Hi Phil and Bas
Sorry, but I was not able to install the new NovaSDR on my new installed Ubuntu v22.04 PC according the installation guide on the original NovaSDR Website https://github.com/Steven9101/NovaSDR
Even AI was not able to help me to fix the issues.
It just does not work - the "npm install" command in the folder /NovaSDR/frontend will give a lot of error messages.
Why is it so complicated to write an step-by-step installtion guide which is usable from everybody with not a top linux know-how?
How can I install NovaSDR without any error on a new installed Ubuntu v22.04 HP ProDesk 400 G2 PC?
73 de HB9RYZ, Wolfgang
P.S.
My PhantomSDR Plus with v1.54 works still fine and is just amazing :-)
Hi Wolfgang,
try this as normal user, not root:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash
and then exit from terminal, login to terminal and run as normal user, not root:
nvm --version
nvm list-remote
nvm install node
node --version
and
cd NovaSDR
cd frontend
npm install
npm audit fix
npm run build
It works for all version PhantomSDR+ in Ubunutu 22.0.4.
My "phantom" is from this source (https://github.com/sv1btl/PhantomSDR-Plus) and work fine. :)
PS:
I'm not a programmer, just a happy Linux user since 1996, my first Linux came on 4 floppy disks, that's when I fell in love with Linux. ;D
Good Luck!
Darko, 9a7aof
Thanks Darko
I followed your advice, but if start "npm install" in the NovaSDR/frontend folder, there are just warning messages such as:
npm WARN EBADENGINE Unsupported engine .... (just a lot of these error messages)
nvm --version --> 0.39.7
node --version --> v12.22.9
So, I have no clue about this error messages, as I'm not a Linux expert.
I will also try to install the PhantomSDR+ from SV1BTL but this is not the new NovaSDR.
I would like to have the new NovaSDR (PhantomSDR Plus v2.0)
https://github.com/Steven9101/NovaSDR
73 de HB9RYZ
Wolfgang
No problem,
first you need to remove the original npm files from Ubuntu 20.0.4
sudo apt remove npm and then install the newer version as I wrote in the previous post.
NovaSDR does not work with that old version of node.
It doesn't matter if you are not skilled in Linux, all the problems you have now someone had before you, solved the problem and published it on the internet.
It seems to me that AI is not good as people who had a problem and solved it, and then shared their experience with others in the community.
Good luck! :)
Darko, 9a7aof
PS: this is step by step to compile and start novasdr:
git clone --recursive https://github.com/Steven9101/NovaSDR.git
cd NovaSDR/
chmod +x install.sh
sudo ./install.sh
cd frontend
npm install
npm audit fix
npm run build
and then
cd ..
./build/spectrumserver --config config-rsp1a.toml Result is:
Quote./build/spectrumserver --config config-rsp1a.toml
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PhantomSDR+ v2.0.0 │
│ Open Source WebSDR System │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
◆ AGC Speed ◆ Buffer Control ◆ Keybinds ◆ Server Info
◆ Freq Lookup ◆ Callsigns ◆ Audio Stats ◆ Logging
[2025-11-30 11:20:03] [INFO] [Main] Loading configuration from: config-rsp1a.toml
[CONFIG] Port:8906 | 9A7AOF PhantomSDR+ with RSP1A (test) @ JN86da | Chat:ON | Register:NO
[2025-11-30 11:20:04] [INFO] [Server] FFT:524288 | SPS:10000000 | Freq:20MHz | IQ | Audio:flac | WF:zstd
[2025-11-30 11:20:04] [INFO] [Main] SDR list registration disabled - set register_online=true to enable
→ Starting on http://localhost:8906
[2025-11-30 11:20:04] [INFO] [SDRList] Starting SDR list registration thread
[2025-11-30 11:20:04] [INFO] [SDRList] SDR ID: 825457061, Name: 9A7AOF PhantomSDR+ with RSP1A (test)
[2025-11-30 11:20:04] [INFO] [FFT] FFTW wisdom not found - first run will be slower
[2025-11-30 11:20:06] [INFO] [FFT] Waterfall rate: 1 frame per 2 FFTs
and screenshoots are in attachment:
Hello Darko
Thanks again - but it does not work - I'm done with the new PhantomSDR and will keep my good PhantomSDR Plus v1.54.
