FUNcube Dongle Pro User manual

FUNcube Dongle
User Guide
SDR-RADIO.com Console

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Table of Contents
Contents
1INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 4
2HARDWARE INSTALLATION......................................................................................................... 5
2.1 CONNECTING THE DONGLE ......................................................................................................... 5
2.2 ADJUSTING THE OUTPUT LEVEL .................................................................................................. 5
2.3 SPUR REDUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 6
2.4 IMAGE REJECTION...................................................................................................................... 7
3SOFTWARE INSTALLATION ......................................................................................................... 8
3.1 INSTALLING THE SYSTEM ............................................................................................................ 8
3.2 STARTING THE CONSOLE .......................................................................................................... 10
4USING THE CONSOLE ................................................................................................................ 11
4.1 START YOUR DONGLE .............................................................................................................. 11
4.1.1 Soundcard.......................................................................................................................................11
4.1.2 Control Interface.............................................................................................................................11
4.1.3 Connection Errors...........................................................................................................................12
4.2 FUNCUBE DONGLE PANE ......................................................................................................... 12
4.2.1 Center Frequency............................................................................................................................13
4.2.2 Frequency Calibration....................................................................................................................13
4.2.3 Satellite Selection............................................................................................................................13
4.2.4 Track & Plot ...................................................................................................................................14
4.3 CONSOLE SETTINGS ................................................................................................................ 15
5SATELLITES ................................................................................................................................. 16
5.1 HOME LOCATION ...................................................................................................................... 16
5.2 OPTIONS ................................................................................................................................. 16
5.3 NEXT PASSES .......................................................................................................................... 17
5.4 DOPPLER CORRECTION ............................................................................................................ 18
5.5 ROTATORS .............................................................................................................................. 18
5.6 ANNOUNCEMENTS .................................................................................................................... 18
5.7 GOOGLE EARTH INTEGRATION .................................................................................................. 19

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5.8 RECORDING OPTIONS .............................................................................................................. 20
6IMAGE VIEWER ........................................................................................................................... 21
6.1 STARTING ................................................................................................................................ 21
6.2 WAVE FILE .............................................................................................................................. 22
6.3 MORE...................................................................................................................................... 22
6.3.1 AGC ................................................................................................................................................22
6.3.2 Appearance.....................................................................................................................................23
6.3.3 Windows..........................................................................................................................................23

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1 Introduction
The SDR-RADIO.com console is an advanced solution for SDR receivers. The system
requirement is any computer running Windows XP or higher.
For FUNcube Dongle owners the console offers almost everything you need in one package:
 No licence is required (it’s free),
 Satellite support including:
o Tracking,
o Doppler correction,
 NOAA weather image viewer,
 Full range of modes, filters and other DSP options.
The dongle has a relatively open front end without any filtering. As a result the dongle’s ability to
receive weak signals can be compromised if you are in the vicinity of strong transmissions, for
example from mobile phones or FM broadcast stations.

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2 Hardware Installation
Connecting your dongle to the computer.
2.1 Connecting the Dongle
Plug the FUNcube Dongle into a USB port on your computer. The HID drivers required by the
dongle are normally shipped with Windows XP and higher. If the console is running you must
restart the console for the changes to be detected.
If any drivers are missing please refer to http://www.funcubedongle.com/ for technical
assistance.
2.2 Adjusting the Output Level
The Dongle appears as a soundcard on your computer; you must reduce the output level
otherwise the Dongle will overload the console.
1. Either
a. From the Control Panel select Sound, then Playback.
b. Right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray and select Playback devices.
2. Look for the FUNcube Dongle entry in the Recording devices.
3. Double-click on the entry to display the properties.
4. Select Levels and reduce to 1.

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2.3 Spur Reduction
The spur in the middle of the display is cause by a DC offset in the dongle. The spur cannot be
completely eliminated but can be reduced considerably.
From the Options dropdown in the FUNcube Dongle pane select Spur reduction. When you do
this the input gain is reduced to the minimum to remove extraneous influences. Select a time
interval and press Start.

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After the analysis is complete press Close, the original input gain is restored to the value prior to
selecting this option.
2.4 Image Rejection
Another problem with soundcard-based SDR solutions is images – select Image Rejection from
the Options dropdown in the FUNcube Dongle pane and follow the instructions.

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3 Software Installation
Installing the SDR-RADIO.com console. Note: if upgrading you do not need to uninstall the
current kit.
It is recommended that you connect the dongle before installing and starting the software.
3.1 Installing the system
The SDR-RADIO.com software is supplied as a standard Windows installation kit, the filename
format is: SDR-RADIO_v<version>b<build>.exe, for example SDR-RADIO_v1.1b492.exe is
version 1.1 build 492.
The program files are compiled as 32-bit executables, the kit can be installed on any 32- or 64-
bit system using Windows XP or higher.
Installation typically takes only a few seconds.
The first window displays the version and build number. Press Next to continue.

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Select the components to be installed, normally you install everything. Press Next to continue.
Select the folder where the files are installed. The suggested default obeys the Windows
convention of always installing programs in the Program Files folder. Press Install to start the
installation.
The installation window’s progress bar shows the state of the program installation. Press Show
details for a full list of the files installed.

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That’s it – the software is installed, if Start the console now is checked then the console is
started when you press Finish.
3.2 Starting the console
After installing the software you start the console from either:
 The Start menu,
 The Desktop icon, or
 The Quick start (depends on operating system version).