Opera digital mode. The new software by EA5HVK, Jose Ros for QRSS on Weak signals

Opera is still in Beta test, the latest version is V.1.8.8 (Download from Link below!!) – The new “Opera” Single carrier Data/Beacon mode Tx/Rx, is created by EA5HVK, Jose Alberto Nieto Ros, by request of GØNBD for Ham Radio CW Community – This software, complete windows compatible Tx/Rx package with internet spotting and chat facility, COM-port keying and audio tx drive, is free!

Opera QRSS. Il nuovo software sviluppato da EA5HVK, Jose Ros su idea iniziale di GØNBD, si utiilizza per comunicazioni CW standard QRSS per segnali deboli, anche immersi nel rumore e con potenze QRP. – Opera è simile al già noto WSPR/JT45, ma con propri algoritmi in ambiente DSP e codifica tipo OOK (On Off Keying), con selezione di tempi di intervallo da 1 a 60′ e in più altre novità in evoluzione. – Infatti è ancora in Versione Beta, V.1.8.8 – [Nota] Anche gli spots di Opera si possono seguire in tempo reale sui sistemi automatici: PSKreporter e Hamspots.com (vedere Link)

Link To: PSKreporter  / to: Opera group Yahoo   / to: Ros and Opera official web-page

 The new software “Opera”  Beta, developed by EA5HVK, Jose Ros (author of the now established ROS Data mode!) using DSP techniques, it’s a alternative QRSS for weak signal experiments on 136 & 500 kHz and for HF all bands (80 to 10 mt) for Ver. 1.1.2 up – Better than standard QRSS, similar like WSPR, but with Opera you can choose your own interval time between 1 and 60 minutes.
CAT Link embodied and Tx by COM port Key or Audio drive Tx\Rx COM port switch faclity – Decoder are possible with S/N – 26 to -38 dB (Rx speed auto-selected!) The spots are visible in near realtime to interested parties with PSKreporter and Hamspots.com (see the links) – This as a way of providing data operations for stations that only had the CW capability. The most up to date information on this mode can be found at groups.yahoo.com (see the link up)

YAESU: early 2012 release a Digital C4FM (4-level FSK) Handheld – The New Brand logos

YAESU Amateur Radio Division of Vertex Standard, has relesed 27 December, 2011 an extensive Publication in PDF:  ”A Digital Communications Guide for Amateur Radio Operators” (on its website) – The publication confirm that Yaesu positions itself for digital radio battle against Icom D-STAR business !!

Big news still: YAESU writes “early 2012, we will release a C4FM (4-level FSK) FDMA Handy-Talky and Mobile Transceiver into the Amateur radio market” !

News update: The new Brand Logos already appear on website of the ©Yaesu USA Inc. (earlier name: Vertex Standard US Headquarters)

[Note]: the recent corporate reorganization, that brings Vertex Standard’s LMR (land mobile radio) division to Motorola, and breaks Yaesu off into a independent corporation again, known as YAESU MUSEN  Co., Ltd,  for Amateur, Marine and Air-band business divisions. – The US subsidiary wil be YAESU USA Inc.  [please wait for the any official information !]

Yaesu Digital radio system that uses C4FM (4-level FSK), and is very popular in professional commercial markets, is known ad DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) [note: no DRM…!) is used primarily in the European and Asian markets, and is also known as dPRM.

Link to: Download and enjoy the PDF of the Yaesu discussion

Currently GSMK modulation is still being used by D-STAR in 2004, was introduced to the Ham bands. – ICOM D-STAR was the first in the game to promote digital voice and data specifically for amateur radio, and they have quite the stronghold right now – It will be interesting to see ICOM’s reaction to YAESU’s entry to the digital radio market that appears to be early 2012, we will release a C4FM FDMA Handy-Talk- (!! please see the image up! click its to enlarge).

Network an all-digital group of MOTOTRBO DMR repeaters in the USA, Germany, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Switzerland, and Spain ! - See the link below for DMR and D-STAR info.
Link to:  The DMR-MARC Worldwide Network – drm-marc net web
Link to: D-STAR World Wide Registered GW-2 and Users information  

SDR WR-G33DDC ‘EXCALIBUR Pro’ 9 kHz to 50 MHz – Excalibur Basics Video by DK8OK

The New WiNRADIO WR-G33DDC ‘EXALIBUR Pro’ direct-sampling SDR Receiver from 9 kHz to 49.995 MHz, includes a real-time 50 MHz-wide specrtrum analyzer and 4 MHz-wide instantaneous bandwidth available for recording, demodulation and further digital processing. – Low-noise preamplifier – Configurable preselection filters – Filter bandwidth adjustable down to 1 Hz.

