Beginner SDR
- Thread starter st4mp5
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br0adband
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Honestly if you want to begin with SDR hardware and software the "cheap USB TV tuners" are your best bet since it's the lowest cost way you'll be able to get your feet wet, as the saying goes. For roughly $10-25 you can get one of the RTL-based sticks and get started since it will come with an antenna (I highly recommend the $24.95 TCXO model w/antennas sold by RTL-SDR.com these days, comes in a nice aluminum housing with 2 antennas) and obviously most of the SDR software to make use of it is free of charge (SDR#, HDSDR, SDR-Console/Radio, CubicSDR, and many others).
The USRP models from Ettus Research are crazy expensive and not really designed for casual use, certainly not for someone just beginning with the concepts of SDR hardware and software.
But it's your money, if you feel like tossing away hundreds or even potentially thousands to get the best of the best, go for it - you can save a lot of money (and I do mean a lot) and get adequate experience with that $25 investment in hardware and time to learn how to make use of the software that enables it.
As I always tell new people in this hobby of ours, define what you want to do first then go from there as you learn more about what's capable and what's required to do what you're looking to do.
The USRP models from Ettus Research are crazy expensive and not really designed for casual use, certainly not for someone just beginning with the concepts of SDR hardware and software.
But it's your money, if you feel like tossing away hundreds or even potentially thousands to get the best of the best, go for it - you can save a lot of money (and I do mean a lot) and get adequate experience with that $25 investment in hardware and time to learn how to make use of the software that enables it.
As I always tell new people in this hobby of ours, define what you want to do first then go from there as you learn more about what's capable and what's required to do what you're looking to do.
hey guys just ordered s Realtek RTL2832U USB dongle.
anyone have any experience with this unit?
here is copy pasta from the site:
DVB-T COFDM Demodulator + USB 2.0
General Description
The RTL2832U is a high-performance DVB-T COFDM demodulator that supports a USB 2.0 interface. The RTL2832U complies with NorDig Unified 1.0.3, D-Book 5.0, and EN300 744 (ETSI Specification). It supports 2K or 8K mode with 6, 7, and 8MHz bandwidth. Modulation parameters, e.g., code rate, and guard interval, are automatically detected.
The RTL2832U supports tuners at IF (Intermediate Frequency, 36.125MHz), low-IF (4.57MHz), or Zero-IF output using a 28.8MHz crystal, and includes FM/DAB/DAB+ Radio Support. Embedded with an advanced ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter), the RTL2832U features high stability in portable reception.
The state-of-the-art RTL2832U features Realtek proprietary algorithms (patent-pending), including superior channel estimation, co-channel interface rejection, long echo channel reception, and impulse noise cancellation, and provides an ideal solution for a wide range of applications for PC-TV, such as USB dongle and MiniCard/USB, and embedded system via USB interface.
Features
COFDM complying with Nordig Unified 1.0.3, D-book 5.0, and ETSI 300-744
Supports multiple IF frequencies (4.57MHz or 36.167MHz) and spectrum inversion
Includes Radio Support (FM/DAB/DAB+)
Includes ISDB-T(SBTVD-T) 1-Seg
Supports Zero-IF input
Single low-cost crystal for clock generation (±100ppm)
Automatic transmission mode and guard interval detection
Impulse noise cancellation circuits
Automatic carrier recovery over a wide range offset (±800KHz)
Superior performance with pre/post/long echo profiles
Embedded adjacent and co-channel interference rejection circuit
Delayed AGC with programmable Take-Over Point (TOP)
7-bit ADC for RF signals level measurement
Hardware MPEG-2 PID filters
Infra-red port for remote control and wake-up, protocols supported are:
Microsoft RC6 protocol
NEC, Sony, SIRC, RC-5 protocol
Eight general purpose I/O ports
USB 2.0 Interface
Supports USB Full/High speed
Configurable vendor information via external EEPROM
Passes USB-IF certification
Signal 3.3V external power is required
48-pin QFN (6x6 mm2) Green Package
Applications
Portable DTV device
USB dongle
MiniCard
anyone have any experience with this unit?
here is copy pasta from the site:
DVB-T COFDM Demodulator + USB 2.0
General Description
The RTL2832U is a high-performance DVB-T COFDM demodulator that supports a USB 2.0 interface. The RTL2832U complies with NorDig Unified 1.0.3, D-Book 5.0, and EN300 744 (ETSI Specification). It supports 2K or 8K mode with 6, 7, and 8MHz bandwidth. Modulation parameters, e.g., code rate, and guard interval, are automatically detected.
