ECE422 Labs with SDR and Amateur Radio

ECE422 Labs with SDR and Amateur Radio Prof. Sean Victor Hum VA3SHV 1 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Background Information The SDR kit is an HF radio receiver operating from ~8-16 MHz (λ = 40m - 18m) This is very different from your average radio Different frequency range and propagation characteristics Different modes (shortwave / amateur radio use) Goal is to receive very, very distant signals (DX) building a radio to receive AM/FM radio would be far too easy... Software-defineable 2 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

SDR Kit SDR kit including PCB, components, magnet wire, and transformer/inductor cores 1 USB type A/B cable 1 3.5mm stereo cable (male/ male) 1 BNC-to-bare-wire adapter 1 Syba USB sound card Approximately 11m worth of wire for fashioning wire antennas 3 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

SDR Kit Overview / Operation 4 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

SDR Kit Modules Consult web site for detailed module instructions Modules sets A-C should be completed first and in any order Module sets D and E require A-C and must be done in order 5 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Assembly / Open Access Consult lab schedule for SDR time when you can access GB347 for assembly / testing You can also use time after the structured experiments # 1-3 You can assemble and do testing outside of GB347 Design Centre At home Measurement and observation report due at end of term, 1 per student 6 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

HDSDR Free software program implementing the SDR HDSDR functions Controlling the SDR (LO) Sampling I/Q signals from soundcard Processing and displaying downconverted radio spectrum Selection, filtering, and demodulation of signals 7 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

