KiwiSDR: Wide-band SDR + GPS cape for the BeagleBone Black

KiwiSDR 2:

The online store is open for orders!

Our online store: kiwisdr.nz
Tech Minds YouTube review video
VK2MB KiwiSDR Secrets (YouTube)
Manly-Warringah Radio Society lecture by Richard VK2SKY

New KiwiSDR 2 owners
click here

Production status Updated 18 July
Factory image/video

Updated 4 December 2024

Listen live: List, Map, SNR-scores
Introduction to using the KiwiSDR
Operating information: Installation, operation

Quick Start guide (instructions inside box)
Power supply advice #1 new installation problem
Troubleshooting guide
Schematics: KiwiSDR 1, KiwiSDR 2
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

KiwiSDR forum
Community DX labels: database (JSON), configuration (JSON)
Latest change log
Github project source code, many screenshots
Design review document
Note: support is only provided to purchasers of
genuine KiwiSDR hardware. We reserve the right to confirm
your eligibility to receive support services.

© 2016-2024 KiwiSDR NZ. All rights reserved.
The content of these pages are not open source and may not be used elsewhere without permission.

Access KiwiSDR receivers here

List/map of receivers:
- rx.kiwisdr.com
- map.kiwisdr.com (links to rx.linkfanel.net)
- ve3sun.com/KiwiSDR (map, sortable list, signal strength, propagation info, more)
SNR scores:
- snr.kiwisdr.com (links to rx.linkfanel.net/snr)
- snr2.kiwisdr.com (links to sibamanna.duckdns.org/sdr_map)

Beagle root and debian account passwords

Did your Kiwi not have a Beagle/Linux root password set and now it's asking for one?
Recent security changes have automatically applied a password to any root or debian account passwords that were blank/unset.

The new password set is the Kiwi's serial number as shown on the admin page network tab or as written on the the Kiwi circuit board (or as written on the bottom of the enclosure with KiwiSDR 2). For some versions of KiwiSDR 1 the password might be the same as the Kiwi admin password. The debian account password might also be the default "temppwd" if the password change process failed.

Also note that with Debian 9 and later logins using the root account are no longer enabled by default. Instead, login using the debian account and "sudo su" to get a root shell.

Purchasing a KiwiSDR:

Please visit our online store: kiwisdr.nz New

Recommended accessories:

SDR front-end filter from Turn Island Systems, Paul WB6CXC

Product page, Technical description (3/4 down the page)

CATSync - external rig synchronization tool from Oscar, DJ0MY

Website, blog, YouTube video

W6LVP magnetic loop

USA, Canada delivery — Website

Reviews:

Tech Minds: YouTube review video
Bjarne, Arctic DX, The KiwiSDR: Impressions, Additional thoughts
RTL-SDR.com: In-depth review,
Frank, HB9FXQ, hamspirit.de, "Blick unters Federkleid des KiwiSDR",
("Look under the plumage of the KiwiSDR"), German, English translation
Fernando, Fenu-Radio, German, English
John, VE6EY, KiwiSDR server from ZL/KF6VO
Ron, KA7U, blog post
Bob, VK5FO, blog post

Media:

Latest news and information on the KiwiSDR forum
Introduction to using the KiwiSDR
Comparison: KiwiSDR / SDRPlay RSP2 / HackRF One
Original Kickstarter campaign with video

Listening/operating tools

Klingenfuss Publications for 50+ years, the world's leading publisher of books and databases for professional shortwave (HF) radio monitoring New
(includes extensive info about using third-party decoder software with KiwiSDR)
SuperSDR: Kiwi waterfall viewer with CAT support by Marco, IS0KYB New
Map For Ham by Diego, IU1FIG, an incredible map application
rx-tx.info preview/table/map of WebSDR, OpenWebRX & KiwiSDRs
KiwiSDR map/player for Android by frantsch
KiwiSDR sound client for Mac by Black Cat Systems