WebSDR Newsletter Article March2014 - Revision history

Phil: Update

2014-05-15T14:22:23Z

Update

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:22, 15 May 2014
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	The turning point came after contact with Noel G8GTZ up in Basingstoke, who runs a remote [D]ATV station from a shed at the top of a hill, with fantastic line of sight out to the horizon from North clockwise through to South-West. Noel was interested in a WebSDR installation for use in the Microwave bands, but didn't have the Linux computer expertise to get it running. We also heard from Martin G8JNJ who was interested in setting up one to cover some of the LF bands. This gave the opportunity for us to work together on the project.		The turning point came after contact with Noel G8GTZ up in Basingstoke, who runs a remote [D]ATV station from a shed at the top of a hill, with fantastic line of sight out to the horizon from North clockwise through to South-West. Noel was interested in a WebSDR installation for use in the Microwave bands, but didn't have the Linux computer expertise to get it running. We also heard from Martin G8JNJ who was interested in setting up one to cover some of the LF bands. This gave the opportunity for us to work together on the project.

	The SUWS Websdr, accessible at [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk], now supports 2MHz-wide bands at 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz. A custom shielded enclosure houses the RTL-SDR receiver for each band, each of which has been modified to shield the RF input stage from the USB. An array of pre-amps and filters are used to boost the signals up into the RTLSDRs limited dynamic range, and to prevent strong signals on neighbouring channels such as PMR from affecting the sensitivity.		The SUWS Websdr, accessible at [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk], now supports 2MHz-wide bands at 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz. A custom shielded enclosure houses the RTL-SDR receiver for each band, each of which has been modified to shield the RF input stage from the USB interface. An array of pre-amps and filters are used to boost the RF signals up into the RTLSDRs limited dynamic range, and to prevent strong signals on neighbouring channels such as PMR from affecting the sensitivity.

	The WebSDR recently featured in [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2014/march/southampton_university_wireless_society_websdr.htm#.UxYD6B_qTI0 Southgate ARC News] and on [http://amsat-uk.org/2014/03/04/southampton-university-wireless-society-websdr/ AMSAT-UK] after it was used to receive some of the first signals from the Lithuanian Cubesat LitSat-1 on the 144MHz band.		The WebSDR recently featured in [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2014/march/southampton_university_wireless_society_websdr.htm#.UxYD6B_qTI0 Southgate ARC News] and on [http://amsat-uk.org/2014/03/04/southampton-university-wireless-society-websdr/ AMSAT-UK] after it was used to receive some of the first signals from the Lithuanian Cubesat LitSat-1 on the 144MHz band. The WebSDR is used regularly by the LitSat and Funcube teams as a quick and easy receiver to monitor the downlink.

	~~Work is continuing, Martin has built~~ [http://g8jnj.webs.com/currentprojects.htm ~~helix-shaped~~ dipole antennas for 144MHz and 432MHz] ~~that will provide a mix of~~ polarisation ~~gain to allow omnidirectional~~ reception of both ~~Horizontally~~ and ~~Vertically polarised signals (also should work very~~ well ~~for satellite reception)~~. ~~The ethernet wiring in~~ the ~~shed~~ is ~~being replaced with shielded cable that early experiments suggest will dramatically lower the noise floor on 144MHz~~, and we're looking at the possibility of moving the WebSDR to a new shed+mast further up the hill to further lower the noise floor (and the shed temperature in the summer!).		[http://g8jnj.webs.com/currentprojects.htm Helical dipole antennas for 144MHz and 432MHz] built by Martin G8JNJ have recently dramatically improved the cross-polarisation performance, allowing reception of both FM and SSB stations, as well as satellites, from a single antenna.

			Work is continuing, we are planning to add another receiver on 3.4GHz as soon as the new java-free version of the software is released, and we're looking at the possibility of moving the WebSDR to a new shed+mast further up the hill to further lower the noise floor (and the shed temperature in the summer!).

	'''Web Address: [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk]'''		'''Web Address: [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk]'''

	'''More details and photos: [[WebSDR\|WebSDR Wiki Page]]'''		'''More details and photos: [[WebSDR\|WebSDR Wiki Page]]'''

Phil: noel's changes.

