Here we are going to discuss data related to connecting an SDR implementation with virtual serial ports. SDR is an acronym for software-defined radio.

SDR

Software-defined radio (SDR) is a radio communication system where components that have been traditionally implemented in hardware (e.g. mixers, filters, amplifiers, modulators/demodulators, detectors, etc.) are instead implemented by means of software on a personal computer or embedded system.

A characteristic of an SDR is that hardware components such as filters, amplifiers, modulators and the like are provided through software.

There are times when creating a connection to an SDR requires the use of virtual COM ports.

Windows Console

For our example, we will use SDR-Radio.com.

A powerful platform for SDR users is SDRConsole version 3. It is a Windows console that provides SDR support for all users including the commercial, government, and amateur short-wave radio population. The developers of this application continually provide updates and add new features regularly.

No software license is required if you are a licensed short-wave listener or amateur radio operator. You will need to purchase a license if you intend to use the product commercially. Radios from most major manufacturers are supported as are basic soundcard radios such as those offered by Airspy and SoftRocks.

Serial Port Configuration

SDRConsole enables you to transmit data to logbooks or other third-party applications. This communication can be done through the serial port support built into the tool. Virtual serial ports, such as those created with Virtual COM Port Driver (VSPD), as commonly used to enable this connectivity.

The third-party tool is connected to one end of a serial cable with SDRConsole at the other end. The peripheral program can send commands to the SDR program, perhaps instructing it to modify the mode or frequency. While in use for this connection you cannot use the port to interact with another radio.

The ports which will be opened are selected in a window of the SDRConsole. Ports are opened and closed by the app as you modify the values in the program’s display. Port status is presented in the main log file window.

Choose Port Selection in the program options:

Protocol: in your logbook program select the Kenwood TS-2000 protocol.

Note: Only one COM port can be used for each program. You can get around this limitation by using Omni-Rig or a similar utility. Unless you use this type of extender you cannot connect to a third-party app and an external radio simultaneously.

Speed:  When using virtual serial ports you can go with the default baud rate of 57,600. A hardware interface requires that the speed you choose matches that of the device at the other end of the connection. You can change speeds from within the program from a dropdown box at the top of its window.

Originally posted 2019-08-06 17:30:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter