[GCARC] More SDR software, and more pictures from space

[Jonathan Pearce]

For those attending the SDR Saturday event on January 11, you might want to take the next step in SDR use and download and install a few additional programs. These programs pipe the audio output of the SDR radio to another program for decoding data such as SSTV, NOAA weather images, APRS packets, etc. There are two types of programs needed – the decoding programs themselves and the “virtual audio cable” (VAC) program that’s used to make a logical connection between the SDR# audio output and the inputs of the decoding programs. Back when we used physical radios and decoders we had to solder connectors to cables to connect the IC-251 to the TNC-2 mic and speaker connections, but now all of those connections are made within the computer itself.

Here are the links for some useful downloads.

Virtual audio cable ($25 fee) https://vac.muzychenko.net/en/index.htm  - this is needed for all of the other programs. There are other similar programs but this is the one that we know.

MMSSTV SSTV decoder (free for hams) https://hamsoft.ca/pages/mmsstv.php
WxToImg weather satellite decoder (free) https://wxtoimgrestored.xyz/
UISS ISS and APRS decoder (also download the SoundModem programs) – Free but donation requested: http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/uiss.htm

There are lots more, and we can show them at the clubhouse if you’re interested.

Closer to the event date we’ll check the satellite schedules – it we’re lucky we’ll have a few live satellite passes that morning and can try listening, recording and decoding satellite data using the clubhouse antennas.

ALSO – the ISS will be transmitting SSTV images this weekend from Dec 28 at 1100 UTC until Jan 1 1820 UTC so you might want to get your SDR SSTV setup running and copy some pictures from space as part of your New Years activity!

ALSO - K2QA sent over this link to an article on decoding NOAA satellite images using only the RTL-SDR radio and the cheap rabbit-ears dipole in the kit that we recommended. They use different software for the SDR radio and VAC, but the WxToImg program is the same. If you have that kit it’s certainly worth a try. NOAA passes vary in their elevation and consequent signal strength, but the occasional overhead pass can be very clear. Here’s the link: https://hackernoon.com/weather-sat-9620228789c8

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

73 de Jon WB2MNF

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