2014-03-06T17:34:32Z

noel's changes.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:34, 6 March 2014
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	[[File:WebSDR_Phil_with_rtlsdr_box.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Phil M0DNY having to crouch slightly in the shed as he sets up the RTLSDRs]]		[[File:WebSDR_Phil_with_rtlsdr_box.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Phil M0DNY having to crouch slightly in the shed as he sets up the RTLSDRs]]

	WebSDR is a piece of software that serves the received radio spectrum to many users via a web page, providing a wide waterfall view and giving users the ability to tune around independently and ~~demodulate~~ signals that they're interested in. It's a great tool for education of newcomers to radio, as well as monitoring of propagation and listening through to your own signals.		WebSDR is a piece of software that serves the received radio spectrum to many users via a web page, providing a wide waterfall view and giving users the ability to tune around independently and listen to signals that they're interested in. It's a great tool for education of newcomers to radio, as well as monitoring of propagation and listening through to your own signals.

	There are many existing WebSDR installations, including the flagship site set up by the Software Author, Pieter PA3FWM in the Netherlands, accessible at [http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901]. The flagship site however, in common with nearly all the other installations, only covers HF bands. This is mainly due to decent topographical positioning being far more critical on the higher frequency bands.		There are many existing WebSDR installations, including the flagship site set up by the Software Author, Pieter PA3FWM in the Netherlands, accessible at [http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901]. The flagship site however, in common with nearly all the other installations, only covers HF bands. This is mainly due to decent topographical positioning being far more critical on the higher frequency bands.

Phil: Add last bit.

2014-03-06T17:15:27Z

Add last bit.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 6 March 2014
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	The WebSDR recently featured in [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2014/march/southampton_university_wireless_society_websdr.htm#.UxYD6B_qTI0 Southgate ARC News] and on [http://amsat-uk.org/2014/03/04/southampton-university-wireless-society-websdr/ AMSAT-UK] after it was used to receive some of the first signals from the Lithuanian Cubesat LitSat-1 on the 144MHz band.		The WebSDR recently featured in [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2014/march/southampton_university_wireless_society_websdr.htm#.UxYD6B_qTI0 Southgate ARC News] and on [http://amsat-uk.org/2014/03/04/southampton-university-wireless-society-websdr/ AMSAT-UK] after it was used to receive some of the first signals from the Lithuanian Cubesat LitSat-1 on the 144MHz band.

	Work is continuing, Martin has built [http://g8jnj.webs.com/currentprojects.htm helix-shaped dipole antennas for 144MHz and 432MHz] that will provide a mix of polarisation gain to allow omnidirectional reception of both Horizontally and Vertically polarised signals (also should work very well for satellite reception). The ethernet wiring in the shed is being replaced with shielded cable that early experiments suggest will dramatically lower the noise floor on 144MHz.		Work is continuing, Martin has built [http://g8jnj.webs.com/currentprojects.htm helix-shaped dipole antennas for 144MHz and 432MHz] that will provide a mix of polarisation gain to allow omnidirectional reception of both Horizontally and Vertically polarised signals (also should work very well for satellite reception). The ethernet wiring in the shed is being replaced with shielded cable that early experiments suggest will dramatically lower the noise floor on 144MHz, and we're looking at the possibility of moving the WebSDR to a new shed+mast further up the hill to further lower the noise floor (and the shed temperature in the summer!).

	'''Web Address: [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk]'''		'''Web Address: [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk]'''

	'''More details and photos: [[WebSDR\|WebSDR Wiki Page]]'''		'''More details and photos: [[WebSDR\|WebSDR Wiki Page]]'''

Phil: Bold

2014-03-06T17:09:33Z

Bold

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:09, 6 March 2014
Line 19:		Line 19:
	Work is continuing, Martin has built [http://g8jnj.webs.com/currentprojects.htm helix-shaped dipole antennas for 144MHz and 432MHz] that will provide a mix of polarisation gain to allow omnidirectional reception of both Horizontally and Vertically polarised signals (also should work very well for satellite reception). The ethernet wiring in the shed is being replaced with shielded cable that early experiments suggest will dramatically lower the noise floor on 144MHz.		Work is continuing, Martin has built [http://g8jnj.webs.com/currentprojects.htm helix-shaped dipole antennas for 144MHz and 432MHz] that will provide a mix of polarisation gain to allow omnidirectional reception of both Horizontally and Vertically polarised signals (also should work very well for satellite reception). The ethernet wiring in the shed is being replaced with shielded cable that early experiments suggest will dramatically lower the noise floor on 144MHz.

