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Author Topic: New to SDR, need help with CubeSDR on Debian  (Read 83 times)

N3KXZ

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New to SDR, need help with CubeSDR on Debian
« on: November 08, 2022, 10:46:41 AM »

I finally received my RTL-SDR dongle. I am using Linux Debian. I guess I don't know how this works... the screen shows nothing but empty windows.

I'm using my regular ham antenna so I know there is no problem with cabling or antenna.

My system shows the dongle is recognized. I've set "Direct Sampling" to  "Q-ADC" but have also tried "I-ADC" with no change. I don't know what those setting are.

I've selected to view 20 meters.

So why am I not seeing a waterfall or any other info on the screen? I can't find any actual instructions on how to proceed.

Below shows dmesg, and I have attached a screenshot. Can someone clue me in? Are there other settings I need to know about, for instance, just to get started?

Thanks,
Keith
N3KXZ

************

keith@ada:~/Downloads$ sudo dmesg|tail
[  756.910273] rtl2832_sdr rtl2832_sdr.2.auto: Registered as swradio0
[  756.910276] rtl2832_sdr rtl2832_sdr.2.auto: Realtek RTL2832 SDR attached
[  756.910279] rtl2832_sdr rtl2832_sdr.2.auto: SDR API is still slightly experimental and functionality changes may follow
[  756.917584] Registered IR keymap rc-empty
[  756.917637] rc rc0: Realtek RTL2832U reference design as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb2/2-1/2-1.7/rc/rc0
[  756.917740] rc rc0: lirc_dev: driver dvb_usb_rtl28xxu registered at minor = 0, raw IR receiver, no transmitter
[  756.917797] input: Realtek RTL2832U reference design as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb2/2-1/2-1.7/rc/rc0/input21
[  756.918020] usb 2-1.7: dvb_usb_v2: schedule remote query interval to 200 msecs
[  756.926804] usb 2-1.7: dvb_usb_v2: 'Realtek RTL2832U reference design' successfully initialized and connected
[  756.926880] usbcore: registered new interface driver dvb_usb_rtl28xxu


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KE6SLS

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Re: New to SDR, need help with CubeSDR on Debian
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2022, 11:53:14 AM »

Hi Keith,

I don't have any SDR's to play with, BUT, being old linux only ham, I have seen many posts about SDR's on the official "debain-hams" email list.

Here's the address:  debian-hams@lists.debian.org

Obviously, I have been subscribed to this list since the 1990's.  Low traffic but good hams that can point you in the right direction.

73
Jaye
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N3KXZ

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Re: New to SDR, need help with CubeSDR on Debian
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2022, 12:09:31 PM »

Hey thanks Jay, I did not know about that debian-hams@lists.debian.org, I will check it out.

I suspect my issue is not so much about linux/Debian as it is about using the dongle and sdr software in general.
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WD4SIX

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Re: New to SDR, need help with CubeSDR on Debian
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2022, 12:11:31 PM »

When you first start Cubic do you get a small window that shows your device?  I tried to upload a screenshot but apparently don't know how on this forum.  If your device is shown in that window then you click on the start button below where the device is listed.  That window will close and you should start to see the waterfall.  If you get the window but your device is not shown you may have to unplug your device and then plug it back in for Cubic to see it.  I have to do that sometimes.

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N3KXZ

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Re: New to SDR, need help with CubeSDR on Debian
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2022, 12:20:40 PM »

@WD4SIX- Got it!

You were right, I needed to unplug the device then plug it back in, then restart the program.

Thanks!

BTW- I also don't know how to upload a photo to this board, and had to put it on my webserver then add a link to it.
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WD4SIX

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Re: New to SDR, need help with CubeSDR on Debian
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2022, 12:28:20 PM »

Glad I could help.  I have only been using Linux for about a year but I have learned that most problems are usually pretty easy to fix.  Much better than when I used Windows.

Enjoy your SDR.  They are pretty cool.  Looking at the waterfall of a Ham band is an interesting experience.

73,
Carroll
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