Skip to search.

Breaking News Visit Yahoo! News for the latest.

×Close this window

softrock40 · Softrock-40 Interest Group

The Yahoo! Groups Product Blog

Check it out!

Group Information

  • Members: 9536
  • Category: Shortwave
  • Founded: Sep 11, 2005
  • Language: English
? Already a member? Sign in to Yahoo!

Yahoo! Groups Tips

Did you know...
Real people. Real stories. See how Yahoo! Groups impacts members worldwide.

Messages

Advanced
Messages Help
Messages 69556 - 69585 of 73763   Oldest  |  < Older  |  Newer >  |  Newest
Messages: Show Message Summaries Sort by Date ^  
#69556 From: hollingw@...
Date: Sun Oct 28, 2012 3:18 am
Subject: Re: RXTX Ensemble - RX Mixer
wa9lt
Send Email Send Email
 
Thanks Orin

I checked the resistance from pins 11 and 12 to ground on IC10 and was reading
12 ohms on both pins.  Since there is a 1K (R63) to ground, I realized that was
too low.  Checking T5, I saw one of leads shorting to a pad under the toriod.  I
moved the lead and everything checked out correctly.  Thanks again for
everyone's help with my problem.  Now I can resume construction again.

Thanks Walt

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "Orin" <orin.eman@...> wrote:
>
> --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, hollingw@ wrote:
> >
> >
> > I am building the Softrock RXTX Ensemble and I can not get the correct
> > testing results while building stage 6 - RX Mixer (QDS).
> >
> >
> >
> > Test Measurements
> >
> >
> > Testpoint
> >
> > Units
> >
> > Nominal Value
> >
> > Author's
> >
> > Yours
> >
> > Pin 8
> >
> > Vdc
> >
> > 0
> >
> > 0
> >
> > 0
> >
> > Pins 1 and 15 (PTT OFF)
> >
> > mVdc
> >
> > 0 - 50
> >
> > 50
> >
> >   0
> >
> > Pin 2 (from Divider)
> >
> > Vdc
> >
> > 2.5
> >
> > 2.47
> >
> > 2.5
> >
> > Pin 14 (from Divider)
> >
> > Vdc
> >
> > 2.5
> >
> > 2.47
> >
> > 2.5
> >
> > Pin 7 (to OpAmp)
> >
> > Vdc
> >
> > 2.5
> >
> > 2.48
> >
> > 1mV
> >
> > Pin 9 (to OpAmp)
> >
> > Vdc
> >
> > 2.5
> >
> > 2.48
> >
> > 1mV
> >
> > Pin 16 (Vdd)
> >
> > Vdc
> >
> > 5
> >
> > 4.95
> >
> > 5
> >
> > Pins 1 and 15 (PTT ON)
> >
> > Vdc
> >
> > high (Vdc)
> >
> > 4.95
> >
> > 5
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > The previous assembly steps tested correctly.  I notice a problem in the
> > voltage test from the Ensemble RXTX 06_RX Mixer (QSD).  Pins 7 and 9 of
> > IC10 (FST3253) did not show any voltage either with the PTT enabled or
> > disabled.
> >
> >
> >
> >   I did not test with Rocky but used CFGSR.  Checked IC10 for bridges or
> > shorts, nothing found.  I replaced the FST3253 and had the exact same
> > results.
> >
> >   Any suggestions?
>
>
> Check the FST3253 pins 3,6,11,12 - these should be 2.5V.  If not, suspect T5,
R53 and R54.  With PTT disabled, make sure pins 1 and 15 are close to 0V.  If
not, suspect Q9 and R63 (it is 10k isn't it?).
>
> Orin.
>

#69557 From: "Alan" <alan4alan@...>
Date: Sun Oct 28, 2012 5:58 am
Subject: Re: Checking si570 calibration witha frequency counter?
alanzfq
Send Email Send Email
 
----- Original Message -----
Subject: [softrock40] Checking si570 calibration witha frequency counter?


>
> Can someone kindly remind me how to check the cal of a si570 in a
> built Ensemble II receiver is spot on with a frequency counter please?
> I set it up perfectly with a frequency counter locked to a GPS
> reference when I built it ages and ages ago, but today, for some
> reason, it locked up and "went berserk". I had to reset the si570 to
> factory cal and it's now a tad off. When I set it with the frequency
> counter it stayed absolutely spot on for, oooh, two years or more? Thanks.

Chris,

The easiest way is
http://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/calibrating-the-softrock-si570-usb-contr\
oller It's years since I used a
counter to do it. I've forgotten how I made the correction. (Except when we used
PICs to set the Si570.)

What do you mean "absolutely spot on"? +/- 0.5Hz?
Even that would not be considered absolutely spot on by many these days:)
The Si570 is not bad but I've not had one I'd describe as absolutely spot on for
more than a few minutes.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

#69558 From: Chris Wilson <chris@...>
Date: Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:59 pm
Subject: Re: Checking si570 calibration witha frequency counter?
chrismwilsonuk
Send Email Send Email
 
> ----- Original Message -----
> Subject: [softrock40] Checking si570 calibration witha frequency counter?


>>
>> Can someone kindly remind me how to check the cal of a si570 in a
>> built Ensemble II receiver is spot on with a frequency counter please?
>> I set it up perfectly with a frequency counter locked to a GPS
>> reference when I built it ages and ages ago, but today, for some
>> reason, it locked up and "went berserk". I had to reset the si570 to
>> factory cal and it's now a tad off. When I set it with the frequency
>> counter it stayed absolutely spot on for, oooh, two years or more? Thanks.