As many as 119 different filter combinations can be constructed by the user (91 bandpass, 14 low-pass and 14 high-pass). The front-end employs 34 subminiature electromechanical relays! Three demodulators allow the simultaneous reception of three signal frequencies within the 4 MHz bandwidth. -
GROVE  US – Catalog of 06/01/2012 – manufacture: WiRa – Eton – Sangean – Kaito – Perseus – Icom
Prices:  WR-G33DDC EXC. Pro $1,649.95 / WR-G31DDC EXC.. $899.95 / Perseus bid.. $1,199.00

The WR-G33DDC Pro Is an advanced version of the WR-G31DDC receiver, offering many additional features and improvements.  - (!! Please See the WR-G33DDC  Basics Video  by DK8OK below)

The WR Software (Version 1.68)  provide an logical user interface.  - There are several spectrum analyzer configurations including the 50 MHz full span with 1.5 kHz resolution. – The DDC down-converted portion is highlighted and can be selected either via keyboard or by the mouse cursor and then displayed in another window, within which three independent receiver channels can exist. – For any channel, the receiver’s selectivity, IF shift, passband tuning, notch, and other functions can be adjusted, and the audio spectrum of the demodulated signal can be observed. – -
Link to: WR-G31DDC – Perseus – Gemini – AOR-2300 and DX-R88 HamFair 
Link to: WiNRADIO WR-G33 Excalibur Pro the Official Full Specifications

This great video explains its graphical user interface (GUI), and gives some hints on how to use them. Thanks Nils, DK8OK.

ID-31A/E D-STAR GPS – Icom releases the brochure, all data, and the manual EN

Icom Inc. has released on 13.12.2011, the data of the ID-31A/E. The new UHF Digital Transceiver!

ID-31A/E – Lightweight & Compact Body – Waterproof protection equivalente to IPX7 – Built-in GPS receiver – The GPS log function logs your position and memorizes this in the mocroSD card – microSD Card slot up to 32GB: Voice Memories in WAV format, GPS Log, Memory Contents – Full Dot-matrix Display LCD & Directional Keypad with quick and intuitive access to many setting and more.

ID-31E will be shipped with D-STAR repeater memories pre-programmed* – Using the GPS position information, the automatic repeater list-up function shows the list of nearby D-STAR repeaters from the memory. *To use the automatic repeater list-up function, the position data of the repeater is require! – - ID-31 GPS/IPX7/D-STAR®に対応。 新しいフィールドへ導く 新世代デジタルハンディ。

Link to: Icom co. jp – ID-31E/A Features – Brochure EN and User Manual PDF

La Icom ha pubblicato tutte le caratteristiche del nuovo ID-31E/A  il 13.12.2011, compresa la Broshure e il Manuale in ENG. – Pronto il nuovo palmare D-STAR e FM UHF con GPS icorporato e con Slot per microSD Card fino a 32GB, su cui si possono registrare: memorie vocali in WAV – Il Log dati GPS  - Il contenuto delle Memorie. L’ID-31 rilevando la propria posizione dal GPS può accedere in automatico alla visualizzazione della lista dei Ripetitori D-STAR della zona o i più vicini –  E’ necessario pre programmare la lista includendovi anche i dati di localizzazione dei ripetitori stessi.
- US Market: List Price $469.00 / Your Price: $399.95 US  - (source: Universal Radio Inc.)

[Note] See the Info and Link about D-Star – CS-31 V.1.02  and Link to ircDDB below!

Link to: Icom Inc. CS-31 Cloning  Software Download Ver.1.02  (is the first release)
Link to: Icom Inc. CS-31 Instructions Manual – A-6978-1EX  – (© 2011  Icom Inc.)

Icom will release a new D-Star portable on the market: a single UHF belt with built-in GPS and a completely redesigned control.  The ID-31E has a “left-right top-bottom” button as many mobile phones to navigate through menus.

