Ham Radio - SDR++, A new SDR program. Open source and cross platform!

It's nice to see a new cross platform program in the scene.
Github main page:
github.com/AlexandreRouma/SDRPlusPlus
Releases downloads page:
github.com/AlexandreRouma/SDRPlusPlus/releases
If you're on linux and you have the choppy audio problem. Here are the steps to update RTAudio to the newer version. Open a terminal and follow these steps. You may have to install the build environment first. These commands are run in terminal.
1. Install the build environment if you don't already have it.
sudo apt install build-essential cmake git
2. Get the source and build it.
git clone github.com/thestk/rtaudio && cd rtaudio
mkdir build && cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH="/usr" -DRTAUDIO_API_JACK=OFF -DRTAUDIO_API_ALSA=OFF ..
sudo apt remove librtaudio-dev
sudo make install
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[@vdleun77]

Good to see you're back! And thank you for pointing out SDR++. Will certainly try it in the coming time.

[@TignerAdventures]

Thanks Kevin. Nice job detailing this out. Looking forward to seeing the gang this year down south.

[@LaurieFloodTeacher]

Thanks for taking the time to show Linux SDR software options.

[@mikeadams3258]

Thanks for the heads-up on this new program. I've been using CubicSDR with my RSP1 on my Mac, and this could be a good alternative as it develops further.

[@HyyskanPolttaja]

Hi Kevin, glad to see you back. Thanks fro the video. Sure hope they get SDRPlay to work properly. I have a RSP2 pro in the closet just waiting for some use...

[@loughkb]

After uploading the video, I noticed on the build page that sdrplay is not compiled in by default and has to be selected as an option during build. The soapy support didn't work as shown though. I'm sure it will be corrected in upcoming releases. The program is in active development, it should only get better.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Thanks for sharing Kevin. Plan to give SDR++ a go. Tend to agree with your comments about being able to average the pan/waterfall. I still use what is now quite an old version of PowerSDR with a Flex-1500. Usually, I have the display set to average. I find the real-time type display distracting and can easily miss short duration signals.

[@RadioMcRadioface]

This dude has been crushing it, thanks for showing his work.

[@gsansoucie]

Good timing. I just picked up an Elad FDM-DUO and played around with the SW2 application which is pretty nice, but I’m a Mac guy. From what I can see here, I will continue to use the SW2 app and work out a better approach than a Fusion VM of my Bootcamp partition (which actually works very well).

[@andrewhill4226]

Great your back, thanks for the video take it steady no need to get stressed over YTube. Hope you have some easier months and look forward to some more drone footage which was excellent. All th ebest 73's Andy M6APJ

[@WFSteury]

TNX for video. I am now using this software. Next, I want to build the 2 transistor 40 M transmitter I found from you.

[@kensejkora4424]

