ExpertSDR2 1.1.3 Update With Many Enhancements

ExpertSDR2 version 1.1.3 with many enhancements and fixes for your SunSDR2 PRO, MB1 and ColibriDDC has been released after a long period of testing. With this version remote control is also introduced for both SunSDR2 PRO and ColibriDDC.
Here are a few highlights of new features and fixes for all devices.

Added option to set the power and modulation meters to show peak or RMS values
Improved antenna and RX antenna switching
Rebuilt audio processor with compression threshold setting, compressor parameters now saved in profiles
Added new presets for the E-Coder in Panel settings
Added Audio Peak Filter (APF) for SSB
Improved CW Keying via com ports
Improved waterfall to display fast signals, improved rendering for less CPU load
Added automatic SPLIT disable when changing the frequency band or mode
Added global volume control to CAT
Improved VOX and fixed bug when switching to RX
Added saving RF level per mod
Added mixer presets for VFOA/VFOB in E-Coder panel

For detailed information and device specific updates, see the update log at the end of this posting.

Remote Control

Remote control for SunSDR2 PRO and ColibriDDC has finally arrived! The highly efficient protocol for remote control being introduced today enable you to connect and operate your SunSDR2 PRO or ColibriDDC device over almost any internet connection like ADSL broadband, mobile 3G and 4G networks, long range WiFi links etc. The connection can be customised for bandwidths between 70 kbps to 1 Mbps per receiver including both audio and full panadapter view.

Remote control client for PC and HTML5 compatible web browsers including mobile browsers
Remote control server applications for Windows and Raspberry Pi3

Get the update today!

The new ExpertSDR2 version 1.1.3 can be downloaded from our download page now. When upgrading from 1.1.2 or beta/rc versions make sure to also update the firmware if this isn’t done automatically when starting version 1.1.3 the first time. This is done in OPTIONS > EXPERT by pressing the FIRMWARE UPDATE button.

Detailed update log

1.1.3 beta
General changes

Fixed bug frequency memory panel, incorrect sort of the stations column;
Stereo-RX indicator for WFM stations was added to the panorama.

MB1

Added stereo WFM;
In DSP settings was added switching of the region for WFM;
Fixed bug for VAC initialisation.

SunSDR2

Fixed bug for VAC initialisation.

ColibriDDC

AddedAPF and DSE;
Upgraded WFM demodulator.

1.1.3 beta2
General changes

Fixed bug, while changing the frequency with the E-Coder panel, tuning steps were incorrect;
Optimized TX/RX switching;
Tuning step of the filter over the panorama now always equals 10 Hz;
With the LOCK enabled, RIT tuning is unlocked, but XIT is locked.

MB1

Fixed bug, voice mic rec indicator on the front panel wasn’t active;
Fixed bug freezing of the front panel;
Added VHF LNA indicator;
Enable VHF LNA by the long press of the ATT button on the front panel;
Fixed bug, keyboard backlit wasn’t active;
Fixed bug, lowered TX power in SSB.

1.1.3 beta3
General changes

In the E-Coder panel added possibility to enable APF;
In the power meter added pick power mode, in Options you can select wither mode (RMS or Peak): Options->Display->Indicators->Power meter.
Changed RX ANT functionality, in the antenna switch menu for each HF antenna input there is the RX ONLY button, now several antenna inputs could be locked for RX simultaneously;
Rebuilt audio compressor, added threshold slider;
Miscellaneous improvements and optimisation.

MB1

Updated ATU firmware;
Added ATU settings memory according to the tuned frequency;
ATU operating frequency from 1.8 MHz up to 30 MHz;
Added full functionality for the keyboard (secondary functions of the ” 0-9, “.”, ENT ” buttons);
Added bandscope control from the front panel
For the F1-F10 buttons added 4 functions: switching the RX antenna on the certain antenna connector: RX A1, RX A2, RX A3, RX A4
For the F1-F10 functional buttons added function enable Speaker.

Note:
Band scope control from the front panel is carried out with MULTI1 / MULTI2 / MULTI3.

MULTI1 doubled knob controls adjustment of the lower and higher limits of the spectrum scope.
MULTI2 doubled knob controls panorama zoom and zoom center marker.
MULTI3 doubled knob controls bandscope central frequency.

Press and hold one of the F1-F10 functional buttons (which is assigned to enable bandscope) to enable/ disable control of the bandscope. The function could be enabled only with active bandscope. When the function is enabled, blue IND2 indicator on the front panel is active. If any local panel is active, then the knobs will either control the settings adjustments or inactive (depends on the local panel).
When all 4 antenna connectors are assigned on the F1-F10 functional buttons, they are active with inactive RX IN and vice versa.