D-STAR DV /Analog FM / IPX7 / 5W / Free Cloning Software / Built-in GPS Receiver / Directional Keypad Navigation / DR Mode User-Friendliness Improved / Full Dot-Matrix Display / Micro SD card slot / UHF only at this time / Slim line H 95 mm no antenna / L 58 mm / S 25 mm

Icom Europe will again set up repeater DB0COM in Friedrichshafen, HAMRADIO exhibition place 24 – 26 Giu. 2011.
(Click the pictures to enlarge)

D-STAR DV DPRS STARnet ircDDB and more – Info about D-Star and Link utility:

Digital System: GMSK 4.8kbps digital voice (DV) mode and 128kbps data (*) (DD) mode communications are available. When using DD mode with a PC and the D-STAR radio, high speed data communication is possible. (*) DD mode is available with Icom ID-1 only at this time.

In DV mode operation, you can simultaneously send up to 950bps of data, such as call sign, short data message or GPS position (DPRS) with a voice transmission. When you communicate with other D-STAR stations using a D-STAR repeater, it is ncessary to set repeater’s call sign in RPT1/RPT2.

Link to: icrDDB Italia  D-STAR / STARnet (call routing) / Reflectors
Link to: ircDDB Network It Gateways Last-eard User Status GrGs&Maps
Link to: D-STAR Perugia  Link x CS-80/880 Rev.1.10 and IT dv-Map by IZ0IIL

R&S® M3TR Software Defined Radios Multiband, Multimode – New software V.7.0

R&S®M3TR Software Defined Radios (Front panel on the image) – The new software Ver.7.0 supports third-generation Automatic Link Establishment (ALE 3G)* in line with the STANAG 4538 NATO standard. If a shortwave consumer receiver could do what this shortwave milspec transceiver hi!!

The heart of the new integrated communications system is the lightweight R&S®MR300xH/U manpack transceiver (1.5 MHz to 108 MHz or 25 MHz to 512 MHz), which offers solutions for all aspects of tactical communications - New Software Makes Rohde & Schwarz Shortwave Radios As Easy To Use As IP Phones -
Last-ditch voice enables reliable voice transmission even when the noise is stronger than the voice signal, ie with a negative signal-to-noise ratio. - The quality of shortwave links heavily depends on ambient transmission conditions such as solar radiation and atmospheric ionization – The software automatically adjusts the transmission rate to accommodate prevailing conditions. – Release 7.0 of the software also features the high throughput data link (HDL) protocol that allows transmission rates of up to 10 kbit/s under optimal conditions.

ALE 3G * - The latest ALE standard uses accurate time synchronization via GPS-locked clocks or a time server to achieve faster and more dependable linking. – It is generally known as 3rd generation or 3G ALE.

Elecraft KX3 Transceiver (architettura SDR) e KXPA100 a Dayton 2011 – Video and Link

The new Elecraft KX3 only 0,7 kg! - Totally different architecture than the Elecraft K3, of course (Wayne N6KR) – Availability towards end of 2011. – Firmware updateable – Large custom LCD – The revolutionary Elecraft KX3 puts the world in the palm of your hand! (Soursce: Elecraft US)

KX3 Ultra-compact  10W, 160-6m transceiver a 32-bit DSP/SDR IQ, all modes SSB/CW/AM/FM/DATA (including built-in PSK31 and RTTY encode/ decode) – The optional KXPA100 100W amplifair with ATU is in an external box. -!! See the video below for a pretty outline of features by N6KR, Wayne. – - (Click the mini-picture to enlarge front panel)

Link to: Elecraft KX3 Transceiver – Preliminary information and Sign-up Form

KX3 Preliminary informations: Quadrature down-sampling mixer compatible with PC-based SDR applications – Receiver I/Q outputs for use with PC saundcard –  Narrow roofing filter option with four bw (500 Hz, 1500 Hz, 2.7 kHz, 3.8 kHz)  - Switchable Pre-amp (2 levels) and attenuator (2 levels) -
Advanced DSP provides dual watch over +/- 10 kHz range, PBT for Shift/Width/Hicut/Loct,  noise reduction, noise blanking, autonotch – Software-defined radio (SDR) architecture plus Roofing filter (KXFL3) for excellent dynamic rang – Operate in data mode (PSK31/RTTY) with or without a PC –  For extreme portability,  you can add the internal wide-range ATU, 8-AA cell battery pack with NiMH charger, and adjustable KXPD3 keyer paddle !!

