WiNRADiO G3 Series Radio Receiver User’s Guide i
Published by WiNRADiO Communications PO Box 6118, St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004, Australia © 2002 WiNRADiO Communications, Melbourne All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Trademarks WiNRADiO, G3 and G303 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Rosetta Laboratories Pty. Ltd. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
FCC Notice The WiNRADiO G3 SERIES receiver has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Introduction Introduction One could easily conclude that, in the era of the Internet and communication satellites, short waves are destined for obsolescence. But the reality is quite different. On the contrary, shortwave communications seem to be experiencing a new period of revival and vigorous growth.
Installation Installation The WiNRADiO package contains the following items: • • • • • • WiNRADiO G3 SERIES receiver card WiNRADiO software on a CD ROM Start-up indoor antenna Audio cable This User’s Guide Warranty information In order for the WiNRADiO receiver to function, your IBM PC compatible computer must meet the minimum system requirements specified below.
3. First touch the computer metalwork with your hand to drain any static charge, then carefully insert the card into the vacant slot and push down until it is firmly seated. Screw the metal bracket at the end of the card to the computer case. (This must be done to provide proper grounding for the card). 4. Replace the computer case and reconnect the power cord. 5. Connect the supplied audio lead between the receiver output (a standard audio jack) and the sound card Line Input.
Note: If the card is not detected by Windows, you can simply skip the driver installation procedure, insert the CD ROM, and run the installation program, which will also install the drivers. After installing the hardware and software, you will now need to set-up the sound card parameters. This is done both in the WiNRADiO application and in the Windows sound card control panel – this provides the actual connection between the receiver front-end and the PC back-end of your radio system.
The Wave device drop-down list shows all the installed wave devices: Windows default is the Control Panel setting specified under Start | Settings | Control Panel | Multimedia Properties | Audio. If a sound card is specified in this Control Panel setting for both playback and recording (this is very likely, but not always necessarily so), then you can simply select Windows Default as the wave device for the demodulator. Otherwise, the specific name of the sound card should be selected.
be connected to the Left input instead, the reverse input line needs to be selected from the drop-down list. These are all the settings required on the WiNRADiO G3 SERIES application side. Now you need to set up your Windows sound card control panel, and the marriage between the radio and the PC will be complete.
If you are using the Microphone input instead of Line input, please check if there is an Advanced button under the Microphone volume control in the sound card control panel. If so, then click on it and uncheck the +20dB gain check box if it exists. (The extra large gain would result in overloading the sound card and cause distortion.) The same line must be now selected in the Recording Control of the sound card control panel.
• Not selecting the Recording input line correctly (which will manifest itself by the absence of any signal appearing in the spectrum scope); • Failing to mute the Volume control line (which will result in listening to the high-pitched 12 kHz intermediate frequency sound superimposed on the demodulated signal); • Failing to adjust the signal input level properly, which may result either in low (or no) audio output, or, on the other hand, distortion if the signal level is too high.
WiNRADiO G3 SERIES Receiver Control Panel The WiNRADiO G3 SERIES receiver control panel has some elements similar to from conventional shortwave receivers, and many additional features as well. The quickest way to get started with this receiver is to check its operation on local AM stations. Using the keyboard, type in the frequency of one your local AM stations: For example, for 774 kHz, type in 7 7 4 , then k for kHz, then press Enter. The typed-in frequency will appear on the digital frequency display.
The rotation increment of the tuning knob is 0.5 kHz. This can be changed easily using the Shift, Ctrl or Alt keys: If you press the Shift key while tuning, the increment will increase ten times (to 5 kHz). Pressing Ctrl will increase the increment a hundred times (50 kHz). On the other hand, if you use the Alt key, the increment becomes ten times finer: 50 Hz. If you are still unable to tune to any stations at this point, please refer to Appendix A - Troubleshooting.
An example of WiNRADiO start-up antenna placement No matter how good a radio receiver is, the performance of the entire receiving system will depend on the quality of the antenna. The same applies to a WiNRADiO receiver. To make most of your WiNRADiO receiver, you should install a proper shortwave antenna. There are many vendors offering shortwave antennas. WiNRADiO may also be able to assist – check our Web page www.winradio.com.
Using WiNRADiO G3 SERIES Tuning to a Frequency To change frequency, simply type the new frequency into the keyboard. As soon as you press a number or decimal point, the frequency display will activate, waiting for a frequency to be typed. You can also click on the display to type in a new frequency. After typing the new frequency, press Enter and the receiver will instantly retune. To abort, press Escape. To enter units, such as kHz or MHz, simply press K for kHz or M for MHz after entering the digits.
