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G8JNJ

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G8JNJ
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  • Less than optimum SDR's online.

    Hi,

    I also have this frustration. 

    I've tried to assist where I can by sending personal emails to admins where I think I can help improve things. 

    But unfortunately in some cases the Admins are more software orientated than having any real interest in the hardware or RF side of things. So it's very difficult to try to get them to improve things when either they aren't really that interested. Sometimes this is because they don't really know what sort of performance to expect, or alternatively they don't have a good enough understanding of RF to be able to understand the nature of the problem and how to go about fixing it. Just stuffing a random length of wire in to the KiWi antenna socket and hoping for the best shouldn't be the default position.

    I have offered to make up filters and send them free of charge to some  Admins (where I thought the SDR was otherwise OK apart from some local overloading or interference that could be filtered out), but so far there has not been any take up (I don't to make a wide announcement and then spend all my time sending free stuff where it's not going to make any difference).

    Maybe we could collectively write up some more detailed guidance notes for SDR Admins or folks considering buying a KiWi (as I notice that Farnell / Newark are now stocking the boards and kits) who are not well versed in the RF dark arts ?

    Regards,

    Martin - G8JNJ


    M0TAZ
  • possible feature : TUNING lock

    I think Phil's suggestion of a last used frequency memory would be useful.

    I often find that I listen to one frequency whilst scrolling up or down the adjacent spectrum. If I quickly tune to a new frequency to hear what's been transmitted, it would be good to be able to quickly go back to the previous frequency without having to scroll back or retype the frequency (which I've often forgotten anyway).

    Would it be possible to add something like a browser 'back' and 'forward' function below the frequency entry box, which would allow you to scroll between frequencies that have been entered during the current browser session whilst using the SDR ?

    Regards,

    Martin - G8JNJ



     
    WA2ZKDic8pof
  • possible feature : TUNING lock

    I think Phil's suggestion of a last used frequency memory would be useful.

    I often find that I listen to one frequency whilst scrolling up or down the adjacent spectrum. If I quickly tune to a new frequency to hear what's been transmitted, it would be good to be able to quickly go back to the previous frequency without having to scroll back or retype the frequency (which I've often forgotten anyway).

    Would it be possible to add something like a browser 'back' and 'forward' function below the frequency entry box, which would allow you to scroll between frequencies that have been entered during the current browser session whilst using the SDR ?

    Regards,

    Martin - G8JNJ



     
    WA2ZKDic8pof
  • internet lag and decoding JT65

    On my local connection I'd estimate that the KiWi lag is only about 200-500mS maximum. 

    Just about a long enough a delay to cause you to hesitate whilst speaking if you are monitoring your own transmission.

    Over the internet the delay can be much longer, one user has reported a delay of around 2 seconds. 

    I think a lot depends upon variables in the users ISP and network routing, all of which are outside the Admins control.

    Regards,

    Martin - G8JNJ




    Serge
  • GPS Admin screen

    Hi,

    The patch antenna supplied with the KiWi doesn't seem to be as good as some other GPS antennas.

    A lot of modern double glazing uses a metalised film to provide additional heat retention, but this also has the effect of greatly reducing the strength of GPS signals.

    I rarely used to get two satellites at any time with the supplied patch, but this week I ran in some more cables so that I could split the feed from an existing Trimble GPS antenna and now I'm typically seeing six at any moment with four or more at good strength most of the time.

    Regards,

    Martin - G8JNJ
    M0TAZ