SDR Purchase

[Priority-One]

I am looking for a reliable SDR to track various P25 Phase I and II systems as well are DMR TRS and DMR conventional systems all around NYC. I am looking for something with a reliable antenna and transportable without a ton of wires.
I would ultimately like something i can use to plot out various untracked TRS' around nyc
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RaleighGuy]

The SDR dongle, software and quality antennas, are all sold/available separately for the most part. As for the dongle I highly recommend Nooelec V5 dongles. From what you describe you want to do, I believe DSD+ will work. I recommend you subscribe to the Fastlane version of DSD though.

Nooelec - Nooelec NESDR SMArt v5 Bundle - HF/VHF/UHF (100kHz-1.75GHz) RTL-SDR Kit with 3 Antennas. RTL2832U & R820T2-Based Software Defined Radio - NESDR RTL-SDR Receivers - SDR Receivers - Software Defined Radio

<p>This premium RTL-SDR was designed, developed and fabricated by Nooelec in the USA and Canada. It allows you to turn your computer, phone or tablet into a radio scanner/ham radio receiver that can receive nearly all RF signals! Compatible with Windows,

www.nooelec.com

 

[bhall7]

I'm a fan of the Airspy R2, and I own three of them. As for antennas, that really depends on the frequencies you want to monitor and if you'll be at home or mobile. There are many options out there that will meet your needs.

 

[RaleighGuy]

I'm a fan of the Airspy R2, and I own three of them.

Curiosity question (not bashing any product), but what is the advantage of a $170 Airspy R2 versus the $40 Nooelec V5? Looked at the specs and not seeing that big of a difference, but would love to learn since many others talk about it too. And, it might help the OP choose.

 

[dave3825]

Curiosity question (not bashing any product), but what is the advantage of a $170 Airspy R2 versus the $40 Nooelec V5? Looked at the specs and not seeing that big of a difference, but would love to learn since many others talk about it too. And, it might help the OP choose.

I dont have the proper numbers but Airspy r2 will see close to 10 MHz of bandwidth whereas the others see 2.4 to I believe 3MHz.

 

[bhall7]

Curiosity question (not bashing any product), but what is the advantage of a $170 Airspy R2 versus the $40 Nooelec V5? Looked at the specs and not seeing that big of a difference, but would love to learn since many others talk about it too. And, it might help the OP choose.

It's the bandwidth capability that is the big advantage. 10MHz on the Airspy R2 vs about 2.5MHz on the Nooelec/RTL-SDR v3.

 

[racefan0020]

Raleigh, I am taking you at your word. For several months I have been mulling over buying an SDR. After reading this post, I spent the afternoon checking out the NESDR V5, including reviews, you tube videos and various software that can be used with this hardware. I just finished purchasing one. Wasn't looking for one for trunked systems, I have both a TRX-2 and a SDS200 and an outdoor antenna for that. I was looking for shortwave coverage and other bands not readily available on the scanners. Wish me luck, in the 50 or so years I have been interested in radio, I am going where I have never gone before.

 

[dlwtrunked]

Curiosity question (not bashing any product), but what is the advantage of a $170 Airspy R2 versus the $40 Nooelec V5? Looked at the specs and not seeing that big of a difference, but would love to learn since many others talk about it too. And, it might help the OP choose.

I own both and consider the Nooelec a toy (but a toy is better than nothing). The R2 simply performs a whole lot better and as others mention, it has a broader bandwidth (10 MHz instead of 3.2 MHz). As others have said, antennas they come with (if any) will not be the best performers. Good antennas would add to the cost and they do not want to do that. In software world, the R2 was made to work with SDR# (sharp) and that software focuses on the R2 (despite working with other SDRs) but the R2 will work with other software with the right dll's. Nost SDR software is free. Also, pay attention to the number of bits in the ADC as that affects dynamic range. The R2 uses 12 and SDR# with decimation can effectively increase the dynamic range of the R2. I do not know the number of bits of the current Nooelec (the fact that Nooelec does not tell you on the web page is not a good sign)--if only 8, that is going to not give it good current dynamic range.