Fine Tuning The Fine Tune knob makes it possible to finely adjust the frequency in 0.5 kHz steps. WiNRADiO G3 SERIES Receiver Tuning Knob To use the tuning knob, position the mouse cursor over the knob (the cursor will turn into a curved double ended arrow) and click on either the left or right mouse button. If the cursor is on the top half of the knob, the left button will decrease the frequency, and the right button will increase the frequency.
Setting the Modulation Mode To select the modulation mode, click on the appropriate Mode button in the Demodulator panel: WiNRADiO G3 SERIES Standard Demodulator Panel The real-time spectrum display shows the output of the receiver (i.e. the intermediate frequency signal) as it is applied to the PC sound card. When you press the mode buttons, you will note that the central highlighted region of the spectrum changes its width.
If you also purchased the optional Professional Demodulator, you can select this demodulator from the Demodulators top bar menu. The basic functions such as volume control, audio muting and mode selection are identical to the Standard Demodulator. WiNRADiO G3 SERIES Professional Demodulator For details of the additional functions such as continuous IF bandwidth adjustment and other special features of the Professional Demodulator refer to Appendix E - Professional Demodulator.
Finally, another convenient way of changing the volume is using the left and right cursor keys on the keyboard. Mute Control Next to the Volume control is the Mute button, which allows you to switch off audio output quickly. It is faster to use than setting the volume to zero, with the added benefit of not changing the set volume level. To use the mute control, simply click on this button. Click again to release. AGC The AGC (Automatic Gain Control) has four settings: Off, Slow, Medium and Fast.
IF Gain The AGC can be turned off entirely, using the AGC Off button. The receiver gain must then be adjusted manually. This is done using the IF Gain setting. Note that by setting an excessive gain, the receiver will overload and the demodulated signal will be distorted. On the other hand, if the gain is too low, it will make the receiver appear “deaf”. Manual IF Gain setting is useful for hunting for very weak signals buried in noise.
Attenuator The Attenuator makes it possible to reduce the receiver sensitivity by 18 dB (i.e. 6 times). Attenuator Why would you ever need to reduce the sensitivity? This is because unusually strong signals from local stations may occasionally cause overloading. This overloading can make the reception worse, and even cause stations to appear on frequencies, where none exist (ghost stations). See Appendix C - Dealing with Interference for more information on this phenomenon.
The squelch is always shown in dBm units. To adjust the squelch control, first tune to an unoccupied frequency that produces only noise. Increase the squelch until the receiver is muted. You will see the red-colored segment of the S-meter growing until it gets higher than the current S-meter value. At that moment the receiver will be muted. Add a few dB extra (to allow a margin for background noise fluctuation on the band).
For example, if you wish to browse the AM broadcast band (approx. 530 to 1620 kHz), set the step size to 10 kHz (for North and South America) or 9 kHz (for the rest of the world), which is the channel separation for AM broadcast stations. Tune manually to any station first, then step up or down to browse the band. To browse the shortwave broadcast stations (2.3 to 30 MHz), 5 kHz works well.
Frequency Memory The WiNRADiO G3 SERIES receiver has the ability to store up to one thousand frequencies in one memory file. It also allows you to load and save different memory files for a huge amount of total storage, limited only by the size of your hard disk. Memory Control Panel Storing a Frequency into Memory With each frequency, you can store several attributes: mode, callsign, user comment, group assignment, squelch and a hotkey.
Storing Frequency to Memory At the top of the dialog box is the frequency you are storing. The next line shows the next available memory number. You can change this to another memory number if you wish (including one which is already allocated). The third item contains the group assignment buttons. You can assign the frequency to one or more of 16 different groups (whose meaning you define yourself).
• Most stations have a name or callsign. You can store up to 11 characters in the Callsign field. • For quick tuning to your favorite stations, you can assign Hotkeys (function keys F2 to F12) to up to eleven different frequencies. If you then press a hotkey, the associated frequency will be instantly recalled. Hotkeys which are already assigned will be shown in this dialog box as ‘used’, however you can overwrite the previous assignment with a new one if you wish.
Recall Frequency from Memory The assigned memory groups are shown as color bars for a quick visual overview of which frequencies are associated with which groups (see the corresponding colors in the Store frequency window). When you position the mouse cursor over a highlighted memory, the actual group numbers will be displayed in a floating ‘hint’ box. Editing Memory To change the settings for a particular frequency, open the Recall frequency dialog box as described in the previous section.
Saving a Memory File Each memory file, containing up to one thousand frequencies, is stored separately, allowing different memory files to be loaded and saved. To save the current memory file, simply select Save from the Memory file sub-menu in the File menu. If you wish to save it with a different name, select Save as instead, and a dialog box will pop up allowing you to specify the file name.
Scanning Control Panel Immediate Scanning (Searching) This is the simplest scanning method. Click on the Search button to select this scanning mode, then use the [>>] or [<<] buttons to scan either forward or backward from the currently tuned frequency. To stop scanning, press the Stop button (marked with a green square). To pause, press the Pause button (marked with two vertical bars). A signal is considered ‘found’ when the signal level is higher than squelch.
