WebSDR Newsletter Article March2014

When I first came across the WebSDR software, I realised that it could be a very useful educational tool, for example allowing us to introduce people to the idea of frequency space, and there being a finite number of simplex channels for given radio bands, a challenging concept for one new to radio!

There are many existing WebSDR installations, including the flagship site set up by the Software Author, Pieter PA3FWM in the Netherlands?, accessible at websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901. The flagship site however, in common with nearly all other installations, only covers the HF bands. This is mainly due to a great antenna site being needed in order to get any kind of interesting.

With this in mind I believed that the University was in a unique position to provide an installation on the roof of one of the taller buildings, run by the Wireless Society. We began enquiries, but building-by-building, we were denied any sort of roof access, let alone kit installation.

The turning point came after contact with Noel G8GTZ up in Basingstoke, who runs a remote [D]ATV station from a shed at the top of hill, with fantastic line of sight out to the horizon from North clockwise through to South-West. Noel was interested in a WebSDR installation for use in the Microwave bands, but didn't have the linux computer expertise to get it running.