dmchalmers
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curious to get into sdr an dongles where do you start?
wheres a good source to learn get started in sdr ?
- Thread starter dmchalmers
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I have a free course you may be interested in. This will get you started with SDR in an afternoon.
scannerschool.teachable.com
The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radios
Free Software Defined Radio Course
scannerschool.teachable.com
SkinnyFirefighterMS
Active Member
You can buy an SDR Dongles from RTL SDR amazon or the RTL SDR website. Don’t buy any other RTL SDR from other manufacturers, because they are fake.
With and SDR you can monitor everything, like Aircraft frequencies and the plane itself, FM radio, Fire/EMS/PD and HAM/amateur radio stuff and more. You can do a lot with SDR than a police scanner.
Problem is, that nearly every cheap dongle calls itself "RTL-SDR".
The best "original" RTL-SDR stick is the RTL-SDR Blog V.3, but be careful: there are MANY copies.
Another good SDR dongle is the Nooelec NESDR SMArt V4 as set with antennas:
Nooelec - Nooelec NESDR SMArt v4 Bundle - Premium RTL-SDR w/ Aluminum Enclosure, 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input & 3 Antennas. RTL2832U & R820T2-Based
<p>You spoke, we listened! This premium RTL-SDR was <b>designed, developed and fabricated by Nooelec in the USA and Canada</b> in order to implement a wide array of feature requests. <p><b>SDR improvements:</b> <ul> <li>The NESDR SMArt contains the
www.nooelec.com
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Will you be using a Windows PC or Linux or a Raspberry Pi to run software on?
What do ya want to listen to?
The blog rtl-sdr.com is a very good place to start. I've learned a good bit to get started.
Plenty of folks here to help ya, lots to learn tho.
Get a good SDR dongle & a good antenna.....I have the RTL-SDR v.3 & an MLA-30+ loop ($100 total cost) and listen to all kinds of stuff on shortwave....way better than my Tecsun 880 I paid twice as much for.
kb9mwr
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Start by learning Linux. Sure there are Windows applications for the RTL-SDR, but you'll never really be able to contribute back to the community using someone elses application.
A good beginner playlist on YouTube would be https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe5ZKeM2hRBJ2G_Gvt1JnBxqtjHMMej3q
Lots to learn from there, including purchase suggestions for low end to mid range devices.
Lots to learn from there, including purchase suggestions for low end to mid range devices.
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I agree with the Linux comment. It uses less resources on your PC and is free, I'd avoid Ubuntu, personally I use Linux Mint Debian Edition.
Dragon OS is a distribution preloaded with almost everything you'd need to get a jumpstart on listening to just about everything you'd wanna listen to. Way easier than installing everything yourself.
SDR++ is the software I use on my laptop & my Raspberry Pi 4. Works pretty well. I've listened to a lotta stuff I'd never had listened to on my other traditional shortwave radios. Being able to see the spectrum and signals in the waterfall is just awesome.
Dragon OS is a distribution preloaded with almost everything you'd need to get a jumpstart on listening to just about everything you'd wanna listen to. Way easier than installing everything yourself.
SDR++ is the software I use on my laptop & my Raspberry Pi 4. Works pretty well. I've listened to a lotta stuff I'd never had listened to on my other traditional shortwave radios. Being able to see the spectrum and signals in the waterfall is just awesome.
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Show me in the OPs post where he appears competant enough to learn a whole new OS and then become a programmer so he can 'contribute' to the community. By your explanation nobody should ever use SDR# on Windows because it won't teach them to be a programmer?
You people are a real treasure, a guy asks how to use an SDR dongle and you got him upending his whole life and learning new operating systems as step one.
OP, maybe start with scanner school's shameless plug, or the quick start guide posted on the rtl-sdr blog website: Quick Start Guide
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Why such attitude?
First ya insult the OP, calling in question his intelligence. Then accusing the rest of us forcing him to "upend his whole life and learning new operating systems".
Let the OP reply to the questions first asked.....
Windows or Linux?
What does he want to listen to?
Isn't the point of these forums to have polite discussions and exchange of experience & advice? It always seems to devolve quickly into attitudes and insults.