Scan Settings There are two basic actions the software can do when a signal is found: Pause scanning or Stop scanning. If Pause is selected, then you need to further specify the conditions under which the scanning will Resume. The conditions to resume can be one of the following: 1. When the signal disappears (i.e. the scanning resumes immediately when the signal disappears); 2. After a certain user-defined Delay time (i.e.
Note that the upper scanning speed limit may be restricted by the actually available CPU resources of your computer. When signal is found and scanning pauses, waiting for the pre-set Delay time to expire, the countdown timer will appear inside the [<<] or [>>] buttons. If no Delay time was set and scanning is pausing until the signal disappears, then the [<<] or [>>] button will flash.
Setting up Scan Ranges Enter a new range using the New button. This will open a dialog box, where you will be asked to specify lower and upper limit frequencies of the range, the modulation mode, squelch level, and, optionally, a description.
When the range definition is done, close this window, then close the scanner settings. Then activate the Range button in the Scanning control panel: Scanning Control Panel When you press the Scan Forward button [>>], the scanner will commence scanning from the start frequency of the first range. When the last frequency of the first range is reached, it will then continue onto the next range, etc.
Note that if more signals are found than there are allocated memories, the excess frequencies will not be stored. Memory Scanning The last scanning method is Memory Scanning. Here the receiver will step through memory frequencies, starting from the first one to the last one, and repeating the loop until a signal is found or until manually stopped. If a squelch value is stored with a memory this value will be used to compare with the current signal level.
the squelch level (i.e. the needle falls in the red region and turns red also), the receiver audio will be muted. The squelch value is always indicated in dBm units (even if the signal strength is displayed in S-units or microvolts). Note that when the AGC is off (and manual IF gain control is activated), the S-meter is disabled. This is because the S-meter relies on the AGC for its proper function. Tuning Pad A unique fast-tuning facility is located under the Attenuator, IF Gain and Squelch settings.
The row of yellow squares under the Tuning Pad serves a similar purpose, providing convenient increment sizes in a narrower band between 1 Hz and 10 kHz. These increments are selected by placing the mouse cursor over the yellow squares, and using the left or right mouse buttons for incrementing or decrementing. Power Switch The Power switch, located at the bottom-right corner of the application window, controls the receiver power.
Unlike the spectrum display window inside the Demodulator panel, which is real-time and narrow band, the Spectrum Scope is wide-band and the graph is created by fast tuning the receiver across the specified frequency range. To set up spectrum sweeping, enter the Start and End frequencies, to specify the start and end of the sweeping range, respectively. Next specify the frequency step.
Appendix A - Troubleshooting Problem: The WiNRADiO application installed OK, but there is no sound coming from the speaker. Solution: Check if you see any noise appearing in the spectrum scope in the Demodulator panel (under the AM, AMS, etc., mode selection buttons). If there is a flat line or only very little noise visible, check the following: • The receiver output is connected to the sound card Line input using the supplied cable.
• The receiver demodulator has not been set up properly. Make sure that the sound card type and the audio input are properly selected (this panel is accessible under the Setup button in the Demodulator panel): • The sound card has the Left and Right inputs reversed. Normally, the G3 SERIES Demodulator expects the receiver to be connected to the Right input. Using the reverse input makes the Demodulator use the Left input instead.
Problem: I can hear the audio, but it is not a pleasant sound. There is an interfering high pitch tone. Solution: You need to mute the Line input in the sound card control panel - see the panel on the next page. (What you are probably listening to is the intermediate frequency signal mixed with the demodulated audio signal.) Sound Card Volume Control Panel Problem: distorted. I can hear the audio and tune the receiver, but the sound is Solution: Check if the AGC is switched on (i.e.
Problem: I can hear the audio and tune the receiver, but the volume is too low, even if I adjust the Volume control to maximum. Solution: Check the Input gain in the Demodulator Setup panel: it should be set as high as possible, just below the clipping level. Also, engage the Audio AGC in the Demodulator front panel. Problem: I can hear the audio and tune the receiver, but the audio drops-out occasionally, and the display is very sluggish, sometimes it even freezes.
Problem: Reception is obscured with a buzzing interference. Solution: Check for the sources of interference in your surroundings: it could be fluorescent lights, a lamp dimmer, or some other household appliance. Your PC (especially the monitor) could be also the culprit. Unless you can suppress the interference at the source (which is not always possible), the only solution is to install a better antenna, preferably an outdoor one.