When HF band is active, all four functions are active.
When VHF band is active, only two: RX A1 and RX A2 are active, because there are 2 VHF connectors.

1.1.3 beta4
General changes:

Fixed bugs in CAT, antenna switch control couldn’t be controlled, software freezed when performed fast tuning via CAT;

1.1.3 beta5
General changes

Fixed bugs in CTCSS initialization.

MB1

Fixed bug with adjusting SQL on VHF;
Lessened SQL closing delay;
Fixed bug, firmware upgrade wasn’t successful all the time.

SunSDR2

Lessened SQL closing delay;
Fixed bug, firmware upgrade wasn’t successful all the time.

1.1.3 beta6

General changes

Fixed bugs in CAT.

MB1

Improved NR, the sound is no longer quiet;
Fixed bug in the DSP panel, WFM stereo button wasn’t displayed.

SunSDR2

Improved NR, the sound is no longer quiet.

ColibriDDC

Improved NR, the sound is no longer quiet.

1.1.3 beta7
General changes

Fixed bug, software crashed while closing
Added APF for SSB

SunSDR2

Corrected NR amplifying

1.1.3 beta9
General changes

11M band removed for ITU 2
Fixed bugs for optimization

MB1

Firmware update
Tuner firmware update process was automated
Tuner settings are stores per band

1.1.3 beta10
MB1

Added VOX level control via knob on the front panel (with enabled SHIFT);
Added COMP level control via knob on the front panel (with enabled SHIFT);
Added NB1/NB2 level control via knob on the front panel (with enabled SHIFT);
You may enter the frequency via the ENT button.

Note:
To control VOX trigger threshold you need to enable SHIFT, then secondary functions will be assigned to the knobs, you adjust VOX threshold for active Mic (if you choose MIC1 then VOX threshold will be adjusted by the MIC1 knob).
Frequency Input Panel appears after long press of the ENT button, when the panel is active you may enter the frequency via two ways: from the front panel keyboard (frequency band buttons function as the keyboard to enter the numbers), in this situation NB1 (DEL– delete entered frequency value) and NB2 (Backspace – works as on regular keyboard). You may set the entered frequency for VFO A by the short press of the ENT button on the front panel or click on the «SET TO A» button in the software window. If you want to set the frequency for VFOB, click on the «SET TO B» button in the software window, it’s the only way.

1.1.3 beta11
General changes

Improved CW keying via COM ports.

MB1

Indicators in the MB1 style functions as buttons;
Added fast enable for VHF LNA – long press of the ATT button;
Added stack memory for the antenna switch, while controlling the HF antenna input from F1-F2 buttons (RX A1 – RX A4), set the required input by the first press, set the previous input by the second press;
Added ATU controls in the Desktop interface;
Added Bandscope parameter control from the front panel:
Corrected NR volume;
Fixed some bugs in ATU operation;
Fixed CTCSS initialization;
Removed CW equalizer;
Fixed cracks when enabled two RXs with 312 kHz bandwidth;

Note:
Control the bandscope with Multi1 – Multi3 knobs. Enable the bandscope control by the long press of the assigned button F1-F10. IND2 indicator flashes when the control is activated. Multi1 knob controls the top and bottom of the amplitude scale (dB), Multi2 knob controls zoom by frequency and zoom center, Multi3 knob controls tuning of the IF of the bandscope.

1.1.3 RC
General changes

Improved waterfall (now fast signals are displayed);
COM ports are now stored per name.

Fixed bugs

For ITU 2 removed 11М band.
Added APF forSSB
In the E-Coder panel added APF enable function;
While changing the frequency by the E-Coder panel, tuning step could vary from the set step;
In the frequency memory panel, incorrect sorting of the frequency column;
In the Power meter added RMS, now you can select any mode RMS or Peak in Options:Options->Display->Indicators->Power meter.
Changed RX ANT functionality, in the antenna switch menu there is an RX ONLYbutton for each HF antenna input, now you can lock several antenna inputs for RX simultaneously;
Audio compressor reworked, added trigger threshold;
Filter’s tuning step on the panorama now always equals 10 Hz;
Now with LOCK enabled you can tune RIT offset, but the XIT is still locked;
Added stereo indicator of the WFM stations to the panorama.

SunSDR2

Improved data exchange protocol between SDR and PC.
Improve NR.
Lowered SQL closing interval

1.1.3 RC2
General changes

Added automatic SPLIT disable while changing the frequency band or mode (optional)
When changing the frequency band, the SubRX is automatically disabled
Added global volume control to CAT

1.1.3 RC3
MB1

Added separate control for output power and tone;
Added button to stop saving output power per band and mode – DON’T SAVE DRIVE;
Added disable receiver AGC by the long press of the AGC button;
Activates TxBbutton (on/off SubRX and Split simultaneously).
To the Desktop GUI added buttons to control audio outputs (SDR/PC/Speaker)
To the Desktop GUI added control menu of the antenna tuner

Note:
Control the tone output power by the TUNE DRIVE slider in the tuner menu, power level is displayed on the T.PWR indicator. When the tone mode is activated, Drive knob on the front panel controls T.PWR.

