{"id":33870,"date":"2018-09-16T09:36:29","date_gmt":"2018-09-16T13:36:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=33870"},"modified":"2018-09-16T09:42:33","modified_gmt":"2018-09-16T13:42:33","slug":"cant-escape-the-noise-take-an-impromptu-dxpedition-via-the-kiwisdr-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/cant-escape-the-noise-take-an-impromptu-dxpedition-via-the-kiwisdr-network\/","title":{"rendered":"Can’t escape the noise? Take an impromptu DXpedition via the KiwiSDR network!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

While I love the Panasonic RF-B65, the Voice of Greece and a St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout: this combo can’t fight the persistent radio interference here at the condo.<\/p><\/div>\n

Some of you might recall that I’m spending the months of August and September in a condo near Qu\u00e9bec City, Canada. We love it here, though it does present some radio challenges. Unlike our rural\/remote mountain home in the States, I’ve always had to cope with QRM (manmade radio interference) here at the condo. Not surprising.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I typically bring my PK Loop antenna<\/a>–it helps lower the noise a tad and is easy to take out on our balcony for optimal reception. Lately, though, the QRM has been even worse on the balcony than inside the condo (more on that in a future post).<\/p>\n

Some North American and European stations punch through the noise when propagation is favorable (especially the Voice of Greece<\/em> and Radio Romania International<\/em>) but there have been evenings where nothing could penetrate the wall of noise.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

One way I escape the noise, of course, is to take my radio to a picturesque remote location<\/a> for the afternoon or evening. It’s amazing the number of signals you can pull out of the ether when the noise floor is so low.<\/p>\n

Back at the condo, though, there’s no easy way to escape the noise.<\/p>\n

Or is there?<\/p>\n

Impromptu DXpeditions<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Perhaps 21st century problems require 21st century solutions.<\/p>\n

This year–especially here at the condo–I’ve spent a great deal of time exploring the KiwiSDR network<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For those of you not familiar, the KiwiSDR is a self-hosted WebSDR which operates much like a mini\u00a0U Twente WebSDR<\/a>. KiwiSDR owners install their SDRs at home–or in other favorable locations–then share control of their SDR with the world via the the Internet.<\/p>\n

Like the U Twente WebSDR, KiwiSDRs allow multiple simultaneous users to control the SDR independently of each other. Each KiwiSDR can allow up to four simultaneous guests (the U Twente WebSDR can allow hundreds of simultaneous users, but it’s also a university-supported bespoke SDR with fantastic<\/em> bandwidth!).<\/p>\n

Over the past few years, the KiwiSDR network<\/a> has grown almost exponentially. There are Kiwi SDRs on every continent save Antarctica (someone remedy that, please!).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Each red pin represents a KiwiSDR installation.<\/p><\/div>\n

Other than the fact that the SDR audio is piped through the Internet–and you can’t walk outside and adjust the antenna–there is no difference between using a KiwiSDR remotely or locally.<\/p>\n

In fact, the KiwiSDR only has a web browser-based application, there is no downloadable application for local use. So quite literally, the experience of controlling and using a KiwiSDR locally or globally is identical.<\/p>\n

And it’s so much fun! I browse the KiwiSDR network via the map above, select an interesting location, and virtually travel there for an impromptu DXpedition. I can travel to India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, or Hawaii via the network and be back in time for dinner here in Canada without breaking a sweat or even using frequent flyer miles!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I’ve found that the combo above makes for an immersive experience. I use\u00a0Bose Quiet Comfort noise-cancelling headphones<\/a> paired with my iPad Air (which I have enclosed in a Zagg Rugged Book<\/a>). With a reasonable Internet connection, it truly feels like I’m there.<\/p>\n

Of course, you don’t need an iPad, or any special equipment. The KiwiSDR application works with pretty much any computer, tablet or smart phone that has a web browser. For the best experience, however, I would suggest connecting a good external speaker, bluetooth speaker or headphones.<\/p>\n

I know many of you are thinking, “But Thomas! This isn’t real radio!”<\/p>\n

But I would argue that it is real radio! It’s a real radio, connected to a real antenna that you’re simply controlling via the Internet with a web-based SDR application. Instead of the audio going through a sound card into your headphones, it’s going into a soundcard, piped through the Internet, then into your headphones.<\/p>\n