Another great video -- well done, Kevin. Just a couple of points. I've been using SDR++ on Windows-10 for a couple of months, and like its GUI. Straight-forward, and easy to use. I have used it on three different types of SDRS -- Airspy HF+ Discovery, SDR-Radio RSP1, and generic RTLSDR, and all three have worked fine for me. I wonder if your problems with your RSP-DX have something to do with the compilation of the Linux version, such as you ran into with the stuttering problem with the audio. In my Windows-10 application, the RSP1 shows up just fine, both as a source, and also within the Module Manager as an 'SDRplay Source'. Do you have an 'option' in the Module Manager for the SDRplay? For what it's worth, I don't have Soapy SDR showing up as a source, nor in the module manager. Regarding center-tuning using the bullseye-mode in SDR++. I know that some SDR dongles exhibit a prominent DC-spike at the very center of where the SDR is tuned. That DC-spike can result in poor sensitivity at the center frequency where the receiver is tuned. This can be especially true of the 'generic' RTLSDR dongles using the RTL2832 chip depending on the specific driver DLL used, but I seem to recall seeing it on other SDRs (e.g., Discovery HF+, RSP1) . Depending on the SRD-processing software used (e.g., SDR++, SDR-Console, SDRSharp, HDSDR, etc.) , it might be called "DC-Removal", "IQ Correction", "Offset Tuning", or maybe even something else. Therefore, I tend *NOT* to use center-tuning, but rather use free-tuning and set the center frequency of the receiver a couple of kHz above or below my 'desired' listening frequency. Again, it depends on a combination of the SDR-processing software used, the SDR-dongle hardware architecture, and/or the specific driver used. Since I cannot guess which 'component(s)' is coming into play, I tend to avoid using a center-tuning mode in the SDR-software. A couple of other comments. SDR++ currently does not allow you to choose the audio baseband as a potential source for the software. Such an option can be useful if trying to "listen" to the SCA subcarrier signals in the FM band. In the past, SCA used to be employed to carry MUZAC "elevator" music, but nowadays tend to carry more public-interest programs. One can listen to the SCA subcarrier by using two SDR-processing software programs in sequence, the first to tune the SDR dongle to the desired FM station carrying the SCA signal, and then routing the audio to a second SDR program to 'decode' the audio baseband from the first SDR program. If you Google "FM SCA decoding", you can find several links and KZbin videos describing the process of listening to SCA subcarriers. The SCA subcarrier tends to occur 67 kHz above the transmitter frequency of the FM station. One has to set the audio sampling frequency of the first SDR/receiver software to 192 ksps to pass the 67-kHz signal, and then "decode" the 67-kHz signal from the audio baseband with the second SDR software instance. Finally, I'm not quite sure what the "signal meter" in the upper right portion of the screen actually displays. I can't discern if it represents the signal level in dBuV. dBm, or the signal-noise-ratio (SDR). I haven't been able to locate any information on what the signal level 'meter' actually displays. Despite its issues, SDR++ is a great program. I'm sure some of these enhancements will come about as the program 'matures'. It's off to a good start. Thanks again for putting together the video, and keep up the great work. -- Ken - WBØOCV

[@cfeigel]

Another sad SDRPlay user here. I'm hoping this will work well with the Raspberry pi -- it would make a tidy little bundle! Using this as rigcontrol of the big radio would let us put a modern user interface on older rigs. Nice find, thanks for sharing!

[@stevenemert837]

@proto I'm curious. Why a "sad SDRPlay user"? I don't have one but have been contemplating getting one and using their own SDRuno software. Curious as to your experiences to make you sad.

[@MarkPentler]

@@stevenemert837 Their own software is a bag of wank - complicated and clunky. SDR++ is lovely by comparison.

[@icsp2]

@@MarkPentler If only it worked, it makes my SDRduo a deaf as a post. Even tried broadcast stations but nothing.

[@ats-3693]

Thanks man! I've been trying to get SDR sharp running in Wine on Zorin OS 16 for the last couple of weeks it's been driving me crazy! (I really hate when I can't get a software or code issue resolved). Anyway the deb installer for Ubuntu worked like clockwork, after installing I did have the choppy audio problem but rebuilding RTAudio with your help fixed that too! If I could I'd buy you a beer, a like and a follow will have to do instead :)

[@loughkb]

Wine won't be a solution for USB stuff that uses anything other than serial port emulation. These types of programs use a streaming data mode through USB which can't be done with wine. You can use a virtual machine running windows for most of these situations.

[@ats-3693]

@@loughkb Yes I have VMware Workstation Pro I run various VMs on a windows10 host and I have been running sdr software on a Linux vm, I run GNSS-SDR on an Ubuntu VM and play around with receiving and decoding gps satellite data with it, but I recently converted a lenovo laptop to Zorin OS and wanted to run sdr sharp on it, you can connect a USB rtl-sdr to a windows program running in Wine through a tcp server (rtl_tcp) running in Linux which you connect to sdr# running in Wine, I did manage to getting it working briefly but it was buggy and unstable and a total headache. Problem solved now though thanks.

[@bet2600]

Compiled on Arch. Works great! Great alternative to CubicSDR. My RSPdx will spend less time in the drawer.

[@consciousness1237]

That shifting of the received frequency is the software doing the shifting to match the correct match of the signal needed to decode a digital signal. Its the same thing wsjtx does when you operate ft8 its always shifting frequency to correct the tones to the best decode. A lot of people think its a problem but its normal. AA4CP Chuck Port Salerno FL USA

[@exxzxxe]

Very good job!

