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Building A Global Network Of Open Source SDR Receivers (jks.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the from-anywhere-in-the-world dept.

hamster_nz writes: A fellow Kiwi is attempting to crowdfund a world-wide network of open-source, software-defined, radio receivers. Once in place, this will allow anybody anywhere in the world to scan the 0 to 30MHz RF spectrum from the comfort of their HTML-5 web browser. Built on top of the Beaglebone, the "KiwiSDR" RF board also includes a GPS receiver front-end, which will allow timing between receivers to be correlated, giving a lot of options for projects like long baseline interferometry and lightning detection. Prototypes are already deployed, and I've been RXing in Sweden, Australia and New Zealand. [The KiwiSDR design has been detailed on JKS.com, where there is a link to the project's Kickstarter page.]

39 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. Link to Kickstarter by cerberusss · · Score: 2

    The link in the summary is in the process of being slashdotted... Here is the link to the Kickstarter page:
    https://www.kickstarter.com/pr...

    --
    8 of 13 people found this answer helpful. Did you?
    1. Re:Link to Kickstarter by MindPrison · · Score: 2

      Yep, can't click on a single SDR receiver link, all busy - max 4 users per SDR it seems.

      --
      What this world is coming to - is for you and me to decide.
  2. If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by Dr_Barnowl · · Score: 2

    Now we're crowdfunding a world wide surveillance network.

    1. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by RobinH · · Score: 2

      No, nobody thinks it's creepy to pick up over-the-air radio signals wherever they are in the world. This thing doesn't automatically decrypt or anything like that. It's just a receiver. The cool part is that it's receiving and storing every single frequency simultaneously, and then you use a software bandpass filter to get just the station or frequency you want. No different than having a DVR that could simultaneously record every TV channel. Installing a rootkit on everyone's phone to remotely activate the camera and/or microphone - that's creepy. Connecting IoT sensors in your house and having them upload everything to the "cloud," - that's creepy.

      --
      "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain
    2. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Doubtful. GHz of base frequency, maybe, but certainly not bandwidth.

    3. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by mysidia · · Score: 1

      The problem is the 0 to 30 Mhz range is too limiting to be useful.

    4. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by mike449 · · Score: 1

      The coolest part of this project is the ability to pinpoint the location of transmitters. There are some very interesting stations on the air, and it would be really cool to know where exactly they are. Here is an example:
      http://www.enigma2000.org.uk/

    5. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by fyngyrz · · Score: 5, Informative

      What is so significant in 0 to 30 MHz.

      Shortwave stations from every continent. Longwave stations. The long established 160-, 80-, 40-, 20-, 15-, and 10-meter ham bands, as well as the newer (and lower bandwidth) WARC bands. Time and frequency reference stations. Weather fax. Lots of pirate radio. Various textual and other FSK encoded data transmissions. Beacons. Natural phenomena such as solar RF emissions. The AM radio bands. Maritime weather broadcasts. Citizen's band radio (both European and US band spans.) All manner of military and commercial and non-military government signals.

      In addition, because of the way RF propagates through the atmosphere, signals at these frequencies are far better able to reach long distances than signals at higher frequencies; get much higher than 50 MHz, and reliable reception falls down into line-of-sight distance without the assistance of intermediate receive-and-re-transmit relay stations such as towers or satellites.

      During the course of the day, the propagation characteristics of the atmosphere change, primarily due to varying exposure to solar radiation. This varies with solar output and events, terrestrial weather, and can even be affected to some degree by intentional energy delivery by technological means.

      There are also signals at the low end that are electromagnetically sourced that have been found to presage events such as earthquakes.

      If one goes to the (very minor) effort of converting from other types of signals, for instance from sound (air pressure variation) to electrical (IOW, use a microphone or a speaker-as-microphone), you can look into information realms normally out of perceptibility. For instance, I have a couple of old super-tweeters mounted in my attic and this enables me to check out the otherwise inaudible chirps and whistles of the bats that live up there (I have a bat habitat.)

      There is more in the world than data packets. That doesn't mean these things will be of interest to everyone; but they are definitely of interest to some, and so that's what gives SDR hardware designed to work in this particular frequency range real value.

      I write software for SDRs; it works with any frequency range the SDR is capable of, and because I do this, I have quite a few SDRs on the bench at any one time, and quite a range of frequency capabilities. I live in a fairly rural area, and for me, there is a lot more interesting going on from 0-30 Mhz than there is within 30 MHz and above. It's all in what tweaks your particular curiosities and leanings. :)

      --
      I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
    6. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by Computershack · · Score: 1

      You can communicate around the world on it, I have. When the Nepal disaster happened it was amateur radio ops on 14MHz who were communicating in and out of the country. Similar story where there have been other natural disasters and the phone and internet has gone down. Aircraft use it when out of range of VHF for example as do ships. For something that is supposedly limited there is a hell of a lot of activity on it.

