A number of presentations to the membership last Friday evening seemed to be well received, with significantly more members turning up than has been the case on previous nights this year. Everyone was keen to see first-hand some of the current hardware and software available, and to look at various 'remote' options so that we can maximise the value derived from having new hardware in the shack. It makes little sense to invest in new kit if it then sits out of reach for thirteen days out of every fourteen. Doing nothing however, will see the club gradually deteriorate into a museum and tea room, and that can't be allowed to happen.
Below, our Chairman Peter G4AKG introduces Phil G4UDU, who demonstrates one of the obvious hardware upgrade candidates, the FlexRadio Systems 6000 series of radios.
The radio on display on the right, is the 6400M. This facilitates two concurrent yet independent operators, and with its 'knobs & screen' front panel, means one of those two can be sitting in front of the radio if desired. The 6600 series doubles that capacity to four operators, and the 'M' suffix adds the same front panel as the 6400M above.
The 'Radio' on the left isn't actually a radio at all. The FlexRadio Systems 'Maestro' option operates over WiFi, and has the same functionality as the front panel of the 6400M. It provides immediate physical gratification (at a price!) should you to prefer one of those remote options to resemble a 'real' radio more closely. Logically, the Maestro hardware can be swapped one-for-one with a free Windows software application, or with a low-cost option for both MacOS and iOS - now available officially via the FlexRadio web site! Each one of these user options counts as one operator once connected, and each has the same capability. Make no mistake though - The FlexRadio 6000 series are all very real RF-breathing radios.
Whilst both Icom and Yaesu provide remote options for their most popular radios, such as the IC7610 and the FTDX10 or FTDX101, the software isn't as robust, is more problematic to install for the average user, and in the case of the Yaesu, the additional hardware required (the SCU-LAN10) is currently unavailable. There are also potential software licencing issues for multiple users on both platforms - as would be the case in a typical distributed club-member scenario. Each radio would also only support one operator at a time, I believe.
Talking of the Windows software for the Flex, below we see Chris M7VJE operating the 6400M (above) remotely with the free SmartSDR application for Windows 10. It's a one-click doddle to install, but does take some getting used to once up and running before you can think of yourself as competent.
Chris also gave us a demonstration of his own DMR hardware, which seamlessly blends DMR radio, WiFi and IP/WAN, connecting people globally for under £100.
The MMDVM hotspot runs the Pi-Star software and supports all four digital amateur modes, DMR, Icom's D-STAR and Yaesu's System Fusion, as well as Tait's P25 protocol. The online Pi-Star portal connects users globally, making communities accessible and easy to find. Nobody on your local repeater? No problem! It's like digital quality Echolink-Plus in the palm of your hand.
Berni M0XYF also gave a demonstration of his SDRPlay RSPdx module, driven in this instance by the free SDRuno software, but which can also be interfaced with several other software options such as SDR Console V3 (including remote operation) CubicSDR, SDR# and many others. It also works with GNURadio Companion, if you want to stretch yourself. Operating systems supported by SDRuno are Windows (7 upwards) Raspberry Pi OS, and if you're up for a bit of building via GitHub, Linux and probably MacOS using SoapySDR.
If that's all a bit much for you, then just fire up virtually any web browser on almost any laptop, iPad, Mac, Android tablet or phone, app-enabled smart TV or whatever, and enjoy full-featured WebSDR. We saw a brief demonstration of some KiwiSDR-equipped setups - all running far, far away, and yet accessible to anyone with a browser. You're basically just plugging in to one of four open channels on each and every receiver via one of the remote servers listed in this case on the KiwiSDR online server list. This is shown on the left-hand laptop (running Ubuntu Linux) and each of those open channels is much like the two or four operator 'slices' on the FlexRadios.
The proposal is that MSARS should have one of these receivers at the shack, with a dedicated wideband antenna, so that anyone can access it via the internet, and without having to install ANY additional software.
KiwiSDR receivers are all controlled through a common software interface, so if you can operate one, you can operate them all, and it looks like this:
Members can read much more about the advantages and the compelling case for a WebSDR implementation at MSARS in our members-only section.
So all in all, it was a very good night, made even better by Chris M0NCJ who, it turns out, makes a great cup of tea. Thanks Chris.
