SunSDR2 PRO with ExpertSDR2

ExpertSDR2 1.1.3 Update With Many Enhancements

SunSDR.eu Downloads
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

Read more about remote control here.

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.

  1. When HF band is active, all four functions are active.
  2. 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:

  1. By default, (both RX have equal volume in both channels);
  2. Listen to the RX1 only;
  3. Listen to the RX2 only;
  4. Listen to the RX1 in left channel, RX2 in right channel;
  5. 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