Software

Software Solutions for Amateur Radio Astronomy

On this page you will find information about software tools for observations in amateur radio astronomy.

Continuum SR
Continuum SR is designed for observing continuum sources with the Second Receiver, a broadband detector that can be built with relatively simple components. The system is based on the AD8362 power detector, combined with an ADS1115 ADC and a microcontroller such as ESP32 or Arduino.
This solution is particularly well suited for detecting very weak continuum sources, as the Second Receiver operates without strict bandwidth limitation and can integrate over a very wide frequency range.

Continuum SDR
Continuum SDR enables continuum observations using a software-defined radio (SDR). We use and recommend the SDRplay RSP, although other SDRs can also be used. The software relies on Soapy SDR as a hardware abstraction layer, which allows compatibility with a wide range of devices, provided that the appropriate drivers are installed.
Compared to the Second Receiver, the available bandwidth is limited to a few MHz, which makes the detection of very weak signals more challenging. However, SDR systems offer a stable and flexible setup, and the bandwidth can be adjusted within certain limits. Controlled bandwidth restriction is often beneficial, as it helps suppress artificial interference and narrowband signals.

Spectrum SDR
Spectrum SDR is a spectral analysis tool for observing line-emitting sources, such as neutral hydrogen in the Milky Way at the 21 cm line. Like Continuum SDR, it is based on Soapy SDR and requires compatible SDR hardware and drivers.

Broadband Scan
Broadband Scan is intended for visualizing very wide frequency ranges. It is particularly useful for identifying local sources of interference and assessing the radio-frequency environment before conducting observations.

Further details and documentation can be found on the respective subpages.