Need to verify RTLSDR setup

[chad_96]

Hello all,

I am going to be purchasing a RTLSDR setup for my son for Christmas. I have zero clue about them, but he's interested in learning how to use them.

From what I've put together, I just wanted to verify the setup I have would work for him as a starter setup.

What I have is the RTLSDR v4 with dipole antenna kit linked HERE. I am also going to get him the Remtronix 843S with SMA adapter as a starter setup.

I'm just trying to verify if this is a compatible and decent startup set. I have seen the possibility of 2 things. 1.) That you may need more than one SDR Dongle (? Excuse me if I wonder that incorrect) for larger systems. 2.) Software to decode p25 phase I radio, such as unitrunker or another i can't recall to decode p25 trunking.

Some specifics I can share are that it would be the state of colorado DTRS statewide system, p25 phase I, specifically 1-2 counties and about 5 talkgroups.

I'm told thay may require more than 1 of the RTL-SDR dongles due to the bandwidth? To listen to those. I'm not a compute4 person at all, so I'm unsure.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[LimaZulu]

Yes, that kit is a good starting point. RTL-SDRs are most widely supported devices and with best price-to-performance ratio.

Decoding capabilities comes from the software and not the sdr itself. There are quite a few options for p25 - free and paid as well.
My personal advice is to invest in good antenna which is always "the core" I am not familiar with this Remtronix 843S, but as far as I can see it is a simple antenna like the one you would like to use on a handheld device. I am not sure if it's going to be any better than the one already in the kit. You better search for something that can be mounted outside - discone antennas are most preferable ones among scanner enthusiast. Yes they are much more expensive but once again, I doubt those Remtronix is going to be better than the kit one. So, if money for discone at this point are the stepping stone, you better invest in purchase of DSDPlus Fast Lane version where you get lifetime subscription for just 25$.

My personal opinion is - do not rush to buy countless SDRs. Let him start to play with it and then expand acording to his needs You can always add more and more sdrs later

 

[chad_96]

Thank you.

I use Remtronix for my SDS scanners, and works really well in our rural area. This, as well as a cheaper antenna for start, is the reasoning for that. But, I will absolutely pass the information along to him when he receives it for Christmas.

One question, I've never heard of DSDplus fastlane. What is it, and what is it for? My apologies, I'm clueless to this, and just trying to get all the pieces In order to get him what he needs.

Thanks for the advice, and help!

 

[LimaZulu]

DSDPlus is a multiprotocol digital speech decoder that supports wide range of SDRs. FastLane program is the paid version where you get all the bells and whistles. It costs 25$ for a lifetime subscription or 10$ for one year.
It has a bit of learning curve to setup but we may call it relatively low mainly because it is widely used and there is a ton of info here in the forum. It is hard to explain all good things that comes with it so there is an old, but good video just to get the idea:

There is a public version also, that you can try but keep in mind it lacks some of the paid version features like one of the most liked here - 1 receiver trunking But in order to try-before-you-buy it can do the job
You can find all of that here DSDPlus – Digital Decoder or just search the forum

 

[RaleighGuy]

DSDPlus is a multiprotocol digital speech decoder that supports wide range of SDRs. FastLane program is the paid version where you get all the bells and whistles. It costs 25$ for a lifetime subscription or 10$ for one year.
It has a bit of learning curve to setup but we may call it relatively low mainly because it is widely used and there is a ton of info here in the forum. It is hard to explain all good things that comes with it so there is an old, but good video just to get the idea:

There is a public version also, that you can try but keep in mind it lacks some of the paid version features like one of the most liked here - 1 receiver trunking But in order to try-before-you-buy it can do the job
You can find all of that here DSDPlus – Digital Decoder or just search the forum

The YouTube video, while good, is five years old and doesn't include several good features added in the past couple of years. It is well worth the price.

 

[chad_96]

DSDPlus is a multiprotocol digital speech decoder that supports wide range of SDRs. FastLane program is the paid version where you get all the bells and whistles. It costs 25$ for a lifetime subscription or 10$ for one year.
It has a bit of learning curve to setup but we may call it relatively low mainly because it is widely used and there is a ton of info here in the forum. It is hard to explain all good things that comes with it so there is an old, but good video just to get the idea:

There is a public version also, that you can try but keep in mind it lacks some of the paid version features like one of the most liked here - 1 receiver trunking But in order to try-before-you-buy it can do the job
You can find all of that here DSDPlus – Digital Decoder or just search the forum

Awesome! Thanks for that information. I was told Unitrunker and another (not this) to be able to decode. This seems much better and more understandable.

Thanks very much for all your assistance!

