KrakenRF Inc specializes in producing affordable, powerful, and accessible software-defined radios (SDRs). Their flagship product, KrakenSDR, is a 5-channel coherent SDR based on RTL-SDR technology, designed specifically for radio direction finding and signal tracking applications.
KrakenSDR Overview
The KrakenSDR is purpose-built for signal tracking, leveraging five “coherently linked” internal SDR circuits to enable precise signal locking, finding, and tracking across a frequency range of 100 MHz to 1 GHz. It includes desktop and mobile software that simplifies tracking tasks, with antennas that can be easily mounted on a car roof for mobile operations. The Android app provides automatic turn-by-turn navigation, making it ideal for real-time tracking.
Key Features
- Open-Source Flexibility: KrakenSDR offers full control over all radio settings, software, and firmware. Advanced users can control each radio circuit independently, allowing for simultaneous multi-band monitoring.
- Powerful Desktop Tools: Supports passive capturing of low, full, and high-speed USB traffic, along with up to 16 related digital signals for comprehensive analysis.
- Signal Tracking Application: Open-source tools for capturing, filtering, visualizing, and analyzing USB traffic at the protocol level.
- Automatic Calibration: Works out of the box with no manual calibration required, saving time and effort.
- Rugged Design: Built with a durable metal body for solid protection and passive cooling.
Kraken Pro Cloud Online Mapper
The Kraken Pro Cloud service at map.krakenrf.com allows users to map signal bearings generated by multiple KrakenSDRs across fixed sites over a wide area. This online tool is ideal for triangulating signals and includes features such as:
- Displaying multiple KrakenSDRs on a single map
- Heatmap visualization similar to the Android app
- Remote control of individual or multiple KrakenSDRs from one interface
- Sharing KrakenSDR data with other users
- Displaying log files from the Android app or Kraken Web GUI
Applications of KrakenSDR
The coherent design of KrakenSDR unlocks various advanced applications, including:
- Radio Direction Finding: Locating unknown transmitters, such as illegal broadcasts, interference sources, or for hobbyist activities like radio fox hunts.
- HAM Radio Experiments: Tracking repeater abuse or other amateur radio activities.
- Asset and Wildlife Tracking: Monitoring animals or assets outside network coverage using low-power beacons.
- Emergency Response: Locating emergency beacons for search-and-rescue missions.
- Maritime Applications: Finding lost ships via VHF radio signals.
- Beamforming and Interferometry: Enabling advanced radio astronomy experiments.
KrakenSDR provides a versatile and powerful solution for users looking to explore and innovate in the field of signal tracking and radio direction finding.