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My straight take on this for anyone with an initial interst (I have benn into SDRs since the first came out and own about every type out there--I cannot even count them):
1. If experienced only with Windows, stick to Windows--doing othewise would be too great a learning curve. I have both Windows and Linux but almost totally use Windows as it is much easier and can do every thing I want even on an old PC.
2. Are you interested in both HF and VHF/UHF? It will affect your choice of SDR.
3. How serious are you in your interest? That will effect how much you wish to spend.
*If* you are goint to be rather serious, want tboht HF and VHF/UHF, and want performance and can afford it, skip the RTL-SDR and Nooelec route, and buy a SDRPlay. It will cost more (6-10x) , but perfrom significantly better. I say that as advise though having those, I generally us Airspy R2 for VHF/UHF and and Airsspy HF+ Discovery for HF as I find they work better (and also you will not need drivers for those two)--instlly drivers gives some people difficult) as I want best performance near that of my good non-SDRs.
It's like if someone asked how to get into boating the reply would be to join the Coast Guard then become a wood worker and craft your own inboard Chris Craft custom.
So many people already deep in the weeds start recommending stuff that is way out of range for a beginner. And i'm more directing this at KB9MWR who made it sound like he shouldn't even start with a simple app and dongle but immediately lay all the ground work for becoming a developer.
I am not competant on many subjects, that doesn't make me stupid. I did not call the OP 'unintelligent' and it's a pretty common assumption that most non-enthusiasts do not run Linux.
dmchalmers
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I guess i asked a touchy Question on here yet Again! But thanks all for the replies not yet sure i wanna jump at sdr yet.
No, you asked a fully normal question.
Oh, I'm sorry about that.
It's a nice hobby and normally all questions are answered here.
kb9mwr
Member
The OP was asking to learn. Kudos to him. The sink or swim approach is sometimes the best way to learn. Sure you can and likely will dabble with the various Windows applications but does that really teach you much.
If I were to point to just one place for learning, I'd recommend:
RTL-SDR – Hackaday
hackaday.com
And for what its worth learning something new doesn't necessarily upend ones whole life.
I'm pretty much a newbie...
So I'll make a newbie suggestion or two.
Sorry if you are already past this stage.
I use an RTL-SDR for Police/Fire/EMS monitoring.
I also had it set up to monitor the ADSB transponder on aircraft, very cool to see the planes, and their tracts, in the area.
I don't use it for SW, and many of the SDRs don't do well on the SW bands, (they are designed for VHF and UHF...).
That, of course, depends on which SDR you purchase, and on how much you wish to spend.
Although you can purchase an expensive SDR, I'd start with a simple RTL-SDR, learn a lot, and then once you have your feet wet decide if you wish to upgrade to another / a better radio.
The main RTL-SDR site is: www.rtl-sdr.com
There is a Quick Start Guide there, with lots of info.
Some of it won't make much sense until you start to tinker with the SDR and the various software packages, and it will slowly start to make more sense.
Obviously, there are also links above, and numerous web sites, with info on SDRs.
The RTL-SDRs are available from many sites.
Many are cheap imitations of the RTL-SDR V3 which is what you likely want to start with.
Back in the day they were $20 - $25.
Now days they are more costly.
DO get one with a TCXO, a temperature compensated crystal oscillator.
Trying to do UHF without it pointless, the radio drifts off frequency as it warms up, etc.
I'd start by reading through the various software packages available, as listed on the RTL-SDR web site.
The list has a short description of the software, and also tells one what operating system it is written for.
I'd suggest starting by listening to an FM radio station on a PC.
There are enough steps, just to do that, to keep you busy for a while.
I still recall setting it all up and hearing nothing, at all, nada, zip, zero, no output...
Until I realized I had to do a pull down and click on a start option after I had everything else configured.
Learning curve...
For my PD/FD/EMS listening I eventually purchased an RPi 3B+.
Wow, I used to consider myself a bit of a techie, (and an X-Ham), but the Linux learning curve was VERY STEEP for me.
As much as I swear at Microsoft and Windows, it is a trivial operating system to use compared to a beginner on Linux...
Getting through the Linux & RPi learning curves, I now have a $60 RPi computer running the radio, instead of my main PC which I use for lots of other work...