HDSDR 8 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

OBILE MARITIME What Can you Receive in the Radiolocation 3.0 3.025 AERONAUTICAL (R) AERONAUTICAL (OR) 3.155 * 3.230 ** 3.4 AERONAUTICAL (R) 3.5 AMATEUR 4.0 MARITIME 4.063 MARITIME 4.438 * 4.65 4.7 AERONAUTICAL (R) HF Band? RADIONAVIGATION Radiolocation MARITIME MARITIME MARITIME AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATION AERONAUTICAL (OR) 4.75 * 4.85 4.995 5.003 5.005 5.060 STANDARD FREQ. AND TIME SIGNAL (5000 KHZ) STANDARD FREQ. Space Research ** 5.45 AERONAUTICAL (R) 5.68 5.73 5.90 AERONAUTICAL (OR) * * 5.95 AMATEUR 6.2 MARITIME RADIOLOCATION 6.525 2000 AERONAUTICAL (R) MARITIME 6.685 AERONAUTICAL (OR) 2065 MARITIME (TELEPHONY) 6.765 2107 Mobile LAND MARITIME 7.0 2170 AMATEUR MARITIME AMATEUR (TELEPHONY) SATELLITE (DISTRESS AND CALLING) 7.1 2173.5 2190.5 MARITIME AMATEUR (TELEPHONY) 2194 7.3 Mobile 7.35 LAND Mobile STANDARD FREQ. AND TIME SIGNAL (2500kHz) MARITIME STANDARD FREQ. Space Research 8.815 MARITIME 8.965 9.040 2850 AERONAUTICAL (R) AERONAUTICAL (OR) 9.4 AERONAUTICAL (R) 9.5 9.9 9.995 10.003 10.005 10.1 10.15 STANDARD FREQ. AND TIME SIGNAL (10,000 khz) STANDARD FREQ. Space Research AERONAUTICAL (R) AMATEUR Mobile* 3 MHz ISM 6.78 ±.015 MHz 8.815 8.965 9.040 9.4 9.5 9.9 9.995 10.003 10.005 10.1 10.15 11.175 11.275 11.4 11.6 11.65 12.05 12.10 12.23 13.2 13.26 13.36 13.41 13.57 13.6 13.8 13.87 14.0 14.25 14.35 14.990 15.005 15.010 15.10 15.6 15.8 16.36 17.41 17.48 17.55 17.9 17.97 18.03 18.068 18.168 18.78 18.9 19.02 19.68 19.80 19.990 19.995 20.005 20.010 21.0 21.45 21.85 21.924 22.0 22.855 23.0 23.2 23.35 24.89 24.99 25.005 25.01 25.07 25.21 25.33 25.55 25.67 26.1 26.175 26.48 26.95 26.96 27.23 27.41 27.54 28.0 29.7 29.8 29.89 29.91 30.0 30 30 59 61 70 90 110 130 160 190 200 275 285 300 MARITIME STANDARD FREQ. AND TIME SIGNAL (60 khz) MARITIME AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATION Aeronautical Mobile Maritime Radionavigation Aeronautical Mobile AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATION (Radio Beacons) Aeronautical Radionavigation (Radio Beacons) MARITIME RADIONAVIGATION (RADIO BEACONS) 300 khz (AM RADIO) 1605 1615 1705 Radiolocation RADIO- LOCATION 1800 1900 MARITIME 2495 8.1 2501 8.195 2502 2505 STANDARD FREQ. AND TIME SIGNAL MARITIME LAND 3000 TRAVELERS INFORMATION STATIONS (G) AT 1610 khz 3 MHz ARITIME OBILE AERONAUTICAL (R) AERONAUTICAL (OR) STANDARD FREQ. AND TIME SIGNAL (10,000 khz) STANDARD FREQ. Space Research AERONAUTICAL (R) AMATEUR Mobile* AERONAUTICAL (OR) AERONAUTICAL (R) MARITIME AERONAUTICAL (OR) AERONAUTICAL (R) RADIO ASTRONOMY Mobile* Mobile* AMATEUR AMATEUR SATELLITE AMATEUR Mobile* STANDARD FREQ. AND TIME SIGNAL (15,000 khz) STANDARD FREQ. Space Research AERONAUTICAL (OR) MARITIME AERONAUTICAL (R) AERONAUTICAL (OR) AMATEUR SATELLITE AMATEUR Mobile MARITIME MARITIME STAND. FREQ. & TIME SIG. Space Research STANDARD FREQUENCY & TIME SIGNAL (20,000 KHZ) STANDARD FREQ. Space Research Mobile AMATEUR AMATEUR SATELLITE AERONAUTICAL (R) MARITIME Mobile* AERONAUTICAL (OR) ** AMATEUR SATELLITE AMATEUR STANDARD FREQ. AND TIME SIGNAL (25,000 khz) STANDARD FREQ. Space Research LAND MARITIME LAND ** RADIO ASTRONOMY MARITIME LAND ** ** ** LAND. AMATEUR AMATEUR SATELLITE LAND STING ELS 5-6) 869 894 896 901901 902 AERONAUTICAL OBILE 88.0 Amateur Military and governmental communication systems (FM RADIO) AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATION AERONAUTICAL (R) AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL (R) Aviation air-to-ground communications Amateur radio AERONAUTICAL (R) AERONAUTICAL (R) (AERONAUTICAL TELEMETERING) SAT. ile ** (Space to Earth) AERONAUTICAL 9 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum RADIONAVIGATION OCATION 928 929 930 931 932 935 940 941 944 960 BILE 108.0 1215 RADIOLOCATION 1240 VIGATION ITE (S-E) OCATION Amateur 1300 117.975 Radiolocation AUTICAL VIGATION 121.9375 123.0875 123.5875 1350 128.8125 1390 1392 1395 1400 1427 1429.5 RADIOLOCATION ** -SAT (E-S) ** LAND NOMY EARTH EXPL SAT (Passive) SPA CE RESEARCH ( Passive) Fixed (TLM) ISM 13.560 ±.007 MHz (TLM) BILE (TLM) 132.0125 136.0 1430 1432 1435 1525 LAND (TLM) S-E) (TLM) IXED** AERONAUTICAL (R) 137.0 137.025 137.175 137.825 138.0 MET. SAT. (S-E) MET. SAT. (S-E) MET. SAT. (S-E) MET. SAT. (S-E) MOB. SAT. (S-E) SPACE RES. (S-E) SPACE OPN. (S-E) Mob. Sat. (S-E) SPACE RES. (S-E) SPACE OPN. (S-E) MOB. SAT. (S-E) SPACE RES. (S-E) SPACE OPN. (S-E) Mob. Sat. (S-E) SPACE RES. (S-E) SPACE OPN. (S-E) 1530 1535 E SAT. SAT. Mobile rth) (Space to Earth) (Aero. TLM) OBILE SATELLITE e to Earth) SATELLITE (S-E) 1544 144.0 146.0 148.0 149.9 150.05 SATELLITE (S-E) AMATEUR AMATEUR SATELLITE AMATEUR SATELLITE (E-S) RADIONAV-SATELLITE SATELLITE (E-S) 1545 Mobile Satellite (S- E) OBILE SATELLITE (R) e to Earth) 1549.5 SATELLITE (Space to Earth) SATELLITE (R) e to Earth) UTICAL SATELLITE (R) (space to Earth) 150.8 152.855 LAND RADIONAVIGATION RADIONAV. SATELLITE (Space to Earth) IGATION RADIO DET. SAT. (E-S) SAT(E-S) LAND RADIO ASTRONOMY SAT. (E-S). RADIO DET. SAT. (E-S) 154.0 SAT. (E-S) Mobile Sat. (S-E) RADIO DET. SAT. (E-S) LAND 1558.5 1559 1610 1610.6 1613.8 1626.5 156.2475 157.0375 157.1875 157.45 161.575 161.625 161.775 162.0125 MARITIME MARITIME SATELLITE (E-S) LAND LAND MARITIME MARITIME LAND 1660 1660.5 1668.4 STRONOMY SAT. (E-S) SPACE RESEARCH (Passive) STRONOMY LAND MARITIME METEOROLOGICAL AIDS (RADIOSONDE) TRONOMY 1670 BILE** 1675 METEOROLOGICAL AIDS (Radiosonde) OLOGICAL LITE (s-e) 1700 173.2 173.4 174.0 Land Mobile Fixed Shortwave broadcasting Maritime sea-to-shore services (TV CHANNELS 7-13) SATELLITE OTH radar systems Global Maritime Distress 300 MHz and Safety System 1710 1755 XED XED 1850 XED 2000 SATELLITE (E-S) 2020 IXED 2025 FX. MOB. SPACE OP. (E-S)(s-s) EARTH EXPL. SAT. (E-S)(s-s) 2110 XED 2155 S) 2160 2180 216.0 2200 IXED SATELLITE (S-E) Amateur 220.0 222.0 225.0 EARTH EXPLORATION Radiolocation SPACE OPERATION (s-e)(s-s) OBILE (LOS) Radiolocation LAND AMATEUR SAT. (s-e)(s-s) SPACE RESEARCH (s-e)(s-s) 2290 2300 2305 2310 2320 Fixed Mobile Radiolocation.(S-E) ** Amateur RADIOLOCATION ** Mobile Fixed MOB FX R- LOC. B-SAT Radiolocation Fixed BCST-SATELLITE 2345 235.0 B-SAT R- LOC. FX MOB Fixed Mobile 2360 Fixed RADIOLOCATION 2385 2390 2400 BILE AMATEUR AMATEUR 2417 2450 Amateur adiolocation Radiolocation 2483.5 2500 2655 2690 2700 ISM 27.12 ±.163 MHz INATION SAT. (S-E) SATELLITE (S-E) T. ** FX-SAT (S - E) adio Ast Space res. MOB** B- SAT. FX FX-SAT RESEARCH EXPL SAT RON. SPACE EARTH 30 MHz Radiolocation METEOROLOGICAL AIDS ICAL TION 2900 Radiolocation 300 3000 ITIME VIGATION