> Chris,

> The easiest way is
>
http://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/calibrating-the-softrock-si570-usb-contr\
oller It's years since I used a
> counter to do it. I've forgotten how I made the correction. (Except
> when we used PICs to set the Si570.)

> What do you mean "absolutely spot on"? +/- 0.5Hz?
> Even that would not be considered absolutely spot on by many these days:)
> The Si570 is not bad but I've not had one I'd describe as
> absolutely spot on for more than a few minutes.

> 73 Alan G4ZFQ

Hi Alan, when I built it I remember taking the probes to some section
and reading the frequency output into the counter and trimming it with
the software, unless I am getting confused with something else?
Anyway, have set it up with the info in the link to the RWM signal on
14996KHz and it's fine now. It must have been something in the build
instructions because I doubt I'd have poked about without some
concrete info to go by, I'll pull up the pages later. Once set up on
the Softrock which is on 24/7 it stayed within 2 or 3Hz as far as I
could measure.

I view the Time-Nuts forum, but am far from a "nut" myself, they are
WAY out of my league :) Too easy to become very anal about that sort
of thing <LOL>

Thanks Alan.



28/10/2012 18:52



--
        Best Regards,
                    Chris Wilson.   2E0ILY

#69559 From: "junius fox" <jfox05@...>
Date: Sun Oct 28, 2012 9:52 pm
Subject: ensemble II
w5hir
Send Email Send Email
 
I have the Ensemble II built and checked for solder problems.. none found.  I have checked voltages, all OK!,
 
CFGSR finds the SI570 OK!.
BUT.... When I hook up the rig to the PC and use HDSDR, or WINRAD or SDR-RADIO. I get nothing.  I feel that I don't know how to set up the HDSDR etc with EXTIO.DLL for my device.  I have read that the EXTIO.DLL for this radio needs to be installed in the HDSDR set-up folder.I think I have done that correctly. If I have overlooked something. Please give me a clue.
 
Regards,
Junius  W5HIR .

#69560 From: John Greusel <greusel@...>
Date: Sun Oct 28, 2012 10:12 pm
Subject: Re: ensemble II
greusel...
Send Email Send Email
 
Junius

Do you have the line in plugged in correctly on your soundcard- per the build notes?

John
KC9OJV
 



From: junius fox <jfox05@...>
To: softrock40@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2012 4:52 PM
Subject: [softrock40] ensemble II

 
I have the Ensemble II built and checked for solder problems.. none found.  I have checked voltages, all OK!,
 
CFGSR finds the SI570 OK!.
BUT.... When I hook up the rig to the PC and use HDSDR, or WINRAD or SDR-RADIO. I get nothing.  I feel that I don't know how to set up the HDSDR etc with EXTIO.DLL for my device.  I have read that the EXTIO.DLL for this radio needs to be installed in the HDSDR set-up folder.I think I have done that correctly. If I have overlooked something. Please give me a clue.
 
Regards,
Junius  W5HIR .



#69561 From: "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:25 am
Subject: RXTX ensemble Trouble
zs3jlr
Send Email Send Email
 
Hi All,

I'm not sure how to state it but I'm going to try,

My TXRX 40/80m worked 100% until last night, I was listening to all the CQ calls
on 40m (CQWW Contest) and I wanted to change my LO Freq, using HDSDR Winrad I
normally only use the right click with the mouse to change the LO.

What my problem is, is when I do that it does change the center LO but it
doesn't change the actual frequency of the stations, the other test was I have
change bands from 40m to 80m and all the stations on 40m are still on the
waterfall while on 80m it seem to be stuck on 40m, I have tried to disconnect
the USB but then when reconnected it doesn't come back, it's if there is no
antenna connected, It doesn't RX or TX, after a few minutes it sometimes comes
back and all is working again but only for a few minutes again, I just hope that
I explain it right, it's really confusing.

CFGSR is still connected, if this happens and it does show my LO.

I have tried another PC as well.

Please help... not sure where to look.

#69562 From: "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:18 am
Subject: Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
zs3jlr
Send Email Send Email
 
Please see attached links for pictures for more info, I am listening a radio
station on 6.190mHz and then changed to 80m and it still RX the radio station.

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/kEWOUFRozGnb9VvS84fsxt8bIbhBk4QGEXq9KNMHKjF6vBqMYEx\
Q0Q4JZU_p1Z75h-AS1LkKqfmmVl7Np73x3vDlCRFT/ZS6PX/Pic1.png

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/kEWOUIkp8XPb9VvS1Oz9O0x1UuMWe2Z-JHCITh5EoURoLn4eGlC\
9S-9WPoC-SwAnPhfr2qrukDsmClmCiBwqFU_iws3D/ZS6PX/Pic2.png


Thank you

73'
Jaco de ZS6PX

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm not sure how to state it but I'm going to try,
>
> My TXRX 40/80m worked 100% until last night, I was listening to all the CQ
calls on 40m (CQWW Contest) and I wanted to change my LO Freq, using HDSDR
Winrad I normally only use the right click with the mouse to change the LO.
>
> What my problem is, is when I do that it does change the center LO but it
doesn't change the actual frequency of the stations, the other test was I have
change bands from 40m to 80m and all the stations on 40m are still on the
waterfall while on 80m it seem to be stuck on 40m, I have tried to disconnect
the USB but then when reconnected it doesn't come back, it's if there is no
antenna connected, It doesn't RX or TX, after a few minutes it sometimes comes
back and all is working again but only for a few minutes again, I just hope that
I explain it right, it's really confusing.
>
> CFGSR is still connected, if this happens and it does show my LO.
>
> I have tried another PC as well.
>
> Please help... not sure where to look.
>

