KrakenSDR Unboxing / Prep & Setup device & antennas : Part 1

[@Wayne-Pr]

Hi Rob. Thanks for your increadible input & presentation on another very high tech SDR. I was beginning to think you might have hung it up but alas no your still bringing us all brilliant videos. Look forward to part II Thanks & keep up the great work. Wayne.

[@FrugalRadio]

Cheers Wayne. Haven't hung up the hat just yet. Just really busy!!!

[@bulldogcraft]

I was surprised at how much this has improved over the original KerberosSDR. When I received mine I was blown away with the quality of the unit and the packaging. The software on the pi image and the android app is much more polished and professional feeling too.

[@FrugalRadio]

Thanks for your comment Bulldog. I never had the Kerberos, but watched the reviews when it came out a few years ago. Gen 2 or v2 hardware is often has a few kinks worked out. I think the addition of a 5th channel is a huge step forward as well. I sure agree that it's a very polished and professional system.

[@Lordabememes]

Thanks for sharing Rob , interesting product ! Waiting for part 2

[@FrugalRadio]

Thanks for your comment LM!

[@grayfox7306]

Nice Job, well done on what looks like another great Canadian product. It sure changes the Amateur radio game of fox hunt, where we would go out and locate a transmitter by RDF.

[@FrugalRadio]

Yes, fully automated fox hunting is now available ;-) Not a Canadian product though. It's a New Zealand / US designed product, manufactured in China.

[@londo776]

@@FrugalRadio foxhunting died a death in the UK many many years ago nobody does it now the last one in my area was probably 15 years ago and only six amateurs took part

[@grayfox7306]

@@londo776 Too bad as they can be a lot of fun.

[@stargazer7644]

You're still locating the transmitter by RDF.

[@AbuSous2000PR]

Amazing; many thx man. I am surprised by what could be done with cheap SDRs. I wonder where the industry is heading in a few yrs! I am new to your channel; I will be watching more Thx again Cheers

[@gordsec]

Hi Rob, brilliant video. I have been looking at the kraken for a while now, just not sure if I would use it that often. I think I would be better off with an AirSpy R2. Cant wait to see part 2 though, it may change my mind :)

[@FrugalRadio]

Lol, I wasn't sure I wanted one either. But when I actually went out with it, I had an incredible amount of fun! Tracking down a location was also really helpful for identifying one of the trunked systems in the area, and now we know who the user is. It was brilliant. I expect I may end up using it ina different way long term, in my shack. But that will be another video ...

[@frankthetank3342]

I noticed some important details with my kraken. Make sure the multiplication factor is correct for your frequency and array radius. I edited the Excel cheat sheets to better suit my specific needs (custom frequency, array radius and all metric fields nownhave adjacent cells in inches). Make sure the target carrier signal lines up on the spectrum tab with your target frequency. Make sure the bandwidth isn't too thin (I was using 12500hz on a 25000hz signal, but the spectrum was slightly offside of the actual carrier. This was a major problem, as it seemed to be functioning correctly, but it tried to lead me 10 miles past the transmitter. It was accurate initially, but went bad quickly, and seemed good on the map. Tricky. Will test again this weekend. I'm not an expert, but this has been my limited experience. NOAA weather frequency might be a good constant VHF signal to hunt at first (162.55, or whichever frequency has a TX near your home).

[@FrugalRadio]

Thanks for sharing these tips.

[@bodstrup]

I did my ‘template’ a bit simpler. Created a cardboard triangle with 72 degrees angle. Set a magnet as center, and used the triangle to position the antennas on the car roof. For home use, I created an aluminum 5 arm antenna frame - again by drilling 5 sets of alligned holes in a center plate - and 72 degrees between each set of holes. Then drilled matching holes in 5 L shaped arms, assembled with screws. For now I used the supplied mag-mount antennas - minus the mag mount on the frame, but looking for hardware to create 5 dipoles

[@FrugalRadio]

Great work! Sounds like a good way to do it 🙂

[@thehashslingingslasher19]

How well will this work for tracking moving multiple 150mhz signals that are intermittent (say voice chat). All within 20 miles of an active base tower on the same frequency? Will there be too much noise?

