Start the built-in demo radio¶
The built-in demo radio simulates a FLEX-8600 with synthetic RF noise, allowing you to explore AetherSDR's features without a physical radio connected. This is useful for learning the interface, testing configurations, or demonstrating the software.
Before you start¶
- AetherSDR must be installed and running.
- No physical FlexRadio needs to be connected.
Steps¶
- Open Settings > Connect to Radio... from the menu bar.
- In the connection dialog, select Demo from the radio list.
- Click Connect.
The main window now shows a panadapter and spectrum display with synthetic noise. The Demo Mode applet panel becomes available in the tray at the bottom of the window.
What each control does¶
The Demo Mode applet panel appears only when the demo radio is connected. It contains the following controls:
| Control | Type | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Noise channel toggles | Checkbox | Enable or disable individual noise sources (pink noise, white noise, QRM bursts, birdies). Hover over any toggle to see what that noise sounds like on a real HF rig and how to deal with it. |
| Noise level sliders | Slider | Adjust the amplitude of each enabled noise source independently. Hover over any slider for the same educational tooltip. |
| Scene presets | Push button | One-click buttons that set all noise channels to match a specific scenario (storm, night-40m, contest pileup, quiet band, etc.). The buttons wrap to new lines when the panel is too narrow, so every label stays fully visible. |
Tips¶
- The demo radio does not support transmit operations.
- Each noise channel has a hover tooltip explaining what that sound is on a real band — what causes it and what you can do about it. Playing with the demo doubles as an HF primer: for example, hover over the Birdie carrier toggle to learn that it is a steady unwanted carrier (heterodyne), often a spur from nearby electronics, and that a notch filter is the classic fix.