#69563 From: "Alan" <alan4alan@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:36 am
Subject: Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
alanzfq
Send Email Send Email
 
----- Original Message -----
Subject: [softrock40] RXTX ensemble Trouble


> What my problem is, is when I do that it does change the center LO but it
doesn't change the actual frequency of the stations, the
> other test was I have change bands from 40m to 80m and all the stations on 40m
are still on the waterfall while on 80m it seem to
> be stuck on 40m, I have tried to disconnect the USB but then when reconnected
it doesn't come back,


You see the HDSDR display change but in fact nothing changes.
There is a USB or Si570 control problem.
Check here,  <https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/attiny_usb> but it seems
you may be connected. In that case check GFGSR's
Test tab <http://www.pe0fko.nl/CFGSR/> It should have all the fields filled and
no error when Get is clicked.

Most likely a bad joint on pins 7/8 of the Si570.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

#69564 From: Chris Wilson <chris@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:56 am
Subject: Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
chrismwilsonuk
Send Email Send Email
 
>

> ----- Original Message -----
> Subject: [softrock40] RXTX ensemble Trouble

>> What my problem is, is when I do that it does change the center LO but it
doesn't change the actual frequency of the stations, the
>> other test was I have change bands from 40m to 80m and all the stations on
40m are still on the waterfall while on 80m it seem to
>> be stuck on 40m, I have tried to disconnect the USB but then when reconnected
it doesn't come back,

> You see the HDSDR display change but in fact nothing changes.
> There is a USB or Si570 control problem.
> Check here, <https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/attiny_usb>
> but it seems you may be connected. In that case check GFGSR's
> Test tab <http://www.pe0fko.nl/CFGSR/> It should have all the
> fields filled and no error when Get is clicked.

> Most likely a bad joint on pins 7/8 of the Si570.

> 73 Alan G4ZFQ




29/10/2012 10:51

Speaking of HDSDR, should you be able to change main frequency, not
just LO frequency in the HDSDR display using the mouse? I can only
change LO, and often after that there are odd anomalies, such as the
main frequency doesn't track it until I click on the waterfall, or, as
in this posters case, the USB connection drops.

Finally, if I try and create a "user" frequency in frequency manager
and save it the whole application locks up, to the point I need task
Manager to kill it. Otherwise it's a wonderful SDR app :)



--
        Best Regards,
                    Chris Wilson.   2E0ILY

#69565 From: "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:12 pm
Subject: Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
zs3jlr
Send Email Send Email
 
Hi I have to say, I have made about 52 QSO's with this RXTX, I can't think that
there might be a bad joint at pin 7/8, I have re-soldered it just for in case,
Still the same problem.

Download this HDSDR RF Wav file and see what it does.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/h1ifhjazsc7fsll/HDSDR_20121029_110632Z_6175kHz_RF.wav

This is really baking my noodle, I believe that there might be a problem with
the Si570 or the ATTiny, but now like I said when it happens I can still access
the Si570 with CFGSR.

Test tab on CFGSR:
Si570 Reg [7:12] ?? RX Power Down ??

What would be the problem.


It also might be that something get hot and then stops working but how would one
know.

Thank you

'73

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alan4alan@...> wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> Subject: [softrock40] RXTX ensemble Trouble
>
>
> > What my problem is, is when I do that it does change the center LO but it
doesn't change the actual frequency of the stations, the
> > other test was I have change bands from 40m to 80m and all the stations on
40m are still on the waterfall while on 80m it seem to
> > be stuck on 40m, I have tried to disconnect the USB but then when
reconnected it doesn't come back,
>
>
> You see the HDSDR display change but in fact nothing changes.
> There is a USB or Si570 control problem.
> Check here,  <https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/attiny_usb> but it
seems you may be connected. In that case check GFGSR's
> Test tab <http://www.pe0fko.nl/CFGSR/> It should have all the fields filled
and no error when Get is clicked.
>
> Most likely a bad joint on pins 7/8 of the Si570.
>
> 73 Alan G4ZFQ
>

#69566 From: "Alan" <alan4alan@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:27 pm
Subject: Re: Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
alanzfq
Send Email Send Email
 
----- Original Message -----
Subject: [softrock40] Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble


> Hi I have to say, I have made about 52 QSO's with this RXTX, I can't think
that there might be a bad joint at pin 7/8, I have
> re-soldered it just for in case, Still the same problem.
>
> Test tab on CFGSR:
> Si570 Reg [7:12] ?? RX Power Down ??
>

I do not need to look at your file.
This is the error message I told you to look for.

The ATTiny is not communicating with the Si570.
Sorry, I repeat, bad soldering is the most likely problem.
It does not matter how long you have used it. A bad joint can show at any time.

>like I said when it happens I can still access the Si570 with CFGSR.

Like I said, you are NOT accessing the Si570.


