[HCDX] ChromaSound

["Sean \(G4UCJ\)" <g4ucj@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

An interesting and useful piece of software if you own a PC with a soundcard
is ChromaSound. This uses the power of the pc as an external audio dsp
filter for your receiver. The filters are fully customisable and you can
save your own filters. It offers AGC and auto notch features. I use this
program when listening to the Grundig Satelit that is next to this pc, and
it really does help with the majority of signals (especially on SSB and CW
as the filters in the satelit are quite wide-the ChromaSound ones go down to
100Hz with -60dB skirts. There is one drawback, however, the software takes
a finite time to process the audio data which leads to a time delay of about
1-200mS. This is fine on a stable SSB or broadcast signal, but if you are
trying to tune in a CW signal it is really difficult. The only answer seems
to be to turn off the filter (which you can do from the software), tune in
the CW and then switch it on. trouble is that you might not be able to hear
the signal without the filter! You can download a demo copy of the software
from the Silicon Pixels website. Just thought I'd pass that on as I think
it's a great way to use the soundcard for something other than decoding and
transmitting data modes :)

73 Sean, G4UCJ

RECEIVER: ICOM IC756; GRUNDIG SATELLIT 600, 3000
ANTENNA: Low Band vertical with 32 x 10m ground radials
                   Indoor dipoles for 14-30MHz and 50MHz/Band I TV
                   1.3m diameter MW loop + FET Preamp.


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