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Description

The ColibriNANO opens new horizons for HF band enthusiasts, thanks to its 14-bit ADC, which provides a ~110 dB BDR and up to 3 MHz sample rate. A 0.5 ppm local oscillator gives the ColibriNANO a great frequency stability. Using the ColibriNANO remotely, in some rural area will give you the lowest air noise you've ever seen while won't rob you from any comfort or functionality. The ColibriNANO operated by our own ExpertSDR2 software and compatible with popular HAM software such as HDSDR, SDRSharp via the ExtIO library.

 

Main features and capabilities of the receiver

  • RX path based on DDC (Direct Down-Conversion) architecture

  • ExpertRemote system provides full remote control of the receiver

  • 1 software receiver up to 3072 kHz + SubRX

  • TCI interface for seamless connection with third-party software, the list of software with TCI support

  • Record IQ channel with the bandwidth up to 3072 kHz

  • Receiving in undersampling mode up to 500 MHz (requires external BPF)

  • Low power consumption, 2.02 W; 0.41 A

  • Small size W 25 x H 17 x L 90 mm

 

Typical Applications 

  • Direct connection with your laptop
  • Remote operation
  • Remote connection with a local transceiver
  • Spectrum analyzer

 

ColibriNANO block diagram 

Block diagram 3

Compatible HAM software

  • ExpertSDR3 
  • ExpertSDR2
  • Legacy SDRSharp
  • HDSDR

Additional accessories:

 

Expert Electronics company developed the ExpertSDR2 software to control HAM radio equipment of its own design. Software version for the ColibriNANO allows you to harness all the potential of the receiver: remote operation, synchronization with the transceiver, IQ channel bandwidth up to 3 MHz, control of the preamplifier and LPF.

  • Supported modes: LSB/USB/DSB/CW/AM/SAM/NFM/WFM
  • IQ output via Virtual Audio Cable (VAC)
  • Compatibility with any sound card installed on your PC for the audio output
  • Synchronization with transceivers via CAT interface
  • Special interface to control the CW Skimmer
  • Minimum window resolution 860x466 pix
  • Support of the FullHD and 4K monitors
  • All new versions of the software are free

 

ExpertSDR2NANO

 

Appearance of the ExpertSDR2 software

 

Architecture description 

Block NANO 1

Remote operation with the ColibriNANO receiver

To control the ColibriNANO via Internet we created the ExpertRemote system, based on the client-server connection. This system allows you to place the receiver and server in the remote location with low air noise and Internet connection. This might be some remote village or place with no electrical interference and 3G/4G Internet (or any other connection type). Using the ExpertRemote system you can enjoy clear air from your phone, tablet, notebook or PC. Even simple antennas, placed in a "quiet" place, allows you to listen to the far stations with low level.
Another feature of this system is that the receiver's software can be synchronized with transceivers and be used as the panorama adapter with high resolution. Use the transceiver to transmit signals, receive on your remotely located receiver via the ExpertRemote system. 

Distant stations, rare (DX) stations or expeditions from now on will be a reality for you with our ExpertRemote system!

More information about the ExpertRemote system you can find here.

 

ExpertRemote system block-diagram

BDRCCNANO

 

Specifications

RF ADC, bit @ MHz 14 @ 122.88
ADC type ADS4145
RX Frequency range, MHz 0.1...55
Undersampling, MHz 0.1...500
Independent software receivers 1 + 1 SubRX
Sample rate, kHz @ bit 48; 96; 192; 384; 768 @ 24
1536; 1920; 2560; 3072 @ 16
Bandscope, MHz -
RX HF filters, MHz LPF: 55
Noise floor, dBm 1.9 MHz (160M) - 131
7.1 MHz (40M) - 130
52.5 MHz (6M) - 127
NPR (Noise Power Ratio) with Noise Bandwidth 5 MHz, dB 59
BDR on HF, dB 110
BDR on VHF, dB n/s
Sensitivity, uV 0.35
DR IMD3, not less dB 95
RMDR, dB 104
ATT/Preamp, dB from -31.5 to +6, with 0.5 step
Local oscillator TCXO, MHz +/- ppm 122.88 +/- 0.5
Built-in audio codec, bit -
RF input with up to 15 kV ESD protection 1 SMA connector
Maximum antenna input voltage, without ADC overload, mV (ATT=0 dB) 74 (Pk-Pk); 32.7 (RMS)
PC interface USB 2.0
DC voltage range, V 4.5...5.5
Current consumption, A 0.41
Power consumption, W 2.02
Operating temperature, °C/°F 0...+50/ +32...+122
Active device temperature, °C +45...+50
Dimensions L x W x H, cm/inches 9.0 x 2.5 x 1.7/ 3.54 x 0.98 x 0.67
Weight, kg/lbs 43 gr/ 1.52 oz

 

* More modes can be supported via external software

Specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation and specifications are only guaranteed within the amateur radio bands. 

Documentation


pdf Terms of the product's warranty


pdf User Manual for ColibriNANO receiver v1.1
This manual is good for either new or experienced users, it describes the hardware of the receiver and explains how to operate it with the ExpertSDR2 software 11.07.2018


pdf User Manual Addendum, by Erik EI4KF

pdf Adenda del Manual del Usuario version 6.12 12-05-21


Setup instructions for WSJT-X, ExpertSDR2 and MacLoggerDX


Three ways to work with the ColibriNANO, by Werner Schnorrenberg DC4KU (on English and German):
- connect it via USB with the Notebook/PC (Standard)
- connect it via Raspberry and LAN/WLAN with the Notebook or Smartphone/Tablet in your home network
- connect it via Raspberry to the internet (www)


ExpertSDR2

Warning! Software is device-specific! Don't mix software with unsuitable hardware, it may lead to issues that are not covered by warranty!

