My Softrock Ensemble RXTX-based transceiver runs a variety of software packages on a standard desktop PC or notebook PC.

Here's what my setup looks like ( the old Air King 1950s radio in the background, near the keyboard, is not part of the SDR transceiver!)

The Software

For transmitting I usually use free software from PE1NNZ, which he compiled specifically for the Softrock. This package is derived from the open-source code available free from Flex Radio Systems; PE1NNZ's code adds Si570 VFO control to PowerSDR.

The next image is a typical PSDR display of the rig in operation.

Note the panoramic display in the upper part of the screen, with a corresponding waterfall display below it. The buttons are used to select bands, modes, filters, etc. and are very much akin to what you'd find on a hardware transceiver. These are, however, selected by mouse clicking. There are also soft sliders for adjusting various levels.

Click on the image for a magnified detail view.

Another interesting SDR package is the free Rocky software from VE3NEA. It works nicely for CW, with some limitations due to system latency. It also includes a PSK encoder-decoder. Here's a typical screen image, showing the panoramic display. A lateral waterfall is also selectable.
Here are a few SDR and Softrock links you may find interesting:

Lots of Softrock software downloads from KT6F's site.

Some thoughts on connecting soundcards to Softrock SDRs, from G4ZFQ.

More good Softrock set-up information from G4ZFQ.

"Fists of Fourier: SDRs explained."

The High Definition SDR (HDSDR) package, by I2PHD.

Some notes on setting up your SDR and Si570 chip.

DH1TW puts knobs and buttons on Flex's PowerSDR.

ARRL's QEX magazine also ran a series of tutorial articles by KF6DX entitled "Signals, Samples, and Stuff."

Part 1 QEX, March 1998, pp. 3-16

Part 2 QEX, May 1998, pp. 22-37

Part 3 QEX, July 1998, pp. 13-27

Part 4 QEX, September 1998, pp. 19-29
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