Give it a try! You might find an impromptu DXpedition is the perfect remedy to your QRM and RFI blues!<\/p>\n

Post<\/em> readers:<\/strong> Any heavy KiwiSDR users out there?\u00a0 Or do you oppose using WebSDRs? What are your thoughts? Please comment!<\/p>\n

Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some of you might recall that I’m spending the months of August and September in a condo near Qu\u00e9bec City, Canada. We love it here, though it does present some radio challenges. Unlike our rural\/remote mountain home in the States, I’ve always had to cope with QRM (manmade radio interference) here at the condo. Not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5935,3,26,43,158],"tags":[4098,3906,4741,4089,1954,2651,1296,453],"class_list":["post-33870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dx","category-news","category-radios","category-shortwave-radio","category-software-defined-radio","tag-dxpeditions","tag-field-radios","tag-kiwisdr","tag-qrm","tag-quebec","tag-radio-frequency-interference","tag-rf-noise","tag-rfi"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-8Oi","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":34180,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/arcing-can-produce-nasty-broadband-radio-interference\/","url_meta":{"origin":33870,"position":0},"title":"Arcing can produce nasty broadband radio interference","author":"Thomas","date":"September 21, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"I mentioned in a previous post that, this year, QRM levels here at the condo in Qu\u00e9bec are higher on our balcony than they are inside the building. I think I found the source. A couple weeks ago, on my morning walk, I passed underneath some high voltage power lines\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Elecraft-KX2-PK-Loop-Condo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":31654,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/rsgb-presentation-on-rf-interference\/","url_meta":{"origin":33870,"position":1},"title":"RSGB presentation on RF Interference","author":"Thomas","date":"April 23, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0Gary (W4EEY), who writes: I want to recommend an excellent presentation on RF Interference from the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) Convention in 2015. The presenter is Ian White, GM3SEK, who has a Blog website here: https:\/\/gm3sek.com\/ You can find the presentation video on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Digital-Frequency-Dial","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Digital-Frequency-Dial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Digital-Frequency-Dial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Digital-Frequency-Dial.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30760,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/can-you-help-luke-identify-this-radio-noise\/","url_meta":{"origin":33870,"position":2},"title":"Can you help Luke identify this radio noise?","author":"Thomas","date":"February 6, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Luke Perry, who writes: I am experiencing a issue with my shortwave reception at my part-time home. I have been helping out my mother so I have brought over my Sony portable, along with the Sony active antenna. I have a constant \u2018clicking\u2019 sound\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Sony-SW100-Dial-6160-Loomish.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Sony-SW100-Dial-6160-Loomish.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Sony-SW100-Dial-6160-Loomish.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Sony-SW100-Dial-6160-Loomish.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":41530,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/john-works-with-fcc-to-track-down-wx-radar-interference\/","url_meta":{"origin":33870,"position":3},"title":"John works with FCC to track down WX radar interference","author":"Thomas","date":"January 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Harper (AE5X), who notes that he recently worked with an FCC crew to find the source of noise that was affecting a weather radar site. In the process, John got to check out, first hand, RF Hawk and some of the equipment the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/QRM-plot.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/QRM-plot.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/QRM-plot.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/QRM-plot.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48313,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/guest-post-indoor-noise-and-ferrites-part1\/","url_meta":{"origin":33870,"position":4},"title":"Guest Post: Indoor Noise and Ferrites, Part1","author":"Thomas","date":"March 30, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post: Indoor Noise and Ferrites, Part 1 by TomL My magnet wire loop antenna on the porch reminded me to revisit aspects about my noisy Condo that I still needed to understand.\u00a0 Some RF noise I could control\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/TVSignal.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/TVSignal.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/TVSignal.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/TVSignal.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":59851,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/05\/kostas-releases-the-nr-1-noise-blanker\/","url_meta":{"origin":33870,"position":5},"title":"Kostas presents the NR-1 Noise Blanker!","author":"Thomas","date":"May 27, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kostas (SV3ORA), for sharing the following post which originally appeared on his website: Update (19 Dec 2024): ELISYS\u00a0 now sells Kostas' NR-1 noise blanker and ships worldwide. Check it out by clicking here. The NR-1, a revolutionary noise blanker that works directly on the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/front.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/front.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33870"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33870\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}