[Hackrf-dev] HackRF-dev Digest, Vol 60, Issue 10

[Simon Kennedy]

Just to prove that it is possible to receive weather fax with the HackRF
see the attached (with a smaller image as the first one was too large,
assuming the attachment isn't stripped off).

Equipment: HackRF One, gqrx, fldigi, antenna: G5RV

On 29 September 2017 at 20:03, Simon Kennedy <simon at thekennedys.info> wrote:

> Just to prove that it is possible to receive weather fax with the HackRF
> see the attached (assuming the attachment isn't stripped off).
>
> Equipment: HackRF One, gqrx, fldigi, antenna: G5RV
>
> On 29 September 2017 at 15:57, Simon Kennedy <simon at thekennedys.info>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi David,
>>
>> an honest answer is that for receive only the HackRF is not the best tool
>> for the job. Other receive only sdr devices are the available which will
>> perform much better than the HackRF. AirSpy (+ Spyverter for HF reception)
>> and SDRPlay come to mind, no doubt others are available. The new Airspy HF+
>> that is very close to launch is supposed to be excellent on HF receive.
>>
>> Depending on your choice of operating system you can use sdr# (Windows)
>> or gqrx (Linux) as the receive software (but check compatibility with the
>> device you buy - both work with HackRF and both will work with the Airspy
>> devices). With my HackRF, gqrx and some software to decode the weather fax
>> image (fldigi on Linux) it is actually easy to receive weather fax (given a
>> good enough antenna).
>>
>> With all devices you should be careful with close by transmitting
>> antennas and transmitters (I blew my HackRF RF amp by transmitting 50W of
>> HF in the same room and at the same time as the HackRF was switched on with
>> the RF amp switched on).
>>
>> To receive weather fax on HF on a yacht (ship, boat?) you will probably
>> need a smaller antenna that a 7.5m wire (although this depends on the size
>> of your yacht!) and a magnetic loop antenna might fit the bill here, link
>> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loop_antenna> You'd probably be better
>> asking on a boating forum about  best HF antennas for receive on a boat.
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>>
>> Simon.
>>
>> On 29 September 2017 at 08:56, <david at cahuelmo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> My name is David, I am new here and very new to SDR. I am looking at
>>> HackRF with an application in mind and would like to ask if you know if
>>> this could be implemented and how difficult it would be. The application in
>>> mind is a marine SSB receiver. I am particularly interested in receiving
>>> weatherFax or sailMail, but also audio broadcasts.
>>>
>>> Besides the general question if it is possible:
>>>
>>> how difficult it would be to tune HackRF to actually receive something
>>> useful?
>>>
>>> How likely i would be able to receive something if really out in the
>>> ocean (in terms of sensitivity)
>>>
>>> what kind of antenna i would need (I am guessing the same as an SSB
>>> radion, which is really huge..about 7.5m.. kind of hoping it could be done
>>> with a smaller one?)
>>>
>>> And would i have to use the hardware gain stage? And if so how likely
>>> would it be to blow if i use my VHF or AIS transponder on the same boat?
>>>
>>> I hope somebody can shed some light. I would be really interested to try
>>> this if it seems doable.
>>>
>>> Greetings to everyone,
>>>
>>> David
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
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