	More details and photos ~~of the SUWS WebSDR can be found on the~~ [[WebSDR\|Wiki Page]].		'''Web Address: [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk]'''

			'''More details and photos: [[WebSDR\|WebSDR Wiki Page]]'''

Phil: wifi

2014-03-06T17:08:03Z

wifi

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:08, 6 March 2014
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	[[File:WebSDR_Generic2m.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|right\|A typical view of the 144MHz Repeater Band on the SUWS WebSDR]]		[[File:WebSDR_Generic2m.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|right\|A typical view of the 144MHz Repeater Band on the SUWS WebSDR]]

	[[File:Websdr_shed%2Bmast.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Shared Mast and Shed at the hilltop site]]		[[File:Websdr_shed%2Bmast.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Shared Mast and Shed at the hilltop site. Internet is over a 6km wifi link.]]

	[[File:WebSDR_Phil_with_rtlsdr_box.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Phil M0DNY having to crouch slightly in the shed as he sets up the RTLSDRs]]		[[File:WebSDR_Phil_with_rtlsdr_box.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Phil M0DNY having to crouch slightly in the shed as he sets up the RTLSDRs]]

Phil: More edits.

2014-03-06T17:07:01Z

More edits.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:07, 6 March 2014
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	[[File:WebSDR_Generic2m.jpg\|thumb\|~~300px~~\|right\|~~The~~ 144MHz Repeater Band on the ~~websdr~~]]		[[File:WebSDR_Generic2m.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|right\|A typical view of the 144MHz Repeater Band on the SUWS WebSDR]]

			[[File:Websdr_shed%2Bmast.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Shared Mast and Shed at the hilltop site]]

			[[File:WebSDR_Phil_with_rtlsdr_box.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Phil M0DNY having to crouch slightly in the shed as he sets up the RTLSDRs]]

	WebSDR is a piece of software that serves the received radio spectrum to many users via a web page, providing a wide waterfall view and giving users the ability to tune around independently and demodulate signals that they're interested in. It's a great tool for education of newcomers to radio, as well as monitoring of propagation and listening through to your own signals.		WebSDR is a piece of software that serves the received radio spectrum to many users via a web page, providing a wide waterfall view and giving users the ability to tune around independently and demodulate signals that they're interested in. It's a great tool for education of newcomers to radio, as well as monitoring of propagation and listening through to your own signals.

Line 7:		Line 12:

	The turning point came after contact with Noel G8GTZ up in Basingstoke, who runs a remote [D]ATV station from a shed at the top of a hill, with fantastic line of sight out to the horizon from North clockwise through to South-West. Noel was interested in a WebSDR installation for use in the Microwave bands, but didn't have the Linux computer expertise to get it running. We also heard from Martin G8JNJ who was interested in setting up one to cover some of the LF bands. This gave the opportunity for us to work together on the project.		The turning point came after contact with Noel G8GTZ up in Basingstoke, who runs a remote [D]ATV station from a shed at the top of a hill, with fantastic line of sight out to the horizon from North clockwise through to South-West. Noel was interested in a WebSDR installation for use in the Microwave bands, but didn't have the Linux computer expertise to get it running. We also heard from Martin G8JNJ who was interested in setting up one to cover some of the LF bands. This gave the opportunity for us to work together on the project.
	~~[[File:Websdr_shed%2Bmast.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|left\|Mast and Shed at the Site]]~~

	The SUWS Websdr, accessible at [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk], now supports 2MHz-wide bands at 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz. A custom shielded enclosure houses the RTL-SDR receiver for each band, each of which has been modified to shield the RF input stage from the USB. An array of pre-amps and filters are used to boost the signals up into the RTLSDRs limited dynamic range, and to prevent strong signals on neighbouring channels such as PMR from affecting the sensitivity.		The SUWS Websdr, accessible at [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk], now supports 2MHz-wide bands at 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz. A custom shielded enclosure houses the RTL-SDR receiver for each band, each of which has been modified to shield the RF input stage from the USB. An array of pre-amps and filters are used to boost the signals up into the RTLSDRs limited dynamic range, and to prevent strong signals on neighbouring channels such as PMR from affecting the sensitivity.

