New Open WebRX Covering Amateur Radio Satellites with Bookmarks!

 It was recently that I came across a new Open WebRX covering VHF/UHF bands from VU land. The Open WebRX by VU3ZNG is unique in more than one ways. It has a specific section devoted to Amateur Radio on International Space Station (ARISS), which is the amateur radio satellite most likely to be picked by WebSDRs without a directional antenna in view of the power output of 5W. LAPAN A2 or IO 86 is another satellite which is likely to be picked up as it has also 5W output. But LAPAN A2 FM transponder is not activated in all the passes. It has a specific schedule of activation published weekly on their page on X. Usually the satellite voice transponder is activated only on weekends. This week there was a mid week activation as well. Earlier there was special activation for an IOTA. Some of the passes have activation at the time of closest approach in this region, which are likely to be picked up by Open WebRX of VU3ZNG. Usual pattern of activation earlier was when the satellite enters Indonesia, the parent country of the satellite.


In addition to satellite bands, Open WebRX of VU3ZNG also covers VHF/UHF amateur radio bands, HF amateur radio bands as well as the 11m Citizen Band. Several selectable modes are there, which include FM, WFM, AM, LSB, USB, CW, DATA, DMR, D-Star and many more. Squelch and volume control are there, like in usual amateur radios. It can also be accessed in a mobile phone with a browser. As it is located at Bengaluru, India, MK82tw, satellite passes with that grid on the footprint can be expected to be heard, especially those with higher elevation and better power output.

Toggle icons for status and radio can be used to remove them from the scree if you want to reduce clutter on the waterfall display. The radio has record option using the REC icon in the lower corner. Recorded audio file can be downloaded. Recorded files will have a time stamp as part of the file name. If you leave the Open WebRX for a long period, a policy notice will appear on the browser instead of the waterfall. We have to close the window after use to avoid unnecessary usage of resources. Detailed online help is available and can be accessed from that icon at the top. You need to login to access the settings. Time in UTC is displayed at the lower part of the radio. Just now I had a look at 7088 kHz, the Silicon City Net frequency. I could hear the closing remarks of VU2MLA, net control, very well with the Open WebRX of VU3ZNG. This Web SDR will be a boon for short wave listeners and satellite operators near that region looking for a separate RX.


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