KiwiSDR

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Contents

Overview

The KiwiSDR is a 14-bit wideband receive only HF software defined radio that can receive the entire 10 kHz – 30 MHz VLF/LF/MW/HF spectrum. A large number of these receivers are available online for use by anyone with interest. A directory and a map of these receivers is updated on a regular basis.

KiwiSDRs run by HFU Members

KiwiSDRs Admin Tips

Power Supplies

One solid option for a nice regulated 5vdc power supply are supplies made by Acopian. Beerus Maximus found one of these supplies on eBay for $35, model number 5EB200. The list price for this supply is $170(!)* but the one Beerus got was like new. Search "Acopian" on eBay for deals like this.

Set Static IP Address

You may want to set the IP address of your KiwiSDR statically, rather than a dynamic DCHP address obtained from your router. Go to the Network tab on the KiwiSDR admin page to do this.

GPS Antenna

The antenna that comes with the KiwiSDR works, but can be marginal, especially when used indoors. I bought this antenna from Amazon, and it seems to work better. I also found that it helps tremendously to have the antenna sitting on a metal ground plane. A simple small aluminum baking sheet works great. I carefully adjusted the location of the antenna on the sheet, as well as the location of both (they are sitting on a shelf) for maximum signal(s) from the GPS satellites.

I just replace the pan with a sheet of aluminum foil, and that seems to work even better.

Enclosures

An all aluminum case is available from Seeed Studios that includes a small cooling fan.

DX Labels

DX Labels can be added to help users quickly identify and choose frequencies, automatically set passband, mode, and extension, etc. Users can click on a label and the receiver will be set to the parameters you choose. Only administrators can add or make changes to labels.

To add, edit, or modify labels:

Press and hold the shift key and then click on the label bar to add a new label. To modify or delete an existing label, press and hold the shift key and click on the label you wish to change.

  • The Freq and Mode fields are taken from the receiver's settings when you add a new label. These can be edited if desired.
  • The Ident field is the text that is shown on the DX label bar. HTML tags (e.g. <br> to make two lines of text) can be used to make labels more readable if desired.
  • The Notes field allows for additional information to be displayed by hovering the mouse over the label (such as day or time station is active).
  • The Passband field can be set by specifying it in Hz.
  • The Extension field can be set by specifying an available extension

Command Line Tips/Tricks

You can SSH to the Beagle controlling your KiwiSDR, and login as 'root'. There is no password, by default.

Watch user logins and departures in real time:

tail -F /var/log/user.log | egrep 'ARRIVED|LEAVING' /var/log/user.log

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