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WebSDR Maasbree
User Manual version 1.8
PA0SIM/PE0MJX

This manual is written specific for the Maasbree WebSDR GUI. The GUI is a modified
version of the standard GUI.

WebSDR is a very strong concept developed and implemented by:

PA3FWM Pieter-Tjerk de Boer
More information: http://www.websdr.org

Information specific for the Maasbree WebSDR is available at:

https://websdr-maasbree.jouwweb.nl/

© Copyrights Graphical User Interface (GUI) design of this WebSDR and this manual:
PA0SIM and PE0MJX.
Copying the GUI design partially or completely is allowed with proper source reference including a link
to this WebSDR for noncommercial WebSDR use only.

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Index
1 WebSDR page layout ................................................................................ 4
1.1 The WebSDR .................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.1 Text colors on buttons ................................................................................................. 5

1.2 Info of WebSDR users ..................................................................................................... 5

1.3 WebSDR info .................................................................................................................... 6

2 Waterfall ..................................................................................................... 6

3 Frequency tuning ...................................................................................... 7

3.1 Using the mouse on the frequency scale ..................................................................... 7

3.2 Preset buttons.................................................................................................................. 7

3.3 Direct input in frequency field ........................................................................................ 7

3.4 Band selection buttons ................................................................................................... 7

3.5 Memories .......................................................................................................................... 8

3.6 Labels in waterfall ........................................................................................................... 8

3.7 Using the keyboard ......................................................................................................... 8

4 WebSDR tuning step 31.25Hz................................................................... 8

5 Waterfall settings ...................................................................................... 9

5.1 Zooming and dragging the waterfall with the mouse .................................................. 9

6 Selecting Mode .......................................................................................... 9

7 Bandpass display ...................................................................................... 9

8 Bandpass buttons ................................................................................... 10

9 Audio settings ......................................................................................... 10

9.1 Mute ................................................................................................................................ 10

9.2 Squelch ........................................................................................................................... 10

9.3 Notch............................................................................................................................... 10

9.4 Volume ............................................................................................................................ 10

10 Signal strength S-meter ....................................................................... 11

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11 Signal strength plot .............................................................................. 11

12 CW settings ........................................................................................... 12
12.1 Pitch setting for CW ................................................................................................... 12

12.2 Using the squelch for CW.......................................................................................... 12

13 Using Space bar and Enter key ........................................................... 12

14 Java or HTML5 ...................................................................................... 12

15 Chrome and other browsers ................................................................ 12

16 Receiver bandwidth .............................................................................. 13

17 Noise shaping ....................................................................................... 13

18 Attenuator 6dB (80m, 40m and 20m)................................................... 14

19 WSPR (PH4RTM) ................................................................................... 14

20 WebSDR time out.................................................................................. 14

21 2mtr WebSDR Maasbree ...................................................................... 15

21.1 Low and high band..................................................................................................... 15

21.2 Preselect frequency selection .................................................................................. 15

21.3 Modulation buttons .................................................................................................... 15

22 Links ...................................................................................................... 16

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1 WebSDR page layout

1.1 The WebSDR

Starting at the top:

 Input for your call or name
 Links to the Manual, WSPR info and the 2mtr WebSDR
 Selections waterfalls, allowing keyboard input, Java or HTML5
 Waterfall (blue area)
 Frequency scale (black area)
 Preselect buttons and Labels button

Then from left to right three blocks:

 S-meter
Selection 6dB or 3dB S-units
Mute
Squelch
Notch
Volume control
Signal strength plot setting.
 Frequency input
Fine tuning frequency
Band select
Waterfall control
 Modulation selection
Bandpass settings
Memories

Note: Browser zoom in and out: hold CTRL and press the + or - key to zoom in or out.

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1.1.1 Text colors on buttons

The text on buttons can have three colors: grey, yellow and green.
Grey: button action not active
Yellow: button can be clicked for action, color doesn’t change
Green: the button action is selected or toggled

1.2 Info of WebSDR users

On top the total number of users present on the WebSDR is displayed.

