Chris,

Regarding the 0.1 Hz or better resolution you will have to face 2 
problems at least:

1.- If you receive WWV via ionospheric path (like you and me) you will 
see that the frequency can't be adjusted to better than 1 Hz or so, the 
path length changes so much (and so the phase display) after a few 
seconds that trying to go beyond that is frustrating and impractical.

2.- Unless your receiver has a very stable frequency reference (an OCXO 
or the like) the frequency shifts several Hz due to temperature changes.

I have been there.  I have a SDR-1000 and it allows very fine frequency 
offset adjustment, but it is useless trying to adjust it below a Hz, 
unless you use an external very stable reference and you calibrate it 
using a rubidium or GPSDO.

In fact, if the receiver uses a sound card, the sampling frequency 
stability of your sound card also affects the frequency calibration.  As 
far as I know, the guys currently involved in the frequency measurement 
contests uses quite sophisticated equipment and calibration techniques 
these days.

73 de Ignacio, EB4APL


CHRIS wrote:
>  
>
> Hi Alberto,
>
> Many thanks to you - and others - who answered my post.
>
> First, I should make it clear I am not a programmer and am quite new 
> to SDR. But longtime ham and enthusiast for digital modes, remote 
> radio control etc.
>
> I first read about polyphase FFT on Alex VE3NEA website.
>
> http://www.dxatlas.com/Rocky/Advanced.asp 
> <http://www.dxatlas.com/Rocky/Advanced.asp> It is most interesting.
>
> However, I may be confusing Polyphase FFT technique with the Rocky 
> waterfall display which is attractively different to other SDR programs.
>
> Second, regarding frequency resolution. No, I am not referring to the 
> excellent lower waterfall window of WinRad - rather to the ability to 
> read/adjust the LO and TUNE frequency readouts with increased 
> resolution - down to 0.1Hz. Winrad HD is already a step in the right 
> direction with 1Hz resolution - as is Sigmira. Sigmira is also worth 
> looking at as it allows modes AM, LSB, USB etc all drive the phase 
> display, allowing the frequency readout to be closely synchronised 
> with WWV or any other signal. So in a few seconds you can see the tue 
> carrier frequency displayed to within 1 Hz. But even 1Hz resolution is 
> not enough to bring the Sigmra phase display to a complete stop on my 
> SDR-IQ. For that 0.1Hz control would be better. Plus the ability - 
> like Sigmira - to make a semi-permanent correction to the inherent NCO 
> error in the SDR-IQ - around 185Hz at 15MHZ in my unit. Maybe I don't 
> understand how to compensate clock frequency in SDR14/IQ control panel?
>
> One other thing I omitted to mention in my original post is to ask if 
> a future SDR program might be based on seperate server/client 
> architecture? This would allow location of SDR at a remote site and 
> control via internet? I think SpectraView 3 can do this but it is not 
> as useful for ham radio applications as WinRad. A question - what 
> broadband data rate would be needed to reliably operate a remote 
> SDR-IQ for instance?
>
> Finally, I must emphasise that WinRad is a clear favourite for me in 
> most respects over the other programs mentioned. So my suggestions are 
> made with respect to making an already fine program even better!
>
> I will be following future discussion with grat interest!
>
> 73, Chris ZL1BOE
>
> __

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