I am an amateur radio hobbyist that has been dabbing in radio equipment for only a short period but have always been an avid Shortwave listener for many many years. In the last couple of years I finally got my amateur radio license (Foundation class) which is the best thing I have ever done.
As I am technical in both IT and Radio I host my own equipment. I present my services which are readily available for anyone to use.
I run an ICOM based receiver which is hosted on the GlobalTuners platform. Plus in addition I have two RTL-SDR dongles, an Airspy R2 and an Airspy HF+ dongle which I host.
To access the ICOM based receiver hosted on the GlobalTuners platform you will need to sign up for an account with them but then you’re free to use the receiver. To gain access to the two RTL-SDRs, Airspy R2 and Airspy HF+ dongles you’ll need to download the SDR# software (or a bit of software which is compatible to the SpyServer backend, guide has been linked to get you going on the SDR# software).
The addresses you will need are as follows:
- sdr://sdr.mykehnet.org:5555 (Airspy R2 – HF Only)
- sdr://sdr.mykehnet.org:5556 (RTL-SDR – HF Only)
- sdr://sdr.mykehnet.org:5557 (RTL-SDR – VHF/UHF Only)
- sdr://sdr.mykehnet.org:5558 (Airspy HF+ – HF/VHF Only)
You can simply just copy and paste the links above into your SDR# client and click connect. Please note that the use of these dongles has been limited to a 4 hour session and that I do reserve the right to deny anyone to the service.
Here is a list below of the running hardware/software:
Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB model) running Raspbian 11 (Bullseye)
ICOM PCR2500 USB Receiver
Uniden UBC355XLT Receiver
AirSpy HF+ dongle (Free to use – HF/VHF tuning only)
AirSpy R2 dongle (Free to use – HF tuning only)
AirSpy Spyverter R2 up converter
2x RTL-SDR v3 dongles (Free to use – Separate VHF/UHF & HF tuning)
Nooelec NESDR SMArt XTR dongle
NooElec Ham It Up Plus up converter
MLA-30 Loop antenna
HF MiniWhip antenna
Moonraker X1-HF Vertical
Tecsun Discone wideband antenna
Tecsun Shortwave and AM Outdoor antenna
RF Systems DPX-30 diplexer
Kingray KSP4F 4 way RF splitter
The Tecsun Discone wideband antenna is directly attached to the Kingray KSP4F 4 way RF splitter which then goes out to the following devices:
- ICOM PCR2500 USB Receiver (VHF/UHF side of the RF Systems DPX-30 diplexer)
- Nooelec NESDR SMArt XTR (VHF tuning)
- AirSpy HF+ dongle (VHF tuning)
- RTL-SDR v3 dongle (VHF/UHF tuning only)
The HF MiniWhip antenna is connected to the NooElec Ham It Up Plus up converter and connected inline to the the 2nd RTL-SDR v3 dongle (HF tuning only).
The MLA-30 Loop antenna is directly connected to the HF receiver side of the AirSpy HF+ dongle and with this combination you’ll have excellent coverage and SNR on the AM and HF bands.
The Moonraker X1-HF Vertical antenna is connected to the AirSpy Spyverter R2 up converter and connected inline to the Airspy R2 dongle.
The Tecsun Shortwave and AM Outdoor Antenna is connected to the RF Systems DPX-30 diplexer (HF receive side) and connected into the ICOM PCR2500 USB Receiver. As stated before this receiver is hosted via the GlobalTuners platform. Having both types of antennas connected really does give great coverage on all the bands.
You are more than free to use my hosted RTL-SDRs, Airspy R2 and AirSpy HF+ dongles at anytime, but please note that they are strictly limited to a 4 hour session time. Please give the GlobalTuners receiver a try too by signing up to their site.
If you have any issues with any of the receivers or like to provide feedback please log a support ticket and I will assist/respond at the earliest.
73’s Mike (VK6FMFT)