[@FrugalRadio]

The challenge will be isolating the signals you are looking for. For that scenario you might have greater success using the new Cloud application with 3 or more Krakens. However this is not something I've tried.

[@madladlabs]

Rob, how much does the KrakenSDR unit weigh?

[@FrugalRadio]

Mine weighs in at 661 grams.

[@woodrowcall3158]

Are you aware of any smaller systems that operate on the same TDOA principle for RDF?

[@FrugalRadio]

In the hobby space, this is the only product I am aware of. For commercial / industrial use, there are other products. Check out Rohde & Schwarz - www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/aerospace-defense-security/receivers-and-direction-finders_63723.html

[@stargazer7644]

The Kraken doesn't use TDOA. It works on synchronous phase detection. It compares the phase difference between each receiver's signal.

[@thegadgetemporiumaustralia8509]

So complex, want one but i know i wouldnt be able to even get it setup. Why cant we just have something that connects to our phone like an SDR does? Would anybody be able to help me get my head around installation? Thanks

[@FrugalRadio]

It definitely takes a bit to get your head around. There are lots of processes involved. This kind-of connects to your phone, but you need a Pi or Linux box in between. Perhaps someday they will add more processing to the Kraken or phones will become powerful enough to handle all the data a 5 channel SDR could throw at it.

[@moozoowizard]

Can this be used at HF frequencies. Eg 7.150Mhz. the calculator came up with 2100cm. So you need 5*210m of coax and 5* dxcommander antennas right :)

[@moozoowizard]

Err I meant 21m cables

[@FrugalRadio]

No, HF Direction Finding is something of another beast! The FAQ states, "The KrakenSDR can only support frequencies above 24 MHz, so it won’t work on HF signals. For HF this method of direction finding is not recommended anyway, due to the size of the arrays required. For HF distributed TDOA methods like what the KiwiSDR use are much more appropriate." See www.crowdsupply.com/krakenrf/krakensdr/updates/frequently-asked-questions

[@keithm.512]

Can you do a video on using the Kraken as a 5 port SDR radio, scanning ADB-S,ACARS and public safety aviation and towers or a similar setup? I wonder if it's cost-effective to buy a Kraken or buy 5-8 rtl-sdrs, powered usb hub, cables and etc? I think with the Kraken, I can get dual use as a RDF, passive radar (maybe), and Standard Five-Channel Receiver.

[@FrugalRadio]

Yes, this is on my list of videos to make. I wasn't going to include public safety with it, but want to see how it will handle ACARS, VDL2, VHF air, and possibly other airport services as well. Would be neat to have it all in one package. And yes, it does passive radar as well

[@stargazer7644]

You can buy an awful lot of rtl-sdrs for $500

[@cryonicfuture]

Another question, Can I detect the direction of a 2.4GHz drone? Thank you.

[@FrugalRadio]

Good question. Since it is based on the RTL tuner, it tops out around 1.7 GHz. This means it cannot be used for DF on wifi signals.

[@user2C47]

If you have something that can receive it, the drone is probably blasting out its GPS location, completely unencrypted.

[@FrugalRadio]

Ha ha, very true. Perhaps the Lime or Pluto would be devices that could be used to monitor 2.4 GHz.

[@dndjxnskdbajd4561]

@@user2C47 i doubt it’s unencrypted but i do know that many modern dji drones have ADSB which uses 1090mhz and can be used to direction find

[@freedom1307821]

Hi. nice video. I am looking for the specific version that you presents. They don't have it any more in github. Can you send me this image? Specific i am looking for version 1.322

[@FrugalRadio]

I don't have this version anymore. You could try contacting the maintainer of the GitHub if older versions are not in the releases section.

[@sm3dlaserinspiration]

They cannot provide it any more for legal resons

[@freedom1307821]

@@FrugalRadio is it a chance they have it?