 

[racefan0020]

My 1st shortwave radio was a Radio Shack build it yourself kit, back in the late 1960's. LOL. Through the years, I had more than a few multi band radios that had shortwave. I want to reenter the SWL world with something inexpensive, just to see what is out there in the world of radio. In the past 4 years, I have spent over $1000 on the 2 scanners, and they do the job for my main listening hobby. I am a retired firefighter, so the public service band is where my ear really is. And, hey, if it doesn't do too well, I'm only out $43. Besides, the better half is ok with the price. LOL

 

[dlwtrunked]

My 1st shortwave radio was a Radio Shack build it yourself kit, back in the late 1960's. LOL. Through the years, I had more than a few multi band radios that had shortwave. I want to reenter the SWL world with something inexpensive, just to see what is out there in the world of radio. In the past 4 years, I have spent over $1000 on the 2 scanners, and they do the job for my main listening hobby. I am a retired firefighter, so the public service band is where my ear really is. And, hey, if it doesn't do too well, I'm only out $43. Besides, the better half is ok with the price. LOL

Not exactly:
1. If it does not work too well, you have waster $43 that would have gone for something better.
2. You may never know what is better. Since after SW, the AirSpy HF+ Discovery is know to be one of the best receivers out there (SDR or otherwise); the recent Wrold Radio Television Handbook puts it in the same class as the $14,000 ICOM R9500 on that band (I own both and they are right). The other SDR is no where close to being in the same class on SW.

 

[devicelab]

It's the bandwidth capability that is the big advantage. 10MHz on the Airspy R2 vs about 2.5MHz on the Nooelec/RTL-SDR v3.

The R2 is far more accurate. With proper attenuation it can be used as a basic spectrum analyzer to help troubleshoot RF devices, etc.

 

[btt]

The R2 is far more accurate. With proper attenuation it can be used as a basic spectrum analyzer to help troubleshoot RF devices, etc.

It might help with some things, but you cannot trust a device like this to replace a real spectrum analyzer. Not even close.

 

[racefan0020]

Look, I didn't mean to start a debate on which SDR is better at doing one thing or another. I come from a time that was much simpler. A time when something as simple as playing with the AM radio at night to find the farthest stations you could or doing the same with the TV, before the days of cable, was fun. All I want is to listen to whatever I can get in the SW area, whatever is between 512Mhz and 758Mhz and whatever is between 1.3Ghz and 1.7Ghz. Everything else is covered by the scanners. But, thanks for all the opinions.

 

[dlwtrunked]

You

Look, I didn't mean to start a debate on which SDR is better at doing one thing or another. I come from a time that was much simpler. A time when something as simple as playing with the AM radio at night to find the farthest stations you could or doing the same with the TV, before the days of cable, was fun. All I want is to listen to whatever I can get in the SW area, whatever is between 512Mhz and 758Mhz and whatever is between 1.3Ghz and 1.7Ghz. Everything else is covered by the scanners. But, thanks for all the opinions.

But you have gotten good advice that is more fact than opinions.

 

[dlwtrunked]

It might help with some things, but you cannot trust a device like this to replace a real spectrum analyzer. Not even close.

He did say "basic spectrum analyzer" which I take to mean finding frequencies which it does as well and often better as it is more sensitive than many spectrum analyzers and has features that make it better at doing that than many (older mostly) spectrum analyzers such as having peak hold.

Myself I have several AirSpy, a good digital spectrum analyzer, and a BB60C.

 

[maus92]

Airspy R2 and SDR# are great for looking at chunks of spectrum and finding usable signals - I use it in a mobile setup several times a week. It is not intended for precision measurement, but it works well at finding coverage holes, local interference, etc. that might be investigated further. It's a good enough tool to have around for a wide variety of uses.

 

[btt]

He did say "basic spectrum analyzer" which I take to mean finding frequencies which it does as well and often better as it is more sensitive than many spectrum analyzers and has features that make it better at doing that than many (older mostly) spectrum analyzers such as having peak hold.

Myself I have several AirSpy, a good digital spectrum analyzer, and a BB60C.

I agree regarding finding frequencies, etc. It was the part about using an AirSpy as a "spectrum analyzer to diagnose RF equipment" that I was referring to. As I said, you could use it for some things, but it certainly isn't a good choice for real measurements. Didn't mean to derail.

 

[dlwtrunked]

Re

I agree regarding finding frequencies, etc. It was the part about using an AirSpy as a "spectrum analyzer to diagnose RF equipment" that I was referring to. As I said, you could use it for some things, but it certainly isn't a good choice for real measurements. Didn't mean to derail.

I would think the actual spectrum analyzer more useful in making accurate measurements but that would come under diagnosing I guess. Of course having a spectrum analyzer with a tracking generator is extremely useful which is why I have one.

 

[btt]

I would think the actual spectrum analyzer more useful in making accurate measurements but that would come under diagnosing I guess. Of course having a spectrum analyzer with a tracking generator is extremely useful which is why I have one.

Yes, that was exactly my point. An AirSpy is not suitable as a spectrum analyzer. Even cheap spectrum analyzers aren't suitable for many jobs.