I still have npm errors in the frontend folder after a removed npm and reinstalled npm.
The only way to get it solved on my Ubuntu PC is a AnyDesk remote Session with an expert like you.
73 de HB9RYZ
Wolfgang
Hi All
Emmanuel SV1BTL helüed me remotely via AnyDesk to install his version of the PhantomSDR-Plus.
Thank you very much Emmanuel.
It worked, but my HP ProDesk 400 G2 Mini PC with only 8GB memory is not strong engough to run PhantomSDR-Plus even without or with accelerator.
So I just ordered additional memory for this PC.
73 de HB9RYZ
Wolfgang
Quote from: hb9ryz on 30 Nov 2025, 21:24 It worked, but my HP ProDesk 400 G2 Mini PC with only 8GB memory is not strong enough to run PhantomSDR-Plus even without or with accelerator.
A temporal solution might be to play with
sps in .toml . Default is 60000000 (for 30 MHz range). Try to make it e.g. 20000000 for 10 MHz range and check the behavior of the stream.
You even can play with
fft_size. The default for RX888 is 8388608, but you can pick up some other values such as 1048576, 2097152, 4194304. This will help you maybe to start server without artifacts, until memory stick to arrive, or until to find another solution with the pc.
Please try to type
top in terminal and give the results.
Type also
sudo intel_gpu_top and check the results if
Render/3D is too high.
Hello Emmanuel, Darko and Phil
My NovaSDR (PhantomSDR Plus v2.0.0) is now running great 😊
The main mistake was that, out of sheer habit, I plugged the RX888MK2 into the wrong USB port (USB 2.0) instead of the USB v3.0 port.
This is because the two HP mini PC EliteDesk and DeskPro look almost identical from the front, but have different USB ports on the back.
Thank you very much for your support and hints - thats Ham Spirit :-)
There are still three tasks to fix:
a.) get a background picture
b.) use the mouse wheel in the freq. window
c.) get a good marker.json to display freq. hints in the waterfall
73 de HB9RYZ,
Wolfgang
Quote from: hb9ryz on 05 Dec 2025, 07:43 a.) get a background picture
b.) use the mouse wheel in the freq. window
c.) get a good marker.json to display freq. hints in the waterfall
a.) According to app.svelte (v.2.0.0) your background picture is located in place (line 1852 of the code):
background-image: url("/assets/background.jpg"), url("/assets/background.png");If you have not any picture with this name in this folder, you can place one, but with THIS (background.png) name.
b.) It seems that v.2.0.0 does not support this function yet, compared to the previous versions.
c.) I cannot see the file
markers.json that existed in the previous versions. I don't know where is this located (if exists), but the fact is that I cannot see any other v.2.0.0 server to have stored frequency markers and displayed them in the waterfall at the bottom of this.
NovaSDR supports markers.json but background image not.
I put my background image in
NovaSDR/frontend
NovaSDR/frontend/build
NovaSDR/frontend/build/assets
NovaSDR/frontend/src/assets
then npm run build,
there are no results.
I've attached my markers.json zip that works.
It needs to be unpacked into the NovaSDR directory.
73!
Darko, 9a7aof
PS:
This with the background image is not a bug, but a new feature!
;D
Hello Darko
Thank you very much for the markers.json.
Link: http://sidler.homeip.net:9002/
Background picture is not really important but to have the mouse wheel working in the frq. window would be great as in PhantomSDR v1.54
73 de HB9RYZ
Wolfgang
Quote from: hb9ryz on 30 Nov 2025, 21:24 Hi All
Emmanuel SV1BTL helüed me remotely via AnyDesk to install his version of the PhantomSDR-Plus.
Thank you very much Emmanuel.
It worked, but my HP ProDesk 400 G2 Mini PC with only 8GB memory is not strong engough to run PhantomSDR-Plus even without or with accelerator.
