Here is a zoomed-out view of the webSDR. Your view might be slightly different, depending on the internet browser you're using.
In this section, we will focus on basic navigation.
At top left, you can create a nickname or enter your callsign. Type it in the box, then click anywhere on the page to set it:
If you participate in the chatbox, your nickname/callsign will identify you to the other users. It is polite to use a nickname/callsign in chat, especially if you visit the WebSDR regularly. If you use the chatbox without entering a nickname/callsign, your IP address will be shown as your identifier. We'll discuss the chatbox feature towards the bottom of this section.
The next section is called the Waterfall. This is a visual "heat map" showing activity along the shortwave radio spectrum, and it flows constantly (like a real waterfall, hence the name.) This is what the Waterfall looks like by default, when it is zoomed out:
Generally speaking, darker color = less radio activity. Lighter color = more activity. Be careful to note the yellow line just below the Waterfall. That indicates which frequency you are tuned to. We will talk more about that on the "Tuning" page.
You can zoom in and out by clicking on the Waterfall, and then slowly scrolling your mouse wheel. The Waterfall will adjust, anchored on the center of the screen. As you zoom in, the Waterfall will reveal more detail- just like if you zoomed in on a Google map.
You can also use your keyboard to control:
Another method for zooming in/out is by using the buttons located directly below the Waterfall:
You can use these to zoom out or zoom in all the way with one click ("max out" or "max in") or do it in smaller increments ("zoom out" or "zoom in".)
Whichever method you prefer, zooming in on the Waterfall is helpful because you can view tags or labels for commonly heard shortwave stations/broadcasters. In the image above, we're tuned to 3756USB, but it's hard to tell. In the image below, we're still tuned to 3756USB- but we've zoomed in on the Waterfall. Now we can see the tag indicating what we are hearing there.
In certain meter-bands there is a lot of traffic, and you'll see many tags... IF you zoom all the way in, as shown below:
You can also drag the Waterfall side to side, without affecting the zoom level or changing where you are tuned. Click and hold your mouse button on the Waterfall, while moving the mouse left or right at the same time.
Now that you've mastered the Waterfall, let's move down the page a bit and look at the Chatbox.
The Chatbox is a great place to discuss what you're listening to or what others are hearing. (Remember to enter your nickname/callsign above the Waterfall, first.) You can type your chat message in the long blank box, do the basic math (to prove you are a human and not a spambot) and then click "Chatbox Submit." Messages are shown timestamped to UTC, along with the nickname/callsign.
English is the common language in chat. Sometimes people chat in their native language too. Google Translate can be helpful. You'll meet users from all over the world with various levels of expertise in this hobby. There are many "regular" Chatbox users who enjoy helping others learn, but it is always appreciated if new users do their research first before asking questions. Google search is your friend. 😉
Tips for using the Chatbox:
1) Be polite. You are interacting with people around the world, and not everyone speaks English well. We can get along nicely by using basic manners, and not using profanities or other rough language.
2) Do not spam, flood, or fill the chat with nonsense.
3) Do not type in ALL CAPS. That is considered rude, as it is online "yelling."
4) It is normal to experience a delay after clicking "Submit" - your chat message may not appear in the box immediately.
5) If you are referencing a frequency, please state whether it is AM, FM, USB, or LSB.
If the Chatbox is used improperly/spammed, the admins will turn it off for everyone. We don't want that to happen, so please behave.
