ExtIO_RTLTCP_improved Files

I programmed an enhanced version of this DLL: https://github.com/roseengineering/ExtIO_RTLTCP.

My project shall help you to use high-quality SDR software like HDSDR together with your RTLSDR USB stick also on Linux.

HDSDR itself runs well in WINE (the Windows software emulator) but all the ExtIO DLLs that directly access the USB port fail. The ExtIO DLL presented here, however, also works on Linux since it uses networking.

On Linux, install WINE (the Windows software emulator) and the normal Windows version of HDSDR (in WINE). Best is if you build the needed rtl_tcp from https://github.com/librtlsdr/librtlsdr. If that is not possible for you install the Rtl-sdr package from the repository which, however, contains only a less capable version of rtl_tcp. Then copy one of my ExtIO_RTLTCP_improved.dll files into the program directory of HDSDR (usually ~/home/USER/.wine/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/HDSDR). Now, HDSDR works also on Linux. To launch HDSDR on Linux, at first start rtl_tcp, and then HDSDR. Enjoy!

Of course it is also possible to use my DLLs on Windows. For that, you need rtl_tcp.exe, which you can download from https://ftp.osmocom.org/binaries/windows/rtl-sdr/. Copy the file rtl_tcp.exe into the program directory of HDSDR on Windows (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\HDSDR). Then proceed like for Linux. At first start rtl_tcp.exe, and then HDSDR.

Notes: ExtIO_RTLTCP_improved is experimental. I am not aware of any adverse effects. However, use it at your own risk!


VERSIONS:

My ExtIO_RTLTCP_improved DLLs are available in the following versions:

- ExtIO_RTTCP_improved1.dll uses autoGain for the tuner gain.
- ExtIO_RTTCP_improved2.dll uses optimized manual gain settings for the tuner gain, which shall prevent that the RTLSDR stick is overdriven on VHF / UHF frequencies.

I am currently working on an extended version based on this DLL: https://github.com/hayguen/extio_rtl_tcp. It has a more sophisticated GUI, so that you can adjust more parameters manually. However, with this DLL the rtl_tcp from https://github.com/librtlsdr/librtlsdr is mandatory. Current status is summerized in the following beta version:

- ExtIO_RTTCP_improved3_beta.dll has the extended GUI, Auto-Q as well as the optimized gain settings profile.

Feel free to test it. ExtIO_RTTCP_improved3_beta.dll is licensed under GNU GPL (https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.txt and https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.txt).