Technical Topics > SDR - Software Defined Radio

Web-888 Network SDR Now Available

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RobRich:
The Web-888 is more or less a LTC2208-based SDR standalone network receiver running a modified KiwiSDR-based software stack atop Alpine Linux using a Xilinx ZYNQ XC7Z010 CPU+FPGA.  It supports 13 receiver channels with waterfall displays. Frequency ranges are 0-60MHz and 118-145MHz. HF+VHF antenna ports, hardware GPS module with port, Gigabit ethernet, active cooling, etc.

General details:

https://www.rx-888.com/web/

Design notes:

https://www.rx-888.com/web/design.html

Hardware:

Dimension (100mm*25.2mm*17mm) exclude SMA
Active Cooling Fan (40mm)
16-bit ADC DDC architecture SDR (LTC2208)
61.44 MHz real-time bandwidth
built-in all-constellation GPS module
dual antenna inputs
Gigabit Ethernet
reference clock input/output
24.576MHz, 0.5 ppm TCXO
8 expandable IOs for antenna switching

Software:

Alpine Linux 3.20 with Linux 6.6 Kernel
WebRX-based browser SDR experience
KiwiSDR websocket protocol for applications
WSPR, FT8 skimmers, and other decoders
13 RX channels and 13 spectrum channels simultaneously online
Binary updates with alpha and stable channels
Read-only root partition to prevent SD card corruption
FPGA DMA controller for efficient data transfer without CPU involvement

I have one on order from elekitsorparts.com:

https://elekitsorparts.com/product/web-888-16bit-sdr-receiver-64mhz-bandwidth-openwebrx-pre-installed-hf-vhf-gps-sdr/

It is also popping up on AliExpress.

Note you will need to supply your own power supply, network cable, active GPS antenna (if desired), and (AFAIK) TF/microSD card(s).

RobRich:
Tech Minds has a video review of the Web-888. It is not a deep dive into hardware performance, but it does offer an overview of the software side. KiwiSDR users should feel at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FpntwHhY9o

Mine has shipped, so hopefully I will receive it in a week or two. I do intend to put it online.

nitroengine:
Will be interested in seeing one online and how it compares to the Kiwi performance wise. As well as seeing how it compares to the previous 16 bit 62MHz takes on the Kiwi (RaspberrySDR and FlyDog).

At ~$260, the price sure isn't bad, but the one thing that concerns me about these is future support of the unit. They are running modified versions of the Kiwi software and doesn't receive the same updates as the Kiwi. So, you're going to rely on whoever developed the clone to make sure it gets updates that align with browser changes, OS changes, discovered security vulnerabilities...etc. I believe folks already have problems with getting updates for one of the previous Kiwi clones.

RobRich:
I had been considering a RX-888 Mk II, but the Web-888 launched in the meantime. It was not a huge markup for the added SBC and software stack, so ended up going with the network model.

About the design, it is basically a RX-888 on the receive side but more like a Red Pitaya on the SBC side. The UI is certainly largely derived from Kiwi and OpenWebRX, though.

Howard Su is one of the devs. He seems more committed to the project than some of the previous KiwiSDR clone efforts perhaps hoping more or less simply to cash in on a lack of official Kiwi hardware at the time.

Notably there is an actual public repo with dev activity. :)

https://github.com/RaspSDR/server

At least that gives the community a foundation for further development and support even if the official project is discontinued down the road.

If development outright stops and security eventually becomes an issue, owners can drop public access and repurpose the units for whatever local roles. Not sure I need 13 more SDR channels for my own listening purposes, but I would still get the benefit of real-time 0-60MHz spectrum.


The Web-888 arrived yesterday. I will try to get my Kiwi and it online maybe today or tomorrow. I need to reroute some feedlines.

Also I wanted to change out my currently basic wire LoG with my previous coaxial "shielded" LoG design for feeding my network SDRs, though that plan is likely delayed pending possible tropical weather here this week.

RobRich:
Initial preview demonstration of the WEB-888 software defined radio. The firmware is the current version 2024.0901 stable release. Antenna is an 148' loop-on-ground in conjunction with an inexpensive preamp and active splitter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7x-yB0wgOs

I still need to work on the software configuration, add various ferrites, plus perhaps swap around antennas and/or preamps. I will try to get it public in the next day or few.



(click to enlarge)


I have not configured location data for the Web-888, and it is not connected to GPS right now. Stats have been back and forth between the two. One might snag a station the other does not and vice versa.


(click to enlarge)


Of note regardling zoom levels for the Web-888:


--- Quote ---This switch controls how many spectrum clients we can support. In Shared mode, there are 13 clients with WF supported, and each client can only zoom up to zoom level 9. In Exclusive mode, only two clients can use spectrum but it can zoom up to zoom level 13.

Source: https://www.rx-888.com/web/guide/admin/control.html#share-or-exclusive
--- End quote ---

Max zoom for mine appears to be seven for shared mode, though note I am running the older stable firmware release right now, so there could be changes in later test build revisions.


Sure enough regarding zoom levels and firmware.


--- Quote ---Feature: Maximum Zoom Level in Shared Mode increased from 7 to 9.

Source: https://www.rx-888.com/web/downloads.html#changelogs
--- End quote ---


Updated to alpha release. Max zoom level is nine in shared mode now. :)


Public Web-888 SDR listings:

https://www.rx-888.com/web/rx.html

There are four listings at the moment. Mine should add shortly, though it might be up and down for awhile pending various changes.

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