SparkSDR

[Steve Haynal]

Hi,

I have been having a lot of fun using Alan's latest SparkSDR software release with my HL2s. Since there are some new members here, I wanted to share a link to this software and the SparkSDR group:

http://www.ihopper.org/radio/

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/sparksdr/J671n-IoNLA/ZLlB6CMQCgAJ

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Alan Hopper]

Steve thanks for the plug.

All,

I've added quite a few features since the 2.0 release at http://www.ihopper.org/radio/previews.htm . Most importantly I recently discovered the gateware update feature had a bug in the last couple of releases that prevented selecting files, this is fixed in 2.0.0.6. I'm currently trying to improve the voice experience ( as digital has really been the main focus up to now ). Now would be a good time to tell me what you hate about the current voice modes :)

73 Alan M0NNB 

[David Wilde M0WID]

Hi Alan.

I used voice with SparkSDR for the first time yesterday, using 2.006 version. It certainly works as I made a few contacts on 20m with just the 4-5 watts out. Audio was a rather battered Microsoft lx3000 USB headset. There were no complaints about audio, but also I did not ask.

I found that after releasing the PTT there was a period of low level receive before the audio came back to normal levels, meaning I missed the first few words of the replies. I cannot recall now if the alc was off or max. My pc is an i5, several years old now, just the built in Intel graphics.

Also I found the compression slider hard to set (actually I find it hard to set any slider to the exact value I want, maybe I should try slowing the mouse down). I seemed to need it set around 4, any more did not seem to increase power out any further. I had agc enabled on the lx3000 microphone driver in windows 10. Without it the level in from the mic was very low and transmitted power was very low. Perhaps some facility to train the software so it works out the best gain setting, perhaps by talking into Mike at normal levels, and a separate slider for compression.

A simple voice keyer would be nice, especially when working QRP as it can take some time to get a response. With adjustable intervals between repeats, or another key press to send the message again.

Is there a key for toggling the ptt, power sdr for example uses the space bar but that did not seem to work? Much easier to hit a key than mess with a mouse button.

Also last night I was seeing some intermittent breakthrough from some other transmission. Sounded like a broadcast station and filled up the whole if the band on the waterfall. Not had that before with the HL2, so I need to get the chance to check the filters were set correctly. There was only one receiver in SparkSDR. I listened on my old Trio Ts530 and that did not have a problem.

Great software Alan, this is certainly my favourite for the HL2. Don't know how you manage to develop so quickly!

73

Dave M0WID

[Alan Hopper]

Hi David,

I've noticed the low level after ptt, it is caused by the alc reacting to spikes during the transition from tx to rx, the protocol does not let you know if an iq packet is the result of rx or tx and it is a bit of a guessing game around these transitions. I think I'll simply disable alc for a short period after tx.

I like the idea of the voice keyer, I also want to add a continuous recording of the last few seconds ( I have a Sailor marine vhf with this feature ).

I've got to give keyboard input some thought, in modes like psk you don't want space to trigger ptt and I generally don't like features that work differently in different places.  I'm currently using my son's midi keyboard for ptt, btw if you program each piano key for a different vfo value and tune into a carrier you can play a tune :)

73 Alan M0NNB

[Alan Hopper]

I meant audio agc not alc above

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I noticed on pskreporter that several people are still using the older 2.0.0.0 SparkSDR. This is the one available from the main SparkSDR web page, but the more interesting versions are the previews:

http://www.ihopper.org/radio/previews.htm

I am running 2.0.0.7 from the previews link. There is no link to the previews from the main page, but you can find details on the SparkSDR Google Group:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sparksdr

The main page with old links is:

http://www.ihopper.org/radio/

73,

Steve

kf7o