Which SDR for P25,DMR etc?

[samsat]

Does such a device exist that would compete with the latest Uniden and Whistler offerings?

The budget does not quite extend to the prices of these new handheld scanners so I have been reading about Airspy R2 with DSD+ as an alternative just to get into digital scanning for the first time.

Looking forward to your comments.

 

[RayAir]

Does such a device exist that would compete with the latest Uniden and Whistler offerings?

The budget does not quite extend to the prices of these new handheld scanners so I have been reading about Airspy R2 with DSD+ as an alternative just to get into digital scanning for the first time.

Looking forward to your comments.

You have a lot of options.

The only negative of using DSD+ or other program is having to be tied to a computer to monitor.

The AirSpy will run you in the neighborhood of $200.
You can buy cheaper RTL-SDR's that you will probably be able to get by with. Ex:

NooElec - NooElec NESDR SMArt - Premium RTL-SDR w/ Aluminum Enclosure, 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input & 3 Antennas. RTL2832U & R820T2-Based.

For monitoring P25, you could use:
DSD+
SDR Trunk
Unitrunker

For DMR, NXDN/IDAS, dstar, or ProVoice:
DSD+

You can also use a scanner with a discriminator tap (modified or built in) instead of an RTL-SDR.

I like to use programs such as DSD+ as a field investigative tool, especially for DMR. You can take information gained from DSD and program it into a DMR radio to use as a cheap scanner. The Tytera MD-380 is ideal for a cheap DMR "scanner". They make a VHF and UHF model. The programming software is free.

What specifically are you wanting to monitor?

 

[samsat]

Many thanks.
I have an AOR3000A that I still use to pick up mainly air band traffic.
I could do a discriminator tap on it and have some fun before deciding if I want something better.

I just like to scan to see what's out there. ScannerRadio app covers some of it but there must be a lot more in my area.

Would the Nooelec dongle do a better job than the discriminator mod on the 3000A?

 

[slicerwizard]

Would the Nooelec dongle do a better job than the discriminator mod on the 3000A?

Depends on how good your modding skills are. And you're not going to see the RF spectrum on your 3000A. Nor are you going to trunk track with it. Just get yourself a couple of $20-25 NooElec or RTL-SDR.com dongles with SMA connectors and have at it.

 

[radio3353]

Ask your question in the Software Define Radio forum. You will likely get more help.

 

[bama9999]

I use Unitrunker, DSD+ and a couple of the cheap dongles to monitor an EDACS system that uses ProVoice. It takes a bit of setting up of course, but it does a good job monitoring this trunked system, for a very economical price.

I agree with Slicerwizard. Just get you a couple of the cheaper dongles, download Unitrunker and DSD+ as well as SDR# and have fun!

 

[radio3353]

samsat-

I reread your original post and it appears you are looking for a handheld solution.

Unfortunately, I don't think you will find a handheld SDR.

 

[samsat]

Thanks for the replies.
While a hand held solution would be nice, I know that the SDR option connected to a PC will not be portable.

I have been a ham for 30+ years and have various analog handheld devices that scan.

I am trying to find the easiest path into digital even if its not portable.
Looks like the sub $30 dongles are the way to go.

 

[bama9999]

The dongles and software aren't the easiest way into monitoring digital, but they are they cheapest. One of the Uniden or Whistler digital scanners would definitely be easier. Using a laptop, the dongles and software could be used portable, but certainly wouldn't be the most practical solution.

Good luck with you endeavor, and I'm sure you'll find all the help and info you need here on the RR forums.

 

[AggieCon]

My most portable and always with me scanner is my cellphone with data from my home SDR setup.

What are you trying to achieve? What are your goals? "Path into digital" is too broad. What types of systems? Simulcast? DMR? NXDN?

SDR blows the consumer scanners away for Simulcast. If you want NXDN, you can't use a consumer scanner.

What type of computer do you have and what operating system?

Unless you want to do something fancy, I'd go for the cheapest dongle you can find. Like in the $10 range. Explain more about what you want to do, ideally providing us with some specific systems, and you will get better advice rather than just opinions about what each individual does.

