Category: Electronics

Introduction During the past several years I have received broadcasts from Short Wave Radiogram using the RTL-SDR and SDR-IQ receivers. These broadcasts featured transmissions using MFSK32/64 which I decoded with FLDIGI and Multipsk (Ref.1/3). These broadcasts illustrated the amazing noise performance of MFSK. Last week Short Wave Radiogram added a segment using OLIVIA 64-2000 (Ref.4).… Continue reading HF SDR-IQ for Olivia 64-2000

Introduction This past year I was able to successfully receive CubeSats ENSO, Veronika and EIRSAT-1 (Ref.1/3). All three CubeSats have since decayed from orbit according to the SatNOGS database. Doing a search, I found a recent CubeSat launch CANVAS (Ref.4). So I thought I would try reception using my 2m/70cm yagi. I previously used an… Continue reading CubeSat CANVAS on GNURadio

Introduction In the previous post I was able to receive MSK144 meteor scatter transmissions on 6m using the RTL-SDR (Ref.1). I thought it would be worthwhile to see how robust this protocol is using a simple GNURadio channel model. In the QEX design paper the following performance figures are given (Ref.2):SNR>0dB, almost all frames decoded… Continue reading Meteor Scatter MSK144 Channel on GNURadio

Introduction I first learned of Meteor Scatter communications during the late 1980s in connection with sending meteorological data from remote locations. The principle made a lot of sense, using natural occurring phenomena to aid in transmission of signals with simple and minimum equipment. Weather sensor data could be collected and sent back using a solar… Continue reading RTL-SDR for Meteor Scatter

Introduction Last Saturday I was able to receive Meteor M2-3 down at Toronto Harbourfront (Ref.1). So I thought it would be interesting to try and receive it from my home location. At Harbourfront, there was some signal loss due to QRM. At my home QTH there was no QRM, but some multipath and obstruction. A… Continue reading RTL-SDR for Satellite Weather – Meteor M2-3+