Connect to the Computer.
The first thing with soundcard SDRs is to connect the audio lines to a computer and set the mixers so signals from (and to) the SDR do actually get there.
A soundcard SDR requires a stereo input. Mic inputs are usually mono, older laptops may only have mono inputs. Newer laptops often DO have stereo inputs (A list started further down.) but do not make the method of swapping between Mic and Line inputs easy to understand. Sometimes it is just a matter of selecting the Line input in the mixer settings, but maybe it is not called a Line input..
Softrocks Note "Line In" on Softrocks goes to soundcard Line In, it is the RX audio output.
Most cards will work, many are satisfied with what they have. Before you purchase a card especially for SDR do some research, some specifications look impressive but actually offer relatively poor performance.
Install and start a SDR program.
Most SDR programs will replay audio files so you may see how they should work. A few links here Files to Test Software Without a SDR You will probably just want to get on with testing..
Installing and using SDR Sharp
An easy to setup receive program is SDR# http://sdrsharp.com/
To begin, maybe choose the "Stable" version but the "Nightly" version is up to date and usually presents no problems.
A Funcube Dongle will work without any trouble.
(If you want to use the RTL dongle it is not quite so simple, carefully read the page linked on the SDR# download page. A summary lower down this page. RTL Dongle)
SDR# does not have an install program so you need to unzip the file and copy the files to a Program Folder, (or, even to a folder on your Desktop.) Then make a shortcut to SDRSharp.exe. (Or just double Click this file.)
For it to work with a Softrock For a Si570 controlled Softrock make sure the USB is plugged in.
Select "Softrock / Si570 (Or whatever radio you have.) from the drop-down. Click the +Audio tab and select the input from the Softrock, other soundcard SDR or FCD. (Not required for the RTL) Select the output to the speakers. Click "Start". Other settings may be left untouched.
If the display is not like mine below then there is a problem. SDR# is not connected to the soundcard. The incorrect one may have been selected or another program might be using it
If you have problems look below, TROUBLE?
January 2013 latest v1111 The "Dev" version. SDR# has collapsible panels on the left so the display is small enough to fit a netbook screen.
There is no longer a display of the centre frequency. For crystal controlled SDRs select Other (Sound card), tick "Shift" and type in your crystal frequency in Hz. For example 40m 7040000 You would type the exact frequency.
Look below for the older "Stable" version which has a different tuning procedure.
The SDR# window can be made much wider, and taller (or smaller) by dragging the borders. It may be made to span across two (maybe more?) monitors.
"Start" should start reception. Select mode. Drag the grey area to tune, (this extends into the waterfall) use the mouse wheel for fine tuning. "Step size" determines the mouse wheel steps. Drag the scale to move up/down the band. Click on the display.
Click on the top or bottom of the tuning digits at the top.
  The Zoom control does just that, gives a closer view if part of the spectrum.
Contrast adjusts the waterfall to your liking.
Speed adjusts... speed of the waterfall and spectrum.
Filter width, drag one edge of the grey area, use the arrows or type into the box.
Later versions have a Frequency Manager.
Radio Tab
If you get USB instead of LSB, (tuning will also be reversed) tick the "Swap I & Q" box.
Tick the "Correct IQ" box. Normally this should be left ticked so automatic image reduction is enabled.
"Snap to Grid" rounds up the frequency when clicking on the scale, determined by "Step Size".
"Shift" Used for fixed frequency SDRs and when a converter is used.
Audio Tab
Volume - adjusts output.
"Samplerate":- Only use rates you know your card is able to support. I think I'm safe to say ALL will work at 48KHZ.
"Filter Audio" reduces noise. If you are going to pass audio to a digital decoder then untick this box.
"Latency" may be adjusted if you have clicking on the audio. Normally not needed.
AGC Tab
You may experiment with AGC settings using settings in this tab.
FFT Display Tab
Has many more display adjustments. "Resolution" slows the display to give better resolution.
Recording
IQ baseband or audio. Wav files saved in the SDR# program folder. IQ playback selected by the input drop-down, top left.
Frequency Manager.
Store your frequencies here in separate folders.. Click "New" You may type a folder name in "Group" to make a selection of groups.
Plugins.
There are several "Plugins" available. Popular with RTL users are scanning. Look here for links, http://sdrsharp.pbworks.com/w/page/62589136/FrontPage this site is mainly devoted to RTL installation and usage.
CPU Usage.
