web receivers

     On one of the podcasts I listen too, (I don't remember if it was the Ham Radio 360 guys or the Linux in the Ham Shack crew) they have talked about web SDR's a couple times.  Today I finally took a few minutes to play around - granted, it was a short few minutes, but it's something I'm glad I did.

     I checked with the Google machine, and it told me I should check out www.websdr.org for some web listening of the RF spectrum.  When you go to that site, you are presented with a list of receivers that you can access.  You can filter and search through them based on the bands they support, the region they are in, etc.  neato!
     Because I've also been slooooowly practicing morse code (strictly copying at this point - I haven't gotten up the nerve to try a QSO on the air yet) I decided to listen to the CW portion of 20 meters to see if there was anyone transmitting slow enough that I could copy (there wasn't - insert frowny face here.)  
     Anyway, most of the receivers have a similar interface, allowing you to tune around, choose modes, set filters, etc.  The 2 that I looked at also had a "logbook" function where you could enter callsigns of stations that you heard.

     So, while it's neat, what use would most ham's have for this?  After all, couldn't you just turn on your radio and accomplish the same thing?  Maybe....but here are my quick thoughts on what is useful (and FUN!) about these web receivers:

• Not sure if you're getting out?  Pick a receiver in some remote location, or DX land, to see if you can hear your own transmitted signal from somewhere else!
• Don't trust someone else's ears/S-Meter to your A/B antenna comparison?  Do the same as above, to see if there is a difference between 2 of your antenna's.
• Is your QTH noisy with RFI?  Use these to cheat when you want to call CQ for a friendly rag chew! - use a nearby web receiver that is in a location with a lower noise floor to see if you can hear answers to your call that you can't hear with your transceiver
• I travel for work - this is a great way to at least listen in on the bands when I'm traveling and don't have radio equipment with me for some reason.
• Set up a computer with some speakers or a headset at your field day site, for the public to use.  Choose a Web SDR with a simple interface, and type up some basic directions to leave next to the computer.  Visitors to your field day can tune around and listen in on the the bands anywhere they please, not just to your operation!

     Of course, if you just want a Software designed receiver at your own station, there are a number of options, from the inexpensive to the insane.  Quite a few of these can even be set up if you want to run your own SDR server!  If you're interested in that, check out www.websdr.org and click on Frequently asked questions - their are some guidelines if you are interested in setting up your own webSDR server.