WebSDR makes most Shortwave Receivers Obsolete - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2025, 01:39:26 pm
content: why bother with HF noise , poor shortwave reception at the bottom of the world & all the long-wire antenna hardware needed .when HF SDR is on-line anywhere in the world 24/7, at the location your are interested in.-just sayinghowever most VHF & UHF webSDR reception is sum what disappointing in my experience.

author: stretchyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2025, 05:55:59 pm
content: Why Rx when you can Tx!

author: Geoff-AU
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 04:10:40 am
content: Quote from: jonovid on June 23, 2025, 01:39:26 pmnobody's forcing you!

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 04:34:01 am
content: what is the point of this thread is it like bragging and taunting or an advertisement?It kind of gets old to keep hearing that stuff is dead because of the internet. It ends up coming off like some snooty teenager complaining about having to work in the kitchen after they spend all allowance on online fast food delivery. Or the usual don't-know-shit going on about programming after they look up a AI response prompt that writes hello world.Useless harbinger thread?this is how it comes off to mehttps://c8.alamy.com/comp/KFPW8N/london-uk-31st-oct-2017-the-end-is-nigh-apocalyptic-sign-is-seen-near-KFPW8N.jpgor coworkers getting bratty regarding contract stuff ?

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 05:10:57 am
content: Quote from: jonovid on June 23, 2025, 01:39:26 pmI have had little success with on line HF SDR's.

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 06:41:32 am
content: I had poor shortwave reception in metropolitan Adelaide. with high RF noise levels on both MW & HF.but getting into visiting WebSDR sites this made all the difference to my international SWL experience.I have a box of USB SDRs that failed to work properly with windows.so local reception is disappointing.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 06:48:19 am
content: A main use for short wave radio is in remote areas, where one usually has not internet access and maybe limtied available power.Here RF interference from a city is less of an issue. With internet access there is little need for SW radio.

author: stretchyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 07:29:33 am
content: Online SDRs are great for monitoring you own transmissions.TWENTE SDR is the daddy, or rather it's actually probably the mummy as it's given birth to the whole fraternity!Yes a lot of online SDRs are poorly positioned with high noise levels so try and find ones that aren't.160m.net is very good for the 'very noisy' bands!

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 07:45:23 am
content: yes, WebSDR is a valuable tool, especially for verifying transmission range or monitoring specific bands remotely, but its capabilities are inherently limited by available bandwidth, receiver quality, and DSP performance, usually optimized for accessibility rather than high-end performance.In contrast, local shortwave reception, especially in low-noise rural or remote areas, can provide access to a broader spectrum with better signal integrity, depending on your equipment. And radio remains accessible even during large-scale power outages, when both internet infrastructure and cellular base stations are offline, typically after 8-12 hours, as backup power systems are rarely designed for prolonged operation. In such scenarios, radio can serve as a vital and resilient source of information.And yes, the internet offers global reach and convenience, but it comes with significant vulnerabilities - censorship, surveillance, and infrastructure dependence. In contrast, radio allows reception of news and information across borders without relying on local networks or infrastructure, which can be especially valuable in modern "democratic" regimes where total censorship, crazy propaganda and authoritarian methods of slavery are being applied with increasing aggression.Unfortunately, the current radio spectrum offers limited diversity, with many bands overwhelmingly occupied by broadcasts from a single source, primarily Chinese stations, leaving little room for alternative content or genuine variety.It would be refreshing to see the radio spectrum once again filled with high-quality stations from different locations featuring professional announcers, well-produced radio dramas, classical and refined music - free from political propaganda and ideologies rooted in division or hostility.

author: stretchyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 09:15:04 am
content: Fine words!Well...I build transmitters so if you want one then please get in touch!

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 02:01:38 pm
content: Quote from: jonovid on June 23, 2025, 01:39:26 pma WebSDR, is a regular SDR with a Web Frontend, do you really think those SDRs don't use antennas or real hardware ? They are INSTALLED and OFFERED by people willing to share them, people which installs antennas, optimizes the setup and keeps the websdr running, so ?

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 02:51:13 pm
content: And web-SDRs, being actual receivers with actual antennas, are subject to all the regular issues of interference, noise, dynamic range, etc. If you're curious you might want to watch a presentation I gave at the 2025 Dayton Hamvention on the subject of optimizing SDR dynamic range and performance (and some other stuff):https://turnislandsystems.com/hamvention-presentation/