[Skimmertalk] Slow Scan

[Robert Chudek - K0RC]

First post in this group since it moved from CQ-Contest.

I have only used the first demo version of Skimmer so I need to get back up 
to speed. From the exchange below I have a question. Does new Skimmer have 
the ability to direct the radio RX frequency? If not, I could envision a 
feature that would allow a person to program a band sweep feature, say for 
QSO Parties where the stations are contained relatively close.

For example, Skimmer would listen for 30 seconds on 14.040, then move the 
transceiver RX VFO B to 14.043 and listen for 30 seconds, and repeat this 
step and listen sequence following a user defined list. Just a thought.

73 de Bob - KØRC in MN


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pete Smith" <n4zr at contesting.com>
To: "David Gilbert" <xdavid at cis-broadband.com>; <skimmertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 4:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Skimmertalk] Slow Scan


> At 04:38 PM 10/13/2008, you wrote:
>>Is it possible for CW Skimmer to track a constantly shifting frequency,
>>such as in conjunction with a CAT-interfaced rig having a 3 KHz
>>bandwidth set to slowly scan across the band?  If so, would the
>>resulting bandmap show the full spectrum between scan limits (whatever
>>was received within the last ten minutes) or only a moving 3 KHz
>>bandmap?  I've read Pete's very nice tutorial but couldn't tell if the
>>bandmap width is restricted to the currently received passband.  I
>>downloaded the trial program and played with it a bit last spring, but I
>>didn't think to check this out before the trial period elapsed.
>>
>>Thanks es 73,
>>Dave   AB7E
>
> Hi Dave - the 3-KHz radio option assumes that your transceiver is in USB 
> or
> LSB mode, or CW with a wide filter.  At any given time it is listening to
> the audio bandpass.  Each time that your radio is tuned (say, by a scan
> function), Skimmer takes a fairly long time by computer standards (like a
> second or two) before the decoders adjust and begin reading correctly
> again.  The best approach, in terms of covering w hole band this way, 
> would
> be to use Skimmer's built-in controls (the up/down arrow button) to shift
> the base frequency 3 KHz at a time, and then wait long enough for it to
> decode whatever is in the next 3-KHz "bite".  A better approach is to use 
> a
> separate stand-alone receiver, and I'm working on tutorials for two of
> those - the SoftRock and the SDR-IQ - that will allow decoding essentially
> an entire CW segment at a time.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
>
>
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