I have been looking into various options for building my own radios again, this time taking advantage of software defined radio technologies. I’m not crazy about using a PC for running the SDR application. While a PC offers great performance and flexibility, it makes a clumsy radio setup not at all suitable for portable and mobile use.
Using the UT-100 DVB-T modulator on Linux
In October last year I learned about the UT-100 series of DVB-T modulators available from a company in Taiwan. At that time I have already been working with software defined video broadcasting; however, I still found the idea of a small USB-stick modulator very appealing for use with embedded devices. In this post I have collected my notes about setting up and testing the UT-100 modulator on Linux.
Using the Logitech C920 webcam with Gstreamer 1.2
A lot has happened since I posted my ugly hacks required to take advantage of the H.264 compressor in the Logitech C920 webcam. Gstreamer 1.2 now includes a uvch264src that can be used to read H.264 encoded video stream from the camera eliminating the need for an external capture application.
Cubieboard as Funcube-1 telemetry receiver
Following up on my not too successful first contact with the Cubieboard, I have decided to try it one more time. It has been annoying me to have a computer board lying on the shelf not doing anything and since I wanted to migrate my Linux-based Funcube telemetry decoder from a PC to a single board computer this was an excellent opportunity / excuse to try the Cubieboard again.
Updated fcdctl for the Funcube Dongle Pro and Pro+
About a year ago I wrote about my modified fcdcontrol application that could be used with the Funcube Dongle Pro and Pro+. The news back then was that it could be used on the Raspberry Pi to control the FCD instead of the continuously failing attempts at running qthid. Unfortunately, the fcdcontrol application often crashed due to a problem at the hidapi / libusb layer.
Listening to my IC-765 one last time
I decided to sell my IC-765 and start upgrading my shack with newer radio that better support remote operations. However, before doing so I turned it on just one last time and recorded this video to remember how good it sounds.
First contact with the Cubieboard
I got myself a Cubieboard some months ago, not because I needed one by because I had the opportunity to join a group purchase organized by some friends back then. I wasn’t looking for a new board, however, the Cubieboard looked interesting because of the onboard SATA connector. Plus the analog audio input / output on the board may also prove useful for SDR and digital voice experiments.
Gpredict on Android
Today we have a guest post by Kirill Snezhko (@argrento) who describes how to get Gpredict working on Android tablets. Note that this is not about a native Android port of Gpredict, but how to get Linux installed as an Android app and run Linux applications like Gpredict.
A 2-channel AIS receiver using rtl-sdr and gnuais
For some time now I have been in great need of small and cheap AIS receivers that could be used for guiding various tracking equipment during Copenhagen Suborbitals missions. AIS stands for Automatic Identification System and is used by maritime vessels for reporting various status, including position, heading and speed.
New Gqrx website
Just a short note to those who are following my GNU Radio blog in order to get gqrx updates. Gqrx now has its own website at http://gqrx.dk/ and therefore no more updates will be provided through this channel, unless deemed appropriate. If you want to stay up to date about gqrx go to the new … Read more