SDRconnect Preview 2

by Danain Radioon Posted on

The latest version of SDRconnect has been released. I have it running on Mac Intel, Mac ARM64, Windows 11 and Raspberry Pi ARM64. The following information was released:

SDRconnect Updated November 27th 2023

The second preview build of SDRconnect is now available for download but we are still at the beginning of the development process. It contains a number of new features, including:

  • Direct frequency input
  • Additional bands with IARU region support
  • IQ recording (64-bit support in a single file)
  • IQ playback as a device
  • Asymmetrical filter editing in the Aux spectrum
  • Notch filters in the Aux spectrum

Features already included since August 2023:

  • Multiple VRXs with basic radio controls
  • Remote server with two streaming modes across both LAN and WAN (internet): a) Full IQ and b) Audio – a streaming mode which provides a very efficient way of displaying a large spectral bandwidth across a network with a limited data throughput.
  • Calibrated Power meter and S-Meter
  • Band framing
  • HDR mode support for the RSPdx
  • Support for RSPduo Single and Dual Tuner mode (two tuners) within a single instance of SDRconnect
  • Manual Diversity Control for the RSPduo
  • Headless server command line options
  • SNR Measurement
  • Support for un-docking and re-docking of panels
  • Saving and reloading of settings
  • Ability to allocate the Aux SP to different tuners in Dual Tuner mode for the RSPduo and for additional VRXs

So far it’s been running great. The additional added features have already made it a better platform. Below is my M1 Mac running SDRconsole streamed from my Win 11 box.

Below is the same setup but running 3 VRXs (what SDRconsole calls receivers). You can even adjust the color pallets per VRX.

The notch filtering and direct frequency input are great additions to this release.

My typical install will be with the RSPdx located in the basement in my radio station. More often than not I am listening and or operating from upstairs. For digital modes VNC does the job but for audio modes not so much. I’ve played with a few different options but the best so far is SDRconnect running as a server and using a client remotely. On Linux and Mac is simple to run the server. Windows is a little more of a pain. So I create a .bat file that can be executed from the desktop. 

@ECHO ON
CD "c:\Program Files\SDRplay\SDRconnect\"
SDRconnect.exe --server

While simple, it is a time and aggravation saver to be able to launch the server on the Windows platform. Hopefully there will be an official way to launch the server in the release.

SDRconnect is looking really good! I hope plugin support and some type of rig control (hopefully rigctl) is added soon. This would really give SDRconsole a run for its money. Looking forward to exploring this latest version more.