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Help Center · Spektra (SDR Plugin)

FAQ

Hardware, bands, regions, the demo, updates and how Spektra relates to FreqSense.

Open Spektra (SDR Plugin)

On this page
  1. What hardware do I need to run Spektra?
  2. Which bands and regions does it cover?
  3. Does it replace professional coordination software?
  4. Is it a calibrated measurement receiver?
  5. How do I buy and download it?
  6. Do I get updates?
  7. Can I use it without internet?
  8. What is the browser demo?
  9. How does Spektra relate to FreqSense?
  10. Which languages and themes are there?

What hardware do I need to run Spektra?

Any of 8 supported analyzer families, auto-detected on plug-in: RTL-SDR Blog V3 (the ~€40 reference device) and generic RTL2832U dongles, tinySA and tinySA Ultra, RF Explorer WSUB1G and 3G Combo, HackRF One, Airspy, and SDRplay RSP models. No hardware yet? The built-in demo mode generates a synthetic spectrum.

Which bands and regions does it cover?

The default sweep is the 470–700 MHz UHF wireless-mic band, with presets for DECT (1880–1900 MHz) and 2.4 GHz; capable hardware tunes up to 6 GHz. Regulation overlays exist for 8 regions — DE, UK, EU/CEPT, US, FR, AU, JP and CA.

Does it replace professional coordination software?

For the pre-show workflow it closes the loop: sweep, read what is genuinely free, let the Frequency Advisor place 4–128 intermod-checked frequencies, print the sheet. It does not remote-control receivers the way manufacturer suites do for their own gear.

Is it a calibrated measurement receiver?

No. An RTL-SDR is not a lab analyzer. Spektra shows relative occupancy and finds the windows; do not read its levels as absolute dBm.

How do I buy and download it?

Buy a one-time licence on Gumroad, activate the key on your Squaresmile account, and download the build for your platform from the Spektra page on the platform. See Getting started.

Do I get updates?

Yes — updates for the major version you own are included. There is no subscription.

Can I use it without internet?

Yes. Spektra talks to the analyzer over USB, binds to localhost only and sends no telemetry. Once installed it needs no connection.

What is the browser demo?

/spektra/demo runs the real spectrum view on synthetic data: drag the noise threshold, switch band and region, watch free windows recompute, export CSV or JSON. It needs a free account, no licence and no dongle. It does not scan your real airspace.

How does Spektra relate to FreqSense?

FreqSense (free, in the browser) plans before you travel. Spektra measures when you arrive. Export the clear windows as CSV / JSON from Spektra and drop them into FreqSense.

Which languages and themes are there?

English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Portuguese, switching instantly, plus light and dark themes with a tunable accent colour.

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