dirtbike_421
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 5
i have a lot of electronic **** computers and everything so can i build one i just want to listen to 154.740 vhf...vhf?? i think
how to build or make a scanner
- Thread starter dirtbike_421
- Start date
- Status
You will need a receiving device, i suggest you get a cheap rtl dongle of ebay and use sdr #
Depending on the signal strength you will also maybe require a better antenna than what is provided in the kit
P.S if you're not sure of the kit to buy take a look at nooelec store, can be found on ebay or regular online version.
Depending on the signal strength you will also maybe require a better antenna than what is provided in the kit
P.S if you're not sure of the kit to buy take a look at nooelec store, can be found on ebay or regular online version.
dirtbike_421
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 5
i heard i could build one out of a vcr tuner with a voltage regulator ore something
dirtbike_421
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 5
well i have a tv tuner that is a pci card that has am/fm vhf and ultra so is there a software for that?if so where could i find it thanks..
AZScanner
Member
Back when I first started with scanners I asked my (at that time) father in law about building a scanner. He's an electrical engineer. He laughed at the idea. But fast forward to today, such a thing is actually possible!
I've actually been kicking around the idea of buying a couple of rtl dongles and connecting them to a Raspberry Pi micro computer and putting the whole thing in a RS project case with a small 7 inch android tablet acting as a VNC client to the Raspberry Pi. In theory at least, with the right software (some of which I will need to write myself so that the android and Raspberry can talk to each other via a nice pretty touch screen interface) I should have as a result a portable scanner that can receive Provoice, P25 Phase 1 and 2, TRBO, and maybe even RD/LAP and other unencrypted data modes depending on what software I can get the Raspberry to run (GNURadio, anyone?) for about $200 total out of pocket expense. Kind of like a home patrol on steroids without being locked into Uniden's proprietary firmware. That might be kinda fun.
So yes, this is doable. Google is your friend. Start reading up on software defined radio and Linux, then build yourself a homebrew scanner. There's TONS more to listen to than just that one frequency, so the RTL dongle and computer set up is the way to go - forget about tinkering with old VCR's and crap like that.
-AZ
I've actually been kicking around the idea of buying a couple of rtl dongles and connecting them to a Raspberry Pi micro computer and putting the whole thing in a RS project case with a small 7 inch android tablet acting as a VNC client to the Raspberry Pi. In theory at least, with the right software (some of which I will need to write myself so that the android and Raspberry can talk to each other via a nice pretty touch screen interface) I should have as a result a portable scanner that can receive Provoice, P25 Phase 1 and 2, TRBO, and maybe even RD/LAP and other unencrypted data modes depending on what software I can get the Raspberry to run (GNURadio, anyone?) for about $200 total out of pocket expense. Kind of like a home patrol on steroids without being locked into Uniden's proprietary firmware. That might be kinda fun.
So yes, this is doable. Google is your friend. Start reading up on software defined radio and Linux, then build yourself a homebrew scanner. There's TONS more to listen to than just that one frequency, so the RTL dongle and computer set up is the way to go - forget about tinkering with old VCR's and crap like that.
-AZ
Do you have RF design experience? Can you design filters, oscillators etc and have the equipment to test them? What about control? Have you worked with microcontrollers? Do you understand how they work and how they interface to devices? Have you ever written software to control them? The list goes on and on. You would have to be well versed in a bit of everything just to accomplish a basic conventional design. I am speaking of a real ground up microcontroller driven VCO superhet design not just a dongle you buy and throw some already tested software at.
If you are asking the question the answer is already, no.
However, you first need to define what a scanner is to you. If it's a premade dongle thing then yes. If you want a real conventional design check out some of the Ramsey kits. They will allow you to build and learn at the same time and I believe they still offer some vhf tunable kits.
If you are asking the question the answer is already, no.
However, you first need to define what a scanner is to you. If it's a premade dongle thing then yes. If you want a real conventional design check out some of the Ramsey kits. They will allow you to build and learn at the same time and I believe they still offer some vhf tunable kits.
Last edited:
build SDR scanner
WHO said you needed an RF degree, or an electrical engineering degree???
Listening to P25 “Fed” Radio with a $20 RTL-SDR Dongle « kabelmast
computer I'd use a desktop but most people use laptops- newer ones with strong processors.
You may also read the other posts on the SDR board here for more information. Look for the "DVB-T stick" posts. For what it's worth by a web search I found that there is APCO25 decoding via software with these, so, yes, in essence you've got a scanner you can "build".
THIS link has lots of information on someone that's done it, and knows what you're trying to accomplish:
http://nt1k.com/blog/2012/rtl-sdr-cheap-fun/
WHO said you needed an RF degree, or an electrical engineering degree???
Listening to P25 “Fed” Radio with a $20 RTL-SDR Dongle « kabelmast
computer I'd use a desktop but most people use laptops- newer ones with strong processors.
You may also read the other posts on the SDR board here for more information. Look for the "DVB-T stick" posts. For what it's worth by a web search I found that there is APCO25 decoding via software with these, so, yes, in essence you've got a scanner you can "build".
THIS link has lots of information on someone that's done it, and knows what you're trying to accomplish:
http://nt1k.com/blog/2012/rtl-sdr-cheap-fun/
Last edited:
Did you read my post... like all of it?
There is a drastic difference between plugging in some dongle and loading some software vs. loading up some code in a controller to drive a VCO divider etc... and making a conventional receiver.
Nothing wrong with the dongle at all but if the guy is interested in the fundamentals like basic RF, mixers, discriminators, digital logic etc... the dongle won't teach him a thing.
It's all in what he wants to do and we haven't heard back yet.
There is a drastic difference between plugging in some dongle and loading some software vs. loading up some code in a controller to drive a VCO divider etc... and making a conventional receiver.
Nothing wrong with the dongle at all but if the guy is interested in the fundamentals like basic RF, mixers, discriminators, digital logic etc... the dongle won't teach him a thing.
It's all in what he wants to do and we haven't heard back yet.
agreed
true, but I think what the guy wanted to know was if he could snap together something cheap or free from the junk box - and sdr dongle would do it for him, if that's what he wants- free and or cheap! and it works- sometimes that's all somebody wants.
true, but I think what the guy wanted to know was if he could snap together something cheap or free from the junk box - and sdr dongle would do it for him, if that's what he wants- free and or cheap! and it works- sometimes that's all somebody wants.
Maybe, guess he will have to chime in and say.
- Status
Similar threads
