I'm getting sick of this...

[mayidunk]

I think others have addressed this, but here are my thoughts.

The Icom IC-7300 is an SDR with a UI built into the front panel controls and the FPGA that controls the radio. I don't need software running on an external computer to operate the radio. Luckily, Icom provides the details of their CI-V control language so 3rd parties can write computer software for the radio. But, I don't need that software to make use of the radio.

You bought an RSPdx which is SDR hardware with no user interface. You are completely dependent on software to use the "radio". The SDRplay folks have provided software, but you don't like it. So, you have to go looking elsewhere for your steering wheel, pedals, etc. Did you understand that going in?

Of course I did, and it isn't that I absolutely refuse to use SDRconnect, in fact I do use it! It's just that the user interface can be aggravating at times. I'm not going to completely rule out using SDRconnect as it really looks to be pretty good, and getting better all the time. However, the lack of docs is also kinda taking the fun out of it as I'm not entirely familiar with all of the controls. That being said, they continue to work on it, and eventually it will come into its own, and of course, I hope to still be around to enjoy what they've done. But for right now, I'll keep using it and I'll keep looking for what ever else may be available for Linux. SDR Angel actually looks pretty good to me, except I'm gonna have to compile and build my own binary to get it running. I'll leave that for after the holidays. I'm just being grouchy because I want it to be as mature as SDRuno is, but I have to be patient. I'm sure that, in time, my patience will be rewarded.

Man if I was able to help you with that I would. SDR's are an animal of their own. When I got started it was with Nooelec black plastic dongles and a Nooelec Ham-It-Up HF upconvertor. My aptitude seems to cover using SDR software because I will spend hours playing with the menus and functions to get a real feel of them. I got very used to SDR-Console, SDRuno, GQRX, and HDSDR.

SDR's are demanding on a person who is new to them at first. It is not a conventional table top or portable that you can just turn on and tune to a station in a few seconds. When you buy one just set aside some time to learn the software. As time progresses then they all start to reveal that they all do the same but look different.

The software mimic's what is found on most conventional rigs. When you look at the software point out that it has things like bandwidth control, a mode switch (AM FM SSB) of various modes, an AGC and so forth. All the basic functionality waiting for a mouse click. Oh and On/OFF is "Start" and "Stop" or "Play" and "Stop". Not really that time consuming once you get a mental map and flow of it all.

It took me a few weeks to learn and still learning. If you are not feeling it then perhaps you might reconsider your path.

Nah. Like I just wrote to AK9R, I'm being grouchy because I want SDRconnect to be as mature as SDRuno is now.

In fact, before I dumped Win10 and went to Ubuntu I was using SDRuno, and it didn't take too long for me to get the hang of using it for simply poking around the Ham bands. However, there are a few things that I saw in 'connect that weren't in 'uno that I'm not sure I quite understand, but that will come in time. Of course, there was a lot more for me to learn about using 'uno, but since I'm no longer using Windows, I'll be climbing that learning curve on 'connect.

Thank you for offering to help me out, that's very kind of you! I think for the time being, I'll just keep my grouchiness to myself. And, if I have any real questions that I just can't figure out, I'll post them here, and rest in the knowledge that you, and others, will be right there to see me through it.

Thanks a lot, all of you! Your comments, and kindness are much appreciated!

Merry Christmas!

FYI - GQRX is an excellent but basic program. Great for VHF and up and has strong satellite support with automatic Doppler control available as a hook. It however is not fancy by any stretch. If you want way too many bells and whistles maybe look into SDR Angel. I think it can even make the morning coffee ;-)

SDR Angel reminds me of an old Humble Pie song...
"In the morning when the Sun comes up, she brings me coffee in my favorite cup..." ;-)

In fact, I looked SDR Angel up, and I really like what I see! I may try building it, and trying out. The developer has posted very good instructions on how to build it, complete with the Linux commands for DLing the dependencies, including what I'll need to get it going on Ubuntu, along with the commands needed to compile it! Who knows, I may just learn something in the process. But, I think I'm going to wait until after the holidays before I wade into those shark infested waters!

I'm especially intrigued by its satellite support! I've been thinking about building an antenna and attaching it to an EQ telescope mount that I should be able to program to follow a satellite's orbit. With the automatic Doppler control that SDR Angel has, it could be really interesting. Thanks for mentioning it!

Gotta learn to crawl before you can walk, and walk for while before you can run.

 

[Jim_Shaffer]

I use Mint, which is derived from Ubuntu, and I've had no problems installing SDR++ by downloading the appropriate .deb file from the github repository. I don't remember if I tried installing it from the GUI however, I usually install software from the command line.

Now getting SDRplay products to work, that's another story. I got tired of having to install their proprietary server-based API, and switched to Airspy products.