SDRCrew 1.1.0: DAB digital radio becomes simple!

Version 1.1.0 of SDRCrew is out, my free software receiver for Windows that turns an RTL-SDR dongle into a multi-purpose receiver. This time I redesigned from scratch the way digital DAB radio is used, after receiving feedback from a radio amateur friend who made the effort to test the software's features in depth. Thank you for your time!

WHAT CHANGES IN DAB

Before, three separate steps were needed: calibrate the dongle, scan the channels, look for stations. Now there is a single button.

• "Start tuning": it calibrates the dongle, finds all the DAB multiplexes in your area and collects the list of stations, in a single pass. It takes a few minutes (2-4 in my tests, depending on how many multiplexes you receive) and a timer under the button shows you how long it takes.

• The station list stays saved: when you reopen the app you find it as it was, and it also updates while you listen.

• To listen, pick a station: if it is on another multiplex, the app tunes the channel by itself. DAB+ is listened to with text (dynamic label) and slideshow when the station broadcasts them.

• Calibration is now reliable: the dongle's correction value (ppm) is measured and then verified by really decoding the signal, instead of trusting a single reading.

• If the dongle freezes (it happens with USB errors after a lot of use) the app recognises it and tells you, without touching the saved stations and settings.

• Manual tuning (channel and correction) is still there, but it lives in an "advanced" section closed by default.

AND THE REST OF SDRCREW?

• Real-time spectrum and waterfall with AM, FM, SSB and CW listening, audio filters (notch, contour, noise blanker, noise reduction)

• FT8, FT4, FT2 decoding and SSTV images

• Scanner with memories and CTCSS/DCS recognition, ADS-B with an air traffic map, FM radio with RDS, shortwave with station search

• Digital voice: DMR, D-STAR, System Fusion, P25, NXDN, M17

• 433/868 MHz sensors, hi-fi recorder, interface in Italian and English and automatic updates

WHAT YOU NEED

Windows 10 or 11, an RTL-SDR dongle with the WinUSB driver (installed once with Zadig) and an antenna suited to the band you want to listen to. If Windows shows a warning because the installer is not signed, choose "More info" and then "Run anyway".

DOWNLOAD

SDRCrew 1.1.0: https://codeberg.org/IU2PYG/sdrcrew-releases/releases

If you already have 1.0.3, the "Update available" pill appears at startup.

If you are only interested in home radio sensors (weather, doors and windows, TPMS...) there is also the dedicated version, RTL 433/868 Monitor, described in the previous article.

It is a hobby project, made in my spare time and distributed for free. Ideas, reports and problems found while using it are welcome. If it is useful to you and you would like to buy me a coffee, you will find it here on Ko-fi.

73 de IU2PYG

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