Phil: Add pic

2014-03-06T17:01:42Z

Add pic

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:01, 6 March 2014
Line 7:		Line 7:

	The turning point came after contact with Noel G8GTZ up in Basingstoke, who runs a remote [D]ATV station from a shed at the top of a hill, with fantastic line of sight out to the horizon from North clockwise through to South-West. Noel was interested in a WebSDR installation for use in the Microwave bands, but didn't have the Linux computer expertise to get it running. We also heard from Martin G8JNJ who was interested in setting up one to cover some of the LF bands. This gave the opportunity for us to work together on the project.		The turning point came after contact with Noel G8GTZ up in Basingstoke, who runs a remote [D]ATV station from a shed at the top of a hill, with fantastic line of sight out to the horizon from North clockwise through to South-West. Noel was interested in a WebSDR installation for use in the Microwave bands, but didn't have the Linux computer expertise to get it running. We also heard from Martin G8JNJ who was interested in setting up one to cover some of the LF bands. This gave the opportunity for us to work together on the project.
			[[File:Websdr_shed%2Bmast.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|left\|Mast and Shed at the Site]]

	The SUWS Websdr, accessible at [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk], now supports 2MHz-wide bands at 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz. A custom shielded enclosure houses the RTL-SDR receiver for each band, each of which has been modified to shield the RF input stage from the USB. An array of pre-amps and filters are used to boost the signals up into the RTLSDRs limited dynamic range, and to prevent strong signals on neighbouring channels such as PMR from affecting the sensitivity.		The SUWS Websdr, accessible at [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk], now supports 2MHz-wide bands at 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz. A custom shielded enclosure houses the RTL-SDR receiver for each band, each of which has been modified to shield the RF input stage from the USB. An array of pre-amps and filters are used to boost the signals up into the RTLSDRs limited dynamic range, and to prevent strong signals on neighbouring channels such as PMR from affecting the sensitivity.

Phil: Add screen shot pic.

2014-03-06T16:51:01Z

Add screen shot pic.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 6 March 2014
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[File:WebSDR_Generic2m.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|right\|The 144MHz Repeater Band on the websdr]]
	WebSDR is a piece of software that serves the received radio spectrum to many users via a web page, providing a wide waterfall view and giving users the ability to tune around independently and demodulate signals that they're interested in. It's a great tool for education of newcomers to radio, as well as monitoring of propagation and listening through to your own signals.		WebSDR is a piece of software that serves the received radio spectrum to many users via a web page, providing a wide waterfall view and giving users the ability to tune around independently and demodulate signals that they're interested in. It's a great tool for education of newcomers to radio, as well as monitoring of propagation and listening through to your own signals.

Phil: More

2014-03-06T16:48:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 6 March 2014
Line 8:		Line 8:

	The SUWS Websdr, accessible at [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk], now supports 2MHz-wide bands at 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz. A custom shielded enclosure houses the RTL-SDR receiver for each band, each of which has been modified to shield the RF input stage from the USB. An array of pre-amps and filters are used to boost the signals up into the RTLSDRs limited dynamic range, and to prevent strong signals on neighbouring channels such as PMR from affecting the sensitivity.		The SUWS Websdr, accessible at [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk], now supports 2MHz-wide bands at 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz. A custom shielded enclosure houses the RTL-SDR receiver for each band, each of which has been modified to shield the RF input stage from the USB. An array of pre-amps and filters are used to boost the signals up into the RTLSDRs limited dynamic range, and to prevent strong signals on neighbouring channels such as PMR from affecting the sensitivity.

			The WebSDR recently featured in [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2014/march/southampton_university_wireless_society_websdr.htm#.UxYD6B_qTI0 Southgate ARC News] and on [http://amsat-uk.org/2014/03/04/southampton-university-wireless-society-websdr/ AMSAT-UK] after it was used to receive some of the first signals from the Lithuanian Cubesat LitSat-1 on the 144MHz band.

	Work is continuing, Martin has built [http://g8jnj.webs.com/currentprojects.htm helix-shaped dipole antennas for 144MHz and 432MHz] that will provide a mix of polarisation gain to allow omnidirectional reception of both Horizontally and Vertically polarised signals (also should work very well for satellite reception). The ethernet wiring in the shed is being replaced with shielded cable that early experiments suggest will dramatically lower the noise floor on 144MHz.		Work is continuing, Martin has built [http://g8jnj.webs.com/currentprojects.htm helix-shaped dipole antennas for 144MHz and 432MHz] that will provide a mix of polarisation gain to allow omnidirectional reception of both Horizontally and Vertically polarised signals (also should work very well for satellite reception). The ethernet wiring in the shed is being replaced with shielded cable that early experiments suggest will dramatically lower the noise floor on 144MHz.

	More details and photos of the SUWS WebSDR can be found on the [[~~http://www.suws.org.uk/~~WebSDR\|Wiki Page]].		More details and photos of the SUWS WebSDR can be found on the [[WebSDR\|Wiki Page]].

Phil: More draft.