To reduce the load on slow computers reduce "Speed" to a minimum and use minimum FFT Resolution (512). On my computer these two settings make a great difference on reported CPU usage. I find other settings do not make too much difference. If you compare with other SDR software they will also have these kind of adjustments. A direct comparison is not easy!
An older page that describes the side panels in detail http://www.atouk.com/SDRSharpQuickStart.html
The "Stable" version safest. For advanced features try the "Dev" versions. BUT note sometimes these contain bugs which will probably be removed by the next day.
Once a Funcube Dongle has been setup it is a quick way of getting that working.
The later versions work with the RTL2832U dongle and wide FM stereo.
At http://sdrsharp.com/index.php/downloads go down to "Important note for RTL-SDR users" Use "Install.zip".
Read the other links.
Zadig, the utility that installs the RTL driver,
new page
http://zadig.akeo.ie/ with link to "Usage" instructions.This should be enough, a few links and notes at the bottom of this page may help if you have problems.
Some tips here for using dongles with SDR# http://sdrsharp.pbworks.com/w/page/62589136/FrontPage
A good page showing operation and installation of SDR# Operation shows only the RTL dongle. http://www.atouk.com/wordpress/?p=153 a link to a PDF. Like this page it may show an older version of SDR# but most things are the same.
Below an older version. Jan 21 2013. The "Stable" version is still like this. (This version is best not used with the RTL dongle unless you know how to configure it.)
Type into "Frequency" but this only works within the bandwidth of the soundcard.
Si570, move up and down bands by altering "Center Frequency".
Change this by typing into the "Center" box - Enter USE " , " COMMA as a SEPARATOR.
OR, JUST TYPE THE WHOLE NUMBER WITHOUT SEPARATORS. Remember the figure must be in HERTZ.
If you have a crystal controlled Softrock select "Other Front End" and type in your crystal frequency in the "Center" box - Enter (Return key). For example 3778000 for 3.778MHz.
Other tuning features as the later version above.
 The RTL dongle gives reasonable results considering it's price! Above I show almost half the 2 metre band. 144.800 APRS on the left, tuned to a QSO on 145.250, and around 145.700 on the right.
Click "Front End" to bring up the RTL controls. The lower sample rates give the least strain on the CPU. The Frequency correction is set on a known signal. Here I have a precision beacon GB3VHF on 144.430MHz to use.
There are scanner plug-ins for RTL devices listed here http://sdrsharp.pbworks.com/w/page/62589136/FrontPage they are popular.
Like the FCD this dongle will usually benefit from filters, maybe attenuators or preamps.
The RTL dongle works reasonably with a HF upconverter, on some frequencies an antenna attenuator and use of the "Front End" manual gain is useful.
RTL dongles with the R820 tuner are better. Will start at about 22MHz and seem more sensitive.
The FCD Pro is much the same except only 80KHz is visible, the new version FCD Pro+ runs at 192KHz.
Winrad is a receive only program that also works with a minimum of settings. I suggest a version, HDSDR, linked, and described, under the first picture on this page https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/installing-and-using-hdsdr HDSDR now supports transmit with a Softrock. Still under development.
For transmit checks another program will be required. It is possible to use HDSDR (link above) Make sure you have the latest download and latest PE0FKO DLL. Note the Return key acts as a crude CW key.
Rocky
This is a CW/PSK RXTX program. My information here.
I advise against using Power SDR until your SDR is tested. It has too many settings to confuse a beginner.
If you are not too familiar with Windows sound settings be prepared for problems! Most do not have trouble but some systems can be very frustrating.
To get a rough check of whether a SDR receiver is working connect phones to the output of it. Tuning through a busy band should produce some high pitched noises that may well sound something like radio signals. Stereo phones should reproduce sound in both channels. If your ears are old this needs care! The high frequencies may not be heard, or maybe just in one ear.
Use a good antenna. Ensure the band is "open".
Soundcard settings. Bruce KF1Z
In Windows volume control settings (Properties). XP Right click the Speaker Icon - Open Volume Control - Options - Properties - Recording Input.
First, you must use Line-input to the soundcard. Not microphone input.....
Make sure that in Windows volume controls for input, the ONLY thing that is checked is LINE-IN... [Set the slider to maximum]
If there is a "Stereo-MIX" make sure it's muted.