 Windows

installer ExpertSDR2 1.3.1 Update11_ColibriNANO
installer ExpertSDR2 x64 1.3.1 Update11_ColibriNANO
Published on 14-10-2021
pdf ExpertSDR2 1.3.1_Release_Notes
pdf ExpertSDR2 1.3.1_Update 10_Release_Notes

Warning!
To use the ExpertSDR2 software, please install the Visual Studio Redistributable 2019 either from the ExpertSDR2 installer or from the official Microsoft website:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads


Library for operation with ColibriNANO receiver

Library compiled for x32, x64, and x32 for WindowsXP (not tested) platforms. The library folder contains all compiled libraries and binary examples for the x32 and x64 platforms, not the x32 Windows XP. In the example_src folder, you may find the example project created with Qt 5.10 libs and compiled in Visual Studio 2017.


ExtIO library to work with third-party software

zip icon ExtIO_ColibriNANO

Attention!
We've made additional tests of the ColibriNANO and found out, that sometimes ExpertSDR2 detects the receiver incorrectly if there are other devices with FTDI chip connected. To make the ExpertSDR2 identify the receiver correctly we added a special descriptor. Please make a certain procedure described in the attached document only once, if you have problems with ExpertSDR2 connecting to the ColibriNANO:

Set the serial number


Ready to use setups, just download, and launch:

zip icon HDSDR_2.7.6_ExtIO_ColibriNANO
zip icon SDR#_v1005_ExtIO_ColibriNANO

The ExtIO library was created using Qt 4.8.7.
The HDSDR software was downloaded from the official website http://www.hdsdr.de.

The SDR# software version 1005.


If your Windows will not automatically download the USB driver, to use the ColibriNANO, download drivers from one of the links below and manually assign them to the undetected device in the Device Manager menu. Dismiss Windows warning regarding unsigned software and proceed with the installation.

zip iconCDM v2.12.26 WHQL Certified x64 for 64 bit PC
zip iconCDM v2.12.26 WHQL Certified x86 for 32 bit PC

Official driver installation guides for:
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10

   Linux

installer ExpertSDR2 1.3.1 Update11_ColibriNANO
Published on 13-10-2021

Warning!
ExpertSDR2 tested on Ubuntu 20.04 x64


mac oc x macOS


installer ExpertSDR2 v.1.3.1 Update11
Published on 14-10-2021

Warning!
ExpertSDR2 works on macOS Big Sur. ExpertSDR2 crashes during the closing, but it doesn't affect software operation at all.

Only for macOS users:
Recently we've been informed that some macOS devices might have an issue with detecting the ColibriNANO, the issue is in the FTDI drivers. Here is the link to the official FTDI doc, which describes how to fix that, follow items 4.2, and then 3.3: FTDI Drivers Installation guide for MAC OS X.

 

ExpertSDR3

Welcome to the new generation of SDR software – ExpertSDR3!

In 2021, we turned a new page in our history by launching the ExpertSDR3.

ExpertSDR3 software is being tested on the latest versions of Windows 10, Linux Ubuntu 22.04, and macOS 12 (with Intel CPU).
To report software bugs, please use this page.

ExpertSDR3 1.0.5 Beta

Download Windows Download Linux Download macOS

ExpertSDR3 minimal system requirements:

  • ОS Windows 10 x64 or later versions, Linux Ubuntu 22.04 x64 and the latest patches of versions 11 (BigSur)/ 12 (Monterey)/ 13 (Ventura) of macOS (Intel and Silicon)
  • 4 core CPU Intel Core i3 or Core i5
  • 8 GB RAM
  • Video card with support of DirectX11 or higher
 

Expert Remote System (ERS)

Server (Starter) for Expert Remote System, build 20221028

Download Windows Download Linux

Download ARM64 linux

Download ARM64 RPi

 
 

Videos



 



Release notes

Release Notes for alpha/beta versions of the ExpertSDR3 (link to a Google Drive folder)
Notas de la versión beta 1_0_0 de ExpertSDR3

  • Added a module where you can select third-party software to be launched along with the ExpertSDR3
  • Implemented Scalable waterfall
  • Now you can control waterfall speed
  • For ColibriNANO implemented auto-preamp
  • For ColibriNANO implemented “ADC overload” indication
  • Implemented ExpertSync module, the server is a part of the ExpertSDR3 Device Manager, and clients are in every ExpertSDR3 client instance. It allows you to sync tuning frequencies, modes, filter BW and RIT among all EE devices
  • You can assign overall volume and monitoring volume to E-Coder knobs 
  • Fixed bugs from the previous alpha
  • E-Coder panel support
  • ExpertRemote system for RX mode
  • TX modulator settings
  • PTT function
  • Break-In function for each software RX
  • Firmware update capability
  • New TCI 1.5 (specification)
  • Fixed numerous bugs from the previous alpha
  • Memory panel operation was improved (CTCSS / repeater settings are stored in memory, now you can apply them for each receiver)
  • Improved Band Manager (added: PA key control, set max output power for per band, and adjust additional preamp/ATT coefficient for external preamp/ATT)

Articles and Reviews

Expert Remote System (ERS) reviewed by Werner Schnorrenberg (DC4KU) (July 2022)
English version / German version
Published in Funkamateur

Release Schedule

ExpertSDR3 1.0.4 Beta - 5th of May 2023

ExpertSDR3 1.0 Final - 25th of December 2023

During the year, we will publish minor releases of the program with bug fixes, without reference to specific dates.