Radio Bench
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Use Airspy HF+

Connect the receiver before you refresh the Source panel.

Start the receiver

  1. Connect the Airspy HF+ directly to the computer when possible.
  2. Select Refresh in the Source panel.
  3. Select the device with its displayed serial.
  4. Select a sample rate and configure gain controls.
  5. Select Connect.

Radio Bench saves controls for each Airspy HF+ serial. Two devices can therefore keep different gain settings.

Setup note

Radio Bench supports the Airspy HF+ and the Airspy HF+ Discovery over direct USB. Both devices use the same controls, and every packaged release includes the required runtime.

Source controls

  • Sample rate — the rates that the connected device reports. Radio Bench selects 768 kHz when the device reports no list.
  • AGC Mode — automatic gain control, with an off setting for manual gain.
  • Attenuation — reduces the input level in steps when strong signals overload the receiver.
  • Preamp — adds gain for weak signals on a quiet antenna.

Set gain

Start with automatic gain control or a moderate manual setting. Reduce gain when strong signals raise the visible noise floor or cause overload.

Airspy HF+ performs its own DC correction. Radio Bench does not apply the RTL source DC-removal control to this source.

For a strong-signal problem, leave the frequency unchanged and turn the preamp off. Increase attenuation, then compare intelligibility and unwanted signals. For a quiet antenna, compare the preamp on and off before keeping extra gain.

Linux USB permissions

The bundled runtime still needs permission to open the USB device. Install your distribution's Airspy HF+ udev rules, then reconnect the receiver.

The Airspy HF+ project documents group-based and uaccess rules. Use the rules appropriate to your distribution. A group membership change may require signing out and back in.

After installing rules on a udev system, reload them with:

sudo udevadm control --reload-rules

Reconnect the receiver and select Refresh. Do not run Radio Bench as root to work around a missing USB permission.

Recover from USB interruption

Radio Bench can restart an Airspy HF+ after some silent USB interruptions. It makes up to three restart attempts in one session.

Move the device to a direct USB port if interruptions continue. Also test another data-rated cable.