The major difference is the greater band coverage of the ensemble rx kit roughly 4 superbands on the rx vs. Posts about softrock ensemble rxtx written by 2e0dfu. Ensemble rx ii lfhf rx home home bill of materials power supply usb power supply local oscillator and control quadrature clock generator auto band pass filters quadrature sampling detector operational amplifiers comments acronyms inventory revisions as of 12142011 components by stage wb5rvz main website. Softrock ensemble rx tx vs alinco djx11 ham radio science.
This current kit is a refinement on that kit and further streamlines the kitting process for tony parks, the designer and supplier. Lowcost software defined radio compatible with many sdr software packages. The softrock ensemble ii is an sdr dedicated to the hf frequencies and is thus. The softrock rx ensemble receiver kit is essentially the ensemble rx, but has an extra option allowing the user to build the hf or the lf version of the receiver. That includes both tuning and processing of received signals. In the first option, the ensemble rx kit provides coverage of ham bands from 16010m, in four different optional super bands each with underlap and overlap within the parameters of. Naturally a softrock rx fits the bill, and it is also how many suggest beginning the mobo project. I know a guy with a set of drakes and one and feels he has the best of all worlds. Configuring usb driver, config softrock tool and high. Download gqrx software defined radio receiver for free. Much of the software is available as a free download, and full details to. Softrock ensemble rxtx 2e0dfu playing with amateur radio. The solution was a softrock rx ensemble that covers 1.
It features a usb interface which allows setting the frequency and keying the radio for ssb and psk31 transmissions. Mutezone writes a performance between the softrock ensemble ii vs the rtlsdr. Jun, 2010 the latest version is the ensemble rx ii. The softrock rx ensemble iii sdr receiver built for hf, 1.
The rx iii is hf only it does not offer lf and hf options. The goal of kc6f sdr is to provide a software defined radio package, intended for radio amateurs hams, that is crossplatform, easy to use, readily customizable and supports a wide range of modulationdemodulation modes. Chinese super rm rockmite aka octopus 3rd planet solar. This is for digital modes psk, jt65hf, wspr, rtty only. Theres not a lot of ham radio software for macos but there is an sdr program called dsp radio from sebastian mrozek, who has been very helpful in getting me past some problems i ran into. Softrock ensemble rxtx with dsp radio on macos x ive enjoyed the ensemble rxtx kit build but im having a devil of a time with audio under windows xp.
Home bill of materials power supply usb power supply local oscillator and control quadrature clock generator auto band pass filters quadrature sampling detector operational amplifiers comments acronyms inventory revisions as of 12142011 components by stage wb5rvz main website. Tx on my softrock ensemble with hdsdr the linux ham. A sound card with stereo linein connector and a computer running sdr software are required. This kit is a transceiver with 1 watt output, definitely qrp. Pretty hip low noise original kit sdr now as an rxtx combo. The powersdr for pi sdr unified installer is installing powersdr v2. The next step was to get a full sdr with band switching and computer control. Comparison between portable shortwave radios and the rtlsdr. The softrock rx ensemble receiver kit combines the functionality of the. Completed softrock ensemble ii sdr receiver kit on air. Any way like most grown men with a new toy i descided to take the day out and build it, the took me about 15 hours in total. The softrock rx ensemble ii receiver kit can be used to build a kit for lf or hf.
I must say this is a poor manstinkerers entry into the world of shortwave listening using software defined radio. A previous post explored the steps involved in building a simple softrock receiver for the 40m amateur radio band 77. Dec 28, 2012 this post takes a look at some of the software that can be used with the softrock sdr hardware that is designed for amateur radio use. So, with some creative software repurposing, it is possible to turn a consumergrade dvbt usb tv receiver into a fully operational software defined radio. Nov 09, 2011 visions of an all mode, all band hf receiver danced around in my head, so back to tonys site. I had high expectations for this little board and it delivers fairly well. Your source for softrock radio kits built softrock rx ensemble ii hf receiver the softrock rx ensemble ii receiver built for hf, 1. Feb 03, 2015 the most recent receiver was the ensemble rx ii with an automatically switched bandpass filter. With the continuing saga of the softrock still not playing ball it crossed my mind that getting the softrock itself to generate the cw signal, rather than from within software, might not be a bad idea. Mutezone writes a performance between the softrock ensemble ii vs the rtl sdr r820t on shortwave.
