Skywave Linux v1.0Software Defined Radio for Online ListeningWelcome to the first release of Skywave Linux! This is an operating system designed to provide access to a growing network of software defined radios all over the world. With global SDR access, shortwave listeners can access broadcast, utility, amateur radio, military, and other signals from almost anywhere in the world - from state-of-the art radio servers. All you need to do is boot Skywave Linux on a computer with internet access.
Why was Skywave Linux created? The developer of this system was plagued by a lack of access to quality radio broadcasts due to his residence in a country practising tight media control and censorship. In addition, software defined radio is an exciting way to experience the hobby of shortwave listening. By connecting to remote radio servers on the internet, it is possible to enjoy bleeding edge radio operation without large antennas or setting up a station on-site. Installing SDR software can be difficult for many computer users, and Skywave Linux eliminates the hassle of downloading, compiling, and configuring apps for the SDR servers on the internet.
Supported SDR TypesThree types of software defined radio are supported by Skywave Linux:
- RTL-SDR devices used on the local system. Just plug-and-play! CubicSDR is the graphical interface which receives AM / FM / SSB modes. Dump1090 (Mutability version) is for monitoring aircraft ADS-B transmissions. ADS-B mapping is available from Dump1090's built in webserver.
- HPSDR hardware, for internet accessible receivers, is covered by QT Radio. Several servers are online 24 hours a day, and cover spectrum from LF through low VHF. Performance is excellent from these servers, and the radio configuration options in QT Radio make for a "professional grade" operating experience.
- WebSDR servers are located all over the world and provide easy access to the global airwaves via web browser. In Skywave Linux, use the launcher to open Firefox at the WebSDR index page. Note that HTML5 is all one needs to enjoy clean, stable, AM / FM / SSB reception using this cutting edge technology. The servers at University of Twente (NL), K2SDR, New Jersey (USA), and G4FPH, Stafford (UK) are particularly good.
For decoding RTTY, CW, PSK, and other digital radio transmission modes, the Fldigi application is installed. Simply open Fldigi and tune a signal on the waterfall to decode. In some cases it may be necessary to use the Pavucontrol application to select the best audio source (output from the LADSPA audio processor plugins).
Usage and Installation
Use Skywave Linux as you would use any live Linux system:
- Burn it to a DVD and run it as a boot disc (slow).
- Create a bootable USB or SD card using Universal USB Installer or YUMI (Windows users).
- In Linux, create a bootable USB or SD card using Unetbootin.
- In Linux, simply install a bootloader and copy the iso file to a USB or SD card.
Technical NotesSkywave Linux v1.0 is built on state-of-the-art Ubuntu 14.10, and uses the Unity desktop environment. Capabilities of Ubuntu are therefore capabilities of Skywave Linux: software updating, graphics, system resource management, etc.
The radio software is largely compiled from source code and can be updated by end users with moderate computer skills, though Skywave Linux is designed for easy use by radio operators with basic computer skills. In fact, Skywave Linux was created to open the world of HPSDR and RTL-SDR operating to people who enjoy high performance radio but are not computer experts.
It may sometimes be advantageous for users to encrypt their connections and / or change the IP address from which they access the internet. Fot that purpose, the Bitmask VPN application is installed. In addition, basic PPTP and OpenVPN connections are included in networking applet.
Acknowledgements
Skywave Linux thanks the talented developers who create Ubuntu, QT Radio, Cubic SDR, Dump1090, Fldigi, WebSDR, and the many other components necessary for this distribution to exist. Skywave Linux also thanks the end users for selecting this distribution and hopes it is an asset to their radio monitoring endeavors.
DisclaimerSome parts of the world suffer from governance by regimes restricting the human right to freedoms of speech, including radio or electronic emedia access. If you are in such a restrictive place, and subject to punishment for listening to foreign media, military communications, or other signals available through Skywave Linux, you do so at your own risk. Be careful and do not get caught! Use a VPN to encrypt your internet activity. Shield and disguise your RTL-SDR hardware from rats and snitches. Skywave Linux, its developers and distributors, are not responsible for the monitoring activities of end users. We will never discourage accessing the network of software defined radio servers, but do encourage self-protective measures by anyone living under restrictive regulation.
This torrent only verifies the SourceForge ISO to 76%.
SourceForge ISO:
MD5: b358601272cdb24711edfc4c2aafdf8f
SHA-1: 74d25beffdcece314df329e1229616c2d1c79933
SHA-512: 40a31847a1f94a1727f60a5c5446a6305eaea1bf64da94aff5f187ae0f4bb3c8a843590b93df58a784345b2a5a3850306b3f72b9216a99b2addadedbad05065f
This torrent's ISO:
MD5: 41f547ee8225bc06a3186404927a4d6a
SHA-1: 4346c210ad9cef92d3c378332c4c52098d3a3c32
SHA-512: 428f34d24f3806c8cfaec44155371850263b5f2bf6e9ee45df1a5250eebdf3f9457eac4429ee7ec8522a86133efd14d52d8a0069301633596d684d94b87243e9
Original uploader has posted the correct hashes to disambiguate. Nuke this one.