Need SDR# advice

[SCPD]

I have started getting into SDR .. and have a SDRPlay.

I have tried all the software that I can find and prefer SDR#. It is the only one that works well with my computer and hardware.

I want to be able to either make a backup of the registry or directory of the software .. so that I can revert back to a good known working installation.

I typically use Robocopy to restore from a backup directory or a .reg file exported from the registry. Or both if needed.

But where does SDR# keep its settings, so I can back them up ?

It annoys me in that the zoom setting does not seem to be retained and I have to reset it every time I use the program. That and the ability to get back to a known good configuration in case I mess things up would be nice.

 

[rbm]

The latest settings are written into the 'SDRSharp.exe.Config' file each time you run.

All you need to do to save the program is to copy all the contents of your SDR# folder.

Rich

Edit: Here's a sample of my backups.

 

[SCPD]

Ok ... thank you. That is a great help.

Do you know if it is possible to retain the Zoom setting on the right hand side slider ... ? It does not seem to be retained.
The contrast and range seem fine.

The other ? .. it seems that in VHF/UHF I do not need to use the SHIFT feature, but on 800 MHz I seem to need a shift setting of about 3000. Wondering why that may be ?

 

[rbm]

Ok ... thank you. That is a great help.

Do you know if it is possible to retain the Zoom setting on the right hand side slider ... ? It does not seem to be retained.
The contrast and range seem fine.

The other ? .. it seems that in VHF/UHF I do not need to use the SHIFT feature, but on 800 MHz I seem to need a shift setting of about 3000. Wondering why that may be ?

I've never found the 'zoom' setting to be retained.
However, there are a lot of versions of SDR# and maybe one or more of them will save it. I just haven't seen it.

If you like a certain amount of zoom, and you can live with seeing a narrower spectrum, you can change the sample rate in the configuration popup to a lower value.
I usually run around 1.4 MSPS but I often change it depending on what I'm doing.

The SHIFT should never be needed if you have calibrated the dongle 'Frequency Correction Offset (ppm)'
Shift is intended to be used when you are using a converter.
'Frequency Correction Offset (ppm)' is used to ensure you are reading the correct frequency.

You can refer to one of my older posts here to see how I calibrate mine.
http://forums.radioreference.com/so...-sdr-dongle-frequency-offset.html#post2336155
and here ...
http://forums.radioreference.com/software-defined-radio/285020-sdr-sharp.html#post2136932


Rich

 

[SCPD]

I've never found the 'zoom' setting to be retained.
However, there are a lot of versions of SDR# and maybe one or more of them will save it. I just haven't seen it.

If you like a certain amount of zoom, and you can live with seeing a narrower spectrum, you can change the sample rate in the configuration popup to a lower value.
I usually run around 1.4 MSPS but I often change it depending on what I'm doing.

The SHIFT should never be needed if you have calibrated the dongle 'Frequency Correction Offset (ppm)'
Shift is intended to be used when you are using a converter.
'Frequency Correction Offset (ppm)' is used to ensure you are reading the correct frequency.

You can refer to one of my older posts here to see how I calibrate mine.
http://forums.radioreference.com/so...-sdr-dongle-frequency-offset.html#post2336155
and here ...
http://forums.radioreference.com/software-defined-radio/285020-sdr-sharp.html#post2136932


Rich

I cannot use anything more than 1.536 MHz in spectrum on my SDRPlay .. anything more and SDR# crashes. Even that is pushing it. I have to use IF Amplifier at LowIF. I think that 0.6 MHz is safer.

I cannot get any TV signals .. so cannot calibrate it. I cannot get any other stations that I know that accurate. So I will have to leave it where it is.

 

[rbm]

I cannot get any TV signals .. so cannot calibrate it. I cannot get any other stations that I know that accurate. So I will have to leave it where it is.

As an alternative calibration, you can tune the highest frequencies you can receive, (probably in the 800 MHz range)and adjust the ppm until you have the correct frequency readout.

From that point, your lower frequencies should also be very close.

Rich

 

[SCPD]

Ok .. I adjusted it with a local trunking control channel. It is set to - 1.95

Just doing some looking around .. that appears to be very very good.

 

[rbm]

When I try to adjust the Frequency Trim PPM ... it does nothing.

On SDRConsole .. at least the display shifted so that I could see the effect that was having. But SDR# does nothing.

Something is amiss then.

If you set ppm to zero, and then set it to 50 you MUST see a difference. (Assuming SDR# is running)
I've never seen otherwise with any version of SDR# in years.

By the way, I have 12 dongles and the calibration of each of them varies. (From 12-78 ppm.)
Although many 'group' around 45 ppm. NONE of them are set to zero.
As you tune higher in frequency, the inaccuracy becomes much more obvious.

Make sure that you have 'SHIFT' UNchecked.

Rich

 

[SCPD]

The problem I was used to SDRConsole .. where as you adjust it, the spectrum moves to show you what effect it has.

SDR# .. it does not do that, and you have to set a number and press enter.

 

[rbm]

Here's an example with one of my dongles with SDR#.

The correct ppm for that dongle is around 43 ppm.

It's tuned to a NOAA weather channel at 162.475 MHz.

When I set the ppm to 0 ppm, it isn't even decipherable.

Also:
"SDR# .. it does not do that, and you have to set a number and press enter."
That's only true if you type in a value. It doesn't know what you typed in until you press ENTER.

If you use the up/down function, it will change on the fly.

Rich

 

[SCPD]

I am good .. thank you for all your help. It is appreciated.

I have been using scanners for 35+ years but this is all new to me. I am ok with breaking things .. as long as I am learning.

The trick is to be able to get to a working state after. :wink::wink:

 

[Voyager]

The problem I was used to SDRConsole .. where as you adjust it, the spectrum moves to show you what effect it has.

SDR# .. it does not do that, and you have to set a number and press enter.

Where in the program are you adjusting it?

 

[SCPD]

Configure source

The thing I would like to know .. how do you record using SDR# ?

 

[Flatliner]

I cannot use anything more than 1.536 MHz in spectrum on my SDRPlay .. anything more and SDR# crashes.

You are using an old version of the EXTIO plugin. You need to use version 3.2

http://www.sdrplay.com/software/SDRplay_EXTIO_Installer_v3.2.exe

 

[SCPD]

It still crashes when I use Zero IF .. so I have to use Low IF. It also makes the audio choppy or zaps the audio on that Zero IF setting.

Low IF works much better for me.

 

[rbm]

I have been using scanners for 35+ years but this is all new to me. I am ok with breaking things .. as long as I am learning.
:

I've been using scanners a few more years than that. (Maybe a lot more.)
Well, actually, they really weren't scanners back then.

You never stop learning. Maybe that's part of the fun.

Rich

 

[SCPD]

I think I have lots to learn here. But I am making progress. Everything is more or less working.

 

[Flatliner]

The IF crashes should have been fixed on 3.2, but they where there on 3.1. If you get choppy audio, try changing the bandwidth.

If there was nothing to learn, I find another hobby!

 

[SCPD]

The IF crashes should have been fixed on 3.2, but they where there on 3.1. If you get choppy audio, try changing the bandwidth.

If there was nothing to learn, I find another hobby!

The bandwidth change seems to have done the trick for Zero IF mode and the audio.

Thank you

 

[Flatliner]

You're very welcome.