I've created this thread after reading the comments posted in the BCD536HP thread, specifically from this post and a few others thereafter:
http://forums.radioreference.com/2106420-post1281.html
I think it's fantastic that those that have developed GNURadio and OP25 have been able to accomplish the great things that they have and I applaud them for their efforts. It has to be hard work with no reward other than the feeling of accomplishment. I will not stray into the "argument" that may or may not be taking place in that thread, that's not why I created this thread. Please don't bring it here.
I speak for myself with regards to a considerable level of frustration with learning how to implement GNURadio and OP25. I consider myself an advanced computer user in the Windows environment, and I have a basic understanding of Linux. However, when trying to implement GNURadio I have never been successful. To date, any documentation outlining the steps to get this software installed and working have not met with success.
I am one that is willing to learn, but it seems to me that those that use this software expect me to know far more than I do about Linux, and/or be at a certain level of understanding how things work in that OS before I have any chance of success implementing it. Inquiries I've made here at RR and in other places have been answered and I thank the people that have tried to help, but a lot of the help regardless of the location seems to require a greater level of understanding than I have. In a few other cases, responses to my inquires have come across as somewhat condescending in nature and ultimately those trying to help may have abandoned the cause because of my lack of knowledge. If that's the case, well, so be it.
I guess my point is that most people here read about how wonderful GNURadio and OP25 are, but it's very likely going to be a very small percentage of them that will ever be able to manipulate it successfully. So now it becomes an issue of what is available to the mainstream vs. what may or may not be a better way of accomplishing things. The former being hardware scanners/receivers, the latter being the cutting edge technology of SDR's.
Without a "GNURadio For Dummies" and an "OP25 For Dummies" type of tutorial I expect a majority of us will never have the opportunity to experience them. Hopefully this doesn't sound like a cop out; I appreciate the effort that those that have created that software have put into it.
I'm not looking for a free ride, but I think there needs to be a compromise, some middle ground. If it's out there I haven't found it yet, and if you think there is such a thing please point me to it, because if you're arguing for what exists instruction-wise, I must respectfully disagree.
Given the fact that SDR's are a hot topic and will only become more mainstream as we move forward, maybe it is time for the "Dummies" approach. I have fought, kicked, scratched, crashed computer systems, and then done it all over again and I've had no success getting GNURadio to work. This comes after following available instructions to the letter or as far as I could before something went awry. I am aware of the availability of some .iso images that allow for the running of custom versions of Linux that have programs such as "gqrx" available, which I have been able to get to work with my RTL dongles, but other than those if there is a dummy approach I'm missing it....well, probably because I'm a dummy!
So, in closing, saying that OP25 can run circles around a Uniden scanner may be factual, but at this time I see it as extremely difficult or unobtainable by the majority of radio hobbyists. I'll never give up trying, but right now I'm partially resigned that my use of SDR's may be limited to the Windows platform, and I know because of that I'm missing out on a lot of possibility.
I'm hoping there will be some good comments in this thread, and some understanding from those that are "already there" that a lot of us want to try to catch up, but to date it's been an exercise by and largely steeped in frustration. Right now I'm part of the problem, which makes me want to be part of the solution!
Thanks.
http://forums.radioreference.com/2106420-post1281.html
I think it's fantastic that those that have developed GNURadio and OP25 have been able to accomplish the great things that they have and I applaud them for their efforts. It has to be hard work with no reward other than the feeling of accomplishment. I will not stray into the "argument" that may or may not be taking place in that thread, that's not why I created this thread. Please don't bring it here.
I speak for myself with regards to a considerable level of frustration with learning how to implement GNURadio and OP25. I consider myself an advanced computer user in the Windows environment, and I have a basic understanding of Linux. However, when trying to implement GNURadio I have never been successful. To date, any documentation outlining the steps to get this software installed and working have not met with success.
I am one that is willing to learn, but it seems to me that those that use this software expect me to know far more than I do about Linux, and/or be at a certain level of understanding how things work in that OS before I have any chance of success implementing it. Inquiries I've made here at RR and in other places have been answered and I thank the people that have tried to help, but a lot of the help regardless of the location seems to require a greater level of understanding than I have. In a few other cases, responses to my inquires have come across as somewhat condescending in nature and ultimately those trying to help may have abandoned the cause because of my lack of knowledge. If that's the case, well, so be it.
I guess my point is that most people here read about how wonderful GNURadio and OP25 are, but it's very likely going to be a very small percentage of them that will ever be able to manipulate it successfully. So now it becomes an issue of what is available to the mainstream vs. what may or may not be a better way of accomplishing things. The former being hardware scanners/receivers, the latter being the cutting edge technology of SDR's.
Without a "GNURadio For Dummies" and an "OP25 For Dummies" type of tutorial I expect a majority of us will never have the opportunity to experience them. Hopefully this doesn't sound like a cop out; I appreciate the effort that those that have created that software have put into it.
I'm not looking for a free ride, but I think there needs to be a compromise, some middle ground. If it's out there I haven't found it yet, and if you think there is such a thing please point me to it, because if you're arguing for what exists instruction-wise, I must respectfully disagree.
Given the fact that SDR's are a hot topic and will only become more mainstream as we move forward, maybe it is time for the "Dummies" approach. I have fought, kicked, scratched, crashed computer systems, and then done it all over again and I've had no success getting GNURadio to work. This comes after following available instructions to the letter or as far as I could before something went awry. I am aware of the availability of some .iso images that allow for the running of custom versions of Linux that have programs such as "gqrx" available, which I have been able to get to work with my RTL dongles, but other than those if there is a dummy approach I'm missing it....well, probably because I'm a dummy!
So, in closing, saying that OP25 can run circles around a Uniden scanner may be factual, but at this time I see it as extremely difficult or unobtainable by the majority of radio hobbyists. I'll never give up trying, but right now I'm partially resigned that my use of SDR's may be limited to the Windows platform, and I know because of that I'm missing out on a lot of possibility.
I'm hoping there will be some good comments in this thread, and some understanding from those that are "already there" that a lot of us want to try to catch up, but to date it's been an exercise by and largely steeped in frustration. Right now I'm part of the problem, which makes me want to be part of the solution!
Thanks.