So I just ordered additional memory for this PC.
8GB is more then enough to run Phantom. It only depends on the CPU.
But most seem to have an I5-6500 or better, that will run Phantom/Nova without problems.
I use the EliteDesk Mini with the i5-6600 and it runs fine, even tested upto 40MHz BW, no problem.
But beware, I do not run a desktop on it. If you do, you better turn that off until you need it.
As a desktop will eat GPU-power and you need all for Phantom. As you speak about Anydesk, you run a desktop too.
More memory won't help, you need a lot faster CPU+GPU to do Nova+Desktop.
QuoteThank you very much for the markers.json.
I like to edit that markers.json and add new stations that I hear.
I have personally heard each of these markers, checked the frequency and station name,
and manually entered them. I am happy to help.
You can hear other stations on some frequencies, you can edit that yourself.
QuoteBackground picture is not really important but to have the mouse wheel working in the frq. window would be great as in PhantomSDR v1.54
Please, see this: Mouse wheel step on Phantomsdr+ v2.0.0 (quick fix) (https://www.phantomsdr.fun/index.php?topic=201.0)
When I was dealing with this I managed to change the mouse wheel step, it worked. If you decide to do the same,
before changing the original files with the ones I edited, make a backup of the original files.
After the change, you need to do npm run build in the frontend or frontend/src directory.
App.svelte it is not necessary to change.
Please edit your config-rx888mk2.toml and change line
brightness_offset = 0
to
brightness_offset = -10
or more in minus, you have too much brightness of the waterfall.
Best Regards,
Darko, 9a7aof
Hi Darko
I changed to brightness_offset = -10 and will install the mouse wheel fix tomorrow.
Thanks
73 Wolfgang
Hi Darko
We modified the code in order to use the middle mouse wheel in the frequency window.
It only works with Firefox and not with Edge and Chrome - very strange.
73 de HB9RYZ
Wolfgang
It only works with Firefox and not with Edge and Chrome - very strange.
The mouse wheel works for me in Firefox, Google Chrome and
Vivaldi browser (OS is Linux) on your NovaSDR server (http://sidler.homeip.net:9002/).
I just tried the 1 and 9 kHz mouse wheel on your NovaSDR server (http://sidler.homeip.net:9002/), everything works.
The secret is that you have to reload the page with CTRL F5,
click on the tiny gear in the upper right corner of NovaSDR,
select the desired wheel step and it works on that browser. ;)
When you come with another browser, again CTRL F5 to reload the page,
click on the gear in the upper right corner of NovaSDR,
change the desired mouse step....it will be remembered until
you delete the browsing history in the browser.
Now, what is the secret of setting the background image in NovaSDR,
share with us, please. ;D
Best regards,
Darko, 9a7aof
Hi All
Yes, the mouse wheel works now in my Firefox, Chrome and Edge if I set the Mouse Wheel Step first in the settings and reload the website with CTRL-F5 :-)
a.) Rename your favorite background picture into background.jpg
b.) copy the background.jpg to /opt/NovaSDR/frontend/src/assets/background.jpg
c.) copy the background.jpg to /opt/NovaSDR/frontend/dist/assets/background.jpg
73 de HB9RYZ
Wolfgang
Thanks Wolfgang
for solving the background image problem (together we know more => teamwork).
Please, when you stop the server at your place, go into the NovaSDR directory
and delete (or rename) the chat-history.
After starting NovaSDR, please re-enter the chat instructions on
how to activate the mouse wheel.
It's awkward to look for that gear in the top right corner,
if that menu wasn't hidden, NovaSDR would have provided a
much better user experience.
I also don't like having to scroll up and down to
change the band I want to listen to.
73!
Darko, 9a7aof
Hi Darko
But I saw this morning, that the markers from markers.json in the NovaSDR folder are not displayed anymore - I don't know why
I deleted the file chat_history.json and after a restart, the history ist still there !
OK, I deleted the the file chat_history.json in the /frontend folder and it works now :-)
73 Wolfgang