Faros SDR station
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Status – Open
Introduction
Faros is a small application written by by Alex VE3NEA for monitoring HF beacons with a cat controlled receiver. The software can be found here and is well worth looking at if you fancy doing some remote listening for the good of HF propagation information sharing.
The application cycles through the NCDXF beacon’s which are located around the world. Alex states that the features are as follows:
- continuously monitors 18 NCDXF beacons on five bands;
- automatically detects the presence of the beacon signals, even in QRM and noise;
- measures the signal-to-noise ratio, the QSB index, and the propagation delay of the signal;
- automatically identifies long path openings based on the signal delay;
- has a real-time display of band conditions;
- maintains a long-term history of beacon observations;
- generates signal charts at regular intervals in a form suitable for Web publishing;
- generates observation logs optimized for automatic analysis.
This is without a doubt the easier way to generate data for your web page. Some output data from the other day is here
Aims
The primary goal of this project is to advance the use of SDR in the field where I get enjoyment, beacon monitoring. These can be broken down as below
- Reduce the power consumption of the station.
- Develop a simple one box solution
- Maintain or improve the reception by introducing a more competent receiver
- Provide a low cost solution that is easy to set up
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Report
Pre Sept 2008 – A number of enquiries and tests have not managed to get particularly far with sourcing a suitable multiband receiver for SDR. Whilst early indications were that the Perseus receiver would do the job very well, at several hundred pound for the receiver alone it did not manage to meet the ?low cost’ component of the project.
The September edition of Radcom indicated that a new Softrock kit was to be introduced that would be a general coverage receiver version of the popular kits. This looked like the perfect solution. Waters and Stanton supply the kits and subject to confirmation that they are suitable for use with faros then my order will be placed.
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Fine to have one monitoring station more on the list. I have one remark: the time (hour) gif at the top of the monitoring gif is not lined-up properly. Also, I have the impression that you recieve little beacon station. Perhaps the antenna might be improved?
73, marcel, ON5AU
Thank you for your comments marcel. I’ve altered the gif so it lines up. I’m still having some significant problems with getting some reliable ftp software. manually the uploads work fine but automated they don’t seem to want to work at all. Once this is fixed I’ll set up the better antenna and leave it running
Alex
Hi Alex,
here is Angelo at the CT1JTQ ( ex i1js – iz1fgu ). I have been thinking a lot about an SDR to be used with FAROS pgm .
I went to the decision to use the new FLEX1500 , I had delay as its production was postponed, but still on that idea.
As far as FLEX 1500 will be shipped , I will give a test on it and, if no big problems will arise, repacing my FT 897 ( now in continous use since 2006 ).
All the best
Angelo CT1JTQ Monitor station
Hi Angelo,
I’ve got to a point now where I have the Softrock working but I will need a new soundcard. I have heard that it is possible to use the electrically switched band pass filter and Faros so I’ll give it a go when the next batch of kits are released. It is my first bit of homebrew and not very good
I like the idea of using the flex 1500. Its out of my range at the moment but if the prices start to come down then I’m sure I can find the money. I think I might look at a softrock for WSPR as well.
I’ve not been getting any good signals from the US or Canada for the last few weeks. It seems as though the good run I had over christamas has gone.