Each band has its own black field in which the users are shown at their frequency by call,
name or IP address. If no name or call is entered, the IP address is shown.
Selecting compact view reduces the info to vertical lines reducing the size of this part of the
WebSDR page.

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1.3 WebSDR info

This part of the page shows basic information about the WebSDR and some relevant links.
The Sysop messages (yellow block) are used for updating users and informing about
important changes.

2 Waterfall

The blue waterfall shows the spectrum of the band over time by scrolling upward. Noise level
is dark blue. How dark depends on the present noise level on that band.
The stronger the signal the lighter the vertical lines it writes in the waterfall.
On e.g. 80m band, if fully zoomed in, the total width is 8kHz. The waterfall width is 1024
pixels, so each vertical line in the waterfall is 8kHz/1024=8Hz. If fully zoomed out the width is
512kHz and each vertical line is 500Hz. The smaller the bandwidth for each vertical line the
less noise is captured and the better a weak signal will be visible in the waterfall.
The tuned frequency is indicated by the yellow bandwidth symbol.

The black part of the waterfall is the frequency scale. It shows the frequency and the labels.
Green labels are the memories and the orange labels the preset band limits.
The mouse can be used to tune the frequency, the bandpass filter and to select labels by
clicking.

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3 Frequency tuning

The WebSDR supports multiple methods for tuning the frequency and selecting band.

3.1 Using the mouse on the frequency scale

Frequency can be changed by:

 Clicking with the Left Mouse Button (LMB)
The frequency is set by clicking with the Left Mouse Button (LMB) at the location of the
frequency. The frequency is selected when the LMB is released.
 Dragging the cursor
By holding the LMB and moving the mouse the frequency is changed by dragging.
 Rotating the scroll wheel
By rotating the mouse wheel up or down the frequency shifts up or down. The frequency
step is 50Hz for AM(FM), 31.25Hz for SSB and 10Hz for CW.

3.2 Preset buttons

Each band has a preset CW and SSB frequency button. It is a fast and easy way of changing
frequency, band and/or mode. Labels button: see 3.6 Labels in waterfall.

3.3 Direct input in frequency field

The numerical keyboard can be used to input the frequency directly.

The DWN and UP buttons are for fine tuning. A single 10Hz step up or down is made by a
short click on a button. When keeping the button pressed the frequency changes with
increasing step size.

3.4 Band selection buttons

Band selection buttons behave differently than the preset buttons.

The band selection buttons change only band, but not mode. The frequency is the last
frequency used on that band.
This is a convenient way of switching between bands without retuning.

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3.5 Memories

Frequency, mode and bandpass settings can be stored in memories.

Memories can also be used e.g. to store different bandpass settings for a single mode.

3.6 Labels in waterfall

Each memory has a corresponding label with the same name in the waterfall having a green
color. Clicking on that label recalls the memory. However when clicking on a label the current
setting of the bandpass is maintained. Labels can be disabled by clicking on the Labels button.

3.7 Using the keyboard

The use of keyboard shortcuts can be allowed by selecting by ticking “Allow keyboard” just
above the waterfall. It is a fast and convenient way of controlling the WebSDR.
The following shortcuts are available:

jk←→ frequency down/up

step size is 10Hz steps
combined with Shift step size is 500Hz
combines with CTRL or ALT step size is 2.5kHz
bB band up/down
ulcaf USB/LSB/CW/AM/FM
zZ center/zoom waterfall
g enter frequency
msn toggle mute/squelch/notch

4 WebSDR tuning step 31.25Hz

The WebSDR frequency tuning step is 31.25Hz. The frequency can be set much more
accurate, but the WebSDR does not follow smaller steps.
The 31.25Hz step is fixed by the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processing in the WebSDR.
This step also applies to the bandpass filter settings.

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5 Waterfall settings

Zoom out for a larger part of the spectrum.

Zoom in for a smaller part of the spectrum.
Max out shows the full bandwidth of that band.
Max in is the maximum zoom possible on that band.

Rolling speed: very slow, slow, medium and fast.

Size: small, medium, large, larger and off.
View: spectrum, waterfall, weak signal waterfall and strong signal waterfall.