[@user-di8ib3rk9s]

Great video, thank you very much! How to do frequency correction in this program?

[@alexthelion335]

This looks like an open source version of SDR Sharp!

[@jeroldponko7168]

Hi Kevin, I downloaded the binary on my Linux Mint 2.2 UMA and it works with my Sdrplay RSPdx. I used your install script to install GQRX/CubicSDR and SOAPYSDR a few weeks ago. I also had to install the rtaudio fix and make sure my audio device was selected but that's about it. Seems to work much better than GQRX or CubicSDR - less noise/static. I only tried it with FM stations with a whip antenna on Antenna C. Thank you for the tip off to the SDR++ program. I think SDRplay may never release a version of SDRuno for Linux at the rate they are going. Jerry, AC9NM

[@loughkb]

The SDRPlay support is still a bit sketchy. This morning I rebuilt SDR++ from source including the sdrplay module and it still doesn't detect my RSPdx. Through Soapy it still hangs. Works fine in GQRX though, so the API is working.

[@loughkb]

I had to reinstall SDRPlay's API and it works now.

[@32_bits]

Hi Kevin, did you get to use your pre amp with the You-loop (as per last video), a quick update for this would be interesting. I have a You-Loop and knowing what pre-amp to buy would be good feedback.

[@loughkb]

I'll be doing the rebuild on the youloop once I get moved down to Quartzsite where it's more RF quiet. Another couple of weeks or so.

[@johnhelt5475]

Thank you for sharing. I have been looking for a reliable program to use with my SDRDuo under Ubuntu. I like the SDRPlay software, but I need something for Linux. I will keep an eye on this SW. Thanks, again.

[@harmtuntler8555]

Hi Kevin, Thank you nice one I just installed sdr++ via focal .deb file and it finds and runs on my ubuntu 20.04lts only the sound is stuttering i will apply that audio fix you showed cheers Harm VK2DWT

[@unguidedone]

wow your a ubuntu user :) good job keeping it gnu

[@tonyridlen]

Great video! KC9QVE Marion,IN

[@Nicktgrief]

its annoying that the SDRPlay doesn't get better support ... I'ts superb 'hardware' I love my RSPdx and its so frustrating.

[@ManuelPinner]

I have the same Unite and I'm Highly Pist off because lot of These Sdr Software don't Work with our SDRs, that Why I have Sdr Angel wich it a Much Better Then These, also have Digital Voice Modes Decoder,

[@loughkb]

In speaking with them previously, I gathered that they are a pretty small team. I think it might be worth their while to hire a guy, even short term, with linux expertise to fine tune their linux API and work with the soapySDR dev to fix up the soapy module. They could also reach out to the devs of GQRX, CubicSDR, and SDR++ to assist with getting support integrated. They do have excellent hardware, probably one of the best. If the software support was extended or fixed, they could have the number one player in SDR receiver hardware.

[@consciousness1237]

Most all support is on KZbin and other forums you can talk to the developers fairly easy . What were you trying to find out let me know. Also others post a lot of how to videos. AA4CP Chuck Port Salerno FL USA

[@profittaker6662]

Build from source and worked fine, two libraries missing need to get those first and then build it again..

[@Alan-Dawson]

Just tried this tonight on my SDRplay...It's ok? any plans for Dmr decoding?

[@cowboy6591]

Problem is: When I click the deb file it warns me it will remove libjack2, I need to do a forensics to make sure my Davinci Resolve installation did not install Libjack2 in order for Davinci ($$$$) to work. Be real careful if an install wants to remove anything. This is how one blows up linux. Now for a tech support call to Blackmagic/ DaVinci to make sure that software doesn't need it. I will still image my whole drive before I venture into anything that removes things.

[@leos9865]

thanks

[@TurtleWaxed]

In your video 23:40, it seems like you may already have the USB SDR tied up with the GQRX so it will not be accessible to the SDR++? Did you close out the GQRX program first? Just curious.

[@loughkb]

Yes. It would have crashed otherwise with the hardware already being locked by the other program.

[@jackofalltrades1206]

I installed this bag of crap on a Pi4 and experienced the same issues as you regarding it jumping all over the band in bullseye mode. On top of that it was as deaf as a post on the pi compared to the same RTL-SDR / antenna connected to a Windows laptop running SDR Console. I formatted the card and put the Pi to another use. It is definitely not a multi platform multi radio package no matter what they say.