For details see the softrock lite ii home page, which documents the build of each. Dec 08, 2012 back in the summer i built a softrock ensemble rxtx from a kit, choosing 10, 12 and 15 metres for transmit. In summary, the hardware provides the signal, leaving the computer software to do the heavy lifting. Rtlsdr rtl2832u and software defined radio news and projects. Softrock rx ensemble ii sdr kit build post by fruitloop 25 aug 2010, 00. I placed an order and on december 9th i received a mail from tony writing that my kit has been mailed. Components are included for all five options and can be assembled at the builders choice. This article discusses the design and operation of an hf radio receiver operating in the 3. A possible solution was the addition of a sdr to an if output, so this was tried and works well, within bounds. Over on youtube user mutezone has posted a video comparing the rtlsdr with upconverter against a softrock ensemble ii software defined radio. Check out our crystals page to move these little rigs to the general technovice frequencies.
My first installation was on a windows xp system using the hdsdr software. X 2 board representing the culmination of a long line of softrock sdr receivers from tony parks, kb9yig. Your source for softrock radio kits softrock rx ensemble ii hf receiver kit the softrock rx ensemble ii hf receiver kit includes the components for building the kit for hf, 1. Yesterday my softrock rx ensemble ii hf receiver arrived from five dash inc. Sound card requirements if you do not have a delta 44 or fa66 soundcard, this kit requires one and possibly two soundcards to handle rx tx. Dec 06, 2012 yesterday my softrock rx ensemble ii hf receiver arrived from five dash inc. Visions of an all mode, all band hf receiver danced around in my head, so back to tonys site.
The guide by wb5rvz is comprehensive and easy enough to follow in a half dozen so steps. Softrock rx ensemble ii hf receiver build and quisk config. Welcome to the main soft rock software website, where you will find a variety of software mainly for computers running risc os, such as webchange, waituntil, quicksand, and more. Uses a soundcard for adc and dac, and has been around for some time. Softrock rxtx ensemble hardware and building illruminations. The softrock rxtx ensemble transceiver kit provides a 1 watt sdr transceiver that can be built for one of the following five band groups. Mic inputs are usually mono, older laptops may only have mono inputs.
Softrock rx ensemble ii sdr kit build transmission1. Powersdr with pi sdr for softrockensemble software setup. I am currently building the softrock ensemble rxtx sdr transceiver kits from tony parks kb9yig. Softrock ensemble rx ii checking after build with hdsdr. The combination of the relatively simple soft rock 40 hardware with the powersdr software results in a low cost receiver with some very nice features. Softwaredefined radio sdr is a radio communication system where components that have been traditionally implemented in hardware e. I later progressed to use the sdrradio server software to allow users on the internet to access my tuner. Softrock rx receiving equipment northern utah websdr. This receiver has been built and tested by tony parks, kb9yig. This is a shortwave receiver with the si570 acting as a local oscillator. Powersdr with pi sdr for softrockensemble setup software installation is performed in few steps, first is the official powersdr v2.
The softrock rx ensemble ii receiver built for hf, 1. As luck would have it, i located another pandaboard es on ebay that was a steal of a deal, so instead of odroid as i originally intended for this rig, i have another pandaboard es that is running the new rig. Aug 29, 2010 in my last post, i described how i ended up finally starting with sdr. I have built previous kits from tony park and elecraft and i would say this one is a real challenge. Transmitting needs a receiver to check you are on the correct frequency and to adjust transmit image rejection. This post takes a look at some of the software that can be used with the softrock sdr hardware that is designed for amateur radio use.