 

[dave3825]

I'm just trying to verify if this is a compatible and decent startup set. I have seen the possibility of 2 things. 1.) That you may need more than one SDR Dongle (? Excuse me if I wonder that incorrect) for larger systems. 2.) Software to decode p25 phase I radio, such as unitrunker or another i can't recall to decode p25 trunking.

Some specifics I can share are that it would be the state of colorado DTRS statewide system, p25 phase I, specifically 1-2 counties and about 5 talkgroups.

I'm told thay may require more than 1 of the RTL-SDR dongles due to the bandwidth? To listen to those. I'm not a compute4 person at all, so I'm unsure.

If you list the counties and the sites of interest, the number of dongles can be determined. If you go with DSDPlus Fastlane, that program can run in a single dongle which basically lifts the bandwidth limitation.

 

[chad_96]

If you list the counties and the sites of interest, the number of dongles can be determined. If you go with DSDPlus Fastlane, that program can run in a single dongle which basically lifts the bandwidth limitation.

Absolutely,

The system would be the State of Colorado DTRS statewide system. P25 phase I.

There would be 2 sites:
-Fort Lyon
-La Junta

Counties would be Bent and Otero, but towns of Las Animas and La Junta within those counties. Other than that state patrol who is not in those county categories, if that matters (2 TG's)

He may only be able to do 1 site (Fort Lyon) without a better antenna right now, not sure if he will be able to get the 2nd site (La Junta) without a better antenna setup. I am only interested in getting him a Remtronix 843S to start, to keep it low cost, and the remtronix antennas work great for my sds 100/200.

One thing I'm not sure that matters or not, but there would be a total of 8 Talkgroups that would be optional locally in total that I know he would monitor, if he chose all 8. May be less..

I will absolutely be getting him the DSDFastlane plus subscription, as it seems he will need it to decode?

I was also told unitrunker and another program to decode, but it seems like DSDPlus Fastlane would be the same type of program, and the best choice..? Not too sure.

Thanks for any and all help in getting this selected for him.

Thank you!

 

[hazrat8990]

I would advise you to get at least two of the RTL-SDRs since the traffic channels can sometimes be outside of the bandwidth allowed by a single dongle. For software, I use SDR-Trunk and Trunking Recorder. Both of them are free, and super easy to use.

Release Version 0.6.1 (final) · DSheirer/sdrtrunk

Application download links for each operating system are available below in the Assets section. Features: Tuner minimum and maximum frequency now user adjustable so you can lock a tuner to a speci...

github.com

Trunking Recorder - Recording audio from trunked radio systems monitored by Unitrunker, SDRTrunk, and ProScan

Recording audio from trunked radio systems monitored by Unitrunker, SDRTrunk, and ProScan

www.scannerbox.us

Edit: I just took a look at the sites you mentioned, and you will definitely need two of the RTL-SDR dongles. If you don't mind spending a bit more, The Airspy R2 is an excellent choice since it covers 10MHz of bandwidth.

 

[LimaZulu]

.... I was told Unitrunker and another (not this) to be able to decode....

You are probably talking about SDR Trunk
It's free and as far as my knowledge goes (I do not have any P25 system around me) it is pretty good for P25.
If he only wants to monitor P25, SDR Trunk will do the job quite nicely. But if he wants to monitor other systems as well, DSD Plus is like a Swiss knife. I am not saying it is the best but it is so far the one that packs the most.

 

[chad_96]

I would advise you to get at least two of the RTL-SDRs since the traffic channels can sometimes be outside of the bandwidth allowed by a single dongle. For software, I use SDR-Trunk and Trunking Recorder. Both of them are free, and super easy to use.

Release Version 0.6.1 (final) · DSheirer/sdrtrunk

Application download links for each operating system are available below in the Assets section. Features: Tuner minimum and maximum frequency now user adjustable so you can lock a tuner to a speci...

github.com

Trunking Recorder - Recording audio from trunked radio systems monitored by Unitrunker, SDRTrunk, and ProScan

Recording audio from trunked radio systems monitored by Unitrunker, SDRTrunk, and ProScan

www.scannerbox.us

Edit: I just took a look at the sites you mentioned, and you will definitely need two of the RTL-SDR dongles. If you don't mind spending a bit more, The Airspy R2 is an excellent choice since it covers 10MHz of bandwidth.

Just to verify,

Is this the correct option?

If so, is there more accessories needed other than just purchasing this i screenshotted and attached to this post, and obviously the antenna I planned on getting with the other RTL-SDR setup kit?

Also, curious if this Airspy r2 is the better choice than the SDRplay RSP1b I had also been recommended to?

Thanks for the clarification and help. I wouldn't have known I needed more than that original setup...

Thanks again!

