SOFTWARE DESIGNED RADIO

TIDES OF SOFTWARE DESIGNED RADIO

SOFTWARE DESIGNED RADIO

Software designed radio is a radio communication system where components that have been traditionally implemented in hardware are instead implemented by means of software on a personal computer. While the concept of SDR , the rapidly evolving capabilities of digital electronics render practical many processes which were once only theoretically possible.
A basic SDR system may consist of a personal computer equipped with a sound card, or other analog to digital convertors, preceded by some form of RF front end. Significant amounts of signal Processing are handed over to the general-purpose processor, rather than being done in special-purpose hardware.


APPLICATIONS OF SOFTWARE DESIGNED RADIO
The SDR concept is applicable in various areas

•MOBILE COMMUNICATION
                    Software defined radios are very useful in areas such as mobile communications. By upgrading the software it is possible to apply changes to any standards and even add new waveforms purely by upgrading the software and without the need for changes to the hardware. This can even be done remotely, thereby providing considerable savings in cost.

•RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
       The radios can be configured to provide the exact receiver and transmitter requirements for any application without the need for a total hardware design from scratch.

•MILITARY
          The military have made much use of software defined radio technology enabling them to re-use hardware and update signal waveforms as needed.

•OTHERS
          There are very many other applications that can make use of SDR technology, enabling the radio to be exactly tailored to the requirements using software adjustments.

ADVANTAGES OF SDR
• It can perform at high rate.
• Performance can be changed by upgrading the software.
• It is possible to reconfigure radios by updating the software.
• The same hardware can be used for several different radios.

DISADVANTAGES OF SDR
• Analogue to digital converters limit top frequencies that can be used by the digital section.
• For very simple radios the basic platform may be too expensive.
• Development of a software defined radio requires both hardware and software skills.

PERKS OF HAM LICENSE

PERKS OF HAM LICENSE

HAM LICENSES

Any individual above the age of 12 can become HAM after qualifying Amateurs station operators examination and they can access a valid Amateur wireless telegraph station license. There are three types of license for HAM radio operators: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The license is valid for 10 years and you can renew it without taking an examination.

TECHNICIAN LICENSES

         All HAM starts with Technical license and it is also called as Tech license. These license holders are allowed to access for all HAM band with frequencies 50 MHz and above.  These privileges include operation at the maximum legal power limit and using all types of communications. They can transmit using voice on part of the 10 meter band and Morse code on some of the HF bands below 30 MHz. Technician class exam includes 35 multiple choice questions on technical radio topics.

GENERAL CLASS LICENSES

          After piece of pie  the entry-level Technician license, many HAM starts getting upgraded to General class licenses. General class licensees have full privileges on nearly all amateur frequencies, with only small portions of some HF bands remaining off limits.General class exam consists of 35 questions in which the topics are similar to Technician class but in more detail, and you are also introduced to some new topics.

AMATEUR  EXTRA CLASS LICENSES

            General class licensees still can’t access everything; the lowest segments of several HF bands are for Amateur Extra class licensees only. These segments are where the expert Morse code operators hang out and are considered to be prime operating territory. The Amateur Extra Class consists of 50 multiple choice questions out which 37 questions must be answered correctly to pass the examination.  The exam covers rules and regulations associated with sophisticated operating and several advanced technical topics.

WHAT CAN ONE DO WITH THE LICENSE

•          You can talk to other HAM.
•          You can build radio and antenna.
•          You can participate in fox hunt event.
•          you can transmit and receive pictures.
•          you can experiment with satellite communication.

According to the survey on April 2013 nearly 48.7% are  Technician license holders. Nearly 23.1%  are General Class license holders and about 18.5% are Amateur Extra Class license holders.