New rtlsdr Plugin

[rgleason]

When I do the same aettings but for 162.500 mhz, -30.3 db approx. The base is about -44.7db.

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[rgleason]

LeoA here are the two photos of 162.475 and 162.500 with your settings.
NFM narrow fm
bandwidth box 12500
rtl-sdr controller box sample rate to 2.4msps
offset tuning unchecked
rtl agc checked
tuner agc unchecked
slide rf gain control to 40
leave ppm at 0 for now.
Are these good signals? What should we do next?

Thankyou for the guidance.

[LeoA]

Frequencies for RI are 162,400,00 and 162,550,00 depending where in Rhode Island you are. Try one of those frequencies and see if you get some audio. The bottom window (waterfall) of sdr# should show the modulation when you get tuned close to a working frequency.

[rgleason]

Thanks. Finally got my Surface working with internet now, somewhat tenuous but it works.

[rgleason]

Still has hissing sound. No voices just hissing.

[LeoA]

can you listen to audio with either of those frequencies?

[rgleason]

Using SDRsharp and the usb rtlsdr dongle I cannot hear anything more than hissing.

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[LeoA]

What is selected as audio out in the audio tab? Is the yellow line in the bottom window a smooth line or does it have jagged edges?

[rgleason]

Using a handheld VHF I get and can understand voices on
WX 1 162.550. Good
WX 2. 162.400 not as good but voices
WX 3 162.475 Good
WX 6 162.500 not good.

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[rgleason]

None of the above frequencies have audible voices through SDRsharp. 162.550 and 162.475 are best on VHF.

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[LeoA]

Does the antenna you are using with rtl-sdr work on your regular vhf radio?

[rgleason]

YES. When our Standard Horizon is.disconnected we hear significantly less volume. When connected we get good reveption.

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[LeoA]

Make sure in the Audio tab that your speakers or sound driver is selected for output. The AGC, Noise Blanker and Digital Noise Reduction tabs should have all boxes unticked. It looks like your stick is receiving the carrier that is being transmitted, but the modulation ( voice) is not being processed. The graphic in the bottom window of sdr# should look like my screenshot.

[rgleason]

I am confused. Earlier using RTLSDR-scanner and I think it was 87mhz to 88mhz I found a good signal and was able to auto calibrate with a -5ppm tesult.

Do the current tests with the VHF antenna on top of my 40' mast with SDRsharp at various Marine Weather frequencies mean that my antenna is no good (unlikely as it works for our VHF/DSC) or that the usb rtlsdr dongle crystal is non linear and does not recieve properly in the 162.475 to 162.550 mhz range? The dongle is not recieving or is not processing signals in the AIS range. It would not matter what the ppm was...?

IE "Rick you should start over and get a decent rtlsdr dongle"!!

Thanks LeoA for your help.

-Any suggestions for a good AIS dongle would be appreciated. -Gerhard the one you suggested is under consideration.

[rgleason]

LeoA
I just wrote above, then saw your most recent entry. I will now try to check the soundcard setting.