5.1 Zooming and dragging the waterfall with the mouse

The waterfall can be zoomed in and out by rotating the mouse wheel while keeping the
cursor over the waterfall. By holding the LMB and moving the mouse the waterfall can be
dragged.

6 Selecting Mode

The button with the green text indicates the selected mode.

7 Bandpass display

The bandpass filter is displayed in yellow on the frequency scale just below the waterfall. It
shows the bandwidth and location. At the same time it is a visible check for the bandpass
settings.
The WebSDR supports dragging the filter slopes using the mouse, but the Bandpass buttons
are much preferred.

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8 Bandpass buttons

The bandwidth is controlled by the narrow and wider button.

The shift buttons shift the pass band filter over frequency.
The lower buttons shift only the lower frequency slope of the pass band.
The upper buttons shift only the upper frequency slope of the pass band.

The resulting -6dB bandwidth (kHz) and CW pitch (Hz) is displayed.

The step size is made mode dependent to minimize the number of clicks needed.
Changed Bandpass settings are stored for each mode and for the duration of the session.
Switching between modes doesn’t reset Bandpass settings.

9 Audio settings

9.1 Mute

Mutes the audio. Space bar and Enter key toggle muting.

9.2 Squelch

Mutes the audio when no signal is present. Space bar and Enter key toggle the squelch.

9.3 Notch

Automatically filters out interfering carriers. Space bar and Enter key toggle the notch action.

9.4 Volume

Controls the audio volume.

After the control dot is clicked the level can be changed using the arrow keys.
With the cursor over de control the mouse wheel can be used to change the level.

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10 Signal strength S-meter

The S-meter displays the peak signal strength by a moving yellow bar and the current signal
strength by a darker yellow bar.
The current and peak signal strength dBm numbers are at the bottom of the S-meter.

Default IARU setting is 6dB per S-unit. All Japanese transceivers use 3dB per S-unit.
Selecting the 3dB S-units, by clicking on the 6dB IARU button, helps comparing the WebSDR
with other locations and transceivers.
It also shows why 6dB is a more logical choice at quiet locations. A consequence of the 3dB/S-
unit, as on the Japanese transceivers, the S-meter reading drops below S0 on quiet bands.
For signal levels S9 and higher the S-meter indications are equal for both settings.
The WebSDR S-meter is not a RMS meter. Subtract about 6dB for RMS noise levels.

The S-meter indication is set on all bands as if the antenna has an antenna factor AF=-9dB.
The antenna is not (yet) calibrated. Instead computer simulation is used.

11 Signal strength plot

Plots the signal level (dBm) over time.

Total plot time can be None, 50 seconds, 5 minutes, 15 minutes or 1 hour.

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12 CW settings

The WebSDR uses lower sideband CW. In CW mode the receiving frequency is the center
frequency of the pass band. The "BFO" frequency is indicated by a vertical line 750Hz higher.

12.1 Pitch setting for CW

CW pitch can be set by the shift buttons in 31.25Hz steps. When using the lower and upper
buttons the pitch steps in 31.25/2=15.125Hz. See also chapter Bandpass display for visual
feedback and chapter Tuning step. 750Hz is the default CW pitch.
The memories store all CW settings. Recalling a memory sets also the pitch. Clicking on CW
labels behaves differently. The current setting of the pitch(/shift) is maintained.

12.2 Using the squelch for CW

The Squelch can be used for CW, but needs a >750Hz bandwidth to work properly.

13 Using Space bar and Enter key

Hitting the space bar clicks or toggles the last clicked button.
The Mute, Squelch, Notch, Label and 6dB/3dB S unit button can be toggle using the space
bar. But also e.g. the Zoom in, Narrow and Shift button can be click with the space bar.
The enter key also clicks, but holding it repeats the clicking.

14 Java or HTML5

Nowadays most browsers use the preferred HTML5 and a selection for Java will not be
necessary.

15 Chrome and other browsers

Firefox really is the preferred browser. Some browsers like Chrome need enabling audio.
These browser will show the Chrome audio start button. Clicking this button starts audio.