73 Alan G4ZFQ


> What would be the problem.
> >
> Download this HDSDR RF Wav file and see what it does.
>
>
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h1ifhjazsc7fsll/HDSDR_20121029_110632Z_6175kHz_RF.wav
>
> This is really baking my noodle, I believe that there might be a problem with
the Si570 or the ATTiny, but now

#69567 From: "Leonard McGarity" <wv4i@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:36 pm
Subject: Re: ensemble II
wv4i...
Send Email Send Email
 
I’m a newbie to SDR, plus my netbook and PC on motherboard sound have poor documentation re whether/which jack might be stereo input for the I/Q signal.
 
So I bought an Audiophile 192 PCI card ($89) for my Win 7 32 bit SP1 machine. Once I got into the 192’s control panel and set 24 bit, 192khz, it now works great with Ensemble II, getting 192kc BW. Default was 16 bit/44khz, and there was a huge noise spur/whatever at center freq, now gone.
 
Need to ensure plugged into stereo input to PC sound card, and that correct input/output is selected for soundcard. 3.5mm stereo cable for Ensemble II end. The Audiophile 192 uses 1/4” plugs so needed 3.5mm male to male 1/4” mono plugs to get work. The 192 has separate breakout cables for L/R IQ input. If you mix up L/R (I/Q), should still hear sigs, only set LSB will be needed for USB, etc.
 
Other than the noise floor perhaps not quite as low ?  (apples for apples difficult), I think the Ensemble II basically works as good as my SDR-IQ which uses USB for control and IQ sigs, at a fraction of the cost.
 
I am using SDR-Radio for both units.
 
Due to many permutations of settings, can answer setting questions for Ensemble II to PC using SDR-Radio, if that would help.
 
Link, WV4I
 
 

#69568 From: "Alan" <alan4alan@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:47 pm
Subject: HDSDR
alanzfq
Send Email Send Email
 
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris
Subject: Re: [softrock40] RXTX ensemble Trouble


>
> Speaking of HDSDR, should you be able to change main frequency, not
> just LO frequency in the HDSDR display using the mouse? I can only
> change LO,

Chris,

You may only tune like that within the range of the LO, consider it fixed.

But there are several ways of tuning, drag the scale, look at the htm in the
program file for keyboard shortcuts. Use the numeric
keypad.

and often after that there are odd anomalies, such as the
> main frequency doesn't track it until I click on the waterfall, or, as

Hm?

> in this posters case, the USB connection drops.

This should never happen.

>
> Finally, if I try and create a "user" frequency in frequency manager
> and save it the whole application locks up, to the point I need task
> Manager to kill it.

Well, I've got a dozen User frequencies set and never a problem.

HDSDR v 2.15 has always worked well for me. Maybe it's something with you, or
your setup.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

#69569 From: "Dan Adkin" <digitaldan@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 3:12 pm
Subject: RXTX Ensamble mirroring
danadkin
Send Email Send Email
 
Hi,I am getting mirroring. Ive got to the Ensemble RXTX 07_RX Opamps and Output
stage.


I noticed that if i inserted the line on about half way the signal strength
dramatically increase, so i concure, in my ignorence, that one side of the RX
opamp is not working properly.

Here are my voltage readings from the Opamp pin voltage test.

P1 3.45v (My reading) 2.5v(nominal)
P2 2.60v (My reading) 2.5v(nominal)
P3 2.60v (My reading) 2.5v(nominal)
P4 0
P5 2.60v (My reading) 2.5v(nominal)
P6 2.60v (My reading) 2.5v(nominal)
P7 2.99v (My reading) 2.5v(nominal)
P8 4.98v (My reading) 5.0v(nominal)

I am also only getting data modes in the waterfall that i am receiving.

Can anyone advise me please

Dan Adkin
M0HOW

#69570 From: "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 3:17 pm
Subject: Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
zs3jlr
Send Email Send Email
 
OK, Let me put it this way, every time I re-solder the Si570 and plug it in it
works for a while, So I have done this test,

I have disconnected everything for about 20min and reconnected it to the PC, It
worked again.

Now, I have found that the Si570 does get hot but not like in very much, Tested
temp round about 42 - 45 Degrees C.. (not a good thermometer)

after 30min...
I have re-solder the Si570 again with lots of solder and it keep going now for
about 30min, but will see if this is going to work...

Thanks for now.

73'

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alan4alan@...> wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> Subject: [softrock40] Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
>
>
> > Hi I have to say, I have made about 52 QSO's with this RXTX, I can't think
that there might be a bad joint at pin 7/8, I have
> > re-soldered it just for in case, Still the same problem.
> >
> > Test tab on CFGSR:
> > Si570 Reg [7:12] ?? RX Power Down ??
> >
>
> I do not need to look at your file.
> This is the error message I told you to look for.
>
> The ATTiny is not communicating with the Si570.
> Sorry, I repeat, bad soldering is the most likely problem.
> It does not matter how long you have used it. A bad joint can show at any
time.
>
> >like I said when it happens I can still access the Si570 with CFGSR.
>
> Like I said, you are NOT accessing the Si570.
>
>
> 73 Alan G4ZFQ
>
>
> > What would be the problem.
> > >
> > Download this HDSDR RF Wav file and see what it does.
> >
> >
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h1ifhjazsc7fsll/HDSDR_20121029_110632Z_6175kHz_RF.wav
> >
> > This is really baking my noodle, I believe that there might be a problem
with the Si570 or the ATTiny, but now
>

#69571 From: "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 3:29 pm
Subject: Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
zs3jlr
Send Email Send Email
 
This time it lasted for 41min, it still the same.... I'm starting to think that
the Si570 is damaged.


