SDR and meteor detection.

Tell us about those other projects you are working on.
Post Reply
User avatar
KingClinton
Co-Administrator
Co-Administrator
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 2206
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2019 4:45 pm
4
Location: Durban, South Africa.
Status:
Offline

TSS Photo of the Day

SDR and meteor detection.

#1

Post by KingClinton »


Has anyone on the forums had any success with using the RTL SDR receivers to do meteor detection?
I also know that some of the HAM radio guys are doing something similar on the 2M bands.

The easiest method is on the FM stations and this can be done with any radio that picks up FM. But you will not be able to record any of the "pings". See more here: https://www.meteorwatch.org/science-obs ... detection/

To record the pings you need software.
I found a bit of software(free) that is used for detecting meteors using the GRAVES radar in the UK and France called Echoes. Great if you live in Europe and are close enough. For further afield in Europe there are other stations that can be utilized.
I have also seen some posts(mostly videos on youtube) where guys are using the same software outside of the GRAVES zone with success, problem is they do not go into any detail about the setting or equipment used.
Some of the guys are using the old analogue TV stations for this purpose. Here in SA we still have them for the next year or so before the change over to digital.
Canada also still has one or two that should serve a good portion of the USA.

Here is the link to the ECHOES software, click on the link provided on the webpage to download it.
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/echoes-an-rtl-s ... detection/

And also a link to the SDR SHARP software that is used with your DSR RTL dongle.
https://airspy.com/download/

I am also aware of the spectrum lab software for capturing the waterfall image generated in SDR SHARP.
Echoes will do the same thing and does not use up Gigabytes of disk space!

So my big question is, have any of you tried this and are you having any success using SDR and ECHOES outside of the GRAVES zone for meteor detection? If so please posts links or tips and tricks here for me.
Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.
Eyeballs, binoculars, sketch box, Scopes n stuff.
Some people don't understand why I love astronomy so much, I cannot understand why they do not!

Image
Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

Return to “Other "Do It Yourself" projects”