SDRTrunk 0.5.0 for Air Band Monitoring

1,102 views
Skip to first unread message

Nick Turin

unread,
Jul 18, 2020, 5:42:00 AM7/18/20
to sdrtrunk
Due to the multi-frequency mode of operation, the program could be effectively used to monitor air channels.
And the transition in version 0.5.0 of the program part (playlist window) to javaFX made it possible to conveniently create many playlists.

An affordable device such as the HackRF is capable of fully covering the entire aviation range.

What needs to be improved in SDRTrunk to make this possible?

- add noise canceling function for AM / NBFM modes
- Register the opening time and duration of squelch in the Event window.

How it will work:
1) Create playlists with aviation channels for monitoring
2) Launch a playlist and enjoy multi-frequency decoding

P.S. At the moment there are no multi-platform user-friendly graphical programs for multifrequency monitoring of aviation frequencies.

DaveNF2G

unread,
Jul 18, 2020, 11:45:40 AM7/18/20
to sdrtrunk
Does anyone really need this?  SDRTrunk is a trunking program.  VHF airband has no trunked systems.  There is a plethora of software that can monitor and/or scan all sorts of frequency ranges and modes conventionally.

-Dave, NF2G

abq...@gmail.com

unread,
Jul 18, 2020, 12:27:19 PM7/18/20
to sdrtrunk
I would use it.  It would be great to capture all of the VHF Airband comms near me.   Dave, SDRTrunk is more than a trunking program.  Currently, you can use it to also capture NFM frequencies along with a trunking system.   AOR is coming out with a radio that monitor 4 VHF Air frequencies at the same time which is interesting.  SDRTrunk could monitor the entire band at the same time.

-Erik

Nick Turin

unread,
Jul 18, 2020, 3:28:51 PM7/18/20
to sdrtrunk
Dave, NF2G. What are these programs for linux? Most of the programs you are talking about are written for Windows. I have been boycotting Bill Geitz products for over 10 years and am a supporter of the GNU community concept, so Linux and Unix systems support is important to me.

I would like to control using SDRTrunk:

- Backbone networks
- Digital DMR networks (e.g. amateur)
- Air band
- amateur radio repeaters and common call frequencies

The program is ideal for multi-frequency monitoring of channels that are constantly at their frequency. And if you need to look for something, then you can use CubicSDR, GQRX, SDR #, etc.

Dylan Reinhold

unread,
Jul 18, 2020, 4:03:09 PM7/18/20
to Nick Turin, sdrtrunk
Nick,
   Have you looked at RTLSDR-Airband, https://github.com/szpajder/RTLSDR-Airband. I don't listen to airband myself, but when I looked at it a few years ago it seemed to do the job.

Dylan

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sdrtrunk" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sdrtrunk+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sdrtrunk/3fcd413f-f45b-440f-8dde-7f9659e1fe00o%40googlegroups.com.

Carl Makin

unread,
Jul 19, 2020, 1:27:43 AM7/19/20
to sdrtrunk


On 19 Jul 2020, at 6:02 am, Dylan Reinhold <drei...@gmail.com> wrote:

   Have you looked at RTLSDR-Airband, https://github.com/szpajder/RTLSDR-Airband. I don't listen to airband myself, but when I looked at it a few years ago it seemed to do the job.


Also have a look at CubicSDR and SDRAngel.  They can monitor multiple frequencies at the same time.  With a HackRF or AirSPY they can do the whole band.


Carl.

Gene Howard

unread,
Jul 19, 2020, 3:17:17 PM7/19/20
to sdrtrunk
What is lacking right now is a program that takes advantage of the bandwidth of modern SDR's along with the ability to play, stream, and/or record multiple frequencies at the same time. Most of the non-trunked streaming options are VOX-based and rely on either an analog feed or a virtual audio cable from yet another piece of software with NFM squelch.

A few examples of what I'd love to do with sdrtrunk when/if NFM squelch is implemented:
- Monitor and stream the county UHF system now that their patches into the state P25 system have been encrypted.
- Monitor and record the entire high power (462.xxx) GMRS channel lineup.
- Monitor and record the local 2M repeaters.

I could do the above with only 1 or 2 RTL SDR sticks per goal. Meanwhile most other methods to accomplish the same will have limitations such as lack of simultaneous frequency monitoring or requiring a dedicated SDR per frequency. Even the most realistic possibilities with existing software start delving into monstrous setups involving multiple virtual sound cards or mile long JSON configs.

Basically sdrtrunk was built from the ground up for listening, recording, and streaming which is unique in the SDR software world. If that can extend to additional modes by adding squelch capabilities, I'm all for it.

-Gene, K1WMA

Imago Trigger

unread,
Jul 19, 2020, 4:54:15 PM7/19/20
to Gene Howard, sdrtrunk
i would love to dedicate a tuner prefered to recording squelched fm wav clips right from sdrTrunk
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sdrtrunk" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sdrtrunk+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sdrtrunk/02362419-30c7-4977-95fc-d6f03966838ao%40googlegroups.com.

