FM – DAB+: my logblog!

Today Jan Van Katwijk released QT-DAB 5.0.
It all started as an upgrade for the famous DAB-mini and ended as an alternative for 4.4.2, but it’s not a replacement.
Most of the controls from the 4.4.2 version have been moved to the configuration widget.
Find out which version fits your needs and download 4.4.2 and 5.0 here.

Brand new QIRX 4.0.0 had a minor update to 4.0.1 today. Download it here.

What is new?

• Scrollbar in all DAB Windows.
• Receivers can be renamed in the settings.
• RSP3_tcp.exe V0.3.4 and new sdrplay_api.dll included in the installer.
• Zoom slider removed; use the mouse wheel.
• Dim slider repositioned to the left.
  (Abridged from the QIRX History page).

Did you have a look at QIRX 4.0.0 (15 days) demo? Perhaps you want to go for a full licenced copy? It’s not very expensive and you get excellent value for money. Click here to compare 3.2.2 to 4.0.0.

After installing QIRX 4.0.0 (V4) you will notice QIRX 3.2.2 (V3) won’t work and its directory (C:\Program Files\softsyst\QIRX3) is empty. This is normal behavior, as a new version is automatically uninstalled by the installer.

If you don’t want to go for a licenced V4 after the demo expires, just completely delete V4 and install V3.

Perhaps you want to run both V3 and V4 on the same machine, even after having a licenced copy?

How can this be done?

1. Uninstall V4.
2. Install V3 again but not in the same directory as before (or move everything to a new directory immediately after installing V3 in the default folder).
   I used C:\Program Files\QIRX322, but you can choose whatever you like.
3. Install V4 again after having changed the V3 directory.
4. Don’t forget to make sure that both qirx.bat files have a different single parameter, designating the base data directory.
   For instance: content of qirx.bat for V4: qirx.exe qirx4. Content of qirx.bat for V3: qirx.exe qirx3.
5. You CAN start the V4 from the icon on the desktop, you MUST start the V3 by a doubleclick on qirx.bat in Windows Explorer.

AbracaDABra is a nice, new DAB-decoder. It’s still in early development; the first release was on May 22 2022. Releases (Windows zip, Linux and Mac) can be found here.

Yesterday evening Clem Schmidt released a major new version of QIRX and the changes are massive.
Highlights of the changes (abridged from this page):

1. QIRX 4.0.0 now needs activating with a licence key after a 15-day demo. The fee is 20 euros.
   More info here.
2. QIRX now uses a docking system to place receivers and widget (TII Spectrum a.o.) where you want them on your screen.
3. DAB decoding sensitivity has been significantly enhanced.
4. DAB EPG on a new tabbed window.
5. DAB measurement capabilities have been enhanced by BER and MER, usually not found in DAB SDRs.
6. Map Range Rings.
7. ADS-B improvements: upgraded map, ADS-B filtering and vertical colour bar for tracking.

A full comparison between version 3.2.2 (free) and 4.0.0 (licenced) can be found here.