SDRSharp Community Plugin Package install
The (SDR#) SDRSharp Community Plugin Package is the most comprehensive version of the popular “Software Defined Radio” software package for Windows. SDR# works with the Airspy, but the package is especially popular because it also works with the cheap RTL-SDR dongles.
In earlier blogs, you could read how to install SDR# on a computer with Windows Vista or Windows 7. This was followed by a blog about how to install SDRSharp (SDR#) on Windows 10. The newer versions are now much easier to install. That is why we look at the “Community Plugin Package” in this blog: a package that not only installs SDR# and the required drivers but also a large number of useful plug-ins.
SDR# Windows Software
The basis of the SDR# (SDRSharp) Community Plugin Package is, of course, SDR# itself, together with the associated utilities. The drivers for the well-known RTL-SDR dongle are also installed automatically. The installation includes the following components:
- SDR# (SDRSharp)
- Airspy R2/Mini Calibration Tool 1.0
- ADS-B Spy – High-Performance ADS-B Decoder
- Spectrum Spy 1.0 – Fast Sweeping SDR Spectrum Analyzer
- Astro Spy 1.0 – Radio Astronomy Utility for Hydrogen Line Spectroscopy
- SPY Server – Multi-client SDR Server with Fast DDC
- RTL-SDR Dongle Installation Script
SDRSharp Community Plugin Package
In addition to SDR#, the drivers and utilities, the following plug-ins are also installed automatically:
Audio Processor, Audio Recorder, AUX VFO, Aviation band 8.33 calculator, Baseband Recorder, Calico CAT, CTCSS decoder squelch, DCS decoder squelch, DDE Tracker, Digital Audio Processor, DSDtcp, File Player, Frequency Lock, Frequency Manager, Frequency Scanner, Gpredict Connector, IF Processor, IF Recorder, Level Meter, LimeSDR, Meteor Demodulator, MPX Output, PAL/Secam TV, Pluto SDR, RTL-SDR 820T, SDRSharp Net Remote, Time Shift.
Install SDR# Community Plugin Package
Installing the SDR# Community Plugin Package is easy and largely automatic.
- Go to https://airspy.com/download/ and download the “Community Package with Plugins“.
SDRSharp SDR# Community Plugin Package install: download - Start the installer “SDRSharp-installer.exe” that you just downloaded.
- If “Windows Defender Smartscreen” prevents the installer from being started, click on “More information” to be able to run the installer.
SDRSharp SDR# Community Plugin Package install: Windows Defender SmartScreen - Agree to the license agreement.
- In the “Choose Components” screen you can de-select any plug-ins that you do not want to install, click on the “Install” button to continue.
SDRSharp SDR# Community Plugin Package install: Choosing components - The selected components will now be downloaded and installed.
- When the installation is complete, click on the “Finish” button to complete the installation and start SDRSharp.
SDRSharp SDR# Community Plugin Package install: installation complete - Click on the “gear” icon at the top left in SDRSharp and choose your SDR device (eg RTL2832U).
SDRSharp SDR# Community Plugin Package install: configuration - Then click on the “play” icon to the left of the gear, you can now tune into frequencies.
SDRSharp SDR# Community Plugin Package install: tuning
You can now fine-tune the settings and try out all the plug-ins.
Unlike previous versions, this installer does create shortcuts in the Start menu and on the desktop, so you no longer have to do that yourself.
Enjoy listening!
Hi,
I Can bring up an auxilliary VFO but how do I select decoded audio from it and switch between the main VFO, and can I simultaneously run two VFO’s and decoders within the spectrum with combined mixed audio output? Further, how can I direct audio from each VFO to separate virtual cables. I’m currently using VB audio virtual cable feeding a baseband decoder app, and would like to simultaneously decode on different frequencies within a ~1MHz bandwidth of RTL-SDR v3.
Thanks.
Unfortunately FMSuite doesn’t appear in any community download, following directions for installing myself don’t yield successful results. I understand the plugins.xml method is no longer functional nor supported.
Any suggestions on how to successfully add the FMSuite plugin? It is my frequency manager preference as the default frequency managers are lacking anything more than very basic functions.