2014-03-06T16:44:20Z

More draft.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:44, 6 March 2014
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~When I first came across the~~ WebSDR software~~, I realised~~ that ~~it could be~~ a ~~very useful educational tool~~, ~~for example allowing us to introduce people~~ to ~~the idea of frequency space,~~ and ~~there being~~ a ~~finite number~~ of ~~simplex channels for given~~ radio ~~bands~~, ~~a challenging concept for one new~~ to ~~radio!~~		WebSDR is a piece of software that serves the received radio spectrum to many users via a web page, providing a wide waterfall view and giving users the ability to tune around independently and demodulate signals that they're interested in. It's a great tool for education of newcomers to radio, as well as monitoring of propagation and listening through to your own signals.

	There are many existing WebSDR installations, including the flagship site set up by the Software Author, Pieter PA3FWM in the Netherlands?, accessible at [http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901]. The flagship site however, in common with nearly all other installations, only covers ~~the~~ HF bands. This is mainly due to ~~a great antenna site~~ being ~~needed in order to get any kind of interesting~~.		There are many existing WebSDR installations, including the flagship site set up by the Software Author, Pieter PA3FWM in the Netherlands, accessible at [http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901]. The flagship site however, in common with nearly all the other installations, only covers HF bands. This is mainly due to decent topographical positioning being far more critical on the higher frequency bands.

	With this in mind I believed that the University was in a unique position to provide an installation on the roof of one of the taller buildings, run by the Wireless Society. We began enquiries, but ~~building-by-building,~~ we were denied ~~any sort of~~ roof access~~, let alone kit installation~~.		With this in mind we believed that the University was in a unique position to provide an installation on the roof of one of the taller buildings, run by the Wireless Society. After getting hold of a copy of the software and setting it up on a PC to try it out, we began enquiries, but for each of the buildings we were denied roof access due to H&S concerns.

	The turning point came after contact with Noel G8GTZ up in Basingstoke, who runs a remote [D]ATV station from a shed at the top of hill, with fantastic line of sight out to the horizon from North clockwise through to South-West. Noel was interested in a WebSDR installation for use in the Microwave bands, but didn't have the ~~linux~~ computer expertise to get it running.		The turning point came after contact with Noel G8GTZ up in Basingstoke, who runs a remote [D]ATV station from a shed at the top of a hill, with fantastic line of sight out to the horizon from North clockwise through to South-West. Noel was interested in a WebSDR installation for use in the Microwave bands, but didn't have the Linux computer expertise to get it running. We also heard from Martin G8JNJ who was interested in setting up one to cover some of the LF bands. This gave the opportunity for us to work together on the project.

			The SUWS Websdr, accessible at [http://websdr.suws.org.uk/ websdr.suws.org.uk], now supports 2MHz-wide bands at 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz. A custom shielded enclosure houses the RTL-SDR receiver for each band, each of which has been modified to shield the RF input stage from the USB. An array of pre-amps and filters are used to boost the signals up into the RTLSDRs limited dynamic range, and to prevent strong signals on neighbouring channels such as PMR from affecting the sensitivity.

			Work is continuing, Martin has built [http://g8jnj.webs.com/currentprojects.htm helix-shaped dipole antennas for 144MHz and 432MHz] that will provide a mix of polarisation gain to allow omnidirectional reception of both Horizontally and Vertically polarised signals (also should work very well for satellite reception). The ethernet wiring in the shed is being replaced with shielded cable that early experiments suggest will dramatically lower the noise floor on 144MHz.

			More details and photos of the SUWS WebSDR can be found on the [[http://www.suws.org.uk/WebSDR\|Wiki Page]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:08, 6 March 2014
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:WebSDR_Generic2m.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|right\|A typical view of the 144MHz Repeater Band on the SUWS WebSDR]]		[[File:WebSDR_Generic2m.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|right\|A typical view of the 144MHz Repeater Band on the SUWS WebSDR]]

	[[File:Websdr_shed%2Bmast.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Shared Mast and Shed at the hilltop site]]		[[File:Websdr_shed%2Bmast.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Shared Mast and Shed at the hilltop site. Internet is over a 6km wifi link.]]

	[[File:WebSDR_Phil_with_rtlsdr_box.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Phil M0DNY having to crouch slightly in the shed as he sets up the RTLSDRs]]		[[File:WebSDR_Phil_with_rtlsdr_box.JPG\|thumb\|200px\|Phil M0DNY having to crouch slightly in the shed as he sets up the RTLSDRs]]