Nick Turin

unread,
Jul 19, 2020, 5:43:05 PM7/19/20
to sdrtrunk
RTLSDR-Airband is an interesting program, but SDRTrunk would be better. Graphical shell + ease of assembly + multi-platform. One program for monitoring all fixed communication systems by simply switching the playlist! Squelch for AM / NBFM is not the most difficult thing and if I was well versed in programming, I would implement this function.

Nick Turin

unread,
Jul 19, 2020, 5:48:53 PM7/19/20
to sdrtrunk
Yes, I also forgot what else is needed for convenient multi-frequency AM / NBFM reception:

  - This is a display of the channel spectrum with an open squelch of a different color.

Dean Sauer

unread,
Jul 20, 2020, 3:29:47 PM7/20/20
to sdrtrunk


On Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:45:40 AM UTC-4, DaveNF2G wrote:
Does anyone really need this?  SDRTrunk is a trunking program.  VHF airband has no trunked systems.  There is a plethora of software that can monitor and/or scan all sorts of frequency ranges and modes conventionally.

I am going to regret this I know but this hit a nerve...

YES!  *I* Need, or would LOVE to see a

NBFM SQUELCH
AM SQUELCH and DEMOD

And even more so CTSS/DPL on the squelch.

Yes there are programs like rtl_airband... but I've found it not up to the task in taking the place of a physical radio for streaming  V/UHF. Some of the foibles can be mitigated, with some creative config programming. Its appeal is its ability to use Pi's at least for me. I could go into some other issues on that software, but not really relevant here.

Why do I want squelch for use with SDR Trunk?

HEMS uses a mixture of channels for their ops from IRIS (sat stuff) to VHF and UHF channels in the various operating areas... Some of this may get mitigated with upcoming cut overs of P25... and in essence ISSI'ng them across the nets over the region...

Which is why IF SDRT has a squelch I can take all the various HEMS channels on V/UHF and shove them into ONE FEED  for each service regardless of where they are actually talking

Same applies to NSPAC MA stuff.

Put all the NSPAC CALL, TA's in and feed into a feed ie: NSPACRegionX

ONE BOX doing all this.

Using SDRT and then RTL_AIRBAND its not possible to have ONE FEED for the HEMS stuff.. I probably could do some ffmpeg haclery and merge it I've done that... its just too fragile and needs constant attention...ie: doesn't recover well in the even of feed loss.

I would prioritize this over a whole slew of things I see discussed here. Yes 100% That fits MY PERSONAL NEEDS DESIRES AND WISHES. Much like some of the stuff I am referring to, and no I am not mentioning which ones its not productive point to do so. Those items have similar priority to those user(s) just like this for me and PII Audio to IceCast. alot of the rest since thats pretty rock steady is not for me, ME.

And if I had the knowledge in Java and/or FFT to do the squelch I'd have submitted it. Java nor FFT is not my thing. So it comes when it comes, and I think would be HUGE HUGE advantage..Especially since there are lot of persons who don't do their own feed setups from source to server as I do.

Look at this feature like the LTR stuff you want to work better. Maybe you see what others see in SQUELCH features when you look at it from the LTR features.  I **PERSONALLY** couldn't care less..as in my current needs I have no need for LTR..The last user I had on LTR was um... 30 years ago, long before scanners could do LTR and it was easy to monitor the CATV company using it by putting in the local UHF channels and calling it a day. There was not enough if any other users so actual LTR use didn't matter. This was probably one of the first LTR SMR setups in that area and they converted a client from low band to it.

Like I said theres a litany of features I see discussed, which are not for me. I keep my mouth shut mostly.

SQUELCH is on NBFM and AM (and AM DEMOD I think too) would be a plus for me.

/end highly opinionated post

DaveNF2G

unread,
Jul 21, 2020, 8:32:10 AM7/21/20
to sdrtrunk
I agree wholeheartedly about the need for squelch.

Nick Turin

unread,
Jul 23, 2020, 2:09:22 PM7/23/20
to sdrtrunk
It seems that the introduction of AM / NBFM squelch is delayed until the main program window is rewritten in JavaFX.

Nick Turin

unread,
Jul 25, 2020, 4:30:05 AM7/25/20
to sdrtrunk
Although I was wrong with the last assumption) The playlist window with individual settings for each mode has already been rewritten in javaFX.

- For AM / NBFM in the source settings, you just need to add at least a text field with user input of the numerical value of the squelch threshold. This is the simplest. Or a slider for more convenient control. Only in these AM / NBFM modes will this knob appear.

- On the spectrum, highlight the channel with an open squelch in a different color.

- And in the event window, the date and time of opening / closing the squelch.

Снимок экрана 2020-07-25 в 11.19.02.png

p.s. The new playlist window is very convenient for working with a large variety of lists.