[@janmrog]

I would change the snap interval to 1 if you don't want the reciever to "snap" to ta frequency

[@loughkb]

I think you misunderstood what was happening. It was not tuning to the frequency clicked on, not even close. It was moving in that direction, but landing a few to several KHz away from where I clicked.

[@Ronl53]

SDR++ looks very much like SDR#. I wonder if the modules for SDR# will work with SDR++?

[@loughkb]

Almost certainly not. Different code base means a different API.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Yes, that's what I thought, the GUI does look like SDR#.

[@robust5615]

that jumping around...can you set it Radio panel----on Snap Interval to zero or 10 maybe?

[@loughkb]

I >think< snap interval refers to frequency. i.e. if you set it to 100, when you click on the waterfall it will snap to a 100hz interval. I just tested this and confirmed that this is the case. It sets the frequency interval when you click.

[@robust5615]

@@loughkb thanks for the test. seem bug there...

[@spirit_wolf123]

SDR++ has been around for a little while now when using the bullseye adjust your step rate that's what I do on my surface and I do the same thing when I'm using dragon OS that has a version of SDR++

[@loughkb]

The author has been in touch with me, acknowledging the tuning bug and informed me that he just pushed updated source with the bug fixed.

[@stephennoska5851]

I cannot see my RSP1 in SDR++. My quest is to get this to work. I'm missing something but I don't know what. 1. New install running popos. 2. Fully updated. 3. Downloaded API and installed. 4. Installed dependencies per website. 5. Downloaded SDR++ and installed. When I select SDRPlay my unit still does not show up. Where would I look to see what my issue is? I'm comfortable with the terminal so any commands there to help would be useful.

[@ryzerth]

Make sure the SDRplay api is running. A reboot is required after installation.

[@stephennoska5851]

@@ryzerth I did the reboot. I then ran the command "systemctl status sdrplay" and the result was active (running). I then went to SDR++ and I still get the same result of no unit showing. There is also a notice in red "No device available". I was wondering if maybe my RSP1 was not connected (bad usb cable). I ran the command lsusb and my device is showing up there as "Bus 001 Device 003: ID 1df7:2500". I'm not giving up and any help from anyone would be appreciated.

[@stephennoska5851]

I am convinced my old RSP1 is not supported and this is why I can't get it to work. I installed dragonOS on a laptop that has SDR++ installed plus the API for the RSP. It was not recognized there either. Time to upgrade to a newer model like the RSP1a or RSPdx.

[@ryzerth]

​@@stephennoska5851 It is supported and was tested on all SDRplay SDRs. Your issue is lilely to do with linux permissions. The SDRplay API for linux is also very broken in general. There's not much more I can say without being able to mess with the system myself

[@arniep740]

Thanks for this review. Looks like a nice program, but what does this offer that is better than SDRsharp?

[@loughkb]

It runs on macs and linux.

[@larsonl6376]

how do i get this to install on windows 10? i downloaded the application clicked on the exe and i get this error:"the code execution cannot proceed because vcruntime140_1.dll was not found. reinstalling the program may fix this problem." . reinstalling the program may fix this problem." what program? i've redownloaded the file unzipped it, and still the error. i found the things that sounded like i have to have an entire c++ library and recode this program. WTF. anyone use windows on this thing?

[@loughkb]

Looks like you need to install the visual C runtime. Do a google search, you should find it.

[@larsonl6376]

@@loughkb i installed a newer version of visual c runtime and now it's happy. thank you. i thought the prior one was good enough. :)

[@fortnoxz71]

Can you do step by step video how to download and install sdr ++ on a windows?? It won’t install or am I supposed to do install some other way?? Is it not easy??

[@loughkb]

I don't run windows, haven't for years. All Linux and open source here. I'm sure there's probably already a vid or two out there. Try searching youtube for SDR++ windows and see what turns up.

[@jonathancotner7040]

I've been using sdr++ for a while now :)

[@charlesschindler1971]

Hope all is well. 🐈 “Dennis the Cat” 👋

[@loughkb]

Doing fine. Just waiting for the temps to drop so I can head back south.

