Optiplex GX620 - Dedicated SDR + SAT

[Vipersan]

So hopefully the Orbitron>SDR#>WXtoIMG components are installed correctly ...but it is pushing the Dell hard ..
You can see by CPU useage ...which I assume is dual core (2 windows) ...I am at roughly80%
I can up the memory from 2gb to 4gb ....but I suspect the cpu is at max..
rgds
VS
..waiting for a noaa 19 pass

 

[Vipersan]

One on ebay goes up to 1920*1080 if the monitor supports it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Speed-USB-3-0-to-VGA-Video-Graphic-Multi-Display-Cable-Adapter-For-Win-7-8-/141754977428

assorted other ones are also available

Well
Took a chance and ordered one at £6
Claims to be high speed usb 3.0 ...
I'm just hoping it is also backwards compatible USB2.0 as the optiplex doesn't support 3.0
we shall see..
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

A selection of differently processed images of the same noaa 15 pass at approx 4:00 PM
Really pleased with these as it wasn't an overhead pass but the OptiplexSDR handled the process well enough ..
Progress was made today I think.
A slow build but getting there ..
Try and guess where most of the rain is ...?
lol

 

[John]

A selection of differently processed images of the same noaa 15 pass at approx 4:00 PM
Really pleased with these as it wasn't an overhead pass but the OptiplexSDR handled the process well enough ..
Progress was made today I think.
A slow build but getting there ..
Try and guess where most of the rain is ...?
lol
View attachment 91743 View attachment 91744 View attachment 91745 View attachment 91746 View attachment 91747 View attachment 91748 View attachment 91749

Impressive.

 

[Vipersan]

Next job is to try and get my head around VBcable ...
I understand the basic principle that the audio generated by SDR can be routed by a software pipe directly to an application ..
In this case WXtoIMG ...which allows WX to capture and decode the download data from a noaa sat ..
But this does mean that audio never reaches the speakers or headphones..
What I would like to do ...and am assuming this is possible is to implement VBcable and somehow split the audio down 2 seperate channels ..one to WXtoIMG and the same audio still routed to the speakers ..
Thus I can decode the signal but still 'hear' it at the same time..
Hope that makes sense ?
The very action of installing and using VB cable re routes the audio ..thus non ever gets to the speakers..
Who can help me here ..?
Sounds simple but has me very confused...

basically I need one audio source split down 2 channels and routed to 2 different destinations.
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

May have a solution ..but cannot as yet test it ..on account I will have to wait for a close noaa pass ..
Basically it uses VBcable (installed) ...this will be the conduit from SDR to WXtoIMG
..and a small program called Audio Repeater ...which I think has to be run twice ...and set up twice..
The first channel generated can then be SDR to Speakers ...
The second instance can then be set up (channel 2) SDR to VBcable ...which is then terminated at WXtoIMG.
All this crap is neccessary because unlike in XP ..win7 does NOT natively support multi channel splitting and mixing ..
The ability to do this was dropped by microsoft in win 7..
gawd knows why ??

-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is the info I found
-----------------------------------------------------------------
How to do it:
1) Create one virtual audio cable. Is already created after install, it is called "Virtual Cable 1". You don't have to modify anything.
2) Run "Audio Repeater (KS)" from Start menu.
3) In the Wave In combo select "Virtual Cable 1".
4) In the Wave Out combo select "Audio Speaker" (depends on computer).
5) Click Start
6) Run SECOND "Audio Repeater (KS) from Start menu.
7) In the Wave In combo select "Virtual Cable 1".
8) In the Wave Out combo select "Audio SPDIF Out" (depends on computer).
9) Click Start
10) Run Windows Media Player, go to menu Tools, Options, Devices, double click Speakers, select Virtual Audio Cable, click OK 2x.
11) Play audio in the player
12) Enjoy never before possible multiple output audio playback!
13) And yes I fully agree that Microsoft developers are a bunch of morons!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Vipersan]

Well ..I can say using VBcable and Audiorepeater sort of works ..
Only one instance of AR is needed ..
So looks like this SDR# > VBcable (split) VB out direct to WXtoIMG and the other fork/split to Audiorepeater > Speakers.
But there is a problem ..the data to WX is clean ..and I assume no delays ...but the speaker output via AR gives perfect audio for 10 seconds then mutes for 2 seconds ...rinse and repeat ??
No idea what the cause is ..
?.
No idea what and why this is happening ...so suggestions welcomed.
It is a mystery..

 

[Vipersan]

Been watching this ..
a lot to take in in one viewing ..but uses a later version of AR and multi VB pipes ..
interesting !!

