The Aero Thread..

[Confucian]

Impressive Mick ...very impressive..
TBH I didn't realise you still had stability issues ....but the idea of locking both ..a Titanium C1 ..and an RTL dongle to a common 'fixed' source ...great idea ...
Though is expensive overkill ?
I assume it might be tricky locking all the LNBs to the arduino ...as this would require long extra cable runs ?
Not true of course of the dongles which are closely grouped in the shack.
I'd like to see more info if possible ...starting with a block diagram of how it will link up the 'component' parts for starters ...
with schematics to follow..
Nice work tho' buddy ...
Love the way you work as well mate ...Typical tech bench ...looking like a birds nest ..
reminds me of my own..
lol

I have two out of four (one spare not in use) Lnb's modified to Txco and one of the two un modified always was more stable than the others for some reason so you are right stability isnt a major issue. When I started this project on 25e it was all a bit of a lash up to see if I could get it going. Having had success I quickly lashed up two more setups for 15w & 54w so have ended up with a working station but with all sorts of odds and ends, three different dongles for one thing. Time has come to un lash" things and tidy it up. One reason for having a go at this was to keep the "little grey cells" ticking over and I have always found that the best way to learn new stuff is to role up your sleeves and have a go. The Idea of a common clock has appealed to me for a while, I looked at Rubidium, Symmetricom and Trimble units but getting hold of a good one at the right price is difficult and still have to get to 25 & 28.8mhz. Then I stumbled on various kits by QRP Labs Kits which seemed to offer a solution at a reasonable price. I built the Oxco and GPS kits with reasonable success but in the mean time came across an interesting article by Gene Marcus (http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QEX_Next_Issue/2015/Jul-Aug_2015/Marcus.pdf) which worked on the same principle but solved the programming issue. I got myself an Arduino Uno (clone) and a Si5351A Breakout Board from Etherkit (Etherkit) an my qrp kit GPS (about £30) and in my true style cobbled together the means of producing stable 25 & 28.8mhz sources. I left off the buttons, rotary controller and LCD display and tweaked Marcus's Arduino sketch and it works a treat, I blasted the Si5351A Breakout Board for half an hour with the wifes hair dryer on full and the frequencies held steady. My cable runs to two of my dishes are only a couple of meters and the third not that much more so that shouldnt be a problem. As for Dongles the new V3 RTL_SDR.com even has selectable clock & expansion headers (RTL-SDR Blog V.3. Dongles User Guide - rtl-sdr.com) so may have to raid the gas meter and get three of these. Not sure how to go about distribution yet I did pic up a couple of these boards at the right price but not got that far yet. ()

 

[Vipersan]

Testing the grey bio matter computer is the main reason for my endless projects ....so I totally get it ...
I'm gonna follow this with interest ...but you need to keep uploading pics and strategies..
I know quite a few on our forum who closely follow such ideas ..
Llew for example is another who likes to tweak and challenge the grey ..
SB ...another...
Keep us in the loop Mick..
..and good luck with it all ..

 

[battenfan]

It could well be that running 4 SDR dongles 24/7 demanded too much current ..and is responsible for port failure ..
If the pcie card solution _does_ work ...
I feel this may be the way to go ...as they are easily replaced if they fail in the future.
Whereas ports on a motherboard are not.
rgds
VS

What about a Raspberry PI for each dongle and control them from your pc? You could have a few close to the antenna and save money on LNAs and usb extenders.

 

[Vipersan]

What about a Raspberry PI for each dongle and control them from your pc? You could have a few close to the antenna and save money on LNAs and usb extenders.

Only the Lband Dish uses LNAs ...and these have to present as the effectively comprise the lnb ...
C band lnbs dont need or use em as you know ..
So although do-able with Pi-s I really cant see any great advantage ...and would make the system more expensive ...
For now I'll stick with convention and cross my fingers the usb3 card for a tenner all in ...does the job ..thus zadig can be installed
My worry is that the USB chip on the card doesn't like RTL dongles ..
But where the card does score is that it can be connected to a sata power plug in the PC so no more current demand issues ..
This is the spec :-

Specifications:
Supports PCI Express2.0 X1 Lane, can transferring up to 5Gbps MAX.
Supports USB 3.0 specification typeA Connector X 4ports.
Backward compatible with USB 1.1/USB 2.0.
Supports the following speed data rate: Low-speed(1.5Mbps)/Full-speed(12Mbps)/High-speed(480Mbps)/Super-speed(5Gbps).
Supports PCI Low profile.
Supports External power plug in order to supply power for each USB3.0.
Up to 900mA MAX/port.