[@FrugalRadio]

@freedom1307821 no idea. But could be worth reaching out.

[@karlkarlsson6635]

Can you make a video on how to tune a telescopic antenna of any kind to a certain frequently ?

[@FrugalRadio]

What you're looking for can be found in Episode 4 of my Beginner SDR Guide. Have a look at kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIHXapaqadF4j6c

[@stoikiymuzhik_high-schoole1057]

Nice video

[@dcbenpet78]

So what size as correct size for printing antenna page

[@FrugalRadio]

That I can't exactly tell you. All I know is that mine didn't work out accurately. Try a print and see if your spacing works!

[@dcbenpet78]

Got 6.28 inches for 800 mhz. If you got the time can you concur or correct me.

[@artjury7564]

looks super cool..... Can anyone reccomend a really simple way to hook up the rasberry pi to my phone? I am a beginner at this. Ill try your solution again. thank you.

[@cryonicfuture]

Noob here, Is it better than HackRF?

[@FrugalRadio]

A hack RF doesn't provide any Direction Finding capability. It is built for a very different purpose.

[@Barc0d3]

Completely different things

[@Barc0d3]

part 2 pls :)

[@FrugalRadio]

Still in production!

[@Barc0d3]

@@FrugalRadio cant wait :)

[@dcbenpet78]

Problem raspberry pi’s are over 200$. And the support for Ubuntu is too difficult for a novice. Too bad. We are looking for rogue signals all the time. Maybe later they will come out with a windows friendly version. For now will keep searching.

[@FrugalRadio]

Yeah the supply chain issues have meant the price of them has become silly. It started out as a cheap basic computer. Hopefully it goes back to a more sensible price soon.

[@daklakdigital3691]

The Raspberry thingy was supposed to tied to some charity endeavor, only not too much information is known about that. Various versions of Chinese Raspberry knockoffs are available in many countries except those who mix politics with materials - although Walmart & Amazon don't get too worked up about it. QUESTION: Where is the KRACKENsdr manufactured?

[@FrugalRadio]

China I believe. Probably in the same facility that makes the RTL-SDR v3, however I don't know that for sure. Regarding Pi mini computers, I ended up picking up 5 x Dell Optiplex with good specs (i5 4gen, W7 Pro, SSD etc) for $20CAD ($15USD, £12GBP) each. They're much more capable than the Pi units, and cost me way less. All I had to do was upgrade the OS and load up the software!

[@stargazer7644]

Build a yagi for about $20 and geta compass.

[@Tgspartnership]

subbed!

[@FrugalRadio]

Thanks, and welcome!

[@markphillips8019]

Get some baffles for your walls. your slapback is horrendous.

[@FrugalRadio]

I need a better mic arrangement, that's for sure. But don't want baffles around the shack. Upgraded the camera this year, so hopefully can upgrade mic next year.

[@londo776]

Yet another unbiased paid promotion for very niche product nobody will want, or can find a use for, who's going to drive around for hours, just to find your local police transmitter when you already know where it is located

[@MatthewJohnCrittenden]

Leave us geeks alone! And I think you meant "biased", even after you edited your clearly intellectually stellar contribution to this hobby.

[@londo776]

you must be American as you do not understand sarcasm

[@MatthewJohnCrittenden]

@@londo776 I'm English and have a degree in Applied Sarcasm. Maybe I have misinterpreted your comment :)

[@FrugalRadio]

It is certainly a niche product. However claiming that nobody wants it is incorrect. The project raised over 6 times it's fundraising goal, as per the Crowd Supply site. It is also nice having access to hobby SDR gear that costs a few hundred $$$ that can perform tasks that previously needed a spend in the tens of thousands. Check out the price of an automated Direction Finding system from Rhode & Schwarz!!! I work hard to keep my reviews unbiased, and I share the problems / challenges with any products I am sent, as well as the good.

[@londo776]

@@FrugalRadio I'm asking would you say it was a piece of garbage if it was I doubt it, as you would not get any other products to review and keep the product at the end of your review, i always take paid for promotions with a pinch of salt