 

[rabbit108]

Just to verify,

Is this the correct option?

If so, is there more accessories needed other than just purchasing this i screenshotted and attached to this post, and obviously the antenna I planned on getting with the other RTL-SDR setup kit?

Also, curious if this Airspy r2 is the better choice than the SDRplay RSP1b I had also been recommended to?

Thanks for the clarification and help. I wouldn't have known I needed more than that original setup...

Thanks again!

Let him start with the V4 kit that you linked above using SDRSharp software before he gets into trunking. That link is also the site to get a genuine dongle as directed by the official RTLSDR Blog store:
Buy RTL-SDR Dongles (RTL2832U)

If he later needs more than one dongle, he will need a powered USB hub and a splitter or antenna coupler.

The RSP1A and Airspy R2 are very good SDRs, but much more expensive. Let him start with the RTLSDR first.

.

 

[hazrat8990]

I have four of the RTL-SDRs and later ended up with the Airspy. My setup is probably overkill for most, but a few of the VHF sites are up in the 170MHz range, so I have to use the Airspy and at least one of the RTL's for that band, and that leaves me with a couple left over for 800MHz.

The sites you mentioned will allow you to get away with two of the RTL-SDRs, or one of the better 10MHz wide SDRs. I'm sure the SDRplay is a good choice as well, but I don't have one to compare with what I already have.

 

[chad_96]

Let him start with the V4 kit that you linked above using SDRSharp software before he gets into trunking. That link is also the site to get a genuine dongle as directed by the official RTLSDR Blog store:
Buy RTL-SDR Dongles (RTL2832U)

If he later needs more than one dongle, he will need a powered USB hub and a splitter or antenna coupler.

That would be the preferred route. But if he has to have the Airspy to monitor the 2 sites and TG's on our statewide system, which is why he's been interested in a setup like this, I think maybe I'm forced to go that route so he has everything he needs to get things figured out with our statewide system and those sites/TG's?

Just not sure what to do...

 

[hazrat8990]

Let him start with the V4 kit that you linked above using SDRSharp software before he gets into trunking. That link is also the site to get a genuine dongle as directed by the official RTLSDR Blog store:
Buy RTL-SDR Dongles (RTL2832U)

If he later needs more than one dongle, he will need a powered USB hub and a splitter or antenna coupler.

If you look at the sites that were mentioned, there's quite a bit of bandwidth between the control and traffic channels. He will need at least two of the RTL-SDRs to cover all of them. They are dirt cheap and work well with one of those Y splitter cables and a decent antenna.

 

[chad_96]

If you look at the sites that were mentioned, there's quite a bit of bandwidth between the control and traffic channels. He will need at least two of the RTL-SDRs to cover all of them. They are dirt cheap and work well with one of those Y splitter cables and a decent antenna.

Got you.

I'm still thinking if I need 2 RTL-SDR's, a "Y" Splitter, and antenna, I might as well just still go with the Airspy r2 and simplify it, especially for myself.

Just curious if I need anything extra with thr Airspy r2 other than what it's sold with?

I know when I was referred to the SDRPlay job it said it came with no USB cords and whatever else.

 

[hazrat8990]

The only thing you may need is an adapter to connect it to a decent antenna. The cord is just a standard micro USB.

 

[chad_96]

The only thing you may need is an adapter to connect it to a decent antenna. The cord is just a standard micro USB.

View attachment 173880

View attachment 173882

Alright, thanks much for that information!

I think I'm going to go for the Airspyr2 for him, as you recommended. Seems easier than buying more along the way, and having everything he needs to get going, minus a good antenna. I will let him figure that part out.

Thanks again!

 

[rabbit108]

That would be the preferred route. But if he has to have the Airspy to monitor the 2 sites and TG's on our statewide system, which is why he's been interested in a setup like this, I think maybe I'm forced to go that route so he has everything he needs to get things figured out with our statewide system and those sites/TG's?

Just not sure what to do...

Understood.

You want him to have everything he will need now.

I have a bias. I don't do trunking; I use SDRs as spectrum analyzers.

 

[chad_96]

Understood.

You want him to have everything he will need now.

I have a bias. I don't do trunking; I use SDRs as spectrum analyzers.

Yeah, I mean, it would be easier to get him as much as possible.

If the Amazon kit did 1 site and maybe 4 TG's for 1 county, then it would be worth a shot at a starter kit as well. I just don't have any experience or knowledge with this type of thing, where he would understand it better.

The trunking thing is probably what he would enjoy most out of learning it. He wants me to give him one of my SDS Scanners. But that's just going to happen. So figured this would be a great hobby and learning experience for him. Best of both worlds kind of thing I guess.