Link to: Elecraft XG3 RF Programmable Signal Source official web

IC-9100 Product Info – Video IK1LBO: prima accensione del IC-9100, Link e di più

IC-9100 Features and comments: Each main and sub-receiver has a dedicated DSP unit. The radio has two independent receivers in one radio and receives two different bands simultaneously. Roofing filter 6kHz FL-430 Unit  and 3kHz FL-431 Unit  are Optional. The band scope (no real-time) is a let down, the RX does not work when this is in operation; During the scan interval, the audio output is muted because the audio recovered from the sweep operation would be meaningless and disturbing.
According to the manual, there’s no way to upgrade the firmware; This could partially explain the long delay in product release. They had to get it right the first time!

First positive comments by Frank VK5KV:
Filter capabilities very good with similar operation to the IC-7600 with bandwidth and shaping etc.The Squelch/RF control can operate independently (squelch or RF gain or combined). NR control, Pre amps and AGC functions all excellent in noisy conditions. The SWR measuring Plot is a great feature for having a quick look at the antenna and doing comparisons, selectable in 10,50,100,or 500khz steps.

Watch the video by IK1LBO Massimo: First power on of the new ic-9100 on Mar. 10, 2011 – on the C.R.E.S., Lab testing, more video will follow! – IK1LBO, prima accensione del nuovo IC 9100!

IC-9100 Features – Multiple-band, Multiple-mode – The IC-9100 received FCC Certification on Feb. 10, 2011 ID AFJ318300 – See the Link below and more news..

ML&S Hamradio UK (Basestation) Price (inc VAT at 20%) £2,999.99 / EUR €3,469.24

Marcucci SpA IT Importer (Basestation) List Price (inc VAT at 20%)  EUR € 3,548.16

Univ.Radio US (Base) List Price 4.600,00 Your Price $3.799,95 (:1,380 = €2.895,61!!)

Link to: IC-9100 informations web page by VA7OJ, Adam
Link to: Download the Icom US  Final Produc  Brochure in ENG .PDF

Icom Inc. Jp Update 2010/12/24 the Software USB Driver Ver. 1.10.
The driver supports the following radios (as of December 2010): IC-7200  IC-7410 IC-7600 and IC-9100.
This driver is for Windows® XP, Windows Vista® and Windows® 7 only, [Note] if you require to USB driver for Windows® 98SE/Me/2000, please use Ver.1.00.

Link to: Icom co jp word support  download the USB Driver Ver.1.10

Icom has used a double conversion superheterodyne system and an image rejection mixer in the IC-9100.  The IC-9100 has dedicated receiver circuits from the antenna connector to the 2nd image rejection mixer for each band. – (Watch the Block Diagram below click to enlarge)

Double conversion superheterodyne, a triple conversion system is used for the 1.2GHz band, a built-in 15kHz 1st IF filter and can accept up to two optional filters (3kHz FL-431 and 6kHz FL-430) – Two antenna connectors for HF and 50MHz bands, with an automatic antenna selector, and one each for 144MHz, 430/440MHz and 1200MHz (optional UX-9100) are included in the IC-9100 – The IC-9100 has two independent receivers in one radio and receives two different bands simultaneously – Satellite mode operation – D-STAR DV mode optional UT-121 – HF/50MHz, 144MHz 100W, 430/440MHz 75W – USB connector for PC control – Optional RS-BA1 IP remote control software  (See other features below…!)

Link to: Download the  Icom RS-BA1 product brochure EN .PDF

RS-BA1 Remote Control  Tailored to Icom Transceivers (Click the picture to enlarge)

Software coming soon…US  and EU! - See below the Blok diagram, Link to Download the Final brochure in japanese language - Vedi note  in Italiano e link a Marcucci Spa, Italian Importer and the List Prices below… ( all images are made by © www.radiocronache.com )

<(Click the picture to enlarge) – See the ©VoIP/LAN Network picture by ©www.radiocronache.com – Remotely Control Icom Transceivers through an IP Network (Home or Internet).
The RS-BA1 allows you to use the radio installed in another room using your home network or even from a remote location over the Internet.
Including interference rejection functions and IF filter settings, modulator, received audio, RTTY demodulator, DV mode data can also be transferred over the USB cable or RS-232 and S/P DIF cables. – Low voice latency 150ms (Win® XP)/ 250ms (Vista/7) (caused by the RS-BA1) provides the same operational experience as using an actual radio. ..Continua/Read more..
(continua…)