System Requirements:
PC with 512MB of RAM and 1.0GHz or faster processor.
One available PCI Express 1.x/4.x/16.x slot
System Support: Windows XP / Vista / Windows7 (32/64 bit)/Windows8 (32/64 bit).

Note:
To achieve the maximum throughput, the PCI-Express slot must be version 2.0 or higher. Performance per port may decrease if multiple ports are transferring data simultaneously due to limited throughput of the PCI-Express slot.
To meet USB 3.0 transfer speed, high quality USB 3.0 cables and devices are required.
Supports both 32-bit & 64-bit OSes.
Make sure the power is well connected; otherwise you will see a "Power Surge on Hub Port" message error and no 5V bus power in USB ports.

Specifications:
Certifications: CE, FCC, RoHS
Item size: 12 * 8cm / 4.7 * 3.1in
Item weight: 52g / 1.8oz
Package size: 15 * 13 * 3cm / 5.9 * 5.1 * 1.2in
Package weight: 115g / 4.1oz

Package list: C1739
1 * PCI Express Card
1 * Low Profile Bracket
2 * Screws
1 * Software Drivers CD
1 * User Manual

 

[Confucian]

Testing the grey bio matter computer is the main reason for my endless projects ....so I totally get it ...
I'm gonna follow this with interest ...but you need to keep uploading pics and strategies..
I know quite a few on our forum who closely follow such ideas ..
Llew for example is another who likes to tweak and challenge the grey ..
SB ...another...
Keep us in the loop Mick..
..and good luck with it all ..

Couple of interesting blog posts on the subject :-
Milan's Blog: Low pass filter added.
Milan's Blog: NT7S's Si5351a VCO hooked up to the local oscillator of a DVB-T dongle.

 

[spacedish]

The latest version of PlanePlotter is now available.
Full release notes from Bev are posted below.

This is an important update for a number of reasons and of particular interest to those following the development of Oceanic tracking via satellite.

To ensure Ocean tracking is represented at its best , we have introduced a global outline [Ortho] view. This gives PlanePlotter users a completely new and unique method of visualising air traffic.
The "Ortho" mode is mainly for , but not exlusive to , Oceanic viewing and takes PlanePlotter to a new dimension.

In addition , to aid our satellite ground stations , each of the Inmarsat geostationary satellites is now tracked in real time both on the outline map and also MySky.

This loop animation shows the global outlines in action.
The plots shown are Oceanic traffic "only"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4g1kKs0cR7ZN2ZONEFkNENzcWs/view

All outline map colours can be user defined , there is another example here.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4g1kKs0cR7ZeURvdUhNd3liSWc/view?

The animations will take about 30 seconds to load.



Here are Bevs notes.....

Best wishes

John

................................................................................

Hi,

PlanePlotter version 6.4.4.8 is now available for download by
following the link on the PlanePlotter web site.
"http://www.planeplotter.com/#download"

---Usual boilerplate---
Updates are free to registered users.
You may need to exercise your browser Refresh function to force it to
show you the new version of the PlanePlotter web page. If you post a
message complaining that the web site is still pointing to an earlier
version, you pay a forfeit!
You can install the new version over the old one but you *must*
close/exit PlanePlotter before installing the new one. Your settings
will be preserved. Nic's installer will warn you if PlanePlotter is
still running when you try to install the new version.
If you have a version-specific firewall (eg Zone Alarm), you may have
to reassure it that the new version is permitted to access the
Internet. Be aware that an increasing number of security systems
treat any new file as a threat without any justification except that
it is new. Please don't write to me about it; write to your security
system provider and ask them to make their program smarter.
If you have an installation of PlanePlotter running under Linux/Wine,
this installer may not run. In that case (only), please download :
http://www.coaa.co.uk/planeplotter6_4_4_8.zip and unzip the files
into the existing PlanePlotter application directory. Note that this
will only work if PlanePlotter is already installed under Wine as it
only contains the new executable and not all the other files that are
required to run the program.
-----------

New in version 6.4.4.8

QNH options

The program now saves and restores the selection you make for the
automatic QNH retrieval.