73'


--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@...> wrote:
>
>
> OK, Let me put it this way, every time I re-solder the Si570 and plug it in it
works for a while, So I have done this test,
>
> I have disconnected everything for about 20min and reconnected it to the PC,
It worked again.
>
> Now, I have found that the Si570 does get hot but not like in very much,
Tested temp round about 42 - 45 Degrees C.. (not a good thermometer)
>
> after 30min...
> I have re-solder the Si570 again with lots of solder and it keep going now for
about 30min, but will see if this is going to work...
>
> Thanks for now.
>
> 73'
>
> --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alan4alan@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > Subject: [softrock40] Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
> >
> >
> > > Hi I have to say, I have made about 52 QSO's with this RXTX, I can't think
that there might be a bad joint at pin 7/8, I have
> > > re-soldered it just for in case, Still the same problem.
> > >
> > > Test tab on CFGSR:
> > > Si570 Reg [7:12] ?? RX Power Down ??
> > >
> >
> > I do not need to look at your file.
> > This is the error message I told you to look for.
> >
> > The ATTiny is not communicating with the Si570.
> > Sorry, I repeat, bad soldering is the most likely problem.
> > It does not matter how long you have used it. A bad joint can show at any
time.
> >
> > >like I said when it happens I can still access the Si570 with CFGSR.
> >
> > Like I said, you are NOT accessing the Si570.
> >
> >
> > 73 Alan G4ZFQ
> >
> >
> > > What would be the problem.
> > > >
> > > Download this HDSDR RF Wav file and see what it does.
> > >
> > >
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h1ifhjazsc7fsll/HDSDR_20121029_110632Z_6175kHz_RF.wav
> > >
> > > This is really baking my noodle, I believe that there might be a problem
with the Si570 or the ATTiny, but now
> >
>

#69572 From: "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:19 pm
Subject: Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
zs3jlr
Send Email Send Email
 
Hi Alan,

Something is seriously wrong here, I have tried to TX when all is running and
does seem to tx but with now power out, I have set my other radio to a frequency
and TX from the RXTX, I can hear myself but the meter does not reflect any power
out, While TX'ing I took the board in my hands to see If there could be
something ells that I can see and when I touched the 2N2222 heat sink  the audio
on the receiver radio become very loud, but still nou output, Will this be part
of the same problem I'm having or what ells could be the problem.

Sorry for all the trouble, I just want to enjoy the RXTX as I did before.

73'

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@...> wrote:
>
> This time it lasted for 41min, it still the same.... I'm starting to think
that the Si570 is damaged.
>
>
> 73'
>
>
> --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "Jaco Le roux" <zs3jlr@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > OK, Let me put it this way, every time I re-solder the Si570 and plug it in
it works for a while, So I have done this test,
> >
> > I have disconnected everything for about 20min and reconnected it to the PC,
It worked again.
> >
> > Now, I have found that the Si570 does get hot but not like in very much,
Tested temp round about 42 - 45 Degrees C.. (not a good thermometer)
> >
> > after 30min...
> > I have re-solder the Si570 again with lots of solder and it keep going now
for about 30min, but will see if this is going to work...
> >
> > Thanks for now.
> >
> > 73'
> >
> > --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <alan4alan@> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > Subject: [softrock40] Re: RXTX ensemble Trouble
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi I have to say, I have made about 52 QSO's with this RXTX, I can't
think that there might be a bad joint at pin 7/8, I have
> > > > re-soldered it just for in case, Still the same problem.
> > > >
> > > > Test tab on CFGSR:
> > > > Si570 Reg [7:12] ?? RX Power Down ??
> > > >
> > >
> > > I do not need to look at your file.
> > > This is the error message I told you to look for.
> > >
> > > The ATTiny is not communicating with the Si570.
> > > Sorry, I repeat, bad soldering is the most likely problem.
> > > It does not matter how long you have used it. A bad joint can show at any
time.
> > >
> > > >like I said when it happens I can still access the Si570 with CFGSR.
> > >
> > > Like I said, you are NOT accessing the Si570.
> > >
> > >
> > > 73 Alan G4ZFQ
> > >
> > >
> > > > What would be the problem.
> > > > >
> > > > Download this HDSDR RF Wav file and see what it does.
> > > >
> > > >
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h1ifhjazsc7fsll/HDSDR_20121029_110632Z_6175kHz_RF.wav
> > > >
> > > > This is really baking my noodle, I believe that there might be a problem
with the Si570 or the ATTiny, but now
> > >
> >
>

#69573 From: Alex Turcu <talex004@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 7:16 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
talex004
Send Email Send Email
 
The reasons I'm waiting are probably related to me (and money) rather than the technology available.

I did try on a iMX233-OLinuxXino but it proved far too slow to even run the softrock server without the dsp-server (or just even a plain pulseaudio audio server). Cheap as it is, I dislike the RPi for its closed SoC, and I seriously doubt it has the horsepower for SDR (last time I checked I had no confirmation it would work). While it does have a GPU that may have enough horsepower, it lacks OpenCL support and Broadcom don't seem to eager to implement it anytime soon (nor release specs for the open-source community to implement).

I would be very interested trying it on a BeagleBone. I really like the BeagleBone's modular design, you could probably stack a radio board on top, without even requiring cables, but I'm not prepared to buy one without a confirmation it has the required horsepower. It does have a GPU, but OpenCL support requires an NDA, making it un-workable.

