It’s been a while since the last update – sometimes life gets in the way of radio projects!
The WebSDR node has been progressing though – we have all 5 Softrock kits assembled and installed, and the SDR node is functionally complete. Unfortunately, my optimistic choice of a switchmode power supply turned out to cause spurious emissions in the waterfall so a linear PSU had to be made. This has been prototyped and eliminated the switchmode noises, but given the time and money invested in the node I wanted some additional safety features. Therefore I laid out a PCB with the linear reg components and also a crowbar circuit to protect the WebSDR should a fault develop with the power supply. Once those PCBs arrive, and the power supply is finished, we will be ready for on-air testing!
Great SDR! It made me possible to hear E6AF and the QSO after even the first try. Here at my QTH there are terrible RX conditions. On a 3 ele yagi it was not possible to receive the weak signal of Niue, yet with your SDR it was an easy going.
73 de Csaba, DH7KU
I find this SDR very interestig. I stated listening on and off over the last 12 months and it made me somewhat more enthusiastic about HF again, after a break of a number of years. I am now active on 20 metres and find this to be a very helpful test platform to listen (or not hear) me as i send a test transmission from up north.
Well done guys this is a fantastic aid to AR
Thanks for the SDR. I am connecting from down here in VK5 and its certainly sensitive. My antenna is on the ground so its good to be able to catch up and listen in on a few east coast conversations.
Regards
Dale VK5DC
Great news! Looks like a very smart install.
Hi Nathan,
Thanks for your kind words! It’s now online, see here for the wrap-up and link to the SDR:
http://www.mwrs.org.au/2016/10/04/mwrs-websdr-build-completed/