      --
      I only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't looking good either. - Scott Adams
    7. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by Holi · · Score: 1

      just so you know the NSA does do this. It is the reason they exist.

      --
      Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
    8. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by fyngyrz · · Score: 2

      I have one here, and hope to write a proper network server for it; right now its in limbo, as they're being spotty in terms of developer communications. As it stands -- as a USB interface device -- it suffers from the wildly differing USB APIs between linux, OS X and Windows. Supporting it directly means writing three completely different sets of code; supporting it via the supplied libraries means low OS revision compatibility.

      So far, the best bang for the buck I've run into are the ANDRUS MK 1.5, AFEDRI and RFSPACE models for 0-30 MHz. For above, the cheap and obvious way is an el cheapo USB stick, with which you can do some fun things, but the units have all kinds of weak points and you will definitely run into them if you use them in any kind of real RF surfing. They make really fun commercial FM receivers if the stations are reasonably local. And preamps can make them into real monsters, FM-wise. I regularly listen to a station almost 200 miles away here on the plains. In decent fidelity, in stereo.

      This unit looks to have a proper ethernet interface, but the kickstarter page doesn't seem to specifically say so - I'm going by the picture. If it does, then it may be possible (should be, I would think) to support it beyond the minimal web interface they're talking about on the page. The direct sampling design is a very, very attractive feature and can potentially result in awesome RF capabilities, all depending on the unit's front end. And I love the idea of the integral GPS unit. You can do some really cool things with a solid frequency reference. Like this, for instance.

      --
      I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
    9. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by kheldan · · Score: 1

      Pretty much this. If you don't think that the intellgence community worldwide isn't going to use this as part of their surveillance network, then you need to stop taking your Happy Pills, they're affecting your judgement.

      --
      Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
    10. Re:If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy. by fyngyrz · · Score: 1

      I'm sorry, I don't have an airspy. I was thinking of the SdrPlay. Too many SDRs, not enough brain cells...

      The airspy, however, also shares the design flaw of a USB interface. Without a server, it's much more difficult to support. From my POV, the place to put most of my effort is on the SDRs that have full network interfaces.

      --
      I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
  3. Funny by Teun · · Score: 2

    This is funny considering such a receiver is illegal in certain countries like Germany, France and Saudi Arabia, a new challenge to their overlords :)
    Over here in The Netherlands it is no problem as our freedom of expression goes a little wider, it includes freedom of information.

    --
    "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
    1. Re:Funny by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 1

      When I first arrived in Germany, in 1986, folks told me that the GEZ had trucks with equipment that could detect a house that was receiving TV signals without paying for a "license" to watch TV. To those who are not familiar with television in Germany, the GEZ is a government extortion agency who charge 100€ per month for your right to watch crap game shows, hosted by a daft twat named Thomas Gottschalk.

      So, what are they going to do . . . send out trucks which can detect "illegal" [sic] monitoring of foreign channels? In WWII, it was illegal to listen to Allies radio programs . . . "propaganda". In the former East Germany, the well loved DDR, with Volkshelden like Erich Honecker and Erich Mielke, viewing television from West Germany, "The Federal Republic of Germany", aka "FROG", was also illegal.

      It's Godwin time! Germany needs to drop these restrictions that stem from a Nazi past.

      What's next . . . are they going to place restrictions on astronomers as to what stars in the sky that they can look at . . . ?

      But in Germany, "Alles was nicht ausdrücklich erlaubt ist . . . ist verboten!"

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    2. Re:Funny by Teun · · Score: 1

      You are exaggerating the cost of the licence, at he moment it is below €20.00 / month, for special cases less than €6.00 / month.
      Most EU countries have public broadcasters paid form such charges or public money.
      The resulting programming is in many cases better than the competing commercial stations, prime examples are Germany and the UK.

      About your very true last sentence, indeed if it isn't specifically allowed it is forbidden.
      A nice example is the success of Dutch architects in Germany, they build anything and way that isn't illegal, German architects only build what is allowed.
      Even nicer, we used to have a traffic sign forbidding a left or right turn, the Germans had an 'only straight ahead' sign which has now become the EU standard.

      --
      "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
    3. Re:Funny by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 1

      You are exaggerating the cost of the licence, at he moment it is below €20.00 / month, for special cases less than €6.00 / month. Most EU countries have public broadcasters paid form such charges or public money. The resulting programming is in many cases better than the competing commercial stations, prime examples are Germany and the UK.

