Saveitforparts: Snooping on the SatGus Selfie Satellite

SatGus is a recently launched cubesat owned by CrunchLabs/Mark Rober, an extremely popular science and engineering YouTuber. The satellite is designed to take selfies of CrunchLabs customers' own photos in space, using a screen and a selfie camera mounted on the satellite. It then broadcasts the selfie image back down to a CrunchLabs ground station, where it is eventually emailed to the customer. Customers then claim that they've had their selfie taken in space.

Over on the saveitforparts YouTube channel, Gabe has been attempting to listen in on the SatGus downlink using a HackRF and a motorized satellite dish setup. SatGus transmits telemetry at 400.2 MHz and the payload dump at 2,262.5 MHz. While he is able to receive the signal, Gabe notes that it is encrypted, so not much can be done with it.

Snooping On SatGus Again

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Khanfar Phosphor: Real-time GPU Accelerated Spectrum Visualization for SDRs

We recently posted about new software programs from M. Khanfar on Feb 21 and Feb 4. So far, he has released spectrum analysis and FM demodulator software, as well as a power-based direction-finding program. Khanfar is continuing the pace and has just released a new program called "Fosphor Spectrum Visualization Windows Version" (scroll to the end of the page to find it).

This program is based on a GNU Radio backend and the Fosphor engine, a high-performance GPU-based spectrogram engine for real-time rendering. Kahnfar's software also adds frequency scanning capabilities. The software is for Windows only and consists of a single exe for ease of running. It supports RTL-SDR, Airspy and HackRF devices.

The software is free to download but is not open-source. As mentioned in the previous post, antivirus software can flag M. Khanfar's software as suspicious. We suspect these are false positive results due to the PyInstaller system used to create the exe, but please take your own precautions just in case.

Also, we just want to note that this program is based on the GPLv3 licensed https://github.com/osmocom/gr-fosphor. With this program not being open source, we are unsure if it violates the licensing. If any licensing experts are on here, please chime in on the comments.

UPDATE: Khanfar has released the code on GitHub under the GPLV3 licence, so all licensing concerns are alleviated.

Fosphor Spectrum Visualization Windows Version

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TechMinds: Using your RTL-SDR Locally with Just a Web Browser

In the latest video on the TechMinds YouTube channel, Matt shows how an RTL-SDR can be used with a browser-based RTL-SDR web app at https://radio.ea1iti.es. We've featured EA1ITI's RTL-SDR web app a few times on the blog in the past, as it's a nice demonstration of what the HTML5 USB API is capable of.

In the video, Matt shows the software in action, receiving signals and he goes through the various settings available.

More information about the software can be found on the help page at https://radio.ea1iti.es/help.html, and the software is available on GitHub.

How To Use Your RTL-SDR Locally With Just A Web Browser

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A Registry Hack to Stop Windows 11 Replacing the WinUSB Driver Installed via Zadig

Thank you to Paul Sudduth who submitted a registry hack he's found to stop Windows 11 from overwriting the WinUSB drivers installed by Zadig during each automatic update.

Windows overwriting the WinUSB drivers with broken TV drivers during automatic updates is a common issue, and usually the fix is to re-run Zadig and reinstall the WinUSB drivers. However, this registry hack should prevent Windows updates from touching the driver, preventing the issue. Paul writes:

To "stop" receiving driver updates, copy the following text into a .reg file and import it by double-clicking on the file you created.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Update] "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update] "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings] "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate] "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate] "value"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Device Metadata] "PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching] "SearchOrderConfig"=dword:00000000 "DontSearchWindowsUpdate"=dword:00000001

To "start" receiving driver updates, copy the following text into a .reg file and import it by double-clicking on the file you created.
 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Update] "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=-
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update] "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=-
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings] "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=-
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate] "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=-
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate] "value"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Device Metadata] "PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork"=-
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching] "SearchOrderConfig"=dword:00000001 "DontSearchWindowsUpdate"=-
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Khanfar Direction Finder: RTL-SDR and Directional Antenna Based Direction Finding Software

Recently, on Feb 21, we posted news about the release of some spectrum analysis and FM demodulator software from M. Khanfar. Now he has just released his latest software "Khanfar Direction Finder" (scroll to the end of the page), a Windows radio direction finding tool for RTL-SDR dongles.

