Consider increasing spectrum display vs WF screen real estate
Admittedly I am something of a "spectrum analyzer person". But as I increasingly use other web SDRs for wide band spectral analysis of noise and signals I realize how much I prefer a spectrum display to a waterfall. While a temporal record does provide a unique vantage point for understanding some of the signals we commonly see I rarely use it, particularly in comparison to the spectrum display which in my opinion contains much more information with much higher detail and resolution.
With only color differences to indicate relative signal&noise levels and SNR, the WF is a far inferior tool, at least to my eye. There is so much more useful information to my taste in a spectrum display that given the chance I fill the available screen space with it at the complete expense of waterfall display. In ka9q-web, for example, rarely do I ever grant even a small portion of the screen to WF.
I think that changing the allotment of this valuable display space in the favor of spectrum would be a large advantage for many uses. I know that WF is familiar to many users so I'm willing to forego eliminating it altogether but at least increasing the spectrum/WF ratio would be a great improvement.
When people soliciting advice only provide WF screenshots, I am inclined to go the next topic quickly.
If it is reasonably possible to at least make this ratio variable, or to turn off the waterfall leaving only a larger spectrum display, I think we might all gain new insights more easily.
Just one more viewpoint... Others are welcome to have a different opinion.
Glenn n6gn
Comments
Hi Glenn,
Having also had a background in RF engineering, and being used to spectrum analysers, I'd also support the ability to modify the ratio of waterfall to spectrum display, but I think we may be in a minority.
The ability to "drag" the split between waterfall and spectrum, would be awesome, but I suspect technically it may be more of a challenge.
My main interest is either propagation / antenna experiments or finding new signals.
Most of the time I have the spectrum display enabled, in slow dev mode (mono colour), with peak hold on. I can then leave the sdr running whilst I do other things, and later examine the peak display to see if anything has "popped up" in the meantime, in the chunk of spectrum I have chosen
One other feature I'd really appreciate, is that if the size of the spectrum display could be increased, would it be possible to incorporate a higher resolution dB scale ? As I find that 10dB is a bit too coarse for my liking. The ability to use the cursor to read off the frequency and dB values, is however, extremely useful. I wonder if it would be possible to add automatic peak markers to the portion of spectrum on display ?
Just some thoughts, and maybe nice to haves, but nothing vital.
Regards,
Martin
I was thinking a similar thing yesterday, however, I was thinking of separate window / TAB pop open so you can have a waterfall on one and a spec on the other or split between two screens - or even if the spectrum analyser popped out into a native browser window that could be resized. (python, Java, HTML?)
Yes, having dynamic panel size adjustment has been on the "todo" list for a long time. The length of that list is now in direct competition with my projected remaining lifespan. Which is simultaneously a sobering, yet amusing, thought.
A bit morbid - perhaps leave that list in your will to someone you dislike? :-)
Nah, when I go I'm taking it with me (lol)
Not renaming to KiwiSDR and Sons? No legacy to hand on? Haha - does anyone do that any more?