My Ergo SDRplay combination provides a great receiver with SWBC database, propagation evaluation and signal path maps all together.
I first wrote my Ergo Radio Software program twenty-five years ago. Originally designed to control the wonderful AOR AR7030, I added control for nearly all popular shortwave receivers over the years. Fortunately, modern SDR software still provides a serial port for connecting to external control.
So, my Ergo software pretends programs like SDRuno are just another radio with a COM port.. The Ergo SDRplay combination works seamlessly, as shown above.
In my opinion, it’s very useful to tune a receiver by clicking on a database of broadcast stations. At the same time, Ergo let’s you look up the tuned frequency in the database to see what stations you are hearing, their location and propagation conditions. Ergo automatically downloads the current propagation reports every hour.
After so many years, I don’t sell many Ergo these days, it is really nearing end of life. But I invite you to give it a try for free. Ergo installs easily and runs for 60 days in demonstration mode. It can connect to SDRuno, SDR Console, SmartSDR and Thetis easily over a virtual serial port. Instructions are on our web Ergo web site and in the Help file.
Also, Ergo provides customized versions of HFCC and EiBI data as shown above. Check the Downloads page.
Ergo SDRplay Combination – How It Works
Most SDR software provides for connection over a virtual serial port, using a program like com0com, which is a null-modem emulator. Some programs, like SmartSDR, contain this CAT feature built in. In addition, the SDR software provides a command set for controlling some aspects of the receiver, such as frequency and mode. That’s all you need.
Typically, the SDR software will emulate the Kenwood command set, which is simple ASCII. Yes, serial ports still exist. They are the foundation of all Arduino programming, albeit over USB.