KrakenSDR

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gldavis

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I have ordered a KrakenSDR DF System (SDR, Antenna system, & P4) as an early Birthday/Christmas present, and was wondering if there are any current users along the Wasatch Front, that would like to share what they have learned?
 

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No but you have my attention! Didn't know a thing existed.
I'll have to do some research on it.
Please do let us know what you think about it.
 

gldavis

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I didn't know about it either (interenet search is amazing). I've had a DDF2020/GPS for several years that i could not get to work correctly. I'm hoping this (the KrakenSDR) will get me out. I'm not a RPi-4 person, so that will be the hard part for me.
 

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I have a kerboros sdr (4 sdr's in one)
With 4 mag mount antennas
and a raspberry pi
That is supposed to perform RDF.
Bought new, short, micro usb cords and high output ac adapters.
Still cant get the ksdr to talk to R-pi.
 

gldavis

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The Krakensdr is an updated version of the Kerboros. I haven't received the unit yet, so I can't help. But from what I've read, it should work. Gotta make sure the SDR is powered up before booting the RPi.
Can you see if the RPi is booting up?
 

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All of that is mothballed right now.
I just retired from Hill AFB,
Christmas will be here shortly, and we are not anywhere near ready.
I also have studies to complete, so I can't play with the KSDR right now.
 

gldavis

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I finally got all the parts in and connected together. The KrakenSDR is talking to the RPi4 and the RPi4 talking to the Android tablet. Now to "work" with setting up the antennas.
 

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I was hoping to use RDF to locate a possible transmitter site for the HAFB TRS in the Bountiful area.
When I would leave HAFB traveling south using the WS1040 with full squelch and antenna removed.
Scanning all of the HAFB freqs as conventional.
The data channel would cut out around Kaysville as I recall.
But around 500 South in Bountiful, it would come on again. Got a lot stronger as I traveled east on 500 South.
Without RDF, I could not locate a transmitter site. Too much reflection, etc.
As I traveled south toward I-215, the signal would drop again.
My conclusion: There must be a transmitter site in the Bountiful area, and it is not Ensign Peak.
As I traveled the city streets toward those homes high upon the hill, the signal dropped.
 

gldavis

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My plan is to use the system (and it is a system) to find those "elusive" HAFB sites. Then roam around and gain some experience in its operation. It works great in my Living Room (with HT and dummy load ant). This week I will "take it on the road". There is a lot to learn.
 

gldavis

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Okay, so I've had the system out on the road a couple times. It works pretty neat. I'm still working the kinks out of it, but I am impressed with it. I have focused on the HAFB system, and have some nice results. Once I get accurate locations on all 7 site, I'll post updates to the database.
 

gldavis

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Several trips with the mag mount antennas showed good results, assuming you can drive to the xmitter site. This will take you right up to the gate. Distant xmitters are a bit more difficult to locate.
The weather has curtailed field trips for a while, so I've been working with the ArrowAntenna.com KRAKEN Antenna. There are many ways to assemble it incorrectly, and only 1 way to do it right. There needs to be more details in the instructions, and the freq chart on page 5 requires a lot of subjective interpretation. Has anyone else in the Great State of UTAH got one of these? I'd hate to be the only one.
 
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