signal-monitor

Compute real-time RSSI, SNR, and signal power metrics for WaveCap-SDR channels.

1|Updated Oct 25, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/TobiasWooldridge/WaveCap-SDR --skill signal-monitor
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: signal-monitor
Source: https://github.com/TobiasWooldridge/WaveCap-SDR/tree/main/.claude/skills/signal-monitor
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/TobiasWooldridge/WaveCap-SDR --skill signal-monitor

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill exposes real-time signal quality metrics from WaveCap-SDR channels (RSSI, SNR, signal power, and S-meter) to help you gauge reception and diagnose weak signals.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Real-time Metrics: Fetch current RSSI, SNR, and signal power for a channel.
  • Historical Monitoring: Print time-series metrics over intervals to observe trends.
  • S-meter & Squelch State: Include S-units and squelch status for quick assessment.

Quick Start

Get extended metrics for ch1: curl http://127.0.0.1:8087/api/v1/channels/ch1/metrics/extended | jq Or run the Python helper: PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/signal-monitor/get_signal_stats.py --channel ch1 --monitor --interval 1.0 --duration 60

Frequently Asked Questions about signal-monitor

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I monitor real-time signal strength and quality metrics from an SDR channel?

Signal monitoring retrieves real-time RSSI, SNR, signal power, and S-meter readings from WaveCap-SDR channels via REST API endpoints. Use the extended metrics endpoint or the Python helper script with `--monitor` flag to fetch current or time-series metrics for immediate signal quality assessment.

What does RSSI, SNR, and S-units mean when monitoring SDR signals?

RSSI measures received signal strength in dBm, SNR quantifies signal-to-noise ratio, and S-units represent signal strength on a standardized scale. Together they provide a complete picture of reception quality—RSSI and SNR indicate signal presence and clarity, while S-units offer a quick visual gauge comparable across different radio systems.

Can I track how signal quality changes over time on my SDR receiver?

Yes, historical monitoring captures time-series metrics at configurable intervals and durations. The Python helper accepts `--interval` and `--duration` parameters to print metrics over time, letting you observe signal trends, detect fading patterns, and diagnose reception issues.

How do I check if my SDR antenna is receiving properly or diagnose weak signals?

Fetch extended metrics to inspect RSSI, SNR, squelch state, and capture state for the channel. Low RSSI or SNR indicates weak reception; squelch and capture state show whether the receiver is actively detecting signals. Compare metrics across antennas or time periods to isolate the problem.

Do I need special setup or dependencies to use real-time signal monitoring?

Signal monitoring requires WaveCap-SDR with REST API endpoints for extended metrics and spectrum snapshots. Access the metrics via curl HTTP requests to the `/api/v1/channels/{channel}/metrics/extended` endpoint or run the included Python helper with PYTHONPATH pointing to the backend directory.

What's the difference between monitoring squelch state and capture state in signal metrics?

Squelch state indicates whether the receiver's squelch gate is open (signal above threshold), while capture state shows whether the channel is actively recording or processing data. Both help confirm the receiver is functioning and locked onto the signal before deeper analysis.