The line began with the softrock 40 rx and went through several iterations of. Built kits are only available in limited quantities as tony has time to build them. Configuring usb driver, config softrock tool and high definition software defined radio revised 27september2015 the ideal time to install the softrock drivers and software on your windows 7, 8 or 10 pc is now prior to connecting your softrock radio to your computer for the first time. X 2 board representing the culmination of a long line of softrock sdr receivers from fivedash, inc. Apr 19, 2014 over on youtube user mutezone has posted a video comparing the rtl sdr with upconverter against a softrock ensemble ii software defined radio. A sound card with stereo linein connector for receive and stereo lineout connector for transmit and a computer running sdr software are required to operate this radio. I later progressed to use the sdr radio server software to allow users on the internet to access my tuner.
Ive modified flexradios powersdr software to work with the soft rock 40. The sdr programs display will update to show the new center. I use this to listen to am radio, shortwave broadcasters, hf aeronautical, hams on 160804030201510 meters, time signal stations, other utility stations such as faxrttydgpslf beaconsale, etc. Softrock rx ensemble ii receiver kit on 75 meters youtube. Currently supports softrock si570 radios, including the rxtx. Powersdr with pi sdr for softrockensemble software setup software installation is performed with a provided unified installer containing both the powersdr v2. Software defined radio sdr software written in matlab. Softrock rx ensemble ii receiver kit on 75 meters using hdsdr. Building a large post frame garage full timelapse construction. It is a very effective demonstration of the capabilities of the software defined radio approach. With the free lunch software, sdrsharp, it is the easiest radio to use.
There are two softrock receiver types in use on this websdr system. After taking a look at what was currently for sale at kb9yigs website, i got hooked and now there is a softrock rxtx ensemble on its way to compliment the mobo project. The code in these files instantiates, configures and interconnects all the needed ip cores. Gqrx is a software defined radio receiver powered by gnu radio and the qt gui toolkit. It was only about 5 miles, scheduled with another local ham, but it was a contact nonetheless. The design of the ensemble rx is very similar to the receiver design of its sibling ensemble rxtx. Tx record so far is 2400km, rx is over 15,000km as reported on. The softrock ensemble ii is an sdr dedicated to the hf frequencies and is thus expected to have better performance for that purpose. Software defined radio receivers and transceivers currently available and those. You will notice that these kits are in very high demand and you may have to be patient. X 2 board represent the culmination of a long line of softrock sdr receivers from tony parks, kb9yig. Band switching is performed under program control, in conjunction with. The differences between the ensemble rx ii and rx iii are. Please note the socket marked line in on a softrock refers to where it is connected on the.
In my last post, i described how i ended up finally starting with sdr. Oct 05, 2012 softrock rx ensemble ii receiver kit on 75 meters using hdsdr. Basic connections for an ensemble, this is the vhf one but hf is the same. Setting up powersdr for digital modes with the softrock.
Newer laptops often do have stereo inputs a list started further down. The most recent receiver was the ensemble rx ii with an automatically switched bandpass filter. The receiver architecture is based on software defined radio techniques and incorporates a. Much of the software is available as a free download, and full details to be found in the products section of the site. After close monitoring see links at the bottom of this article the site of kb9yig i finally managed to order the rx ensemble ii kit.
Softrock ensemble rx ii got as a kit checking after. R390a if output 15 db attenuator 455 khz softrock delta 44 sound card p42800 mhz1g ram delta 44 sound card hafler dh110 preamplifier hafler p3000 amplifier. Introducing softrock ensemble a software defined radio. He had a softrock rx ensemble ii available so i snatched that up as soon as i could. Two years ago, i built the tony parks softrock ensemble ii software defined radio. Looking for a good english stepbystep guide to assembling your super rm rockmite. Powersdr with pi sdr for softrock ensemble software setup software installation is performed with a provided unified installer containing both the powersdr v2. Setting up powersdr for digital modes with the softrock ensemble rxtx this is how i set up powersdr psdr with the softrock ensemble rxtx using a single sound card. The line began with the softrock 40 rx and went through several iterations of receivers. The product photo shows what it should look like once assembled. Back in the summer i built a softrock ensemble rxtx from a kit, choosing 10, 12 and 15 metres for transmit. This receiver has a builtin local oscillator based on the silicon labs si570 the same chip used as the local oscillator in the elecraft kx3 and can be tuned anywhere from about 1.