Three boards that would probably take the load well are BeagleBoard-XM, A13-OLinuXino and PandaBoard-XM. I once ran a simple FM decoder on OSSIE (a SDR software stack) on a BeagleBoard+USRP with ~90% cpu utilization (and no acceleration), and at least Sid managed to run HiQSDR (including the unnecessary QtRadio which takes up CPU for displaying the waterfall) on the Pandaboard. They all have some some sort of accelerator on-chip for future expansion, but neither one is ideal (C64 is non-standard, OpenCL on the SGX requires NDA, Mali400 doesn't even support OpenCL). Out of these three, I would only be confident with the PandaBoard, but I won't buy one because of its cost.

Given all of the above, the Parallella board with out-of-the-box OpenCL/C/C++ support feels like a breeze of fresh air. Sure, I talked a lot about OpenCL and DSP, which I personally won't have time to get around to write any code for anytime soon, but I'm an idealistic person. That being said, I just remembered I do have an A13 device I completely forgot about (an mk801 Android mini-PC), so instead of writing long and useless rants, I should probably try my Peaberry on it.

Alex



On Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 5:20 PM, David Turnbull <dturnbull@...> wrote:

Alex,


Why wait? Just stick a Peaberry on a Raspberry Pi or your favorite SoC platform. Since the Peaberry has two sound cards and a key jack built-in, just one USB cable between the two boards is all you need.

73 David AE9RB

On Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 11:12 AM, Alex Turcu <talex004@...> wrote:


Parallella reached the goal on Kickstarter. Now I can't wait for standalone SDRs based on this thing and a softrock/peaberry clone stacked on it.
Alex




#69574 From: "dan" <w5xz@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:14 pm
Subject: Re: ZL3DW style softrock IF for FT-301
w5xz@att.net
Send Email Send Email
 
Mark: that is almost exactly what I did with an old FT-107 a few years ago...as
I recall, it was 8987 khz i.f....a 'good' sound card goes a long ways,
IMHO...and, you won't get by with a 'junker' PC....


It worked nicely, and spurred me on to pursue a full SDR transciever..
  ( ok, i caved and bought a flex 3000....)


I think i still have the QSD board if you're interested. 73, w5xz, dan

>

#69575 From: Shirley Mrquez Dlcey <mark@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:25 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
mdulcey
Send Email Send Email
 
> Cheap as it is, I dislike the RPi for its closed SoC, and I seriously doubt it has the horsepower for SDR (last time I checked I had no confirmation it would work). While it does have a GPU that may have enough horsepower, > it lacks OpenCL support and Broadcom don't seem to eager to implement it anytime soon (nor release specs for the open-source community to implement)

The closed-source issue is no longer true as of a few days ago:http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/2221

The lack of computing power remains. I don't know whether the GPU in the Pi has enough flexibility to implement meaningful OpenCL support... though with the driver source now available it's something the community can investigate.

Broadcom has historically been a problem for the open-source community, notably its WiFi interfaces. Kudos to them for opening up the source for the SoC in the Pi.


#69576 From: Alex Turcu <talex004@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:55 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
talex004
Send Email Send Email
 
Laudable that Broadcom did that, but reading through the comments on that topic revel that only the ARM-side of the code was released, and it looks like a think translation layer between the OpenGL/VG/MAX interfaces and the proprietary opcodes implemented on the GPU. The important parts, the GPU firmware, remain closed (and AFAIK non user-replaceable). So this unfortunately doesn't bring us any closer to running custom code on the GPU... (not even a compiler is available, not even a binary blob to allow reverse-engineering, no documentation, nothing).

On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 4:25 PM, Shirley Mrquez Dlcey <mark@...> wrote:

> Cheap as it is, I dislike the RPi for its closed SoC, and I seriously doubt it has the horsepower for SDR (last time I checked I had no confirmation it would work). While it does have a GPU that may have enough horsepower, > it lacks OpenCL support and Broadcom don't seem to eager to implement it anytime soon (nor release specs for the open-source community to implement)

The closed-source issue is no longer true as of a few days ago:http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/2221

The lack of computing power remains. I don't know whether the GPU in the Pi has enough flexibility to implement meaningful OpenCL support... though with the driver source now available it's something the community can investigate.

Broadcom has historically been a problem for the open-source community, notably its WiFi interfaces. Kudos to them for opening up the source for the SoC in the Pi.



#69577 From: David Turnbull <dturnbull@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:13 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
ae9rb
Send Email Send Email
 
I can't confirm that anything we use actually runs on it, but
Raspberry Pi has enough power many times over for ham SDR. The ARM11
has single-cycle 16x16 and 32x16 MAC instructions. That's right, the
main CPU has a DSP instruction set. A Cortex M4 like on the new
Stellaris LauchPad has MAC instructions and enough power to do any DSP
you can imagine on audio bandwidth. You could even get certain models
of the Cortex M3 at 33MHz to decode SSB and FM from 48kHz. The
SimpleSDR is decoding SSB with an 8051 and a 128-tap DSP. Cheap DSP on
audio bandwidth is a problem solved long ago.

73 David AE9RB
http://AE9RB.com/

#69578 From: Alex Turcu <talex004@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:29 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
talex004
Send Email Send Email
 
Interesting, this information is new to me. So even my iMX233 should have enough power for softrock purposes, as long as someone is able/willing to write the appropriate code using the correct instruction set/extensions? Or maybe dspserver is already written correctly, and I just compiled it wrong? I may look into it at some point. Thanks, David.

