I’ve dabbled with computers, SDR systems and software for spectrum analysis on my HF radio for a few months (more off than on) and have not really thought too much about these tools. Then the computer decided that the HDD was no longer a HDD and stopped working completely last month.
When this happened I said “Oh well, I don’t use it for too much so it can sit on the shelf for a bit”. This turned out to be the opposite of what I really should have done!
I’m at a point in my NDB hunting career where I have heard most of the signals that are audible on a normal evening. On quiet nights with good propagation I’ll hear more but I feel it’s time for some new strategies.
One is building a loop to null the “loud ones” (it’s on the project list) and another is digital signal processing (DSP).
Weak signal detection using DSP can allow me to “see” the signals that I cannot hear well (or at all). I can also use programs that will decode digital signals or display QRSS (slow speed CW) easily. Recording is also possible with these programs so I don’t have to stay up late every night!
So now I’m at a standstill as my computer is not working. I ordered a new (old PATA style) HDD and it’s on the way. Once here, I’ll rebuild the computer using some backups I have (you have backups don’t you?) and re-install other programs. I should be back up to speed by month end (I hope).