      I call bullshit on that . . . the programs on ARD and ZDF just plain suck. Like I said, stuff for the Thomas Gottschalk crowd. I pay for cable, and get my news from CNN, N-TV, N24 and Phoenix. I mostly watch documentaries on the same channels. I never watch ARD or ZDF . . . so why should I pay for them? Oh, ZDF has a great show with a neo-Nazi apologist named Guido Knopp, called ZDF History [sic] . . . sure, I'll pay 20€ per month, to support the Nazi cause! In case you want to debate this, the father of a friend of mine is a Professor of History at the University in Dresden. He tells the truth about Guido Knopp.

      So why not make access to ARD and ZDF optional . . . you would have to pay a monthly fee for access to their programs? No one would do it, because what they offer is crap. Just ask RTL, RTL2, Pro7, Sat1, Tele5 (they are a hoot and a half, with their trash movies), ARTE, Vox, RTL Nitro, Prosieben Maxx (Akte X!), Kabel eins, etc . . .

      People watch those channels, because they offer what people want to see. Not what some government bureaucrat wonks think that they would like to watch.

      For the folks in the US . . . PBS offers great programming, but bugs you a bit a couple times a year for funding. Now imagine, PBS could tax everybody in the nation that has a TV, and offer programming that nobody wants to see.

      Welcome to Germany. Don't ask us about the emissions from our VW cars . . .

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  4. $199! by Lumpy · · Score: 1

    Wow, it's a bit pricey for the first tier to actually get one. Still it would give that beaglebone black I have a use other than sitting on the desk.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  5. Re: If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creepy by anegg · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If the NSA did this, the listening would be done by a small cadre of unknown people with no data being shared publicly, especially if something interesting is found. Think about how Unternet access to freely available satellite imagery has changed how we look at and understand the world, both natural and man made. The tools are already in use by the few, secretly. This puts more of us on a slightly more equal footing.

  6. Re:Not a given by Teun · · Score: 1

    Absolutely.
    But in the examples of France an Germany you are not even allowed the opportunity to tune in.

    --
    "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
  7. Re:For What? by jonwil · · Score: 1

    Plenty of things below 30MHz worth listening to.
    Ham Radio guys of all sorts in all sorts of frequencies
    Aircraft and marine radios
    CB Radios
    Many radio stations operate below 30MHz depending on what part of the world you are in (especially AM radio)

  8. Who cares ?!? by ctrl-alt-canc · · Score: 1

    Broadcasting on the shortwaves is rapidly dying, and everything that can be heard there is available on internet with much better quality. Ham radio chit-chat on shortwaves is just plain boring, and the remaining stuff isn't intended to be listened (i.e. it is strongly encrypted). I really wonder why they are so eager to crowdfund this project.

    1. Re:Who cares ?!? by LordHighExecutioner · · Score: 1

      Actually CB radio is rising back from the dust...maybe they just want to create a worldwide monitoring network for CBers.

    2. Re:Who cares ?!? by slashping · · Score: 2

      Shortwave is between 1.6 MHz and 30 MHz.

    3. Re:Who cares ?!? by Computershack · · Score: 1

      If broadcasting on the shortwaves is dying why are the number of amateur radio operators at an all time high? There's more than AM broadcast stations on it.

      --
      I only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't looking good either. - Scott Adams
  9. Re:Not enough of a dweeb by camperdave · · Score: 1

    You mean like the one in the very first line of the summary? The one in the link to the article?

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  10. Tried and failed? by camperdave · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Didn't someone try this before and fail? They built a bunch of receivers and hooked them up to the internet so that folks could tune in to television broadcasts they normally could not receive. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled against them.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    1. Re:Tried and failed? by TopSpin · · Score: 2

      Television is broadcast in VHF and UHF; well above 30Mhz.. These SDR receivers won't pick up any broadcast television. If any AM radio stations care enough to sue over this (something they haven't bothered to do so far, despite WebSDR existing) it's easy to filter the broadcast AM bands, or anything else that has to be blocked.

      In other very interesting SDR news; last month David Rowe did a linux.conf.au presentation that covered his work on fully open source (from the boards and firmware through the protocol stack) digital VHF radio. This will ultimately lead to cheap (sub $100) and powerful TDMA repeaters for VHF and UHF. Essentially this brings cellular radio technology to amateur radio bands.

      --
      Lurking at the bottom of the gravity well, getting old
    2. Re:Tried and failed? by DuckDodgers · · Score: 1

      I wrote a response to this yesterday but Slashdot's servers ate it. As TopSpin wrote already, this project doesn't work in the frequencies of over-the-air television or FM radio.