Alex

On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 5:13 PM, David Turnbull <dturnbull@...> wrote:

I can't confirm that anything we use actually runs on it, but
Raspberry Pi has enough power many times over for ham SDR. The ARM11
has single-cycle 16x16 and 32x16 MAC instructions. That's right, the
main CPU has a DSP instruction set. A Cortex M4 like on the new
Stellaris LauchPad has MAC instructions and enough power to do any DSP
you can imagine on audio bandwidth. You could even get certain models
of the Cortex M3 at 33MHz to decode SSB and FM from 48kHz. The
SimpleSDR is decoding SSB with an 8051 and a 128-tap DSP. Cheap DSP on
audio bandwidth is a problem solved long ago.



73 David AE9RB
http://AE9RB.com/



#69579 From: Sid Boyce <sboyce@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:31 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
priddix
Send Email Send Email
 
I wanted the Pandaboard ES but instead ordered the Pandaboard. When  tried changing the order it was already shipped. It runs hiqsdr-server, dspserver and QtRadio all together.

On the Beagleboard-XM using quisk, the sound was intermittent - like 1 second pulses of audio which I put down to the heavy demands of python.

QtRadio on the Beagleboard-XM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB8Vxb07Ph8&feature=plcp

I haven't tried the Beaglebone to date, now upgrading it to Ubuntu 12.10.
73 ... Sid.

On 29/10/12 19:16, Alex Turcu wrote:
 

The reasons I'm waiting are probably related to me (and money) rather than the technology available. 


I did try on a iMX233-OLinuxXino but it proved far too slow to even run the softrock server without the dsp-server (or just even a plain pulseaudio audio server). Cheap as it is, I dislike the RPi for its closed SoC, and I seriously doubt it has the horsepower for SDR (last time I checked I had no confirmation it would work). While it does have a GPU that may have enough horsepower, it lacks OpenCL support and Broadcom don't seem to eager to implement it anytime soon (nor release specs for the open-source community to implement).

I would be very interested trying it on a BeagleBone. I really like the BeagleBone's modular design, you could probably stack a radio board on top, without even requiring cables, but I'm not prepared to buy one without a confirmation it has the required horsepower. It does have a GPU, but OpenCL support requires an NDA, making it un-workable.

Three boards that would probably take the load well are BeagleBoard-XM, A13-OLinuXino and PandaBoard-XM. I once ran a simple FM decoder on OSSIE (a SDR software stack) on a BeagleBoard+USRP with ~90% cpu utilization (and no acceleration), and at least Sid managed to run HiQSDR (including the unnecessary QtRadio which takes up CPU for displaying the waterfall) on the Pandaboard. They all have some some sort of accelerator on-chip for future expansion, but neither one is ideal (C64 is non-standard, OpenCL on the SGX requires NDA, Mali400 doesn't even support OpenCL). Out of these three, I would only be confident with the PandaBoard, but I won't buy one because of its cost.

Given all of the above, the Parallella board with out-of-the-box OpenCL/C/C++ support feels like a breeze of fresh air. Sure, I talked a lot about OpenCL and DSP, which I personally won't have time to get around to write any code for anytime soon, but I'm an idealistic person. That being said, I just remembered I do have an A13 device I completely forgot about (an mk801 Android mini-PC), so instead of writing long and useless rants, I should probably try my Peaberry on it.

Alex



On Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 5:20 PM, David Turnbull <dturnbull@...> wrote:
 

Alex,


Why wait? Just stick a Peaberry on a Raspberry Pi or your favorite SoC platform. Since the Peaberry has two sound cards and a key jack built-in, just one USB cable between the two boards is all you need.

73 David AE9RB

On Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 11:12 AM, Alex Turcu <talex004@...> wrote:


Parallella reached the goal on Kickstarter. Now I can't wait for standalone SDRs based on this thing and a softrock/peaberry clone stacked on it.
Alex





-- Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

#69580 From: Sid Boyce <sboyce@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:37 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
priddix
Send Email Send Email
 
I gave up on the Pi largely because of the USB load problems and the tussles I had with trying unsuccessfully to get sound working.

I have replaced it with the ODROID-X which is running hiqsdr-server, dspserver and QtRadio happily.
73 ... Sid.
 
On 29/10/12 20:25, Shirley Márquez Dúlcey wrote:
 

> Cheap as it is, I dislike the RPi for its closed SoC, and I seriously doubt it has the horsepower for SDR (last time I checked I had no confirmation it would work). While it does have a GPU that may have enough horsepower, > it lacks OpenCL support and Broadcom don't seem to eager to implement it anytime soon (nor release specs for the open-source community to implement)


The closed-source issue is no longer true as of a few days ago: http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/2221

The lack of computing power remains. I don't know whether the GPU in the Pi has enough flexibility to implement meaningful OpenCL support... though with the driver source now available it's something the community can investigate.

Broadcom has historically been a problem for the open-source community, notably its WiFi interfaces. Kudos to them for opening up the source for the SoC in the Pi.



-- Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

#69581 From: Roger Critchlow <rec@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:51 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
recritchlowjr
Send Email Send Email
 

No, dspserver requires floating point, you'd need a fixed point implementation to use those DSP instructions, and probably some assembly code, too.

-- rec --

On Oct 29, 2012 3:30 PM, "Alex Turcu" <talex004@...> wrote:

Interesting, this information is new to me. So even my iMX233 should have enough power for softrock purposes, as long as someone is able/willing to write the appropriate code using the correct instruction set/extensions? Or maybe dspserver is already written correctly, and I just compiled it wrong? I may look into it at some point. Thanks, David.