In OUTPUT [Playback] settings (still windows volume controls)
Make sure the only things checked is WAVE .... (and "master volume" if there is one..) [Set the sliders towards maximum]
Make SURE that LINE-IN is MUTED in playback (output) settings.
Then you need to make sure the proper card, and line in and out are selected in the SDR software as well. SAMPLE RATE leave at 48KHz. Almost all cards will work at this setting.
To check the soundcard input is correctly selected just feed something into it. Music from a MP3 player, or even just touching the free end of the cable should produce something on the SDR program's display.
The Soundblaster Live! 24 often seems to have a driver bug, it needs the Line In to be
unselected/selected to work.
Similarly, plug in speakers, or phones instead of the SDR input. When Rocky goes to TX VERY LOUD sounds should come out of both channels. Set the tuning (click on Rocky's spectrum) fairly close to centre, say 2-3KHz, if tuned near to the edge these sounds will be at a high frequency and may not be heard.
Signals heard but do not tune:- How to check and avoid an unwanted bypass between the soundcard's Line-In and Line-Out http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/speclab/startins.htm#unwanted_audio_bypass Input to output feedback on Audigy 2 http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/speclab/startins.htm#audigy_2
They should be at least adequate for initial testing. Maybe good enough to satisfy..
My ACER 5553 has a stereo mic input and it works great with Rocky and other IQ software
Neil, G3RIR
My HP NC2400 is stereo too and works well enough to play around with.
Dave
kx3dx
I have a Toshiba Equium, that can use the same socket as a Mono MIC input, OR a Stereo Line input. But it's a fiddle to set up, Dave G0WBX.
I am using a Compaq 6910p laptop and it says that it has stereo input.....
My old ACER 1683 gets LIN -IN, LINE-OUT and MIC_IN....Besides that although it is not the best it can work nicely with SR.
Dell Inspiron Mine is 1 to 2 years old. It has stereo input with mic and line software selected and stereo output. It has 24 bit ADC, but a max sample rate of only 48 kHz
Fujitsu Lifebook E8420. I works great with Softrock at 96kHz
Dell Latitude 610 the docking station has a stereo jack for Line In/Mic In.
ACER D270 NETBOOK, I purchased this for holiday internet access then found SDR worked well.
If yours is not here look carefully in the manual, if it does not mention stereo input it may not have one. Google the make and model + "stereo input" you will probably find the answer. Dig into the sound control panels.
A FEW SOUND SYSTEMS MAY BE FOUND INADEQUATE
Every stereo sound system I have used has worked but very occasionally someone says they cannot get a system setup properly.
A VARIABLE AND ERRATIC PHASE SHIFT MAKES THESE MACHINES UNSUITABLE FOR SDR
Dell Inspiron E1505 lap top with Sigmatel sound. Confirmed by two users, one had a
Gateway NX570X so it looks like a problem with Sigmatel. More here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40/message/66296
HARDWARE FAULT?
If you have now found the SDR is not functioning properly then fault-finding will be required.
If it is a Softrock see if Robby lists it here http://www.wb5rvz.com/sdr/ go through the various checks. Commonly faults are due to bad solder joints, bridges or solder splashes. Check with an eyeglass. Sometimes component values are confused. Check ICs are the correct way round. Resistors should be measured before fitting. A fault causing no reception on RX/TX Softrocks can be due to faulty BS170s, used as switches in the antenna changeover. Bob's drawing of the switching in the PDF. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40/files/G8VOI/ Ensemble RXTX PTT fault finding.
One way of testing can be to lift the end of L4 that goes to Q10 Q11. Connect the antenna to the free end.
If you still have problems join the Softrock group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40/ and ask.
Other SDR kits will have their own group.
TEST EQUIPMENT
These notes refer, in particular, to Softrocks.
TEST EQUIPMENT FOR RECEIVERS
A minimum of a general purpose TEST METER for voltage, current and resistance is required. Most will use a digital meter. Be aware that some readings will vary between different Softrocks. Readings made where square waves are present, on the dividers and mixer, may vary a lot.
METER PROBES. Use great care. Do not short out anything when testing a live circuit. Use suitable small tipped probes. Ensure the meter is on the correct range. Current ranges in particular should not be used for testing when voltage measurements are required.
Also, a GENERAL COVERAGE RECEIVER may help to diagnose and confirm operation.