Khanfar Direction Finder appears to work on the principle of power measurements through the use of directional antennas. Four directional antennas are connected to four RTL-SDR dongles positioned in the N/S/E/W directions.

The antenna pointing towards the signal source will receive it stronger and the antenna pointing away from it will receive it weaker. The two other antennas may receive the signal with some intermediate strength based on the angle. The software automatically combines the power information from all four antennas, resulting in a bearing.

The 'Quintet' version of the software also contains a map that can be used to plot the determined bearings.

Both versions of the software are free to download but not open-source. As mentioned in the previous post, antivirus software can flag M. Khanfar's software as suspicious. We suspect these are false positive results due to the PyInstaller system used to create the exe, but please take your own precautions just in case.

Khanfar Direction Finder Compass Screen
Khanfar Direction Finder Compass Screen
Khanfar Direction Finder Map Screen
Khanfar Direction Finder Map Screen
Khanfar Direction Finder

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RTL-SDR Jamming Detector Software

Over on GitHub, Alejandro Martín has recently released his open-source 'rtl-sdr-analyzer' software, which is an RTL-SDR-based signal analyzer and automatic jamming detector. The software is based on Python and connects to the RTL-SDR via an rtl_tcp connection.

Alejandro's software is advertised as having the following features:

  • 📊 Real-time Visualization: Advanced spectrum analysis with waterfall display
  • 🔍 Smart Detection: Automatic signal anomaly and jamming detection
  • 📈 Dynamic Analysis: Adaptive baseline calculation and threshold adjustment
  • ⚙️ Flexible Configuration: Fully customizable detection parameters
  • 🌐 Network Support: Built-in RTL-TCP compatibility for remote operation

The software works by continuously monitoring a frequency range, and creating a log whenever a signal is detected that exceeds a certain power value and duration. It can also monitor 'z-score', which determines if the current signal mean has deviated significantly from the baseline, which could indicate a jamming or interference event.

rtl-sdr-analyzer: An RTL-SDR Signal Analyzer & Jamming Detector
rtl-sdr-analyzer: An RTL-SDR Signal Analyzer & Jamming Detector
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TechMinds: Building a Portable ADS-B Aircraft Tracker and VHF Airband Radio Receiver

Over on the TechMinds YouTube channel, Matt has uploaded a video demonstrating a portable ADS-B aircraft tracker with VHF airband radio reception as well. The build consists of a 7-inch screen, Raspberry Pi 4 and two RTL-SDR dongles.

In the video, Matt shows what hardware is required, how it's all put together, and how to install the OS and software and set it up. The software Matt uses for displaying aircraft is tar1090, a comprehensive web interface for ADS-B data. For receiving AM VHF airband communications, he uses an HTML5-based RTL-SDR receiver that can run directly in the Chromium browser and connect to a local RTL-SDR through the web interface.

Your Very Own Aircraft Tracker With VHF Airband Radio - RTL-SDR & PiADSB

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calcRadio: A Casio FX-CG20 Calculator Front End Interface for RTL-SDR

In the past, RTL-SDR.COM reader JJ has shared with us his LegoPi project, which demonstrated a clever way to enclose a self-contained RTL-SDR build, as well as his multi-feature living room radio build, which combined an RTL-SDR for live radio and an internet-based radio system with MP3 player.

Recently, he submitted to us a new project called 'calcRadio' (information about the calcRadio can be found at the end of the linked page). The calcRadio project consists of a similar self-contained RTL-SDR build as seen in his previous projects (RTL-SDR with speakers and a single-board computer), but this time, it's controlled via an old Casio FX-CG20 calculator. The calculator's interface is programmed in C, and JJ has uploaded his open source code on GitHub.

JJ writes:

The front-end is made of an older CASIO calculator, the fx-CG20, which can be programmed in C thanks to the non-official CASIO SDK: https://github.com/Jonimoose/libfxcg/releases (the fx-CG20 built-in basic language was way too slow).

The back-end is same as last build, a Strong SRT 2023 TV box, flashed with Armbian + Ubuntu and a bash script to handle everything. Under Linux, the Android board is known as Amlogic Meson GXL (S905X) P212 Development Board. It has about the same CPU power as a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ but with less power consumption, built-in storage and infrared port.

The key to make it work was the presence of a cloning port on the calculator, which was connected to the UART port on the Android board, allowing serial communication to be established.

The calcRadio build
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