Sharer locations

The Options..Script..Fetch sharer locations now retrieves both the
text file and the GPX file and renames any previous files if they exist.

Orthographic projection

John L has asked me scores of times to include the Orthographic
projection in the display options. I have finally capitulated! If
you click the outline button while holding down the left Shift key,
it will re-plot the existing map/chart using an orthographic
projection of the selected outline files. It is most effective if
the area displayed is a significant area of the visible hemisphere.

Latitude longitude grid

There is now an option to plot a latitude/longitude grid over a
regular outline chart or over an orthomorphic outline chart. The
grid is turned on and off using Options..Chart..Outline..Lat/lon grid
and the colour is chosen in Options..Chart..Options..Vector colours.

TCAS alerts

TCAS alerts now include the registration as well as the ICAO hex code
of the conflicting aircraft.

Third party sharing

Some users have reported data corruption when sharing their data with
third party services as a result of bogus data returned by the third
party server. PlanePlotter now ignores data returned by third party
servers to which users have chosen to send their data.

OLE/COM enhancements

The OLE/COM interface now includes support for the new orthomorphic
projection option. A simple script can now generate a pleasing view
of a rotating Earth using the orthomorphic projection.

Inmarsat satellite plots

There is now an option to include the location of those Inmarsat
satellites that downlink the AERO traffic that PlanePlotter can
display. Using the MySky option in PlanePlotter, users can now
easily identify which satellites are visible from their location.

Enjoy!
Bev
COAA

 

[Vipersan]

Looking forward to installing this new version ...but it will have to wait ..
No plans to re-install previous hard drive ..and am waiting for the arrival of my 4 port usb3 card ..
looks good though ..
Loving the look of that full earth rotation gif ..
;)

 

[spacedish]

It'll look something like this when set up....

 

[Analoguesat]

WOW!!

Sadly most of the interesting westerly sats are well behind trees here so no chance of me joining in the fun on this one.

Also Im pushing my luck with the landlord & the neighbours with my existing dish farm let alone adding one for 25E!

 

[Confucian]

WOW!!

Sadly most of the interesting westerly sats are well behind trees here so no chance of me joining in the fun on this one.

Also Im pushing my luck with the landlord & the neighbours with my existing dish farm let alone adding one for 25E!

Bummer that sucks, I'm so lucky with the space and location I have here.

 

[Confucian]

Dont you just love payday ! Three V3 RTL-SDR.COM dongles on order.

And where the **** do I get a 3/8 - 32 UNEF tap from in Ireland ? Suspect its a job for Ebay.

 

[Vipersan]

I suspect this will take a while yet ..
but the good news ..
the usb3 with 15 pin sata power connector arrived this morning ..
interestingly ...I tried to install zadig for each port ...but was refused after the first installation ..
But is working for all 4 ports ..
So looks like this card is treated much like an external usb hub in that once zadig is installed for 1 port ...all subsequent SDR dongles connected on the other three posrts are recognised as zadig ports and the driver installed as needed on insertion of the next dongle ...untill all 4 ports are in use ..
I may do some more later ...but will let this run as is ..for a while to test the ports dont fail ...and TBH I'm off for a lie down as I'm not feeling very well today ..
here is a screen grab of the new build Aero dedicated optiplex 990 with 4 port usb3 pcie installed and 4 dongles connected and running ..
rgds
VS

...and yes they all show the same frequency ..more or less except the last one bottom right ..which has been adjusted for the Helical Lband antenna ..
The other 3 need frequency adjustment but clearly show they are receiving data from different inmarsats.
rgds
VS

 

[Confucian]

