I might get a lot of grief for this post, but it is what it is (SDS 100 -vs- cheapo RTL-SDR)

[Omega-TI]

This post is NOT for you if you plan on scanning anything and everything, but if you only plan to scan local police, fire and medical, a cheap RTL-SDR type dongle may be a better and much cheaper option for you. First, the entire thing is under $50.00, and if you like the waterfall option, it's free unlike the additional $20.00 you have to pony up on Unidens $650.00 radio. Also the RTL-SDR is FAST, I find even when I'm just scanning a few frequencies on the SDS100, I miss the first part of many transmissions, not so with the RTL-SDR. After having both now for an extended period of time, I actually find I use my dongle more and get more use and enjoyment out that cheap little gadget than I do from the SDS-100, but then again I'm not a radio fanatic and mostly scan the police, fire and medical frequencies.

 

[belvdr]

To each their own. I use both, with dedicated scanners for what I want to listen to and my SDR for looking around or for non-P25 scanning. I use an AirSpy; I'm not a fan of the RTL-SDR sticks.

 

[ka3aaa]

I'll bet your RTL-SDR dongles doesn't work when your computer is turned off, unlike my scanners that are not dependent on my computer to make them work.

 

[mc48]

Why not listen to Broadcastify for free? Try taking a computer for a hike or in your vehicle or to an event. Just no comparison to a scanner.

 

[Omega-TI]

To each their own. I use both, with dedicated scanners for what I want to listen to and my SDR for looking around or for non-P25 scanning. I use an AirSpy; I'm not a fan of the RTL-SDR sticks.

Yeah, the cheap RTL-SDR that I use was an entry level device I bought to see if I would like it and I'm sure there are better units that have a wider bandwidth. I'm curious, which AirSpy unit do you use? I may consider upgrading since I find the dongle a useful little device.

I'll bet your RTL-SDR dongle doesn't work when your computer is turned off, unlike my scanners that are not dependent on my computer to make them work.

So true! Of course when I'm in the den, the computer is always on, so it hasn't been an issue.

 

[Omega-TI]

Why not listen to Broadcastify for free? Try taking a computer for a hike or in your vehicle or to an event. Just no comparison to a scanner.

95% of all my scanning is done at home, but yeah, it depends on one's application and use.

 

[AK4PY]

I'll bet your RTL-SDR dongles doesn't work when your computer is turned off, unlike my scanners that are not dependent on my computer to make them work.

Yes, but that computer is the strength of the system. It enables me to stream the audio from my SDR to a Zello channel and then I can hear my SDR traffic on the go with my mobile device. Also, my SDR can receive my local public safety which happens to be Tetra, something that no off the shelf scanner can do.

 

[belvdr]

Yeah, the cheap RTL-SDR that I use was an entry level device I bought to see if I would like it and I'm sure there are better units that have a wider bandwidth. I'm curious, which AirSpy unit do you use? I may consider upgrading since I find the dongle a useful little device.

I started with the RTL sticks too. I moved to SDRplay's RSP2 then an RSPdx (still have it here somewhere). I ultimately landed on the R2. It's small and works on all operating systems without hassle.

SDRuno for the SDRplay units is nice, but certain things annoy me, like the many, many small windows. Would be nice to group them so you only have one close button. It's all moot now, though, as I've ditched Windows.

 

[AK4PY]

I started with the RTL sticks too. I moved to SDRplay's RSP2 then an RSPdx (still have it here somewhere). I ultimately landed on the R2. It's small and works on all operating systems without hassle.

SDRuno for the SDRplay units is nice, but certain things annoy me, like the many, many small windows. Would be nice to group them so you only have one close button. It's all moot now, though, as I've ditched Windows.

You can click the X on the main window of SDRuno and all of the other windows will follow suit.

 

[belvdr]

You can click the X on the main window of SDRuno and all of the other windows will follow suit.

Yes, I know that, but then there are the multitudes of other close buttons, which was my point. It would be nice to be able to group the windows into one workspace so any close button would work, or there was only one close button. I'm just not a fan of the UI.

 

[dave3825]

Dongles scan much faster than scanners and with free software can decode many different types of signals. Scanners, which have a CPU, are just like a computer. It needs to be on to listen.

Dongles are better than scanners also because with free software, you can monitor multiple systems and record multiple talkgroups or channels simultaneously. With a scanner, you can only monitor one thing at a time. Even with recording on a scanner, you can still only receive one thing at a time.

 

[sonm10]

Dongles scan much faster than scanners and with free software can decode many different types of signals. Scanners, which have a CPU, are just like a computer. It needs to be on to listen.

Dongles are better than scanners also because with free software, you can monitor multiple systems and record multiple talkgroups or channels simultaneously. With a scanner, you can only monitor one thing at a time. Even with recording on a scanner, you can still only receive one thing at a time.

Sort of - still requires multiple dongles. You can't use one dongles across multiple softwares/systems/sites. Need more than one dongle for that.

 

[belvdr]

Sort of - still requires multiple dongles. You can't use one dongles across multiple softwares/systems/sites. Need more than one dongle for that.

Not necessarily for different sites though; it depends on the frequency spread. For example, I can scan two sites from my location of a single P25 system.

 

[PDXh0b0]

I'd get an sds, if I got all the add-ons for free lol, once you add everything , that base price is a mirage

 

[dave3825]

Sort of - still requires multiple dongles.

Depends on where things land.

I am scanning and recording 2 systems with just 1 Airspy mini in sdrtrunk. As @belvdr points out, it's all about the spread of the freqs and what the software allows. In Unitrunker, I am logging 3 systems with 1 NooElec dongle. When ducting conditions were good, I had 6 sites logging off 1 dongle.

Once this antenna gets up higher, I can scan all this with 2 Airspy mini's provided I get decent reception.



Sdrtrunk is willing and ready with just 2 mini's.

 

[Tim-Elyria]

i wonder how many times the dongles had to be sent back for repair ?

 

[IC-R20]

the cutoff at the beginning has to more to do with the AGC as well as starting to decode. The SDR is on a delay from processing all the data at once so gives the impression of being instant.

 

[StoliRaz]

There are pros and cons to all options

Scanners are expensive but you can listen to whatever you want when you want as opposed to a Broadcastify feed, which also has about a 1 minute delay. There's no guarantee that the provider of the feed won't take it down. Some feeds only scan specific talkgroups of a trunk system or what you want to listen to might not even be provided so there's that. Most feeds don't have tactical/SOPS channels that are otherwise in the clear locally.

SDRs are cheap, but can require a lot of fickling around with drivers, and you're tethered to a laptop to use it. It isn't on the go friendly at all. I use mine on my old phone sometimes, which also requires a USB hub or cable. It drains the battery of the phone pretty quick as well. There's also no digital decoder for android available to my knowledge.

You pay a price, but for the best convenience and ease of use owning your own scanner is tops.

 

[Rq17954z]

Think the dongle is much more a threat to base scanner . Hand held,s are easy to move to where ever you are. that's the reason I have a hand held.

 

[jtwalker]

i wonder how many times the dongles had to be sent back for repair ?

Do not buy airspy products

I bought 2x AIRSPY R2 and one of the 2 the usb connector stopped working. I opened the case and the connector fell out of the case. No response from airspy. So here's what happened next. 2x R2 + shipping = $600 CAD (Canadian) I have a 1 year warranty and it hasn't been 1 year but the...

forums.radioreference.com