Alex

On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 5:13 PM, David Turnbull <dturnbull@...> wrote:

I can't confirm that anything we use actually runs on it, but
Raspberry Pi has enough power many times over for ham SDR. The ARM11
has single-cycle 16x16 and 32x16 MAC instructions. That's right, the
main CPU has a DSP instruction set. A Cortex M4 like on the new
Stellaris LauchPad has MAC instructions and enough power to do any DSP
you can imagine on audio bandwidth. You could even get certain models
of the Cortex M3 at 33MHz to decode SSB and FM from 48kHz. The
SimpleSDR is decoding SSB with an 8051 and a 128-tap DSP. Cheap DSP on
audio bandwidth is a problem solved long ago.



73 David AE9RB
http://AE9RB.com/



#69582 From: Alex Turcu <talex004@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:02 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
talex004
Send Email Send Email
 
ODROID-X is indeed an impressive platform. However at $129 it seems subsidized (the CPU module itself sells for $119 and is out of stock), but as with the BeagleBone, I like the modularity!
Alex

On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 5:37 PM, Sid Boyce <sboyce@...> wrote:

I gave up on the Pi largely because of the USB load problems and the tussles I had with trying unsuccessfully to get sound working.

I have replaced it with the ODROID-X which is running hiqsdr-server, dspserver and QtRadio happily.
73 ... Sid.


On 29/10/12 20:25, Shirley Mrquez Dlcey wrote:

> Cheap as it is, I dislike the RPi for its closed SoC, and I seriously doubt it has the horsepower for SDR (last time I checked I had no confirmation it would work). While it does have a GPU that may have enough horsepower, > it lacks OpenCL support and Broadcom don't seem to eager to implement it anytime soon (nor release specs for the open-source community to implement)


The closed-source issue is no longer true as of a few days ago:http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/2221

The lack of computing power remains. I don't know whether the GPU in the Pi has enough flexibility to implement meaningful OpenCL support... though with the driver source now available it's something the community can investigate.

Broadcom has historically been a problem for the open-source community, notably its WiFi interfaces. Kudos to them for opening up the source for the SoC in the Pi.



-- Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks



#69583 From: Jasmine Strong <modulararithmetic@...>
Date: Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:14 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
h_e_r_o_i_c
Send Email Send Email
 

On Oct 29, 2012, at 2:51 PM, Roger Critchlow <rec@...> wrote:

iMX233

Also note that the ARM926EJ-S used in iMX233 has a flawed write buffer and Linux's memcpy() implementation is pessimal in this case.  You are going to want to ensure that your copy target address is aligned to an 8-word boundary to avoid this.

-J.

#69584 From: Sid Boyce <sboyce@...>
Date: Tue Oct 30, 2012 12:14 am
Subject: Re: Re: Interesting SDR project funded by DARPA
priddix
Send Email Send Email
 
They must get a real good deal as the Origen board starts at $199.
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/Exynos/platform_partners_platform.html#Arndale-Board
73 ... Sid.

On 29/10/12 22:02, Alex Turcu wrote:
 

ODROID-X is indeed an impressive platform. However at $129 it seems subsidized (the CPU module itself sells for $119 and is out of stock), but as with the BeagleBone, I like the modularity!

Alex

On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 5:37 PM, Sid Boyce <sboyce@...> wrote:
 

I gave up on the Pi largely because of the USB load problems and the tussles I had with trying unsuccessfully to get sound working.

I have replaced it with the ODROID-X which is running hiqsdr-server, dspserver and QtRadio happily.
73 ... Sid.

 
On 29/10/12 20:25, Shirley Márquez Dúlcey wrote:
 

> Cheap as it is, I dislike the RPi for its closed SoC, and I seriously doubt it has the horsepower for SDR (last time I checked I had no confirmation it would work). While it does have a GPU that may have enough horsepower, > it lacks OpenCL support and Broadcom don't seem to eager to implement it anytime soon (nor release specs for the open-source community to implement)


The closed-source issue is no longer true as of a few days ago: http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/2221

The lack of computing power remains. I don't know whether the GPU in the Pi has enough flexibility to implement meaningful OpenCL support... though with the driver source now available it's something the community can investigate.

Broadcom has historically been a problem for the open-source community, notably its WiFi interfaces. Kudos to them for opening up the source for the SoC in the Pi.



-- Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks



-- Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

#69585 From: "KQ8M" <kq8m@...>
Date: Tue Oct 30, 2012 12:20 am
Subject: Storm
KQ8M
Send Email Send Email
 

I hope all of the East Coast members of the lists I am sending this to are safe and have the hatches battened down. We here in North East Ohio have gotten several inches of rain so far and with a long time to go it looks like my shed will be under water and my basement will be flooded. Areas here are already losing power. So far so good here.

 

Those on the east coast are bearing the brunt of this I wish them well.

 

73,

Tim Herrick, KQ8M

Charter Member North Coast Contesters

kq8m@...

 

AR-Cluster V6 kq8m.no-ip.org

User Ports: 23, 7373  with local skimmer, 7374 without local skimmer

Server Ports: V6 3607, V4 Active 3605, V4 Passive 3606

 


Messages 69556 - 69585 of 73763   Oldest  |  < Older  |  Newer >  |  Newest
Add to My Yahoo!      XML What's This?

Copyright 2010 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Guidelines NEW - Help