I suspect this will take a while yet ..
but the good news ..
the usb3 with 15 pin sata power connector arrived this morning ..
interestingly ...I tried to install zadig for each port ...but was refused after the first installation ..
But is working for all 4 ports ..
So looks like this card is treated much like an external usb hub in that once zadig is installed for 1 port ...all subsequent SDR dongles connected on the other three posrts are recognised as zadig ports and the driver installed as needed on insertion of the next dongle ...untill all 4 ports are in use ..
I may do some more later ...but will let this run as is ..for a while to test the ports dont fail ...and TBH I'm off for a lie down as I'm not feeling very well today ..
here is a screen grab of the new build Aero dedicated optiplex 990 with 4 port usb3 pcie installed and 4 dongles connected and running ..
rgds
VSView attachment 97560

...and yes they all show the same frequency ..more or less except the last one bottom right ..which has been adjusted for the Helical Lband antenna ..
The other 3 need frequency adjustment but clearly show they are receiving data from different inmarsats.
rgds
VS

Interesting results. I'm getting random SDR# failures when running three at once, I get the usual unhelpful error message from windows which does seem to point to USB/Driver problem, I will post one next time it happens. It will be interesting to see if you suffer the same issue or not (hopefully) !
Keep up the good work , hope you feel better later . :-)

 

[Vipersan]

Interesting results. I'm getting random SDR# failures when running three at once, I get the usual unhelpful error message from windows which does seem to point to USB/Driver problem, I will post one next time it happens. It will be interesting to see if you suffer the same issue or not (hopefully) !
Keep up the good work , hope you feel better later .

Indeed ..Confucian ..
I also suffered many unexplained errors ...which I have attributed ..though not confirmed to failed usb2 ports on the 990 mainboard ...which is wht I decided to try this usb3 card ...
The reason I hope this wont fail is that it has a the power connector ..through which plolonged hish current can be passed to the dongles ..
Im guessing the usb2 ones on the motherboard might not have been up to 24/7 high current demands ...which hopefully the usb3 will be.
..even though technically the ports are being used in legacy usb2 mode.
time will tell I guess..
rgds
VS

..if you do decide to get one of these cards ...you need a spare pcie x2 minimum I think ...
x16 will work just fine..
and it comes with a standard rear bracket and an optional SFF bracket.
not bad for £10

 

[Confucian]

.if you do decide to get one of these cards ...you need a spare pcie x2 minimum I think ...
x16 will work just fine..
and it comes with a standard rear bracket and an optional SFF bracket.
not bad for £10

I think my server has x4 and x8 PCIe slots of various sizes but not sure what power connectors areb available, will have to whip the lid off tomorrow and investigate.
With the Common LO project I was thinking of building all three Dongles into one (large) case and powering them from a common 5v supply, perhaps doing something along theses lines = Mods and performance of R820T2 based RTL SDR receiver | Laiduko blogas

 

[Vipersan]

Fair enough ...but I suspect this usb3 pcb might save you a lot of work ..
best of luck..with your mod tho'

 

[Confucian]

Fair enough ...but I suspect this usb3 pcb might save you a lot of work ..
best of luck..with your mod tho'

Now I have the "Bread Board" version of the disciplined oscillator working I have to transform that into a more workman like and practical version so all options are open at the moment. Hoping to get some free time tomorrow an Monday to make a start but "Her Indoors" may have other ideas. Lol

 

[Vipersan]

Ok ...so I'm at the stage where I'd like to try this rotational earth view ...but htf does one set it up ..
looks impressive but I can't find any option to initiate this in the new Planeplotter ...so is it an addon ..?
A lot more information other than just a pretty picture needed I think.
Cant find any info on the PP site so I guess it's something you have to do for yourself ..??
simple script is mentioned ...but I'm guessing it's only simple ..if you know how.
Anyone done this yet ?
If so ..spill da beans.
Spacedish ??

 

[Archive-8]

Does this count as a lock? Please.

 

[Confucian]

Ok ...so I'm at the stage where I'd like to try this rotational earth view ...but htf does one set it up ..
looks impressive but I can't find any option to initiate this in the new Planeplotter ...so is it an addon ..?
A lot more information other than just a pretty picture needed I think.
Cant find any info on the PP site so I guess it's something you have to do for yourself ..??
simple script is mentioned ...but I'm guessing it's only simple ..if you know how.
Anyone done this yet ?
If so ..spill da beans.
Spacedish ??

I tried the same and failed so have it filed under "give someone cleverer than me a chance to get it working" ! Lol