Comments for FUNcube Dongle

Comment on The FUNcube Dongle Pro+: LF to L band software-defined radio by admin

admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:25:06 +0000

Hello Steven

I am working on a cross-platform project for tablets and smartphones at the moment.

Many thanks, Howard

Comment on Downloads by Peter

Peter — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:58:31 +0000

Thanks for some figures to work on with.
I come back with some results/answers in due course.

Comment on The FUNcube Dongle Pro+: LF to L band software-defined radio by Steven McDougall

Steven McDougall — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:15:51 +0000

There is some great SDR software on Android now , do you plan to add Android Driver support

Comment on Technical FAQ by admin

admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:34:34 +0000

Hi Woldgang.

You need to use the control program for the FCD+, not the FCD. This is here: http://www.funcubedongle.com/MyImages/FCHid2.002.zip

Although the FCD and FCD+ look similar, the internals are almost entirely different, and to reflect that the control protocol is also different, so it needs a different control program.

Many thanks, Howard

Comment on Ordering your FUNcube Dongle Pro+ by admin

admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:30:44 +0000

Hello

I am not sure just how locked down your laptop is, but as SDRSharp has no MSI install procedure, I would imagine that would work. Certainly I don’t need to run-as-administrator to run it.

Many thanks, Howard

Comment on Downloads by admin

admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:27:36 +0000

Hi Peter.

On HF, the FCD+ is about the same as an SDR-IQ, that’s what I used as a benchmark when developing the FCD+. A quick measurement is to get around 12dB SINAD for NBFM for -108dBm in on HF. I use the SINAD test as it’s really quick to set up and provides a comparative measurement for sensitivity purposes.

For 2m and 70cm, the units are measured for 12dB SINAD for NBFM at -123.4 (0.15uV). Broadcast band should be about the same.

If you really are getting insensitivity, please check that you are not using a WiFi reverse polarity (or RP) SMA connector: you need a standard SMA connector for the FCD and FCD+.

Regarding the “reverse gain” setting, I think that you are referring to the “Swap IQ” setting: this is covered in the manual. The FCD and FCD+ use the same “standard” set by Spectravue, but other software chooses to operate in the reverse way. http://www.funcubedongle.com/MyImages/FCD2ManualV4.pdf

Many thanks, Howard

Comment on Downloads by Peter

Peter — Sun, 12 May 2013 13:59:27 +0000

I am somewhat puzzled by the FCD+ I purchased last month.
I’ve been running it with SDR# and find it flatly insensitive, what sort of results should I expect on say, the 30m band, the FM band(87.5-108MHz), 2m and 70cms.
I ask for some quick practical checks as I want to divide up my experiences to see if it SDR# or the FCD+ that is the item puling down results.
I will try and arrange for MDS measurements through a friend, and I’ll also be trying out other programs like HDSDR and KGKSDR.
Regarding SDR# (the stable version)- It took me a while to latch on to the ‘reversed’ gain setting needed in SDR#.
Are there any other unexpected quirks there?

Comment on Ordering your FUNcube Dongle Pro+ by LRobertson

LRobertson — Sat, 11 May 2013 10:21:35 +0000

I want to use the funcube while travelling. I have a work laptop, and do not have admin rights on it. Can anyone tell me what software options are available in this case? Thanks.

Comment on Technical FAQ by Wolfgang Matti

Wolfgang Matti — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:07:11 +0000

To whom it may concern, – I need help!
A few days ago I’ve purchased a FCD Pro+. I’m running Windows XP (on the two Computers I tried to make the FCD go). With the software SDR Sharp the stick is working. My Problem is: Whenever I start the FCDHid 003 (exe), after having started the program SpectraVue, the stick is not recognized by the system and a message in the FCDHid shows up: “HIDOpen of Vid_04D8&Pid_fb56 returns 0 Error, FCD not found: is FCD correctly installed?” Obviously the stick is not recognised by the system althoug it is working together with SDR Sharp.
When I first connected the stick to the computer, it was recognised and I got the usual message : ” …. and you can use it now”.
What can I do to find out the stick’s firmware an how can I update this firmware accordingly? – Thanks for your help.
Best regards
Wolfgang Matti (DL5TP)

Comment on FUNcube Dongle Pro+ streaming over Wifi to GNU Radio by admin

admin — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:45:25 +0000

Hello Marco

I am sorry I only just saw your note – I’m afraid I’m receiving dozens of spam messages each day here, and you message was lost within them.

Did this get resolved or do you still have a problem?

One very quick suggestion – if it’s on HF, are you running a powerline network? I had enormous problems early on until I realised it was all to do with the powerline network I was using here, since then I have disbanded it and gone to plain old fashioned Ethernet.

Many thanks, Howard