[@charlesschindler1971]

@@loughkb - “Dennis” stated,you are always welcome here. 🐈. ⚔️🇺🇸⚔️

[@ManuelPinner]

I have the SDR Play DX,

[@unklewink]

I just DLed it. But I don't see my SDRPlay device in the choices window. Hmm.

[@loughkb]

I know you do have to have the SDRPlay API installed first. If you haven't installed it, it's on the SDRPlay site in the downloads section.

[@unklewink]

@@loughkb I did. Even threw in a few other things as well, but still no dice. I don't even see it listed under "source".

[@unklewink]

Got it. Had to reboot my PC. Go figure.

[@jjsemperfi]

I'm not able to open SDR++ using terminal on my Mac. Any ideas?

[@loughkb]

I think the build executable is named "sdrpp". You will also find it in the build directory if you built it from source.

[@jjsemperfi]

@@loughkb Sorry, I should clarify, I am trying to use “sdrpp” as the executable. Maybe I’m just not using terminal correctly. I’ve never used it before.

[@loughkb]

@@jjsemperfi I don't have a mac here, I'm running linux so I can only guess. Didn't the package install an application bundle in your applications folder?

[@jjsemperfi]

@@loughkb The package did not install in my applications folder. Even if I go to the system information folder and select applications (which shows all applications on the hard drive) it doesn't show up. Strange

[@loughkb]

Looking back at the realeases page, I see this text: "Note: The MacOS package doesn't create an icon, run sdrpp in a terminal to run SDR++. Also, it's is missing quite a few source modules, please wait a few more days for me to fix that." Terminal is case sensitive, make sure you type sdrpp in lower case and see if that works.

[@johnvijver3815]

For SDRplay you need to have installed the API

[@loughkb]

Yes. If you'll recall from the video, I showed the sdrplay running under GQRX. It wouldn't have worked without the API.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

If they are using the FFT for filtering purposes then 4096 bins is the way to go.

[@moonjockclark9491]

Having a hard time getting it to work on windows

[@pieciagoras]

SDR Sharp no2

[@dodgerammopar360]

Will this work with the Raspberry Pi?

[@LeeDonaghy]

I've ran it OK on a pi4, pi3 is too slow. It's fast enough to run one wfm channel.

[@dodgerammopar360]

@@LeeDonaghy Thanks! I will have to try it out!

[@loughkb]

The next video is a walk-through on building it from source on the Pi.

[@unklewink]

I should have read some comments first. I see this is a common problem?

[@panax9335]

how to install it on kali linux? please

[@loughkb]

If Kali is debian based and uses aptitude for package management, it should be the same.

[@panax9335]

@@loughkb thank you for your quick response, I am using synaptic for package management . Do you have the command line to install it?

[@RadioMcRadioface]

Oh also, that bug may just be usb related.

[@LunaErosStudios]

And it sucks since I can't get it to work with my RTLs. The coder is less than helpful too.

[@FlingerFilms]

If you are Linux make sure you have the dependency librtlsdr-dev installed

[@ManuelPinner]

You must have the Early Version, because the Lay out is a Little Deferent,

[@loughkb]

I built it from the latest source.

[@MartinProavis]

23:52 click refresh...😉

[@sambilly8867]

NO TX sink, Yet !

[@kelvin0mql]

Well, you usually said "click" but when you started you said "double-click". The bullseye-bug behaviour you describe could maybe be caused if you double-clicked in a situation where you're really supposed to single-click.

[@loughkb]

I'm beginning to think that in that bullseye mode, clicking in the waterfall tunes in that direction rather than targets the click point. It could be the intended behavior. Although it's certainly not intuitive if that's the case.

[@stl-xx5rq]

This looks like an upgraded SDR#.

[@janmrog]

sdr# isn't cross platform, and it's built from scratch

[@stevec5000]

How did you ever get this working? I think it's fake since in Windows it can't find the SDR and there are no options under Source so it won't do anything!

[@MartinHerreraJ]

Greetings from Mexico. I find this video very interesting, I would like you to help me to start operating my SDRPlay RSP2 in Linux ubuntu operating system. Thank you! Martin. XE1024SWL, XE1MHJ.