What the sensor profiles cover
SPECTER SDR supplies four guided rtl_433 profiles for common short-range device bands and one auto_rx profile for radiosondes. These profiles configure a receiver for the expected mode and width, show antenna guidance, start the local engine, and return parsed output to Decoder Lab.
| Profile | Typical devices | Receiver guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 315 MHz ISM | Compatible weather sensors, tire-pressure monitors, remotes, and alarm devices used primarily in North America. | Use a 315 MHz vertical or broadband antenna. Begin close to a device you own or are authorized to test. |
| 433.92 MHz ISM | Compatible weather stations, temperature and humidity probes, utility devices, remotes, and alarm sensors. | Use a 433 MHz quarter-wave or broadband antenna and select the device's known frequency when available. |
| 868 MHz SRD | Compatible European environmental, home-automation, utility, and alarm telemetry. | Select the appropriate 868.30 or 868.95 MHz sub-band and use an 868 MHz antenna. |
| 915 MHz ISM | Compatible wideband device telemetry in regions using 902 to 928 MHz. | Use a 915 MHz antenna. A known device frequency or focused scan is more effective than parking at band center. |
| 400 to 406 MHz Radiosondes | Supported RS41, DFM, M10, M20, and related weather-balloon transmitters. | Use a 400 to 406 MHz vertical or turnstile outdoors. Scan locally used channels or enter a confirmed sonde frequency. |
Install the local engine
Device telemetry requires rtl_433. Radiosonde telemetry requires auto_rx. Decoder Lab shows the engine requirement and installation state before the profile starts. Engines run locally and receive a loopback IQ stream from the selected SPECTER receiver.
Start a sensor session
- Connect a supported receiver and choose an antenna for the target band.
- Open DECODER LAB and select the relevant ISM, SRD, or radiosonde profile.
- Choose the receiver and frequency. Keep other array receivers available for scanning or evidence capture.
- Start the decoder and wait through the device's transmit interval. Some sensors report only once per minute or less.
- Confirm repeated identity and plausible measurements before treating a packet as established.
- Preserve the session or IQ capture when the result matters.
Expected sensor output
Depending on the device and engine, results can include model, sensor ID, temperature, humidity, pressure, wind, rain, battery state, switch state, utility reading, tire pressure, checksum state, and raw pulse details. Radiosonde results can include serial, latitude, longitude, altitude, ascent or descent rate, speed, heading, and atmospheric measurements.
Troubleshooting
- No packets: Confirm regional frequency, antenna match, receiver gain, and that the device has transmitted during the test window.
- Unknown pulse: The engine can see RF energy but may not support that protocol. Preserve IQ and check the installed engine version.
- Repeated checksum failure: Reduce overload, move away from USB noise, and improve antenna placement before increasing gain.
- Radiosonde not found: Confirm a launch is active, search 400 to 406 MHz, and use outdoor antenna placement with a clear horizon.