1.1.3 RC4
General changes

Fixed RIT/XIT settings recovery
Fixed freezes in CAT, which resulted in the freezes of the software
Fixed bug Split/SubRX settings recovery
Pressing Voice Play With the left mouse button engage TX and plays the record. Pressing the right mouse button, it just play the record

MB1

Improved equalizer for RX and TX;
Improved CW manipulation via COM ports;
Fixed PA key functionality (was always on in TUNE)
Fixed high SWR protection
Fixed bug, which synced PWR and T.PWR
Activated TxB button on the front panel
Fixed bug, when NB threshold <1,17 software freezed
Fixed high SWR indicator in the MB1 GUI
Now, if tuner can’t tune the transceiver will always turn to RX
Added indication of the users’ filter in the MB1 GUI
The driver was optimized
In the Desktop GUI added buttons to enable the sound from PC/SDR/Speaker

SunSDR2

Improved VOX functionality
The driver was improved
Improved CW manipulation via COM ports;
Improved equalizer for RX and TX;

1.1.3 RC5
General changes

Added RX ANT button
Added mixer presets for the RX1/RX2 in the E-Coder panel
Added RX switch control to the E-Coder panel, with muting the prior RX
Fixed VOX bug, with returning to RX

MB1

Fixed bug (play the record functioned failed after you press the button on the front panel)
Fixed VOX bug
Fixed bug (TX output coefficients didn’t initialize)
Fixed bug (while you saved calibration coefficient CW settings went to default)

SunSDR2

Fixed VOX
Fixed bug (TX output coefficients didn’t initialize)
Fixed bug (while you saved calibration coefficient CW settings went to default)

Notes:
RX ANT button description:
RX ANT button enables receiving for the required antenna input, which is selected in the drop down menu. You cannot select the antenna input as RX ONLY if it’s selected for TX.
Description of the mixer presets:
While you operate both RX1 аnd RX2 usually you need to listen to either only one of them or both of them, but in different channels (left / right). For that we added special functions to the E-Coder panel, which set the mixer for both RXs like this:

By default, (both RX have equal volume in both channels);
Listen to the RX1 only;
Listen to the RX2 only;
Listen to the RX1 in left channel, RX2 in right channel;
Listen to the RX2 in left channel, RX1 in right channel.

1.1.3 RC6
General changes

Added enable RX2 function from E-Coder panel
Added saving RF level per mode

MB1

Fixed RIT / XIT control from the front panel
Added saving global volume per band and mode (for RX1)
Fixed bug with MIC and VAC levels for TX

1.1.3 RC7
General changes

Added saving the compressor parameters in profiles
Added mixer presets for VFOA/VFOB in E-Coder panel
Fixed bug (on panorama s-meter displayed only when both checkboxes “show s-meter” and «show filter text» were active)
Fixed bug (on 6M, on panorama s-meter had incorrect level)

1.1.3 RC9
General changes

Fixed bug for IQ output for the CW Skimmer software
Fixed bug in CAT, which led to software freeze
Fixed bug when switching profiles in CAT
Fixed bug in indicators readings
Fixed bug, the Drive level was not saved by band if the band was changed via CAT system
Fixed bug in the module for operation with the OmniRig, which prevented changing the frequency from the transceiver
Optimized waterfall rendering algorithm, CPU load decreased

ColibriDDC

Fixed bug with high latency in audio signal

SunSDR2

Fixed bug with TX signal display on panorama in TUNE mode
Fixed bug with CW signal display on panorama in BreakIN mode
Fixed bug in IQ recording
Fixed bug with CW key operation in Reverse paddle mode

MB1

Fixed bug with TX signal display on panorama in TUNE mode
Fixed bug with CW signal display on panorama in BreakIN mode
Fixed bug in IQ recording
Fixed bug with CW key operation in Reverse paddle mode

1.1.3 RC12
General changes

Fixed an issue, which let to software crash
Added automatic APF in CW (with filter bandwidth narrower 150 Hz you won’t recognize whether APF active or not)

MB1

Fixed SQL performance while both RX1 and RX2 are active

1.1.3 RC13
General changes

Fixed frequency memory stacking issue
Fixed COMP settings initialization issue
Fixed preamp initialization issue
Added storing cursor type on the panorama

Remote Control

Get the update today!

Detailed update log

SM0MDG