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Tech Showcase SkySweeper Standard V. 3.07 by Harold Ort |
 Here’s a sample SkySweeper screenshot of a PSK signal being decoded. |
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When it comes to decoding those “strange” digital transmissions, there’s certainly numerous software choices out there for radio monitors and hams alike. To be sure, some even have what one fellow described as a “cult following.” But when it comes to features, reliability, and fast, courteous tech support, I’ve found the SkySweeper program to be top-notch. The SkySweeper product family offers up three versions: SkySweeper Standard, SkySweeper Standard Plus, and SkySweeper Professional. I’ve been using the Standard version for several months now and have found it to be versatile and easy to understand and use. It’s almost as if I wrote the program for myself, it’s that intuitive! The Standard version includes receive and transmit capability for CW, RTTY, PSK31, PSK63, PSK125, MFSK16, 2MFSK16, 4MFSK16, QPSK31, SkyBoost, SSTV, and HELLSCHREIBER modes. It’s the key member of the SkySweeper product family, and is primarily for advanced hams and DXers looking for a good performer for the most common amateur modes, as well as for decoders for the most common utility modes.
SkySweeper Standard’s receive-only modes are
ACARS, AX.25 packet, DGPS, GMDSS/DSC (HF), GMDSS/DSC (VHF), HFDL (HF ACARS),
HF-FAX, MIL-ALE (MIL- To get started you’ll need a computer with Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, ME, or XP and 30 MB of free disk space. The SkySweep tech folks say it must have a 600-MHz processor speed, but actually recommend a 1-GHz processor and 64 MB of memory at a minimum (they also recommend 128 MB). I’m using a machine with a 1400-MHz processor speed and 256 MB of memory. I recently upgraded the computer’s video card to enable my computer to better handle a video-intensive program such as SkySweeper. That’s not to say you would have to run out and buy a replacement video card, but chances are if you’re using an older computer, you’ll know if you need a new one, believe me.
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