Nick Turin

unread,
Jul 25, 2020, 4:33:13 AM7/25/20
to sdrtrunk
Not in the source settings, but in the decoder. Typo.

суббота, 25 июля 2020 г., 11:30:05 UTC+3 пользователь Nick Turin написал:

Nick Turin

unread,
Jul 27, 2020, 9:32:48 AM7/27/20
to sdrtrunk
Maybe someone else would like to have a manual squelch for analog AM / NBFM modes in sdrtrunk? Anyone have any interesting ideas?

This will significantly expand the functionality of the program! Instead of switching between different programs, you can simply switch playlists in sdrtrunk. Tired of listening to P25 - switched the playlist to control radio amateurs. Tired of listening to repeaters - switching to an aviation playlist. Everything in a GUI with a spectrum analyzer and the ability to change playlists on the fly.

Sal Tepedino

unread,
Jul 27, 2020, 11:29:46 AM7/27/20
to Nick Turin, sdrtrunk
I'd love to be able to configure something like the air traffic in the
area and have it monitor several channels within my airspy's range and
play things out when they broadcast with the labels for what's
broadcasting, and playing them in stereo like it does not with trunked
calls. Obviously, it's not the direct goal of this program, so
therefore not expected, but it would be nice to just select a
different playlist, like you mentioned, and have it work.

On Mon, Jul 27, 2020 at 9:32 AM Nick Turin <wexler...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Maybe someone else would like to have a manual squelch for analog AM / NBFM modes in sdrtrunk? Anyone have any interesting ideas?
>
> This will significantly expand the functionality of the program! Instead of switching between different programs, you can simply switch playlists in sdrtrunk. Tired of listening to P25 - switched the playlist to control radio amateurs. Tired of listening to repeaters - switching to an aviation playlist. Everything in a GUI with a spectrum analyzer and the ability to change playlists on the fly.
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sdrtrunk" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sdrtrunk+u...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sdrtrunk/336db4d8-52b8-4a24-ad21-0f8dfdee0506o%40googlegroups.com.

Nick Turin

unread,
Jul 29, 2020, 4:02:47 PM7/29/20
to sdrtrunk
The most interesting thing is that AM / NBFM analog demodulators are already in the program. You just need to add a squelch module to the program. It seems that this is not a difficult task, since in any other program there is a squelch by default.

Dean Sauer

unread,
Jul 30, 2020, 7:48:35 AM7/30/20
to sdrtrunk


On Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 4:02:47 PM UTC-4, Nick Turin wrote:
The most interesting thing is that AM / NBFM analog demodulators are already in the program. You just need to add a squelch module to the program. It seems that this is not a difficult task, since in any other program there is a squelch by default.

The following is highly opinionated and offers to give some perspective, point of view on SQUELCH.

I am not going to speculate on the ease or not of this... FFT and all the machinations like that are not my thing...

I will say as I have posted SQUELCH is probably ** - > MY < - *** #1 request and wish list item.

I'd love it.... even better would be with PL and DPL, or at the least PL. Why? Because one local bozo decided to reuse a channel and put P25 conventional on it, the same as the HEMS. This is leftover from 30-40+ year old plans.... I've had this in the past.... local HEMS channel and another user who was on a mountain top with this huge repeater that could cover most of WV! URRGH Annoying...... It was even more infuriating to the HEMS. Think about an aircraft 1500 feet in the air and coverage... talk about annoying.

I think there are some things in the latest 0.5.x series alphas that have cropped up which probably lend to being a priority for the development time available. I've seen some memory leak issues and issues with the rewrite on the playlist which would be CORE FUNCTIONS before something like squelch.

Everyone probably has features they want to see... and ranked in their order may or may not be close to my list. Example. LTR issues... If you need LTR I am sure thats a big deal, like PII audio to IceCast was to me. I don't have a need for LTR so blunt honestly I don't care. That doesn't mean its not a valid concern and issue to those who need LTR. PII IC Audio probably is about a 0 or -1000 on most users lists. Same goes for some other stuff.... like any and all integrations with a certain site. I don't care if the program supports that site for anything what ever it is! Ever. Honestly I, again, ***I*** would love to see that crap removed! And if I thought I could gut it from the source with out issues, I would! I've done my own steps to ensure that access to that site is prohibited, firewall blocks etc...

So the tl;dr of this is that I think there are some things that probably take MORE PRIORITY than squelch right now...

The memory leak(s) issues being posted
Issues with the playlist editor from the rewrite
Limited dev time possibly as the Wuhan Flu Vacation may be over?? :) :)
Personal life

Yes, I'd love to see squelch, even if its just plain squelch...but it shows up when it shows up.

wexler...@gmail.com

unread,
Aug 22, 2020, 7:43:47 AM8/22/20
to sdrtrunk
Can anyone add a squelch for AM / NBFM to sdrtrunk? For example how maozhenyu123 did it https://github.com/maozhenyu123/sdrtrunk/tree/dmr-function added dmr decoder.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages