RFSpace SDR-14 via SDR-xx Server?

[WA7RCQ]

Question, beyond the 2nd and 3rd inbound RTL Dongles, as I don't own an up to date RFSpace IP or IQ nor an NetSDR ...

Is it possible ... can Gqrx be persuaded to work with the older SDR-14 through the SDR-xx Server?

This locally networked Windows 7 based server configuration currently works great with several other SDR apps installed on both Ubuntu Trusty and OS-X Snow Leopard.

Possible?  Unsuccessful attempts thus far.  Back to CuteSDR, etc...

Thanks,
--
Michael

[Alexandru Csete]

Hi Michael,

I know SDR-IQ is supported through direct USB connection and as far as
I know SDR-14 is very similar in protocol. So you could try that.

But if the SDR-xx server is simply emulating the NetSDR protocol that
should work as well with an up to date gr-osmosdr library.

PS: List of supported devices:
http://gqrx.dk/supported-hardware
then for each device there is a link to the device string
documentation on the gr-osmosdr site:
http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/GrOsmoSDR#RFSPACESource

So you should ensure the correct device identifier is in the device
string, e.g. netsdr or sdrip if device discovery fails. Or maybe the
sdr-xx server broadcast a different identifier and gr-osmosdr filters
them away. I'm not sure.

Alex

[WA7RCQ]

On Sunday, July 13, 2014 1:06:05 AM UTC-7, Alexandru Csete wrote:

On Sun, Jul 13, 2014 at 6:16 AM, WA7RCQ <wa7...@mac.com> wrote:

 
<snip>

 

Hi Michael,

I know SDR-IQ is supported through direct USB connection and as far as
I know SDR-14 is very similar in protocol. So you could try that.

Yes, and that is exactly what I have been working with.  Still, using ... sdr-ip[=<hostname>][:<port>] ...  or ... netsdr[=<hostname>][:<port>] ... just doesn't work for the SDR-xx server port.

But if the SDR-xx server is simply emulating the NetSDR protocol that
should work as well with an up to date gr-osmosdr library.

Yes, thank you, and I am studying that aspect of the GrOsmoSDR Library and tools now.

PS: List of supported devices:
http://gqrx.dk/supported-hardware
then for each device there is a link to the device string
documentation on the gr-osmosdr site:
http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/GrOsmoSDR#RFSPACESource

Check!  Got that!  Thanks!

So you should ensure the correct device identifier is in the device
string, e.g. netsdr or sdrip if device discovery fails. Or maybe the
sdr-xx server broadcast a different identifier and gr-osmosdr filters
them away. I'm not sure.

Alex

Yes, I can see the SDR-14 identifier and serial number show up in XTerm, there appears to be a Boot FW Error of some sort.  Something is missing I fear in the SDR-14 firmware.  Still, Gqrx launches as expected, but no signal is displayed.  The base band signal display rises quickly up off the top of the screen but the signal meter appears to perform normally.  It is now a challenge as to why the SDR-14 / SDR-xx server would not work just as a NetSDR connected.

Any input from the very knowledgeable appreciated!
--
Michael

[WA7RCQ]

Update: Working on connecting Gqrx to the SDR-xx Server for an old RFSpace SDR-14 ... any input on these terminal reports ?

Using either configuration: sdr-ip or netsdr=192.168.10.15:50000 <= SDR-xx server/USB attached SDR-14 location ... and various or default settings you get ...
--
Could not resolve property : pattern10600
gr-osmosdr v0.1.x-xxx-xunknown (0.1.2git) gnuradio 3.7.3
built-in source types: file osmosdr fcd rtl rtl_tcp uhd hackrf bladerf rfspace
Using RFSPACE SDR-14 SN HE000538 UNKNOWN BOOT 104 FW 101
Radio reported a sample rate of 0 Hz
terminate called after throwing an instance of 'boost::exception_detail::clone_impl<boost::exception_detail::error_info_injector<boost::math::rounding_error> >'
  what():  Error in function boost::math::round<f>(f): Value -inf can not be represented in the target integer type.
Aborted
--
Could the very knowledgeable tell me all that is stated here please?
--
Thanks fellows,
Michael WA7RCQ

[Alexandru Csete]

Michael,

Not sure what to say besides what is in the message. The radio reports
a sample rate of 0 Hz and the gr-osmosdr driver does not like it,
which is understandable because 0 Hz is not a valid sample rate.

Alex

[Alexandru Csete]

On Sun, Jul 13, 2014 at 6:32 PM, WA7RCQ <wa7...@mac.com> wrote:
> On Sunday, July 13, 2014 1:06:05 AM UTC-7, Alexandru Csete wrote:
>>
>> On Sun, Jul 13, 2014 at 6:16 AM, WA7RCQ <wa7...@mac.com> wrote:
>>
>> I know SDR-IQ is supported through direct USB connection and as far as
>> I know SDR-14 is very similar in protocol. So you could try that.
>
> Yes, and that is exactly what I have been working with. Still, using ...
> sdr-ip[=<hostname>][:<port>] ... or ... netsdr[=<hostname>][:<port>] ...
> just doesn't work for the SDR-xx server port.

No, I meant connecting it to the linux pc using USB and using SDR-IQ
in the device string, so without any network or server.

Alex

[WA7RCQ]

Well, can't make it work.

Thanks Alex!  I really appreciate the input.

CuteSDR works perfectly using the SDRxx Server as well as the USB connection to the SDR-14

Other various apps work as very well, [ no audio problems either ... Hmmmmm ] ... so I can only assume something is missing in the Gqrx build that just won't let it connect.

