{"id":4282,"date":"2012-08-25T14:32:53","date_gmt":"2012-08-25T18:32:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=4282"},"modified":"2012-08-25T14:32:53","modified_gmt":"2012-08-25T18:32:53","slug":"using-and-setting-up-the-alinco-dx-r8te-receiver-as-an-sdr-software-defined-radio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/using-and-setting-up-the-alinco-dx-r8te-receiver-as-an-sdr-software-defined-radio\/","title":{"rendered":"Using and setting up the Alinco DX-R8T\/E receiver as an SDR (software defined radio)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Alinco DX-R8T (DX-R8E in Europe) can be used as a traditional tabletop or as a software defined receiver<\/p><\/div>\n

Some time ago, I posted a review of the Alinco DX-R8T<\/a>\u2013a surprisingly capable, flexible and affordable dedicated tabletop receiver.\u00a0 In that review, I explored its capabilities as a tabletop unit, and was favorably impressed.<\/p>\n

But I knew then that one of the virtues of the DX-R8T is that it’s more than a typical tabletop:\u00a0 the control head (or, front panel) can literally be detached, and with an\u00a0extension\u00a0cable, can be moved as far away as 16 feet from the rest of the receiver. Also, with the optional ERW-7 cable and a shielded audio patch cord, you can connect the Alinco to your PC, converting it to a software-defined radio (SDR).\u00a0 Just to be fair, I wanted to further check out this alternative operation mode, and review it independently.<\/p>\n

I’ve recently had an opportunity to explore the Alinco DX-R8T\/E as an SDR, and here’s what I’ve discovered.<\/p>\n

As it took some time to figure out how to get KGSDR, the Alinco control software, communicating with my DX-R8T, it’s fair to state that the Alinco’s SDR functionality is not exactly “plug-and-play.”\u00a0 Nor does Windows seem to find the USB driver automatically.\u00a0 You must download a USB driver for your computer, as well as download KGSDR from external sites.\u00a0 It’s also important to note that the Alinco website is not easy to navigate–at least, the relevant links are somewhat buried in large portions of site content.<\/p>\n

When I first attempted to set up my receiver as an SDR, I had to use a combination of the printed owner’s manual, the Alinco website, external sites, and simple determination.<\/p>\n

Before reviewing the actual performance of the Alinco DX-R8T\/E as an SDR, I’ll simplify setting it up as an SDR with a step-by-step process, below. (I wish this was clearly outlined in the owner’s manual, however.)<\/p>\n

How to convert your Alinco DX-R8T\/E into a Software Defined Receiver<\/h2>\n
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The ERW-7 is the cable that connects your Alinco DX-R8(T) to your computer.<\/p><\/div>\n

1.) Connect the ERW-7 cable and d<\/strong>ownload the \u00a0driver<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ERW-7<\/a>\u00a0is the USB cable that connects your Alinco DX-R8T with your computer. Specifically, it allows your computer to tune and control the DX-R8T; it does not carry audio. If you wish to have full control of your receiver via your PC, you will need to purchase the ERW-7<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You simply plug one end of the cable (the one that looks like an 1\/8″ audio connector) in the “clone” port on the back of your Alinco, the other end into an available USB port on your computer.<\/p>\n

The download page–at FTDI Chip, the manufacturer of the Alinco cable–has versions of the USB driver for most OS platforms. If you have Windows, you can save a little time by\u00a0downloading the USB setup tool<\/a> that will attempt to automatically load the USB driver. Otherwise, you can download and manually install the drivers for the\u00a0Windows 32 bit version<\/a>\u00a0or Windows 64 bit version<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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You will need a shielded audio patch cord with 1\/8″ stereo plugs on both ends<\/p><\/div>\n

2.) Connect an audio patch cord<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Alinco DX-R8T\/E sends the received IQ signal to your PC via a shielded audio patch cord. This is a standard audio cable that you can purchase at most electronics retailers. It needs to have 1\/8″ stereo connectors on both ends, and it must be shielded<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

One end of the patch cord is plugged into the IQ port<\/strong> on the back of the receiver, the other is plugged into the microphone input on your computer.<\/p>\n

3.) Tell your DX-R8T\/E to send the IQ audio to your computer<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Your computer will need to “hear” the IQ (spectrum) audio produced by the Alinco DX-R8T\/E. The receiver will only send the IQ audio to your computer if you tell it to do so. Fortunately, this is easily done:\u00a0 simply press the MODE button on the front panel of your receiver until FM appears. Then, simply press the FUNCTION button, then the MODE button. \u00a0Your Alinco should now display “IQ” on the main display. You can feel confident the audio is now being sent to your PC.<\/p>\n

4.) Install KGSDR<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The KGSDR controls are very similar to those of the Ten-Tec RX-320D<\/p><\/div>\n

KGSDR is a software-defined radio application built specifically for the Alinco DX-R8T\/E receivers. A third-party software developer<\/a> maintains the download page for the KGSDR. Click here to download the setup software for Windows<\/a>. (If this link doesn’t work, you can also download a zipped copy by clicking here<\/a>.) To my knowledge, there are no updates to the software–as of time of this post, the current version is 1.0.0.<\/p>\n

Installation is simple and only requires that you extract the contents of the zipped folder, then run the KGSDR executable file.<\/p>\n

If all has been installed correctly, and the IQ signal is being sent to KGSDR, then you should be able to hear the received audio via your computer.<\/p>\n

I have actually installed KGSDR on three different computers. On my laptop, I had to troubleshoot and tweak the settings to get KGSDR to work. On the other two computers, it worked the first time. \u00a0All of them were running a 64 bit version of Windows 7.<\/p>\n

Troubleshooting tips<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you change the tuned frequency on KGSDR from, say 5,000 kHz to 10,000 kHz, but your Alinco receiver does not change frequencies (it still displays the centered frequency on the front panel), then the USB driver has not been installed or configured properly.<\/p>\n

If the receiver tunes, but the audio is garbled or non-existent, you will need to check the audio cord connections. First of all, make sure it’s plugged into the microphone input on your computer (not the speaker\/headphone port!) and the IQ port on the back of the Alinco. You cannot plug the patch cord into any other port port on the DX-R8T\/E. The plug will fit in the headphone jack, for example, but the IQ port is the only one that sends\u00a0interpretable\u00a0analog information to your PC.<\/p>\n

Review:\u00a0 the Alinco DX-R8T\/E as an SDR<\/h2>\n
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KGSDR comes with a spectrum and waterfall display (Click to enlarge)<\/p><\/div>\n

I have read reports of people achieving remarkable results with their Alinco functioning as an SDR…I wish I could report the same.<\/p>\n

While the Alinco DX-R8T\/E is a very capable tabletop receiver, I find that the SDR functionality adds very little, performance-wise. In fact, in many respects this function seems to compromise the performance of the DX-R8T\/E. Still, there are some positives:<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n