      I think it's more interesting as an educational toy than anything else. I've been meaning to learn Software Defined Radio and play with receivers for the purposes of understanding why wireless connection bandwidth speeds in my house only come near the official ratings if I hold my laptop so close to the wireless access point that I can watch the electrons jump back and forth.

  11. WebSDR by 32771 · · Score: 2

    Like that?

    http://websdr.org/

    Actually this KiwiSDR project covers the entire range up to 30MHz, the WebSDR receivers usually only cover bands except for the one in Enschede. If you have limited dynamic range the narrowband approach might be a good idea, lets see how the KiwiSDR is going about all this. Ultimately I hope the projects can merge somehow.

    Aw shucks:

    "Unfortunately, it looks like I may not be able to obtain a license to use the WebSDR code, which is currently closed-source. So for now this part of the project is just a demonstration. I am however working on an open-source alternative."

    from the Kiwi website: http://www.jks.com/KiwiSDR/

    Well KiwiSDR is the way to go then.

    --
    Je me souviens.
  12. Re:Not a given by 32771 · · Score: 1

    In Germany this can be found in https://www.gesetze-im-interne... under 89. Basically it says that you can only listen to open material that is meant for the public. If you accidentally listen to other things you are not allowed to publish them in any way. So a broadband receiver on the web would publish everything.

    This is pathetic, maybe people should use encryption. Maybe if they only have a law to protect them, the information wasn't worth anything in the first place.

    --
    Je me souviens.
  13. Re:For What? by Shoten · · Score: 2

    North Korean ICBM launch codes have been known to be transmitted in the clear betweeen 15-50 MHz.

    Yeah, but everyone already knows what they both are, now.

    --

    For your security, this post has been encrypted with ROT-13, twice.
  14. Re: If the NSA did this, you'd think it was creep by Type44Q · · Score: 1

    f the NSA did this, the listening would be done by a small cadre of unknown people with no data being shared publicly

    Sure, for Intel that only has significance militarily; but for all the rest?? "Parallel reconstruction" is just the start; it's only a matter of time until TPTB find other ways to monetize that data (think stock manipulation, data shared with competing businesses, etc, etc).

  15. Re: For What? by Type44Q · · Score: 1

    North Korean ICBM launch codes have been known to be transmitted in the clear betweeen 15-50 MHz.

    I havevit on good authority that Somalian starship launch codes are also broadcast on a fairly low frequency... (and apparently aren't being received, either).

  16. like websdr? by Holi · · Score: 1

    you can choose a bunch from here http://websdr.org/

    but the best one is here http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8...

    --
    Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
  17. Re:That's nice. by rfengr · · Score: 1

    TV antennas are typically log periodics that have a very broad frequency response; up to a decade in bandwidth. RTLSDR are piss poor on just about everything but price, but this proposed hardware with GPS should make a nice distributed receiver at HF. Anyway, just backed it.

  18. For my money, RTL-SDR with a downconverter by kriston · · Score: 1

    For my money, RTL-SDR with an HF downconverter is a better bang for the buck, but less than 3 MHz of the spectrum is available at one time depending on the USB speed you choose (here's hoping for USB 3.0 RTL-SDR some day).

    The Kiwi will do the entire 30 MHz if the screen shots on the Kickstarter site are correct, for 3x the price, or 4x the price if you want the $100 enclosure. Seriously, a $100 enclosure.

    Then there's this custom job that can monitor and record the entire 30 MHz spectrum at once:
    http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8...

    --

    Kriston

    1. Re:For my money, RTL-SDR with a downconverter by qvatch · · Score: 1

      That $100 case is a beaglebone. The $200 version is the SDR daughterboard only.

  19. Another angle - the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) by PeteN4ZR · · Score: 1

    The RBN has been around since 2009. Software defined radios (SDRs) operated by hams and SWLs in over 100 locations worldwide listen to the HF and low VHF ham bands, decode the CW, radio teletype and other digital transmissions they hear and report information (callsign, frequency, how strong, etc.) to a server via the Internet. The server archives these "spots" and relays them via Telnet to a worldwide public network of "DX cluster" servers which anyone can connect to. During one radio contest weekend last fall, the RBN relayed over 7 million spots, or over 40 per second. In addition to their support of amateur radio operating, the RBN archives are also being used for serious studies of the ionosphere. Early last year, an article in Space Weather Quarterly used RBN observations to shed new light on what happens during a solar flare. For more information, see http://www.reversebeacon.net/m... and http://reversebeacon.blogspot.... 73, Pete N4ZR