Internet Remote Software Defined Radio (SDR) Receivers – A Starter Guide

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What do you do when you are stuck in an apartment, condo or HOA and you want to experience what HF is all about?  You can try to hide a wire antenna and use a low cost SDR dongle like the RTL-SDR but your experience is going to be very limited in what you will be able to hear.  

The best solution (and it is free as well) is to use a remote internet SDR receiver. Here are a couple of sites you can go to get started:

WebSDR.org: A directory of receivers around the globe, usually accessible with nothing more than a browser. These are often university or club stations that welcome public use.

KiwiSDR Network: Shows active KiwiSDRs on a map. These small receivers are deployed by individuals and groups worldwide and often cover 0–30 MHz.

Let’s use KiwiSDR as an example of how to operate a remote SDR.  If you go to rx.linkfanel.net on your web browser, you will see a screen like the one below. Listed here all the receivers that are available worldwide as well as an indicator of where the sun is positioned currently for day and night. You can choose from receivers anywhere in the world or just pick one in your area.


Let’s zoom in and look at the receivers in the Southern California area and pick one.


Then you can mouse over it to see how many users it can accommodate, are currently logged in, frequencies available and antennas.


You then click on the receiver info box that comes up on the one that interests you, to connect to it.


You will next get a screen asking for your name or callsign. Feel free to give it whatever information you feel comfortable sharing.  



When you hit enter, after you type your name/call the SDR will start up. In the lower right hand corner of your screen, you can select your frequency and mode. I like to hit the + in the circle icon and zoom in to see stations on the waterfall in more detail.



You can then move the tuning cursor on the waterfall by clicking on it with your mouse to tune up and down the band and hear stations.  


Remember to change your mode to match the station transmission settings for each band, so if you want to listen to HF voice it is LSB for amateur frequencies below 20 Meters and USB above that. 


There is a lot more you can explore with the receivers, but this should get you started. Have fun!

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