QUISK is open source software defined radio (SDR) platform by James Ahlstrom. QUISK can interface with certain radio receivers or amateur radio transceivers, and essentially takes over control of the rig’s operation including changing mode, frequency, transmit/receive switching, demodulation, etc. It’s written in Python and C, and all source is included.
QUISK runs under Linux using ALSA sound drivers or PortAudio. As a receiver it can use the SDR-IQ by RfSpace as a sample source. There are several decimation rates available. The QUISK receiver will read the sample data, tune it, filter it, demodulate it, and send the audio to the sound card for output to external headphones or speakers. It can also use your soundcard as a sample source. You supply a complex (I/Q) mixer to convert radio spectrum to a low IF, and send that IF to the left and right inputs of the sound card in your computer. The demodulated audio goes to the same soundcard for output.
QUICK can also control SoftRock hardware for both receive and transmit.
To install QUISK, download it here (search for QUISK). Then read the documentation and the help file for further instructions.
While it lacks many of the more complex functions of the GNU Radio/USRP SDRs, QUISK gives the hobbyist a relatively inexpensive, open source way to experiment with software defined radio.