 

[samsat]

I don't have a specific system that I am trying to receive.
As I said in post 3 above

"I just like to scan to see what's out there. ScannerRadio app covers some of it but there must be a lot more in my area."

I have taken a look at your website and searched the San Diego area and there appears to be a lot of stuff to listen to.

I have both Windows (7 and 10) and Mac computers with fairly good specs.

It's really not a big investment to get one of the dongles. Performance as always will come down to what antenna I use. I have built a couple of wire dipoles for various frequencies taped to the window that I use on my AOR scanner that should work just fine on one of the dongles.

Keep the opinions coming, I find them very useful.

 

[AggieCon]

You no doubt have substantial background that will help you compared to some people starting with SDR fresh with no radio or technical knowledge.

Let's work on establishing some goals, so then we can come up with a good bill of materials.

To simply "see what's out there," any RTL dongle calibrated properly will work using RTL_Power. I am not sure what similar software is available for SDRs with higher bandwidths. You can then start exploring the active frequencies.

If you just want to search, one SDR using SDR# and DSD+ or FMP24 and DSD+ will open a lot of doors to digital, like the DMR you seem interested in and other supported digital formats.

If there are local systems you want to scan, monitor, or record, then we can get more specific and advising you. Some people want to monitor P25 Phase 2 but don't say so and then are mad when they can't on Windows, for instance. So that's why I'm trying to figure out what you want to or might want to accomplish.

The nice thing about SDR is that you can generally build as you go, and it sounds like you already have equipment. Your computers selection should be quite versatile. Loading Linux on one of them will give you ultimate flexibility.

Besides cost, the main considerations for selecting a SDR would be reliability and frequency accuracy (and stability). Sensitivity, too, but I'm not sure any of the reasonably priced ones excel substantially in that area. If using multi-dongle approaches, having dongles that have stable frequency accuracy around 0ppm eliminates some issues with getting everything sorted out in some software programs, like DSD.

You also mention that you like listening to the airband. Are you interested in communications radio only, or would you like to get into more diverse SDR projects? For example, are you wanting to collect airplane location data?

The SDR field is huge. Heck, you can almost get lost. So, if you don't have anything specific in mind or some particular major goal, I suggest starting small and cheap. Get a $10-20 dongle and see if you like it. Then go from there.

 

[samsat]

Thanks for a very useful reply.
I have been involved in amateur radio for years, come from an IT technical background and have built a few antennas in my time. I think my learning curve will be quite short.
I actually do have an older PC that I loaded Ubuntu onto that I could get up and running if needed.
Interesting what you said about P25 phase 2 not working on a Windows environment. Is there an SDR solution for it?

I actually submitted an application to host an ADS-B receiver but it seems that they have more than enough volunteers in my area and sent me a link to build my own FlightAware PiAware ADS-B Ground Station, a project I am not wanting to tackle just yet.

It looks like the NooElec or RTL-SDR.com units may be a little better than the ultra cheap dongles. May even be worth paying a couple dollars more to get the antenna package too.

 

[AggieCon]

As far as I know, OP25 on Linux is the only P25 Phase 2 SDR solution. It also handles simulcast nicely.

I use Plane Plotter and Virtual Radar Server for my ADS-B logging.

I don't think the "brand name" dongles are any better than the "cheap" ones unless it's one with a stable temperature compensated crystal oscillator. Even the "brand names" sell the basic ones too. So if it's just a plain blue one but $20, you're probably paying too much.

I wouldn't go for the antenna packages... While slightly better than the basic one, they are still nothing special. Instead, I suggest spending a few dollars on an appropriate adapter and using existing antennas. Or buy a cheap yagi or other appropriately tuned antenna.

 

[samsat]

My Nooelec dongle just arrived.
I have it up and running on my Windows 10 laptop using SDR#.
Receiving perfectly tested on the FM broadcast band and also listening on the 850Mhz band to some FD and PD transmissions. Lots of spectrum activity including digital, has me clicking all of the place to listen before they disappear.
I have installed VB cable and DSD+ and now need to work out how to start doing some decoding.

Thanks for the help so far.

 

[samsat]

Pleased to report that I have managed to get DSD+ working nicely with SDR# and started decoding my first P25P1 and DMR signals.
Next step is to work out who belongs to what.