A SIGNAL SOURCE such as a transceiver running low power into a dummy load can be useful for testing and diagnosis. If not available a simple signal generator or oscillator will do. I use a DDS generator like this http://www.midnightdesignsolutions.com/dds60/index.html I also use one like this http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/Kits/Kits.html This uses a Si570 so only works above 3.5MHZ unless followed by a divider. A 7474 as in the Softrocks may be used.
A pin held in your fingers can act as an audio generator. Test the Ensemble RX op-amp:- just touch pins 2 and 6 of the audio amp U11 with a pin. The SDR display will show the effect and you will hear a hum if you tune to the centre. If nothing is found check by touching the pins of the "Line In" jack.
Also, try U10. Pins 2,4,5,7,9,10,13,14 also produce a hum. This is a rough test of U10 and the components after it.
OSCILLOSCOPE Robby's construction tests shows the use of an oscilloscope. I do not consider this essential. Indeed unless you are experienced in interpreting what you see they can obstruct progress. Recently someone showed a superb oscilloscope picture of a faulty transmit signal. It was three weeks before someone interpreted it correctly. In the meantime a few simple checks would quickly have pointed to the faulty audio cable.
Very occasionally a scope may help.
TEST EQUIPMENT FOR TRANSMITTERS.
A METER. Note the "PA Standing Current" test can give larger variations than quoted in Robby's pages. This is not considered significant. The specification for these FETs gives a large tolerance for this value.
A RECEIVER IS ESSENTIAL in order to setup the image rejection. With SDR transmitters this is always a manual adjustment.
A signal source will be useful, as above.
Oscilloscope, same comments as above.
TRANSMIT IMAGE REJECTION
Like RX the transmit image will be exactly opposite from centre to the wanted TX frequency.
Use AM/FM mode.
You find the image on a RX, make sure it really is the weaker image, that IQ swap is correct.
Then use the sliders to reduce this to a minimum.
This needs checking every time you move frequency and certainly will vary as you move bands.
Make notes of the settings at different frequencies.
This procedure is much the same for all SDR software with transmit capability.
Note with HDSDR is best to press "C" on the keyboard after selecting the TX frequency but before adjusting IQ. This moves the tuning so the TX frequency is at a constant audio frequency and reduces the variation as you change the tuning. PSDR-IQ does this automatically, keeping a preset offset.
For reference, some notes and links about installing the RTL Dongle.
RTL Dongle ONLY:- CAREFULLY READ http://rtlsdr.org/softwarewindows for instructions for obtaining the support files.
SUMMARY:- All links and instructions on above page. Do everything in the order described.
Or look here, using the installation script. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B98akUlPIomlRGVPQUpyZnhUczQ/edit
Install Zadig drivers, instructions on above page. This will normally only need to be done once unless an updated driver is made available. If you then use a different USB port Windows may be told to install the driver automatically. NOTE later versions of Windows, especially 64 bit have security features. Run as Administrator and right click to unblock downloaded files have been mentioned by users.
THREE ZIP FILES REQUIRED If the links on the above page do not work I include links to the site where they should be found.
1) SDR# Dev and 2)
SDR
# RTLSDR Plugin from
http://sdrsharp.com/ Downloads. Unzip these two and copy into the SDR# Program Folder. But note the order to do this.3) RelWithDebInfo.zip RTLSDR binaries and libraries, from http://sdr.osmocom.org/ Look for "pre-built Windows version" on their rtl page. Direct link on http://rtlsdr.org/softwarewindows page. Unzip this, find rtlsdr.dll and libusb-1.0.dll in the x32 or x64 folder and copy to the SDR# Program folder.
In the sdr-nightly-rtlsdr.zip file is a folder "Config" Inside that is the file "SDRSharp.exe.Config" copy this into the SDR# folder, overwriting the one already there.
This should be already edited so you do not need to follow the instructions below. But if you have problems it may be worth checking.
Note the instructions for editing SDRSharp.exe.Config. This is actually a text file.
Right click, "Open With" Notepad. Find <!-- <add key="RTL-SDR / USB" value="SDRSharp.RTLSDR.RT1SdrIO, SDRSharp.RTLSDR! /> -> and remove the leading
<!– and trailing –> so that it looks like<add key="RTL-SDR / USB" value="SDRSharp.RTLSDR.RtlSdrIO,SDRSharp.RTLSDR" />
G4ZFQ February 2011
alan4alan at googlemail com
More of my pages related to SDR
All aspects of the Softrock SDR http://homepages.wightcable.net/~g4zfq/Si570.htm
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