I’ve just noticed that I’ve been getting blocks of missing data from one of my emonTx. Some may remember that I’ve got two - one in the house next to my emonBase and one some tens of metres away in the garage where my mains inlet is. It’s the remote one that is giving blocks of nulls, sometime for h…

The first thing that got my attention was the ~10-15dB drop in RSS just after 1 December. So while it may indeed be the Christmas decorations doing the dirty deed, that might be just part of the story. There’ shouldn’t be a problem with an RSSI of ~-70dBm, but that combined with the Christmas lig…

[image] djh: We have several neighbours who are quite keen on them! Know what you mean there. These are in my front yard:

[image] Bill.Thomson: The first thing that got my attention was the ~10-15dB drop in RSS just after 1 December. And that’s the benefit of having an expert look at things :grin: I hadn’t even noticed that. So maybe my hypothesis is wrong or more complicated. Still, it makes me even more keen t…

[image] Bill.Thomson: Software cost is zero. https://www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software/ e.g. http://www.hdsdr.de/ Ah, HDSDR is Windows. I run Linux so I’ll need to look at something else. The first few are: Linrad GQRX CubicSDR ShinySDR Do you or anybody else have any ex…

Of those, I’m only familiar with gqrx but it can do what you need. Also look out for rtl_433 which is capable of decoding many devices on 433 (and 868) MHz. I use it together with a bit of python to feed my emonPi with data from some CurrentCost power monitors and a weather station.

[image] djh: It’s available on Amazon in the US but not here in the UK. This should do the job: (Not bad for 10 quid) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer®-Portable-Digital-RTL2832U-Receiver-Blue/dp/B013Q94CT6/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=rtl-sdr&qid=1576501810&sr=8-9

[image] djh: Do you or anybody else have any experience with them I’ve not run any of the Linux variants. [image] djh: Are there specific features in a package that would be good to have? Any of the avaiable apps will be able show you the RF spectrum at/near 433 MHz, so the choice en…

[image] djh: The antenna is one of these What I was hoping for was a picture of it as installed. It’s actually fairly easy to “detune” one (read that as decreased performance) if it’s not located and mounted correctly.

[image] dbrooke: Also look out for rtl_433 rtl_433 is aimed at decoding data from various personal weather stations and the like. While it’s something he might want to look into later, ATM his need is for a simple spectral display to detect any signals that may be interfering with his OEM s…

[image] Bill.Thomson: This should do the job I’ve already ordered the RTL-SDR kit. :frowning: How would you use the Andoer unit, since it seems to have an omnidirectional antenna? My main question would be about software support for it though since it only mentions Windows. It looks vaguely i…