Building SoftRock SDR kits

Here are some helpful links for building and testing SoftRock SDR kits. Thanks, Jack!

Build instructions for latest SoftRock monoband radio    

Build-a-thon showing the equipment you need

Rocky software (use this first to test the radio)

Older version of PowerSDR-IQ v1.12.20 that works well

Tony Parks SDR ordering site

SoftRock SDR receiver with Kenwood TS-850s

Here is a report from Jack about use of a SoftRock SDR receiver kit working in tandem with his Kenwood TS-850s. Click on the thumbnail below for a larger view. Also included below are two Youtube video links. Thanks, Jack!

 

Good evening,

The CAT interface cable for my TS-850s came in today.  I also have finished a monoband SoftRock SDR for the Kenwood 8.830 MHz IF.  I used the PowerSDR/IQ software from here:

http://wu2x.com/sdr.html#powersdr

The software now works directly with some Kenwood radios and with the K3.  It can also link up with Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD).  Here are a couple of vides:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tjKQ1g4X0I&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qecPMzZjyQg&feature=related

The software is superb.  By interfacing the $20 SoftRock to the TS-850s, I get the following:

• A pandapter
• The SDR receiver with an additional sub-receiver.  This includes DSP filters and noise reduction.
• The SDR is muted automatically when transmitting through the Kenwood.
• Software control of the combo as well as control via the radio knobs.
• Interconnection with HRD

This is an impressive and inexpensive combo.

73,

Jack

Dual SDR Receivers

This is an earlier report from Jack about his success running dual SDR receivers controlled by a single PC. Click on the thumbnail for a larger view.

12/16/10
Good evening,
Last night I began running two SDRs: a general coverage unit connected to the Beverage antennas, and an IF unit connected to the TS-850S.  Each goes to a separate outboard sound card, but to the same PC.

The wrinkle was how to manage the audio going from the sound cards to the amplified sound system.  I decided to take a hint from W4BXI's approach to audio, and I hooked up a six channel Behringer mixer.  It works great!  It also looks like the PC will handle both SDRs okay.

Now if I can just get two monitors working like W4UOA...

Regards,
Jack

SoftRock SDR Transceiver

Here are some low-quality PDA photos that I captured of two
different SoftRock kit SDR products displayed at the Thursday lunch
meetings of the Birmingham Crystal Radio Group:

The first four photos shows the SDR transceiver that KE4ID has been
using on recent mornings on 3740 kHz.

For more information about these kits, see:
http://kb9yig.com/
http://www.wb5rvz.com/sdr/