[Skimmertalk] Elad S2 vs Duo issue

[Don Moman VE6JY]

it's in the Programs X86/Afreet/skimsrv  and in Afreet/CWSkimmer
Also one in users/user/appdata/roaming/afreet/producs/skimsrv

The read.me file says to place all 3 files in the Skimmer Server folder.
I'm just trying follow the instructions - don't mean I know what I'm doing.
The Duo does not have a corresponding  ini file.
I'm not using any other software bridge. It's listed as a supported radio
on the http://www.dxatlas.com/skimserver/ site.


On Thu, Nov 29, 2018 at 8:44 PM Bob Wilson, N6TV <n6tv at arrl.net> wrote:

> Where did you place the ELAD_FDMS2_SkimSRV.ini file?  I assume it is used
> by the SDR to set an attenuator, not by Skimmer.
>
> Since the Elad isn't a directly supported radio, I suspect whatever bridge
> software is being used between the SDR and Skimmer Server may be to blame.
>
> 73,
> Bob, N6TV
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 29, 2018 at 11:55 AM Don Moman VE6JY <ve6jy.1 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I believe that I have eliminated those issues... the Elad software lets me
>> see the entire band and the spectrum is identical.  I ran them on their
>> own
>> Elad software and (thankfully!) both are equal and sensitive.  But
>> something? in SkimSrv is really reducing the S2's performance.  The
>> difference is more than just the ATT on, typically 25 on average.  I have
>> reversed the ant cables just in case.  Both are fed from the same ant thru
>> a multicoupler.  These tests should rule out, I think, everything except
>> something in the way the S2 interacts with SkimSrv....
>>
>> I was temporarily reporting on the same band with the same call to hilite
>> the differences and try to figure this out.
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 29, 2018 at 12:36 PM Bob Wilson, N6TV <n6tv at arrl.net> wrote:
>>
>> > Don,
>> >
>> > Remember that the "noise" component of the S/N ratio is averaged across
>> the
>> > *entire* monitored segment, so if one receiver is picking up some local
>> > broadband noise (perhaps from a switching power supply) in the upper
>> half
>> > of the band, but the other is not, they could report wildly different
>> S/N
>> > ratios for the same absolute signal strength of a CW station.  As
>> > suggested, try to use a full band scope program like HDSDR to "see" the
>> > noise floor.
>> >
>> > As an aside, are your skimmers monitoring the same band segments with
>> two
>> > different SDRs, but reporting all spots to the RBN under the same
>> callsign,
>> > VE6JY?  That practice is strongly discouraged, as it makes using the
>> data
>> > on the RBN website much more difficult for those who are trying to do
>> > signal or data analysis.
>> >
>> > For example, just now I see:
>> >
>> > VE6JY <http://reversebeacon.net/qrz/VE6JY>  NB6GC
>> > <http://reversebeacon.net/qrz/NB6GC> 14035.0 CW CQ [LoTW] 19 dB 22 wpm
>> > 1907z
>> > 29 Nov
>> > VE6JY <http://reversebeacon.net/qrz/VE6JY>  NB6GC
>> > <http://reversebeacon.net/qrz/NB6GC> 14035.0 CW CQ [LoTW] 44 dB 22 wpm
>> > 1907z
>> > 29 Nov
>> >
>> > How can a user trying to measure front to back ratios or average signal
>> > strength using your node interpret such dissimilar readings?
>> >
>> > As a reminder to everyone using multiple SDR or antennas, if they are
>> > covering the same band segments with two different instances of skimmer
>> > server, *please* use a *different callsign* on each instance, e.g.
>> VE6JY-1
>> > and VE6JY-2, so that the raw data files and web site can make best use
>> the
>> > S/N numbers being reported.
>> >
>> > To change the skimmer callsign, edit the .ini files used to start each
>> > skimmer using a text editor such as Notepad, and change the User
>> section,
>> > like this:
>> >
>> > *Skimmer 1 ini file*:
>> > [User]
>> > Call=VE6JY-1
>> >
>> > *Skimmer 2 ini file*:
>> > [User]
>> > Call=VE6JY-2
>> >
>> > Thank you.
>> >
>> > 73,
>> > Bob, N6TV
>> >
>> > On Thu, Nov 29, 2018 at 9:59 AM Don Moman VE6JY <ve6jy.1 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > > I've been noticing for some time that the S2 is not catching nearly as
>> > many
>> > > CW spots than the Duo, with both on identical antennas (fed from the
>> same
>> > > multicoupler) and on identical bands.  On virtually identical W7
>> laptops.
>> > > Signal reports are like in the 20-30 range for the Duo and maybe in
>> the
>> > > 5-10 range for the S2. S a lot weaker.  I'm looking at the traffic in
>> the
>> > > Aggregator 5.2 window.
>> > >
>> > > I have reversed the antenna feeds - no change.  I have checked a weak
>> > > signal in the native Elad software, both are identical there. I have
>> > tried
>> > > different bands, from 630m to 20m and difference remains.  The
>> difference
>> > > is significant and more than just what the antennuator being on would
>> do.
>> > > I am using this .ini file from the Elad website...
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>> http://sdr.eladit.com/FDM-S2%20Sampler/ExtIO%20Dlls%20for%20use%20with%20%20third%20party%20software/Skimmer_Server_Dll_1_00/ELAD_FDMS2_SkimSRV.ini
>> > >   I have tried changing the ATT and LP values but they don't seem to
>> make
>> > > any difference.
>> > >
>> > > Any assistance or insight would be appreciated, thanks
>> > >
>> > > Don
>> > >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Skimmertalk mailing list
>> > Skimmertalk at contesting.com
>> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/skimmertalk
>> >
>> _______________________________________________
>> Skimmertalk mailing list
>> Skimmertalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/skimmertalk
>>
>