Propagation Characteristics in Propagation mechanisms Sky waves (refraction from ionosphere) Ground waves Ionospheric propagation allows for intercontinental communication! However, it depends on sunspot activity / cycles the HF Band 10 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Tips on Receiving Place your antenna high and place it outside Horizontal polarization is best For sky-wave propagation, angling the beam towards the ionosphere improves range 20m propagation is reasonable both day and night, but night time is always better (more on that later in class) Check solar activity reports (web page) SF antenna being installed 11 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Shortwave Broadcasting International broadcasting: news, propaganda, cultural stations Domestic broadcasting: religious, alternative, paid-broadcast media stations Numbers stations Radio clock stations: WWV / WWVH (2.5 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 MHz) CHU (Canada) (3.33 / 7.85 / 14.67 MHz) 12 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Example: WWV 13 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Example: Radio Havana (6 MHz) 14 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Amateur Radio Use of radio spectrum by licensed operators for communication, experimentation, training, recreation, and emergency service Amateur radio operators (hams) must earn a license and callsign by completing examinations on regulations / electronics In Canada: Basic and Advanced Classes In US: Technician, General, Extra Classes 15 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Amateur Radio Bands HF Band 80m 60m 40m 30m 20m Frequency 3.5-4.0 MHz ~5 MHz 7.0-7.3 MHz 10.1-10.15 MHz 14.0-14.35 MHz 17m 18.068-18.168 MHz 15m 12m 10m 21.00-21.45 MHz 24.89-24.99 MHz 28.0-29.7 MHz VHF/UHF Band Frequency 6m 50-54 MHz 2m 144-148 MHz 1.25m ~220 MHz 70cm 420-450 MHz 33cm 902-928 MHz 23cm 1240-1300 MHz 13cm ~2.4 GHz 16 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Amateur Radio Modes Analog CW (Morse Code) Voice SSB (HF) FM (VHF) Slow-scan television (SSTV) Digital Packet radio AX.25 (file transfer) Text messaging modes (Q)PSK31 / (Q)PSK63 (HF) OLIVIA FSK Radio teletype RTTY JT65 Voice (D-STAR) 17 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Amateur Radio Communications Terrestrial Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) Amateur satellites (nanosats) AMSAT Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP) Remote access to amateur radio stations around the world by VoIP 18 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Example: CW @ 40m 19 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Example: PSK31 @ 20m 20 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Example: JT65 @ 20m 21 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

JT65 22 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

JT65 Stations Received in 1 Night on 20m 23 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Why Amateur Radio? After all, there are phones, and the internet Why read books when there is TV? Why ride a motorcycle when there are cars? In short, amateur radio is fun. Licensure allows you to transmit hundreds to thousands of watts with equipment you can design/build yourself Compare to the ISM (WLAN) band: 1 W only! You can talk to someone across the world using no wires and equipment you built yourself. 24 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum

Want to become a ham? Basic and advanced exams can be arranged 50 questions, multiple choice Basic focuses on regulations Advanced focuses on electronics theory There is no Morse code requirement Join a club Working with ECE club to install a transmitter in SF University of Toronto Amateur Radio club 25 ECE422 / Prof. S. V. Hum