RTL2382 scanning

[schmidt_kevin]

It is possible to get a RTL2382 to scan like a regular scanner?
From what I've read it can "look" at 2 Mhz chunks of the spectrum at the same time, just didn't know if it could scan across programmed channels in both the VHF and UHF Bands.
Looking to scan police, fire and EMS (Carter,Rowan, and Boyd Counties in KY). SDR Sharp looks like what I would go with for software.

The main reason I'm looking at this is for a cheap scanner that will receive APCO25 (KY State Police). Hate to spend $300-$400 for a scanner just to get one channel, as it's the only digital channel I'm trying to get.

Thanks

[DaveNF2G]

There is a plugin for SDRSharp that adds a scanner and database function. Check the SDRSharp Yahoogroup for the latest information on it.

[rbm]

You can download this zip file http://sdrsharp.com/downloads/plugins/freqmgr.zip
and read the 'User Guide" (pdf) within it to get an idea what it will do.

It's a work in progress, but shows good potential.

Rich

[fwuffy]

+1 on what Rich said. "It's a work in progress". For a total investment of around $30, the re-purposed DVB-T dongles are a fun toy for anyone with an interest in radio. I have two of 'em. But the software experience is still somewhat lacking if your primary interest is in scanning. Be prepared to spend hours (or more) of your time trawling the internet forums reading countless out of date and/or incomplete setup guides, and searching for specific versions of drivers and plugins. If you enjoy that sort of tinkering then go for it. The price is certainly right. Just don't expect the instant gratification of an off the shelf scanner appliance.

[DaveNF2G]

If you are finding it that difficult, then you are not using up-to-date resources.

SDRSharp now has a complete install batch file for Windows, and has always been nearly self-installing under Linux (if you use the right distros).

[schmidt_kevin]

Thanks everyone for responding. Looking at the user guide I think its worth a shot, so I went ahead an ordered a RTL2382.

I've got the software downloaded, the windows install batch file made installing easy.

Just waiting on the hardware to get delivered.

Thanks again

[rbm]

I think you'll be glad you ordered one.

Make sure that you install the driver BEFORE you plug in the USB dongle.

I have five of various types and they make it easy to see what's going on.

I suspect that once you get it running you'll find more uses for it than you originally thought.

The screen capture below shows many of the P25 control channels for the local power company.
You can see them at a glance without having to tune around looking for them.
(The others you see pop up occasionally are paging signals.)

Rich

[bgav]

Enjoy, it's a lot of fun for very little money. Not very difficult to get up and running. If you have two, you can do trunk tracking with voice along with Unitrunker (see this guide.