Is there anyone using an RFSpace SDR-IQ that could give me their configuration setup????

Sad!  But, that's the way it is I guess.  Exploring GNU Radio now and that works pretty well.  Deep in over my head and that is a real treat!

Learning Python is a kick!

The RFSpace SDR-14 works so well and I certainly don't have the toys budget to replace it right now.  Content with what I have.

Thanks fellows!  Much appreciated for the input and experience.
--
Michael WA7RCQ
---------------

[Alexandru Csete]

On Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 4:47 AM, WA7RCQ <wa7...@mac.com> wrote:
> Well, can't make it work.
>
> Thanks Alex! I really appreciate the input.
>
> CuteSDR works perfectly using the SDRxx Server as well as the USB connection
> to the SDR-14

I thought cutesdr only supported input via network and even looking at
the source code I see nothing that looks like USB input. So how can it
work directly through USB without SDRxx server?

> Other various apps work as very well, [ no audio problems either ... Hmmmmm
> ] ... so I can only assume something is missing in the Gqrx build that just
> won't let it connect.
>
> Is there anyone using an RFSpace SDR-IQ that could give me their
> configuration setup????

I have tried using an SSDR-IQ with gqrx not so long ago. But as I
said, it was directly through USB connection and not using any sdrxx
server. There was really not much to the configuration as it was
detected automatically. That may not be the case for the SDR-14 as it
probably reports a different ID. So,. the device string would be
"sdr-iq=/dev/ttyUSB0" (without the quotes) and enter a proper sample
rate.

Having said that, I looked at the SDR-14 protocol specs and saw enough
differences that could make this fail. So, I'm afraid changes to the
driver might be needed to have proper support for the SDR-14. The
driver code is a single file and quite straightforward:
http://git.osmocom.org/gr-osmosdr/tree/lib/rfspace/rfspace_source_c.cc
Unfortunately, I don't have time at the moment to work on this.

Alex

[WA7RCQ]

Good Morning Alex,

Thanks for responding,

On Monday, July 14, 2014 2:24:04 AM UTC-7, Alexandru Csete wrote:

On Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 4:47 AM, WA7RCQ <wa7...@mac.com> wrote:
> Well, can't make it work.
>
> Thanks Alex!  I really appreciate the input.
>
> CuteSDR works perfectly using the SDRxx Server as well as the USB connection
> to the SDR-14

I thought cutesdr only supported input via network and even looking at
the source code I see nothing that looks like USB input. So how can it
work directly through USB without SDRxx server?

Yes, sorry, I was thinking of local server access with a server running internal, access via 127.0.0.1:50000, and that works with other apps.  Same results with Gqrx told me this is not going to happen, not at this time.  Wonderful learning experience though!

Other SDR applications with direct access USB connections do work.  Sorry!

> Other various apps work as very well, [ no audio problems either ... Hmmmmm
> ] ... so I can only assume something is missing in the Gqrx build that just
> won't let it connect.
>
> Is there anyone using an RFSpace SDR-IQ that could give me their
> configuration setup????

I have tried using an SSDR-IQ with gqrx not so long ago. But as I
said, it was directly through USB connection and not using any sdrxx
server. There was really not much to the configuration as it was
detected automatically. That may not be the case for the SDR-14 as it
probably reports a different ID. So,. the device string would be
"sdr-iq=/dev/ttyUSB0" (without the quotes) and enter a proper sample
rate.

Yes, and that is the protocol I was using. No joy!  Thanks!

Having said that, I looked at the SDR-14 protocol specs and saw enough
differences that could make this fail. So, I'm afraid changes to the
driver might be needed to have proper support for the SDR-14. The
driver code is a single file and quite straightforward:
http://git.osmocom.org/gr-osmosdr/tree/lib/rfspace/rfspace_source_c.cc
Unfortunately, I don't have time at the moment to work on this.

Yes, I went through the Osmosdr write ups and looked at a white paper on the FTDI drivers site(s) ... and looked over all that Moe has said over the years ... and it would seem that the differences though slight are just enough to deny access at this time.

I hope you are blessed with the time later, although, I fear, I may the only one left still using the SD-14.

Hey, thanks for your time and patience helping me out.  Very much appreciated!

I may be able to use SDR-Radio via remote to accomplish what I was after, so moving on.

I'll keep an eye on Gqrx as it grows and perfects.  Great work!

Thanks Alex!

Alex

[andre2...@gmail.com]

Is the SDR-14 working with gqrx now ?

[Alexandru Csete]

Hi Andre,

The SDR-14 is not supported out of box since we have no driver code
for it. If there is an external application that can make it look like
a NetSDR or SDR-IP it might work. But I don't have the radio so I can
not test it.

Alex

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[andre2...@gmail.com]

Hello Alexandru,

thank you for your info.

I know, that it is working with older sdr# with a plugin from another program.

Maybe it could help? If you like to look at it, i can upload it for you.

Bye!

[Alexandru Csete]

On Tue, Oct 11, 2016 at 5:34 PM, <andre2...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello Alexandru,
>
> thank you for your info.
>
> I know, that it is working with older sdr# with a plugin from another
> program.
>
> Maybe it could help? If you like to look at it, i can upload it for you.

Thanks, but what I need is the hardware.
I have had very bad experience with "supporting" hardware that I do
not have and can not test with. It is very frustrating for both me and
the user so I am not doing that anymore.

I want users to have a pleasant experience with running Gqrx on Linux.

If you know somebody who has a working SDR-14 and wants donate it to a
good cause or even sell it for a reasonable price, I'd be interested.
I could then write a proper driver and add it to gqrx in a week or so.

Alex