Getting Started with SDR: Seeking Guidance and Next Steps

[erfant]

Hi, I just started to get into the world of SDRs and I could listen to local FM radios with an RTL-SDR V4 and a Smarteq Wireless GSM & GPRS antenna.

Unfortunately, I don't have anything else at hand right now and I'm a bit confused about the next steps. So I'll be thankful for a roadmap or any other possible notes from you!

 

[dave3825]

For starters, where are you located and what would you like to listen to? The antenna your using is made for GSM and GPRS bands which are generally 850 to 1900 mhz so that may not perform well on much except what's noted in red.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Hi, I just started to get into the world of SDRs and I could listen to local FM radios with an RTL-SDR V4

Welcome to the RR forums. Do you have said RTL-SDR or are you looking to purchase one? If by "local FM radios" you mean the FM Broadcast band then the antenna you're looking to use won't cut it (way too high on the radio spectrum to cover FM broadcast). Consider something like this instead. If you're looking to do any sort of trunk tracking (not applicable to FM broadcast band) then chances are you'll need more than one RTL dongle

Unfortunately, I don't have anything else at hand right now and I'm a bit confused about the next steps. So I'll be thankful for a roadmap or any other possible notes from you!

See "roadmap" linked here

 

[KE5MC]

A couple of ideas to improve the connectivity to your dongle. Generally receiving requirements are more relaxed than found for equipment that has transmit & receive in "narrow" frequency bands. The V4 is a reasonable hardware starting point and changing the antenna on one side and the software on the other will keep you busy for awhile.

Good luck and hunting on your new hobby.

Mike

Links didn't reduce as I expected... :-(
... wonder what my mistake was?

Amazon.com

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