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pietern / goestools

Tools to work with signals and files from GOES satellites
https://pietern.github.io/goestools/
BSD 2-Clause "Simplified" License
374 stars 83 forks source link

Complete signal loss after a few minutes of use. #37

Closed njbrown09 closed 5 years ago

njbrown09 commented 5 years ago

When i turn it on after not using it for a bit, i get perfect signal (300 vit, 0 dropped packets). After around 5 minutes though, the vit goes up to 2200 and i get all dropped packets. Is this something normal for GOES or is this an issue with my setup/goestools? Im using Raspberry pi 2, RTLSDR (80 gain), and a GOES SAWBird powered via bias tee.

pietern commented 5 years ago

Are you using an SDR with the E4000 tuner by any chance? I have had similar issues with mine in the past, and stopped using them. I recall reading about thermal issues with the on board LNA on that device. You can try reducing the gain until you lose signal and keep the gain at the lowest possible value. Otherwise, try a different SDR, ideally with a different tuner. I've never had problems with the R820T units.

njbrown09 commented 5 years ago

How do i check? I have a RTL-SDR Blog Device.

pietern commented 5 years ago

When you start goesrecv it will log a message saying something along the lines of "Found tuner XYZ" or something similar. I think the ones from the blog are all R820T's though.

njbrown09 commented 5 years ago

Yes it does have a R820T in it. I just checked. Heres the console right when it starts. https://gyazo.com/499680f27d4a0d1afb0319a4fea4472e

pietern commented 5 years ago

Another possibility is that your RPi2 is overheating and gets throttled. I have used an RPi2 in the past, with success, but at 95% or so CPU usage. If it overruns after a while it is possible it doesn't recover. If this is what's happening you should try using a RPi3.

njbrown09 commented 5 years ago

Tried it with a pi 3, it still had the same issue. I ordered a NooElec smart xtr and it will come tomorrow. Its definitely a problem with rtlsdr, as i have tried 2 of them and a rpi3.

njbrown09 commented 5 years ago

Solved. This was entirely due to the RTL-SDR dongle overheating.

pietern commented 5 years ago

Glad you were able to figure it out.