Spectrum Lab Software

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sfutcher
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun May 01, 2022 4:28 pm

Spectrum Lab Software

Post by sfutcher »

I am using a Fun Cube Dongle and Spectrum Lab to try to receive signals from the Meteor Beacon - at the moment I am using the same scripts that I have been using with Graves, but with the FCD frequency tuned to 50.407 MHz.
I have a constant signal that varies between about 6 and 20 Hz above the zero line, and occasional streaks which I take to be echoes from aircraft (see example attached) - these stopped at 20:07 UTC and restarted at 07:05 UTC
I am not seeing any obvious meteor reflections at the moment, but that is probably because I am not using an appropriate antenna.
Is there a way to stop spectrum lab from reporting the constant signal, and just report the other detections?
One of the papers loaded to the Reference section refers to "median vertical filtering" - is this possible in Spec Lab?
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tony_ccd
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon May 02, 2022 4:32 pm

Re: Spectrum Lab Software

Post by tony_ccd »

Hi

I'm no more of an expert on Spectrum Lab than you - I suggest that talking to Paul Hyde (g4csd=yahoo.co.uk@groups.io) would be a good thing - he has done a lot of work on scripts for Spectrum Lab. One of the ways that was suggested to me to get rid of the direct signal and improve ping reception is to tilt the antenna at a suitable angle to look at the area of sky illuminated by the beacon. I guess having a Moxon, or turnstile antenna similar to the beacon would be a good thing eventually. I'm far enough away (160km) to not receive the direct signal except when there is anomalous propagation (see image from today).
When the beacon moves to Mansfield, I will have to construct a suitable antenna, as the direct signal will dominate.

Tony
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G0DJA
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 16, 2022 11:04 am

Re: Spectrum Lab Software

Post by G0DJA »

Hi,

I'm using SpectrumLab as well, but am only 14kM away from the new location, so I guess spotting MS pings is going to be a challenge as the signal is, not surprisingly, very strong here.

I've attached a screen shot showing the audio strength and some aircraft scatter as well. The sintilation on the audio is very pronounced as several scattered signals converge on the main signal.

I tend to prefer CW than USB. I might use my old TS-2000X and connect it to another 6M antenna and point it skywards, to see by how much the direct signal is attenuated.
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GB3MBA 16-05-2022 #5.jpg
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G0DJA
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 16, 2022 11:04 am

Re: Spectrum Lab Software

Post by G0DJA »

sfutcher wrote: Mon May 02, 2022 9:59 am at the moment I am using the same scripts that I have been using with Graves,
Where can I get a copy of these scripts, please? Plus instructions on setting them up?
Thanks.
johnberman
Site Admin
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:53 am

Re: Spectrum Lab Software

Post by johnberman »

sfutcher wrote: Mon May 02, 2022 9:59 am I am using a Fun Cube Dongle and Spectrum Lab to try to receive signals from the Meteor Beacon - at the moment I am using the same scripts that I have been using with Graves, but with the FCD frequency tuned to 50.407 MHz.
I have a constant signal that varies between about 6 and 20 Hz above the zero line, and occasional streaks which I take to be echoes from aircraft (see example attached) - these stopped at 20:07 UTC and restarted at 07:05 UTC
I am not seeing any obvious meteor reflections at the moment, but that is probably because I am not using an appropriate antenna.
Is there a way to stop spectrum lab from reporting the constant signal, and just report the other detections?
One of the papers loaded to the Reference section refers to "median vertical filtering" - is this possible in Spec Lab?
Hi Steve

I need to look in detail at this, but it may be possible - See the manual section filters how to do it. https://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/speclab/circ ... dio_filter

Kind Regards
John B
G0DJA
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 16, 2022 11:04 am

Re: Spectrum Lab Software

Post by G0DJA »

G0DJA wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 12:57 pm I've attached a screen shot showing the audio strength and some aircraft scatter as well. The sintilation on the audio is very pronounced as several scattered signals converge on the main signal.
I'm now not sure it was aircraft scatter, as there seems to be some sort of reflection even when there's no aircraft nearby. Plus, the reflections are regular, you can see them crossing and recrossing the main carrier, and seem to vary by +/- 50 or 60Hz.
Has anyone any idea what might be causing these reflections please?
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GB3MBA 07-08-2022 #1.jpg
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G0DJA
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon May 16, 2022 11:04 am

Re: Spectrum Lab Software

Post by G0DJA »

I've been climbing the SpectrumLabs learning curve for setting up a filter to notch out the main carrier from GB3MBA and attached is a screenshot of how far I've got up to now.

I've figured out how to set some of the parameters, and figured out how to put the filter in line and switch it on/off.
I'm sure someone who understands about audio filters will be able to suggest better settings, but here's a starter anyway.

If someone could point me towards setting up to capture MS events please, that would be a help.

Thanks - Dave (G0DJA)
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Filter #2.jpg
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