind that for scannning, using an Airspy, it is a little crippled. Some key feature that you can use with dongles isn't available when using an Airspy for scanning freqs -- hmm what is it? Maybe squelch. I forget, but it was something very useful. I don't scan conventional freqs with my DSDPlus and Airspy because of something that isn't supported when scanning with the Airspy but IS supported when scanning with RTL dongles. Oh, I think it might be Scan Delay. You might not be able to set a scan delay for freqs you are scanning.

 

[dsalomon]

That's interesting. I'm getting the impression that most of the SDR features started with dongles, then eventually a few others starting being supported, like Airspy and RSP. It seems that not all the features for dongles are in the others (yet?). I started with a RSPdx, which didn't work at all. I gave up on it and bought the Airspy R2 after spending almost a day messing with it. I like the Airspy specs better than dongles because I'll also be using it for some weak signal work, as well as in some very strong signal areas. I haven't done enough with DSD+ yet to know if I'll miss those features that are only available with dongles. After I learn a little more, if I want those features, maybe I'll end up getting a dongle (or 2). Too many SDRs, too little time.

Thanks. for the info.

 

[dave3825]

Pretty sure that your also limited to 2.5 as a sample rate. Hopefully that gets fix in a future update.

 

[dsalomon]

I did just discover that the download feature for groups data DSD+ format in Radioreference only seems to work for P25 trunked systems, not other trunking systems. Most of what I listen to are P25, so this isn't a huge deal. Is the display of talkgroups supported for other types of systems? If so, I guess that means I'll have to create those files manually. Also no big deal, I'm just lazy.

 

[dave3825]

I did just discover that the download feature for groups data DSD+ format in Radioreference only seems to work for P25 trunked systems,

Unfortunatley, yes. I asked twice a few months ago and the post still remains unanswered.

Other Downloads/ DSD Formatted

Wanted to know if the DSD Formatted Files will be available for DMR and NXDN systems like they are for P25 systems. Other Data Downloads Download DSD Formatted Sites Data File Download DSD Formatted Talkgroup Data File

forums.radioreference.com

Is the display of talkgroups supported for other types of systems? If so, I guess that means I'll have to create those files manually.

Yes. That all works of the groups file and can be edited. If your good with Excel, it should not be difficult.

 

[dsalomon]

I am very good with Excel and VBA. Maybe I'll give back here a bit and write some VBA code to take the CSV format files that seems to be available for all the trunking types and re-format to DSD format. I'll look at that in a little while to see what it would take.

 

[dave3825]

I am very good with Excel and VBA. Maybe I'll give back here a bit and write some VBA code to take the CSV format files that seems to be available for all the trunking types and re-format to DSD format.

That would be awesome and very helpful to others. I usually create a spreadsheet and series fill the generic stuff and paste the acquired data. I had a template somewhere which sped up the process.

; line format: protocol, networkID, group, priority, override, hits, timestamp, "group alias"

 

[dsalomon]

I created a quick and dirty spreadsheet that takes RadioReference CSV export data and outputs correctly formatted DSDPlus.groups data. It doesn't use any VBA code, just formulas, so macros do not need to be enabled. This handles just the groups file so far. I'll add some other stuff soon, but this is what I wanted/needed to start with. Since the CSV exports do not contain the system ID and trunking type from RadioReference, they must be entered in cells in the workbook (just in one place). I tried this for my local P25 systems, and it works. I can't receive any other system types from my current location. The first tab in the workbook is instructions. Test it out and let me know if it works for you, if the instructions are clear, etc. Extract the spreadsheet from the attached zip file (it wouldn't allow me to attach a .xlsx file).

 

[dsalomon]

BTW, feedback and suggestions for what to add, improve, fix are welcomed.

 

[dave3825]

I have to say that's pretty cool. I only tried data from a p25 system csv and noticed that it labeled the protocol as p25 without me picking the protocol. I had not cleared the prior sys id and wcan so maybe it figured that out? But in any event, very nice tool to have. It should have its own thread or at the very least be listed in the wiki.

Thank you for creating it.

 

[dsalomon]

You're welcome.

It uses whatever is in the system type field. It had P25 when I sent it, which is why it used that. I'm going to take it a step further. I applied for an API key at RadioReference. When that arrives, I'll be able to pull data directly from the database directly into the spreadsheet. It will remove the steps of having to export to CSV from RadioReference and identify the system type. In other words, I think I'll be able to automate the entire process by just having the user pick the state, county and system. It will operate similar to the way software like ProScan does (as far as getting data from RadioReference). The end user will have to be a subscriber, just like now, so that won't change. That development will take considerably more effort than this quick spreadsheet, and I won't be able to start it until I get the key from RadioReference - not sure how long that will take.

 

[AngWay]

Yep, that fixed the FreqList.csv "problem". Problem = I didn't RTFM.

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it!!

I'm thinking about getting the rspdx is it really difficult to get working with dsdplus? why is that is dsdplus better with just the rtl-sdr dongles? i always thought that if i could get the rtl-sdr's working that any of the other sdr's would work just the same is that not true? Thanks

 

[CanesFan95]

Do keep in mind that for scannning, using an Airspy, it is a little crippled. Some key feature that you can use with dongles isn't available when using an Airspy for scanning freqs -- hmm what is it? Maybe squelch. I forget, but it was something very useful. I don't scan conventional freqs with my DSDPlus and Airspy because of something that isn't supported when scanning with the Airspy but IS supported when scanning with RTL dongles. Oh, I think it might be Scan Delay. You might not be able to set a scan delay for freqs you are scanning.

Airspy mini dongles do not do AM and scan slower that RTL-SDRs. They also ignore your scan delay and resume scanning right away. When the Airspy stops as it scans, FCC licensing data does not get shown. If using an Airspy, auto-center tuning cannot be disabled and PPM correction is not supported.

 

[AngWay]

Airspy mini dongles do not do AM and scan slower that RTL-SDRs. They also ignore your scan delay and resume scanning right away. When the Airspy stops as it scans, FCC licensing data does not get shown. If using an Airspy, auto-center tuning cannot be disabled and PPM correction is not supported.

I ended up buying the RSPdx my main goal is to have it work with DSDPlus Fastlane Sdrtrunk Op25 and SDR++ or GQRX. and i just found out about soapysdr and making that work with linux i don't understand what soapysdr is at this point tho. Thanks for the reply!

 

[AngWay]

How did you try that? Did you set your gps location and a range in the FMPA.cfg?


Scanlist is pretty straight forward. Are you having any issues with that?

Is their a way to use the RSPdx to scan like with the dongles? i'v tried setting up the scanlist and everything and i can get it to scan but their is no squelch option for the sdrplay device