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16 Receiver bandwidth

On the 80m, 40m and 20m bands we use the RSP1a SDR receiver.
For best large signal behavior and reducing ADC overloading, bandpass filters are applied in
the IF. On 80m and 20m the bandwidth is 300kHz, on 40m 200kHz. Measured 300kHz
bandwidth is 320kHz. On 20m the pass band is not centered, but shifted 50kHz lower to cover
the full CW segment. Because the slopes of the filter are not very steep, the upper 25kHz on
20m is affected but still can be used. The RSP1a does not support a 350kHz IF filter.

The FiFi SDR and sound card are used on 60m and 30m. The effective bandwidth is about
130kHz. That is the result of the frequency behavior of both the FiFi and sound card.
In addition the noise level in the sound card increases for frequencies at the band edges
(noise shaping).

17 Noise shaping

The WebSDR supports an 8-bit interface for RTL dongles and RSP1a receivers. It not yet
supports 16-bits. This limits the dynamic range for quantization noise and ADC overloading by
strong signals.
The Maasbree WebSDR applies noise shaping on 80m/40m/20m to increase that dynamic
range with 8dB by lowering the quantization noise**. This allows signals to be 8dB stronger
before ADC overload occurs. Noise shaping shows up as an increased noise level outside the
receiver pass band (bandwidth) at the band edges in the waterfall. This noise is masked
(attenuated) in the WebSDR. Because of this masking the waterfall brightness is equalized
over all bands (no change in S-meter reading).

** 8dB adds 1.33 bit, so effectively 9.33 bit.

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18 Attenuator 6dB (80m, 40m and 20m)

When ADC overloading occurs a 6dB attenuator is temporarily enabled (at least 15 seconds).
Very strong signals like Over The Horizon Radar (OTHR) and strong contest stations are able
to overload the WebSDR. Also local thunderstorms can overload the RSP1a receivers and
trigger the 6dB attenuator.
Overloading happens mostly when band conditions are very good and noise levels have
increased also. So a 6dB attenuator does not always affect the sensitivity of the WebSDR that
much.

19 WSPR (PH4RTM)

The WebSDR runs WSPR on 80m, 40m and 20m using the call PH4RTM. Thanks PA3FWM.

Local thunderstorms can affect the reported SNR.

Note: when an overload triggers the 6dB attenuator, the reported SNR will be up to 6dB
lower. The settings of the RSP1a receivers on 80m, 40m and 20m are logged and can be
tracked:
http://websdrmaasbree.hamshack.info:8901/80m.txt
http://websdrmaasbree.hamshack.info:8901/40m.txt
http://websdrmaasbree.hamshack.info:8901/20m.txt
HIGH: is de default high sensitivity setting.
NORMAL: is the 6dB attenuator setting after an overload.

For accurate SNR reports by WSPR the AGC has to be switched off:
http://www.pa0sim.nl/WSPR_AGC_impact.pdf

20 WebSDR time out

A time out of 4 hours is used to stop non-active users from using the WebSDR.

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21 2mtr WebSDR Maasbree

The 2mtr GUI is a bit different and adapted for VHF.
Note: S-meter S9 is -93dBm.

21.1 Low and high band

The 2m band is split in a low band (144MHz-145MHz) and a high ban (145-146MHz).
The low band uses a horizontal polarized omnidirectional big wheel antenna. The high band a
vertical Diamond300.

21.2 Preselect frequency selection

On the 2mtr WebSDR the preselect buttons are implemented by 3 menu selections: 2m band,
Repeaters and Beacons.
Clicking on the displayed frequency say 145250 General QSO 2m FM will set the WebSDR
frequency.
By holding de Left Mouse Button instead of clicking, other frequencies in a menu can be
selected.

21.3 Modulation buttons

For each mode a narrow and very narrow bandpass filter setting button is added.
FM is of course also present.

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22 Links

HF WebSDR
http://websdrmaasbree.hamshack.info:8901/
websdrmaasbree.nl

2mtr WebSDR
http://websdrmaasbree.hamshack.info:8905/

Technical info pages WebSDR

https://websdr-maasbree.jouwweb.nl/

Files for the article “QSK CW met een WebSDR” Electron July 2020, pp 327-328

© PA0SIM/PE0MJX, September 30, 2021