BVM based SDRPlay RSP1 Software Defined Radio using SDRUno as the software interface

[vjkanth]

I wanted to use my Raspberry Pi 5 4GB with 256GB NVME with a 7 inch touch DSI display to put together a dedicated portable SDR. My objective was to reuse as many components I already had with me and put them in a suitable case. It's still work in progress but is largely functional. The initial build was purely based on Pi OS 64 Bit (bookworm) however as I'd used SDRUno on Windows 10 for a number of years I just couldn't get the same experience with Linux-based SDR software such as CubicSDR, SDRPP etc. although these are excellent software in their own right.

I experimented with Box64 and Wine(x64) etc but it was too cumbersome and in the end the software woudn't run as the USB ports were not passing through from the host. I gave up having tried all sorts of config changes on Wine to no avail.

Whilst looking to install the WoR flasher, I stumbled upon BVM and gave it a go. I installed BVM through Pi-Apps (another well-thought tool) and followed the simple and straight-forward instructions. USB Passthrough was the MOST important function for me as I'd need to use RSP1 SDR, a USB DAC (as Pi 5 board no longer has the headphone jack) and other basic peripherals. BVM appeared to have checked all the boxes for my project.

After some trial and error, I managed to get the SDRUno software working in Win11 VM via BVM and additionally configured the necessary peripherals to use the software. I'm sure the same can be achieved for other SDR software. There is some stuttering in the sounds as if the VMs struggling to run smoothly, but I've come quite far in achieving the original goal of reuse, reassembly and being able to use SDRUno. I'll continue to try config changes but if anyone has any suggestions on this stuttering problem, then please advice.

I'm sharing some images and a video of my project. Still a lot more to do such as SSTV, DAB+, Terrestrial TV and Internet Radio all in one box. Hopefully this project inspires others too :-)

Video.mp4