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WSPR : some help to configure the softwares..

with Softrock kits (v6,3) and PowerSDR 1.12.20  software

 

                                                                                               clic to see details of the map 

First, read K1JT pages http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wspr.html - 
 

This page just explains how I use WSPR with my own configuration.

I use a RX/TX  Softrock 6,3 with an 10W amplifier and a Low Pass Filter, with I/Q connected to an E-MU 0202 usb sound box  (192kb), and an USB headset for local audio ( 48 kB - mic and speaker )
 
> PowerSDR 1,12,20 can be download from download it from http://code.google.com/p/powersdr-iq/downloads/list
> WSPR software is to be download from http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wspr.html
 
> With release 2.0, You need 2 kind of Links between Power SDR and WSPR : 

- one to link the audio IN and OUT through 2 Virtual Cables (VAC in PowerSDR) : this option is included in the softwares. Read Alan notes on http://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/softrock-wspr-psdr-and-vac  

- one to control the PTT line from WSPR soft through a COM port. You need to download and install a driver like  "build226" vCOM driver from N8VP http://www.philcovington.com/SDR_arch.html  

- But , much better is the release 2.11 which includes the SDR driver for Softrock - No need of PowerSDR, or Virtual Cable ! Just download the latest software and install it - Read the special "supplement to User's guide".

 
 

> As the PC clock needs to be synchronised between all the TX systems, you must download and install a small software like Dimension 4

See the screens of the softwares as they work in my computer:

 with the Audio Virtual Cable screen ( useless with 2.11 release ! )
When all that parts are connected together, the last step is to calibrate the frequency of the TX/RX, as the spot is inside a narrow band of 200 kHz - see the method that works easily:
 
A quick check of your frequency calibration can be performed by tuning to a known Frequency Standard like WWV/WWVH on 5, 10 or 15MHz.
If you have the WSPR software set up and running, and select USB mode, tune your transceiver dial to 9998500Hz (WWV minus 1500Hz) with no bfo offset (RIT/XIT)
The WSPR software will interpret the WWV signal as the USB of 9998500Hz and display the carrier on the Waterfall display as a line near the center calibration (for 30 mtrs band setup) it should read 200Hz.
You can use the mouse cursor on the waterfall display to read the audio frequency in Hz as read in the little red box below the waterfall.
You should also see the digital data sidebands at Fc + and - 100Hz or 100 and 300 Hz on the waterfall.
As most sound cards are within a few Hz of the correct frequency 1500Hz your transceiver calibration can checked to within this few Hz error.
There is a more accurate method described in the WSPR 2.0 users guide in appendix C, thanks to Joe K1JT. posted  by Paul  VK4ZBV.

see the screens of the calibration procedure using 10Mhz WWW
Then you are ready to play...Register on http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ and look for the station that hear you. You will be surprised by the results even with very small power. - Good luck.
Screen of stations heard on 30 m from IN88AQ ( on old 2.O realease)

 
List of the stations that received me on my first call on 30m then on 20m with 2W output power and a vertical loop made for the 17m band at 10 m over the ground ! 

More than 7000 km with 2W and a small antenna !


6 spots:
Timestamp           Call     MHz        SNR Drift Grid Pwr Reporter RGrid      km    az
2010-03-21 22:18 F6EHP 10.140157 -21 0 IN88aq 2    W9HLY   EN70mt  6151 295 
2010-03-21 22:18 F6EHP 10.140140 -20 0 IN88aq 2    VE3GHM  FN25ig  5223 294 
2010-03-21 22:18 F6EHP 10.140191 -20 0 IN88aq 2    KF3BT    FM28ep   5655 287 
2010-03-21 22:18 F6EHP 10.140161 -23 0 IN88aq 2    W3HH    EL89       6829 283 
2010-03-21 22:18 F6EHP 10.140158 -19 0 IN88aq 2    N2AET   FN20og   5492 288 
2010-03-21 22:18 F6EHP 10.140163 -21 0 IN88aq 2    W3MLK   FM28hn 

12 spots:
Timestamp           Call     MHz         SNR Drift Grid Pwr Reporter RGrid     km    az
2010-03-21 21:40 F6EHP 14.097054 -22 -1 IN88aq 5   VE6OG    DO33fn 6870 321 
2010-03-21 21:40 F6EHP 14.097040 -14 -1 IN88aq 5   WA4SCA EM65pw 6611 291 
2010-03-21 21:40 F6EHP 14.097070 -22 -2 IN88aq 5   KE7A      EM12kx  7536 295 
2010-03-21 21:40 F6EHP 14.097165 -6 -2 IN88aq 5    VA3NNW EN93rk    5684 295 
2010-03-21 21:40 F6EHP 14.097059 -18 -1 IN88aq 5   W3PM    EM64or   6704 290 
2010-03-21 21:34 F6EHP 14.097073 -27 0 IN88aq 5    KE7A      EM12kx  7536 295 
2010-03-21 21:34 F6EHP 14.097058 -20 0 IN88aq 5    VE6OG    DO33fn   6870 321 
2010-03-21 21:34 F6EHP 14.097043 -8 -1 IN88aq 5    WA4SCA EM65pw  6611 291 
2010-03-21 21:34 F6EHP 14.097062 -18 -1 IN88aq 5   W3PM    EM64or   6704 290 
2010-03-21 21:08 F6EHP 14.097170 -11 -1 IN88aq 2   VA3NNW EN93rk   5684 295 
2010-03-21 21:08 F6EHP 14.097058 -27 -1 IN88aq 2   DC5BN    JO42jx    1013 57 
2010-03-21 21:08 F6EHP 14.097055 -9 -1 IN88aq 2    W1MNK EL87uv 6895 281

 

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