I've asked a few questions on the Forum over the last year or two and have always gotten some very good support!
It is hard to imagine a USB dongle that incorporates a fully functional UHF radio.
Not too many years ago that would have been a big, expensive, (1000"s of $), box; not something that fits in your palm.
Good luck!
Have fun!
Ask questions as needed.
JC
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I'm also a noob in SDR land, i'm overwhelmed and want to decode control channels but don't know where to start. I see guys using 1 dongle , and some are running 4. I want to be able to listen in, and maybe capture all transmissions like what broadcastify calls is doing. i've played with an rtl-sdr v3 before, not sure if that will do the trick or if i need an airspy R2, and if unitrunker is best or sdrtrunk.
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH
A lot of it starts with "OK, what do you want to monitor?"
Secondly, what OS are you using?
Thirdly, which software support the specific digital format you're looking to monitor.
Fourth, which SDR dongles are supported by that specific software package AND OS.
Fifth, how do you get it all working. Additional plug-ins such as VB Cables required, etc.
To follow digital trunking protocols there are 4:
1)SDR Trunk
2)Unitrunker
3)DSD+ Fastlane
4)OP25
SDR TRUNK is the most widely supported across OS platforms. Most people on these forums love this software. Personally, I didn't care for the format. I use Unitrunker instead. Unitrunker is only supported for Windows, which maybe a
for some folks. OP25 is only supported by Linux. DSD+ is the best for decoding DMR or NXDN, but has a terrible vocoder.
Many, many, many software out there for just tuning around the bands. I can't even name them all. SDR#, SDR UNO, SDR++, to name just a couple, but there's more out there.
Again, RESEARCH, RESEARCH RESEARCH
Also, would like to add: the above software packages can used within various OS platforms using Virtual machines, which adds an extra layer of complexity.
Also, to the above comment about SDR Play: the least supported dongle. I don't own one, but have read of compatibility issues with different software packages.
A lot of it starts with "OK, what do you want to monitor?"
Secondly, what OS are you using?
Thirdly, which software support the specific digital format you're looking to monitor.
Fourth, which SDR dongles are supported by that specific software package AND OS.
Fifth, how do you get it all working. Additional plug-ins such as VB Cables required, etc.
To follow digital trunking protocols there are 4:
1)SDR Trunk
2)Unitrunker
3)DSD+ Fastlane
4)OP25
SDR TRUNK is the most widely supported across OS platforms. Most people on these forums love this software. Personally, I didn't care for the format. I use Unitrunker instead. Unitrunker is only supported for Windows, which maybe a
for some folks. OP25 is only supported by Linux. DSD+ is the best for decoding DMR or NXDN, but has a terrible vocoder.Many, many, many software out there for just tuning around the bands. I can't even name them all. SDR#, SDR UNO, SDR++, to name just a couple, but there's more out there.
Again, RESEARCH, RESEARCH RESEARCH
Also, would like to add: the above software packages can used within various OS platforms using Virtual machines, which adds an extra layer of complexity.
Also, to the above comment about SDR Play: the least supported dongle. I don't own one, but have read of compatibility issues with different software packages.
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Here is the Amazon link to the RTL Blog Store: RTL-SDR.COM Dongles and more
Nooelec RTL Dongles: NooElec Store On Amazon
When it comes to the RTL-SDR.COM V.3 dongles you do have to watch for a lot of fakes on Amazon and eBay. I haven't seen or heard of any "Fake" NooElec dongles. I use NooElec dongles more than RTL-SDR.COM ones, but that's just me. I do own both and they both work.
A plus about the NooElec dongles, they fit the Raspberry Pi better than the V.3. And don't have to use a USB cable, to make things fit.
Nooelec RTL Dongles: NooElec Store On Amazon
When it comes to the RTL-SDR.COM V.3 dongles you do have to watch for a lot of fakes on Amazon and eBay. I haven't seen or heard of any "Fake" NooElec dongles. I use NooElec dongles more than RTL-SDR.COM ones, but that's just me. I do own both and they both work.
A plus about the NooElec dongles, they fit the Raspberry Pi better than the V.3. And don't have to use a USB cable, to make things fit.
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