 

[Vipersan]

These were quick arriving with the post today ..
clip around cable ferrite cokes for RFi ..(hopefully)
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

This evening I will be attempting to use SDR-J dab decoding software ..
Another fun project..
lol
Here is the link :-
SDR-J
and here is the Jaero link
JAERO: A new RTL-SDR compatible decoder for Inmarsat AERO signals - rtl-sdr.com

 

[Vipersan]

So an interesting start to receiving DAB ...but i am a bit limited by antenna ..
Trying to use my QFH is not really suitable I think ...so a better aerial needed ..
nonetheless I did manage to lock a few channels in the 12D 229mhz mux ....errrr...BBC radio stoke and Heat radio amongst others ...but it is not constant and is forever breaking up ..
The constellation scope is handy as this will display a QPSK type image when solid locked..apparently.
here is a photo..
rgds
VS

Got a more solid lock on mux 11A ...Virgin Radio ...Planet Rock ....JazzFM etc ...
totally solid and a very nice solid QPSK constellation on display.
..
still crashes the software occasionally though..
Still ..it is still relatively beta as yet.

 

[smoggy07]

Have a read of this http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-radio-scanner-tutorial-decoding-digital-voice-p25-with-dsd/

I've had a play with a normal scanner and managed to get them to work and it's good fun, not so much what is being transmitted but the way its transmitted and challenge of decoding it

https://github.com/IanWraith/DMRDecode
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Digital_Speech_Decoder_(software_package)

 

[Vipersan]

Have a read of this RTL-SDR Tutorial: Decoding Digital Voice (P25, DMR, NXDN, D-STAR) with DSD - rtl-sdr.com

I've had a play with a normal scanner and managed to get them to work and it's good fun, not so much what is being transmitted but the way its transmitted and challenge of decoding it

GitHub - IanWraith/DMRDecode: A Java program to decode DMR radio transmissions
Digital Speech Decoder (software package) - The RadioReference Wiki

Indeed I will buddy...all in good time .
One step at a time..
Just snapped my IPX to female SMA pigtail...it was just too tightly stretched..
Signal just vanished while I was playing...grrrr
I have 2 longer replacements already on order from ...China...as they dont sell em in the UK at 40cm long...dammit.. (eta end of April)
had to use a shorter one and temporarily run bnc and coax inside the Optiplex so I can continue playing.

Lots to play with with SDR ...."I could be gone some time" lol .
Really enjoying this new linked aspect to our hobby.
;)

Still have the virtual audio cables to sort properly.

 

[Vipersan]

All change here ...
I may have solved a multitude of problems with my latest idea ..
My mothers PC which is also an Optiplex GX620 ..same memory & similar processor ...but is in a different case ...
A couple of inches larger ...
So it seems there are multiple versions of this GX unit..
The good news is that it takes 2 full sized PCIe cards but placed horizontally in the limited space ...using a slot doubler ..
This unit doesn't theefore have restictions ..re graphics aspect ratio or monitor type as it doesn't use the on board graphics chipset.
..and more importantly allows for a second pcie card ...ie my TBS card ....

I will have to buy a low profile PCIe x16 graphics card to fit in the smaller Optiplex ...so it will also produce widescreen graphics ...but already found one used on ebay for a fiver..
on order..
What makes this swapover so easy is that both are GX620 units ..so the hard drives /os ..can just be swapped over without issue ...
and since my mums pc only needs one PCIe slot ...we should both end up with what we need..

Another bonus is that the larger GX has a bit more space so hopefully room to fit the SDRplar comfortably ....an will then free up the PCI slot for a low profile usb card ...if I can find one ..with internal usb connections..

Here are some pics so you can see what I mean..
rgds
VS

btw if anyone has a low profile usb card PCI not pcie they want to sell I would be interested...
Such cards do exist ...but so far only found - new- on ebay and way too expensive ..plus only with one internal usb connection...which will do if I can't find one with 2 ports..
Anyone ?

 

[Analoguesat]

Heres one on Amazon, no doubt ebay will have them too

http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Port-Profile-Speed-Adapter/dp/B000QJ15N6

You can get 3 external port ones too, dont know about 4 - might be a bit tight for space on the back plane

 

[Vipersan]

Heres one on Amazon, no doubt ebay will have them too

http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Port-Profile-Speed-Adapter/dp/B000QJ15N6

You can get 3 external port ones too, dont know about 4 - might be a bit tight for space on the back plane

Yep ..same one available on ebay but more expensive I think ..
only has one internal port ...which is a shame ...but it may be the only option..
rgds

 

[Channel Hopper]

btw if anyone has a low profile usb card PCI not pcie they want to sell I would be interested...
Such cards do exist ...but so far only found - new- on ebay and way too expensive ..plus only with one internal usb connection...which will do if I can't find one with 2 ports..
Anyone ?

Probably, let me have a gander tonight. I will need to know what the pin connections look like.

 

[Vipersan]

Probably, let me have a gander tonight. I will need to know what the pin connections look like.

Cheers buddy ..
Standard pci slot ...
Pci card shown along with the slot in the photos

 

[Analoguesat]

And heres a low profile one with the internal connection clearly shown






image credit - startech.com

 

[Vipersan]

And heres a low profile one with the internal connection clearly shown

View attachment 91788




image credit - startech.com

Yep ..that one would certainly do the job AS ....but being greedy I'd prefer one with at least 2 internal at the expense of external ...if ya catch my drift..
;)