Appendix B – Sound Card Controls Sound card control panels and their settings can be somewhat confusing. They are also rather inconsistent from one version of Windows to another. WiNRADiO G3 SERIES receivers require a full duplex sound card, meaning that the card must be able to simultaneously process signals in two directions (i.e. record and playback) at the same time. The majority of modern Sound Blaster compatible cards are indeed like that. However, some older cards may not be full duplex.
Windows NT 98 Enable “speaker” icon Recording/playback volume controls Control Panel | Multimedia Audio-tab Checkbox: “Show volume control on the taskbar” Make sure speaker icon is displayed, then doubleclick on speaker icon in task bar to display the Volume Control dialog.
Appendix C - Dealing with Interference Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is what prevents us from receiving a clear signal, even when the receiver should be sensitive enough to receive it. There are many types of interference you can experience with radio receivers, emanating from both natural and man-made sources. Natural interference is produced by atmospheric phenomena such as storms and sun activity. Not so surprisingly, man-made interference is often worse.
monitors), or you can try to relocate your antenna further away from your computer. A good remedy to try is to wind five to ten turns of the antenna lead-in cable through a large ferrite core (the doughnut shaped toroid type), near the PC end of the cable. This suppresses common-mode interference, which is a typical but curable problem with PC-controlled receivers. Another type of interference which you may encounter is intermodulation interference.
Appendix D - Inside WR-G3 SERIES Technically minded users may like to explore the WiNRADiO G3 SERIES Receiver and experiment with some of the innovative concepts of Software Defined Radio. The WiNRADiO G3 SERIES Receiver is the world’s first commercially available Software Defined Radio, where the Demodulator function is fully performed in software running on a standard PC. It is also the world’s first shortwave radio on a PCI card. The potential for experimentation is therefore substantial.
The second mixer again uses a DDS with a PLL to mix the 45 MHz signal down to the last intermediate frequency, which is 12 kHz. Both DDS circuits derive their reference frequency from a 20 MHz reference oscillator. The 12 kHz IF output is then fed to the Right channel of the Line Input of the PC sound card. You can hear what it sounds like if you use the sound card mixer panel to listen directly to this input (rather than using the G3 SERIES Demodulator software).
Appendix E – Professional Demodulator The WiNRADiO G3 SERIES receiver has provision for additional demodulators, in place of the supplied standard one. Installed demodulators can be selected via the Demodulators top bar menu. Check the WiNRADiO Web site www.winradio.com periodically, for demodulators available. The Professional Demodulator which is available as an optional extra, takes the concept of software-defined shortwave receiver a step further.
The front panel of the Professional Demodulator looks similar to the Standard one. Note in particular the added DSB and ISB modes, the continuous IF filter bandwidth control, enhanced Audio AGC (the time constants are user definable in the Setup window), and a row of IF bandwidth preset buttons at the bottom. The numbers on top of the IF bandwidth preset buttons indicate the associated bandwidth (in kHz). These presets, too, are entirely user-definable.
manifests itself by the computer becoming sluggish or possibly "freezing" entirely. The first parameter, the IF bandwidth filter, is the length of the first filter in the digital path, which is responsible for much of the receiver selectivity. The factory default length is 63. Reducing this value will decrease the receiver selectivity and make the receiver more prone to interference from nearby strong signals.
AGC speeds (slow, medium and fast) can be also configured, under AGC Speed Constants on the left of the demodulator settings window. Demodulator Structure The G3 SERIES Professional Demodulator implements the general quadrature representation of all narrow-band modulated signals. Such signals can always be considered as the sum of two amplitude-modulated carriers having a 90 degree offset, usually referred to as I and Q.
connect the left spectrum analyzer to a particular test point, left-click on the green test point. Its color will change to red. Right-clicking on a dot will connect it to the right analyzer, and the color will change to blue. If both displays are connected to the same test point, the point color will turn magenta. Within the displayed spectra, a red color frequency cursor can be manually dragged, using the left mouse button, over a particular spectral component.
The LSB and USB demodulators have basically the same topology. ISB can be thought of as a combination of LSB and USB, where each of the sound card channels is used for one of the independent side bands.
USB Demodulator Structure The CW received signals are first down-converted to zero Hz, and then, after additional channel filtering, up-converted to a convenient audio frequency. This frequency (a digital BFO) is user-adjustable, by changing the value of the CW tone frequency parameter in the demodulator set-up. CW Demodulator Structure Finally, all frequency demodulators have the same block diagram.
Appendix F - Developer Support WiNRADiO has always extensively supported third-party software development efforts with all our receivers, and the WiNRADiO G3 SERIES receiver is no exception. We provide technical details for developers to be able to develop the following: 1. Third-party applications controlling the WiNRADiO G3 SERIES receiver. We do this by providing API information making it possible to access the receiver hardware from third party software. (See http://www.winradio.com/home/developer.htm).
Declaration of Conformity This device, trade name WiNRADiO Communications Receiver, model number WR-G3 SERIES complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