The RTL2832U supports tuners at IF (Intermediate Frequency, 36.125MHz), low-IF (4.57MHz), or Zero-IF output using a 28.8MHz crystal, and includes FM/DAB/DAB+ Radio Support. Embedded with an advanced ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter), the RTL2832U features high stability in portable reception.
The state-of-the-art RTL2832U features Realtek proprietary algorithms (patent-pending), including superior channel estimation, co-channel interface rejection, long echo channel reception, and impulse noise cancellation, and provides an ideal solution for a wide range of applications for PC-TV, such as USB dongle and MiniCard/USB, and embedded system via USB interface.
Features
COFDM complying with Nordig Unified 1.0.3, D-book 5.0, and ETSI 300-744
Supports multiple IF frequencies (4.57MHz or 36.167MHz) and spectrum inversion
Includes Radio Support (FM/DAB/DAB+)
Includes ISDB-T(SBTVD-T) 1-Seg
Supports Zero-IF input
Single low-cost crystal for clock generation (±100ppm)
Automatic transmission mode and guard interval detection
Impulse noise cancellation circuits
Automatic carrier recovery over a wide range offset (±800KHz)
Superior performance with pre/post/long echo profiles
Embedded adjacent and co-channel interference rejection circuit
Delayed AGC with programmable Take-Over Point (TOP)
7-bit ADC for RF signals level measurement
Hardware MPEG-2 PID filters
Infra-red port for remote control and wake-up, protocols supported are:
Microsoft RC6 protocol
NEC, Sony, SIRC, RC-5 protocol
Eight general purpose I/O ports
USB 2.0 Interface
Supports USB Full/High speed
Configurable vendor information via external EEPROM
Passes USB-IF certification
Signal 3.3V external power is required
48-pin QFN (6x6 mm2) Green Package
Applications
Portable DTV device
USB dongle
MiniCard
Its is an old "t" or an new "t2" ?
With a budget of $800 you could essentially cover all bases with a mixture of traditional receivers and still have plenty left over for an inexpensive SDR setup for experimenting and augmenting your monitoring steup.
To cover 100kz-30Mhz you could get something like a Yachtboy 400 shortwave receiver for about $50 on Ebay.
To cover 25Mhz-1300Mhz you could get a Uniden BCD536 for approx. $550US
That would leave you with about $200 to invest in an SDR dongle and possibly a dedicated Windows tablet to run it on and a USB control knob such as the Griffin PowerMate: Amazon.com: Griffin Technology NA16029 PowerMate USB Multimedia Controller: Electronics
You would then have the best of both worlds. The power, convenience, higher quality receiver components and immediate access of traditional receivers and also the flexibility and versatility of the software-based systems. Keep in mind that the traditional receivers have internal software that allows them to perform signal searches, analysis, etc.
no idea. it's still in the mail.
great post! and thank you for this.
I like the idea of mixing up SDR and Traditional units.
I am going to look into all this!
thanks again.
KJ4VKS
Member
SDR NooElec dongle
I can get CubicSdr and the req'd drivers to load without errors, but the display 'CubicSDR' has an overlay window asking "Devices" Local , local net, remote.
This is with win 10, 64 bit system. The dongle is NooElec (NESDR Mini 2)
Anybody use this device and CubicSDR display.
I have used on line SDR systems so I know what to expect in the waterfall display, but would like to get mine working so as to monitor local signals.
Any help appreciated.
I can get CubicSdr and the req'd drivers to load without errors, but the display 'CubicSDR' has an overlay window asking "Devices" Local , local net, remote.
This is with win 10, 64 bit system. The dongle is NooElec (NESDR Mini 2)
Anybody use this device and CubicSDR display.
I have used on line SDR systems so I know what to expect in the waterfall display, but would like to get mine working so as to monitor local signals.
Any help appreciated.
KJ4VKS
Member
The SDR dongle mfg "NooElec" helped me to get it working.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
There are several RTL-SDRs that have been modified for HF coverage. And some of them are just a touch more expensive than the old YB400. See the very bottom of...
RTL-SDR - The RadioReference Wiki
Mike
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