ANAN (Apache Labs)

Introduction

SDR Console is an alternative to PowerSDR, not a replacement. The aim is stable basic operation with AM, SSB, CW, and FM.

Options

The ANAN options are described in detail here [link].

Testing

Firmware Protocol

Only the new protocol II as used by the Thetis release of PowerSDR is supported. The original protocol I is not supported. It is your responsibility to install protocol II on your radio. The ANAN firmware is described in detail here [link].

Errors

When reporting errors please include screenshots and logfiles.

Freezes

If the software stops after 2 to 3 seconds then you probably have a firewall blocking one or more ports.


In your firewall you must allow full TCP and UDP access on your LAN, otherwise the keep-alive ACK packets will not be received by the ANAN radio and it will stop sending IQ data.

Detecting

When you search for ANAN hardware select ANAN (OpenHPSDR) from the dropdown list. If ANAN hardware is not found look in the logfile (below).

The ANAN hardware must have the correct Protocol II firmware loaded and be on the supported list.

An excerpt from a logfile with a non-supported ANAN model is shown below, in this case the hardware is actually the 8000DLE!
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Socket 000008C0 created
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Socket bound to address ANY, port 20000
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Socket set to blocking
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Sending...
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Discovery address 169.254.78.255, port 1024
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Sent 60 of 60 bytes
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Discovery address 255.255.255.255, port 1024
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Sent 60 of 60 bytes
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> -
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Receiving replies, timeout 2000 ms
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Received 60 bytes from 169.254.229.192
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Parsing:
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Sequence ...........: 0-0-0-0
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Response ...........: 02
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> MAC ................: D8-80-39-6D-E5-C0-05-17
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Board type .........: Unknown 5 (5)
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Version protocol ...: 02.3
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> firmware ...: 02.1
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Mercury ....: 0-0-0-0
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Penny ......: 0
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Metis ......: 0
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Receivers ..........: 7
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Frequency or phase .: 1, Phase
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> -
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> Received 0 replies
Radio OpenHPSDR: Auto-detect> -

Starting

First Time

When you start an ANAN radio for the first time you must select the correct model in the PA ! Model page of the options. If your model is not shown here, please contact support and it'll be added.

Transmit

Information about the console's transmit support is available here [link].

AM / SSB

Microphone

There are two microphone selections:
  1. Connected to your computer, for example via USB or a sound card,
  2. Connected to the ANAN hardware.
You can also use a virtual audio cable, for example when interface to digital mode software. The microphone of choice is the RØDE NT1-A connected to the ANAN via a small Behringer mixer desk. The RØDE is a superb condenser microphone. 

The ANAN microphone and PTT are below, note the optional microphone boost.

Bandpass Filter

Select a bandpass filter [link] which matches your voice, for example 100 to 2,900 Hz.

Gain

The gain of the transmit stages can be different for each band, so you have master gain settings [link] as well as the options shown in the Transmit DSP window.

With processing unselected, just the Gain slider to the audio is shown more-or-less as below, then apply processing to increase the waveform. The processing uses an advanced dynamic range compression algorithm (a multi-band compression will be offered later).

Drive

The drive slider directly sets the power output from the radio, the measured power is shown in Meter area. If the value in the ALC meter is in the red area then you a generating well-modulated audio.

Vox

The easiest way to switch to transmit is via VOX. A switch on a microphone connected to the radio is also supported.

AM Carrier

When using AM you can set the carrier level is required; by default 100% is used - this is the recommended setting [Link].

CW

The ANAN SDR and associated firmware works superbly in CW.

Drive

The gain of the transmit stages can be different for each band, so you have master gain settings as well as the options shown in the Transmit DSP window. CW only uses Drive; gain and proc are for voice modes.

CW Level

Relative to voice modes, ANAN's CW output is high so the CW Level option is used to reduce the CW output - this is used together with the Drive setting so that the Drive slider in the transmit DSP window is easier to use [Link]. The aim to to have a drive level which is correct for SSB and AM as well as CW.

Options

The ANAN's own CW settings are selected from the Radio Configuration option (ribbon bar, Home, radio); this is available after you start the radio. The ANAN hardware has a built-in iambic keyer which works very well, you may prefer to use an external keyer such as a K1EL unit. 
  • Internal: Enable Iambic, Mode B is the usual selection.
  • External: Disable Iambic.
Set the RF delay so the transmission only starts after relays in your amplifier / ATU ... have settled.

Select a suitable Hang time - this usually depends on the speed with which you send CW. Select the time either in ms or as a number of dits if using the internal keyer.

User Feedback

Downloaded your latest preview. As a receiver it is fantastic. I have an ANAN 10E running new protocol, GT 730 video card with 2 gig memory and DDR5 memory.

I have tried every sample rate and it just works. Average CPU at the highest sample rate of 1,536,000 is 12 percent. Average GPU is 21 percent.

... I like the waterfall setup with separate scope for receive ant transmit, even though transmit is not available yet. The other feature I see that I really prefer is the multi meter that shows four measures.

Now it's gonna be really difficult to wait till transmit is enabled.

JG on November 6th, 2016
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