DX-Pedition to Faroer Island with the prefix OY/PA0VHA from 22.05 till 03.06.2011

OY/PA0VHA and Team DX-Pedition to Faroer Island from 22.05.2011 till 03.06.2011. IOTA EU-018, WLOTA 2216, IP62lc. – The next trip is to a small island the Faroer with the prefix OY. The Faroer is between the Shetlands and Iceland.  Hans PA0VHA, Steef PA2A and Wim PA2AM are qrv from 22-05- till 03-06-2011. all HF bands in CW and RTTY, also qrv on 6m and 4m and Wim PA2AM is also qrv via satelliet AO-51. – QSL via home call.
PA2AM, Wim van der Zwan declares on his blog this equipment:
2 x Elecraft K-3 and K-2
1 x Kenwood TS-850 and TS-590
1 x Icom IC-9100
3 x Acom 1000
1 transverter ME4-t for 4m

Link to: PA2AM News DX-Peditions 2011 web-page
Link to: ADXO Announced DX Operations Calendar

Web Radio SDR HF multiple users, located at the amateur radio band – Link utility

Web radio SDR (Software Defined Radio via internet) in varie bande HF multi utente, che si trovano in varie parti del mondo. [Note]: La radio  ETGD, presso l’Università di Twente NL non ha più accesso da novembre 2010! – Rimane l’immagine qui sopra come apprezzamento di uno tra i primi progetti sviluppati in rete. – Qui sotto  i link per ricercare ed ascoltare via web! See below!

[Note]: you need both Java and JavaScript enabled for this page to work properly

Il primo link va al ricevitore WebSDR from Weert, che si trova nella parte meridionale dei Paesi Bassi, vicino al confine con il Belgio. – Il secondo va su WEBSDR Org che ha una raccolta di link

Link to: WebSDR from Weert, The Netherlands

Link to: WEBSDR Org – Il sito con link e relative descrizioni di Web Radio

Su queste pagine potete ascoltare e controllare ricevitori SDR per onde corte. Possono essere sintonizzati ed ascoltati da parte di più utenti contemporaneamente, grazie all’utilizzo del Software-Defined Radio e un interfaccia web appositamente progettata da ciascun gruppo!
Si possono usare i vari comandi per sintonizzare, cambiare la Banda Passante del DSP, cambiare il modo, vedere l’intensità del segnale in dBm. Nel riquadro sotto vengono indicate le sigle (con scritte colorate) di chi ha fatto il log-in e le frequenze che utilizzano in tempo reale. No abuse, please!!

ENG: This WebSDR receiver from Weert,  is located in the southern part of The Netherlands, near the Belgium border – This NOT the many-band websdr from the amateur radio club ETGD at the University of Twente Nl. –Link to: Page info http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/

TH-D72 V/U APRS Launch in December 2010. The News Release and Jp Brochure

TH-D72A and TH-D72E Data Communicator FM Dual Bander -(Click image to enlarge) See the Link below for Download the Brochure in Japanese lang. and the TH-D72 News Release in EN  and Prices Jp and US and more…

Kenwood has announced it is launching 2 new FM dual band transceivers in December 2010. Featuring a high-performance GPS receiver, the TH-D72A and TH-D72E support a easy APRS® operation without requiring a computer and wide range of APRS® (Automatic Packet Reporting System) functions can be used if the TH-D72A/E is connected to a PC with the  supplied USB cable to enable control of the TNC.

TH-D72 144/430MHz FMデュアルバンダー – 高性能GPSユニットを内蔵。 – データ通信システム「APRS®」を標準搭載。- 操作性、視認性を考慮したデザイン。
(Click image to enlarge) Display DF0TK  APRS® operation
TH-D72A/E 144/430-144/440 MHz FM Data Communicator FM

Japan Prices:  Kenwood Suggested retail price: 62,790 yen – (excl. tax: 59,800 yen)
US Prices:  List Price:   $512.00 – Your Price: $499.00 (by Universal Radio)

Main Features: