FUNcube Dongle: Out Of The Box test of this highly innovative SDR

An "Out of the box" test of the highly innovative FUNcubeDongle SDR (Software Defined Radio).

Music: royalty free
Artist: zero-project; Album: Ambient Symphony

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• FUNcube
• FUNCubedongle
• PA3GUO
• satellite
• cubesat
• SDR
• dongle

[HighVoltageG33k]

Great Video,

I just wish I could get mine to pick up sats or any weak signals that I can hear on my other radios.

I wanted to say great things about my FUNcube dongle but on it's own without preamps and filters it is just useless.

I did include my FCD in my SDR Video but that was only just picking up my local repeater and it was splatted all over by not so local signals.

How did you get yours to work so well?

How much preamplification did you use?

What FCD settings did you use?

Any Filters?

[PA3GUO]

@HighVoltageG33k Best is to start with reception of a CW beacon, and to use WR Plus as SDR software. Other programs work also, but are more difficult to get started. If you have more questions I suggest to join the users group at Yahoo. Success !

[HighVoltageG33k]

@PA3GUO Thanks for the reply.

But you got my question wrong.

I have recently picked up some satellites and have recorded it in WRPlus so I can make another video soon.

But they are very weak on the FCD compared to other radios (Eg. Alinco DR-605)

I'm using a 12 Element ZL-Special for VHF & a 12 Element J-Beam fur UHF.

Both are mounted on a large lighting tripod allowing me freedom to rotate 360* Azi by 180* Elv.

My question was about the gain on your preamp and did you have any filters inline?

[PA3GUO]

@HighVoltageG33k SSB-SP-2000 SSB ELECTRONICS 2m Masthead Pre-amp * Freq. 144-146MHz * Gain 10-20dB * Noise 0.8dB and no extra filters. You need to set in the FCD controller "defaults"and then adjust LNA gain. Please email me directly if you have more questions (pa3guo at amsat dot org)

[KI6JLD]

Hi

What is the Software (SDR) that you used for FCD, I have one too but still search the right one and perfect setup like you. Thank you for put up the demo , NICE VIDEO

[PA3GUO]

@KI6JLD At :50 seconds in the video: WRplus for decoding the audio (which is visible during the second part of the video, at the right top of the screen (version 1.03).

[Patrick12236]

Hello Henk!

I have a Problem with the Software WRplus 1.05

The program does not start .. how can i fix this?

I use Windows 7 Home Premium.

[MAJESTIC10110]

They are now selling in the UK via Martin Lynch and Sons.

[MAJESTIC10110]

@HighVoltageG33k If you place the Funcube on the antenna, and then use extended USB you will reduce loss in feeder also! Give it a try.

M0OLI

[xtcfm]

Hard to get one Henk ;-) But the last batch I was quick enough! (buyed at 22:00:02hr UTC @ 16th of march 2011).

Can't wait till my FunCube Dongle arrives!

Rick, PE2AAB

[analyzingfunny]

Whatever that is, or whatever it does, im sure it is neat.

[poikaa3]

Interesting to see the Doppler frequency shift!