Guide Memory panel

Guide: the Memory panel

What it is. The Memory panel keeps the frequencies you care about together with the mode and the receiver settings they were stored with. Recalling a memory does more than tune: it switches to the stored mode, restores the sample rate, the gains and the mode's own options, and then tunes. It is the quickest way to get back to your local ATC channel, your favourite FM station or a weather-fax schedule.

Opening it

• View > Memory... or Ctrl+M.
• The M menu in the menu bar lists your memories, with Memory panel..., Store current... and Show Memory as a tab. The classic interface has an M button next to Start / Stop.
• Show Memory as a tab adds a Memory tab to the main screen. It is off by default so the normal screen stays as it was.

Storing a memory

1. Tune to the signal you want, with the mode, sample rate and gain that work.
2. Press Store current (or Store current... in the M menu). OnAir keeps the frequency, mode and sub-mode, sample rate, channel bandwidth, the radio's gains and the mode's options.
3. The name is the station's own name when the mode reports one (FM uses the RDS name); otherwise it is the mode and frequency. You can change it later with Edit....
4. If a memory on the same frequency and mode already exists, OnAir asks whether to update it, add another one, or go back.

Recalling

• Double-click a row, press Recall, or pick a line in the M menu.
• A running receiver is stopped and started again when the mode or the sample rate changes, and retuned live when only the frequency differs. A stopped receiver is set up for its next start.
• Recall frequency only (the Frequency only button) tunes and leaves the mode alone.
• With several receivers open, This receiver (shown as "Recall on") chooses RX1 to RX4. By default it is the receiver on screen.
• A memory whose mode this build does not have says so and changes nothing.

Finding and ordering

• The search box matches the name, notes, tags, group, mode and a typed frequency. Typing 162.4 finds 162.4000 and 162.4125; typing 162 finds the whole 162 MHz band.
• Click a table heading to sort. Drag a row to reorder when Manual order is selected (not while a search or groups are active).
• Stars only shows favourites; favourites stay at the top. Groups folds the list into sections. Recent lists the memories you used last.
• Edit... changes every field, including the mode's options as key=value lines. Memories also carry Tags, notes, a colour and a Group.

Delete and undo

Delete removes a row. A 20-second Undo delete appears, so a mistaken click costs nothing.

Import and export

• Export CSV... and Export JSON... write the whole list as UTF-8.
• Import... reads a memories CSV or JSON file, a plain list of frequency,name lines in MHz (units kHz and Hz are accepted; a bare number of 30000 or more is taken as Hz), and an SDR++ Frequency Manager export (its frequency, bandwidth, name and list; its mode numbers are not mapped). Memories already on the same frequency and mode are skipped, and the message says how many were imported and how many skipped.
• The Frequency database panel can send an entry to Memory with Add to Memory, and imports the same files; see the Frequency database guide.

Scanning your memories

Tick Include in the memory scan on the rows you want, then press Scan memories. The Scanner tunes each one, switches the mode, listens for the memory's dwell time and stops while the receiver reports a signal or lock. The Scanner's own list is kept aside and comes back with Back to my list.

Where the file lives

memories.json in the data folder (see Settings and files). It is saved after every change by writing a temporary file and renaming it. If the file cannot be read at all, OnAir copies it to memories.json.corrupt before anything can overwrite it. At most 10000 memories are kept. The environment variable DECT2_DATA_DIR moves the whole data folder.

Tips

• Store a memory after you have found a good gain: recalling restores it, so you do not start from scratch.
• Use groups such as "Airport", "Local FM", "Marine" and tags such as "tower" or "ATIS" so the search finds them.
• Back up the list with Export JSON... before big changes.

Related

Frequency database | Band plans | Modes | Settings and files | FAQ