Even still, I find screwing around with drivers and dealing with Windows updates screwing everything up tedious. I just want to turn the thing on and for it to work. SDRs are fun but I'm not a fan of replacing a scanner with one. As something else to play around with, they're great.
I might get a lot of grief for this post, but it is what it is (SDS 100 -vs- cheapo RTL-SDR)
- Thread starter Omega-TI
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belvdr
No longer interested in living
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That thread is weird though. I’ve never had an issue with mine, but I’m careful with connectors.
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
belvdr
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Depends on the hardware. Some are very plug and play; never had to install a specific driver.
Definitely. But it came to mind when talking about (lack of) problems with dongles. Of course with a $25 RTL-SDR, most of us would throw it away and replace it rather than pursuing support from vendor.
My opinion is that a SDR dongle is a cheap and easy way to get into scanning, and a far superior way to discover new and interesting signals. But, after spending so much time behind a computer for work, I don’t mind going into “simple” mode with the SDS100/200. The ability to also get up and walk away with my SDS100 in my hand actively scanning makes it super appealing to have.
What you said, "There are pros and cons to all options" is absolutely correct. I also subscribe to the saying, "The right tool for the job". While having multiple scanners and shortwave radios, none of them are perfect for every application.
While they can be helpful, what you said you said about Broadcastify feeds was spot on, so I tend not to rely on them.
Now with shortwave becoming a wasteland, it'll be useful to "see" a huge chunk of the spectrum to help "zero-in" on stations instead of manually and methodically tuning back and forth in the hopes of stumbling on something. The same goes for finding local frequencies, "close call" on the SDS has limitations.
For me this will mainly be for three things, 1) searching, 2) enhanced HF activity and 3) faster reaction scanning. And since I spend a fair amount of my retirement behind this computer, I might as well multitask while I'm at it.
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IC-R20
LoBand Nation
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The other think I realized too last night while scanning during the blackout about the beginning of transmission cutoff thing is that's actually pretty normal when scanning multiple systems as it monitors each control channel for a couple seconds before moving on.
I understand the frustration with windows. Thats why I actually use two computers... I am a feed provider for Muskegon County, Michigan and i have 4 RTL-SDR dongles that can capture all calls on a 14 frequency trunked P25 system. One computer is running linux and ONLY runs SDRTrunk with the RTL-SDRs, it then uploads it to broadcastify calls, and 3 normal broadcastify feeds. The second computer is windows it saves and archives all calls from SDRTrunk, runs Unitrunker on 2 nearby sites for Control Channel Only data logging for stats and stuff, as well runs Trunking Recorder so I can listen to all of the calls via webpage on phone, pc, etc from anywhere I have internet.
I use two separate PCs because Linux handles the RTL-SDRs much better. Like Windows can only use a sample rate of 1.92MHz before becoming unstable, but on the exact same PC with Linux, I can use all SDRs at 2.4MHz sample rate without any issues. Not to mention it would nearly pin the CPU on windows, but on linux it never goes above 30%.
This sounds overly complicated... And it honestly was for the setup process. But I have configured both computers to automatically restart and resume scanning without any human interaction. I have to make small changes maybe every couple of months, mostly PPM and TGID updates, otherwise after putting in tons of effort to make this perfect, Its been running on its own pretty much since July 2021.
Yes, I have a handheld scanner, an SDS100, which I LOVE! But RTL-SDRs have also earned a special place in my heart.
BinaryMode
Active Member
HAHAHA!
Anyone see the Wikipedia page on SDRs? They have some REAL Pro stuff out there for several thousand dollars. Why, I bet our NSA birds have 'em...
It all depends on your interests, needs, wants and how active or lazy you are.
SDR's and Scanners can easily compliment each other.
SDR's are ideal for hobbyists that like exploring the spectrum and the hunt for transmissions.
Starting from scratch to build unknown systems using SDR's can be frustratingly enjoyable for active minded people.
SDR's make it easier to identify transmissions and piece together unknown systems.
SDR setup can be confusing for some, but when you know how, it should take 2-5min max on Linux or Windows to crack on exploring.
Unlike a scanner, an SDR with the right software can be used to receive and decode a huge array of data signals.
For those with no patience, are lazy or have no desire to experiment, then SDR's are definately not your thing.
Although there is the real lack of portability, a hobbyist probably has an eye for various options to make great portable SDR to-go kits.
Scanners are perfect to have as a base unit, have in your vehicle, or on you in person in your pocket using discreet headphones.
They are also suitable for those that find newer technology challenging or confusing, or just want something that requires little tinkering to work.
Using RR DB is a convenient source for those living in the USA - enables you to download and listen to known networks in your area with little effort; however, the configuring of scanners for unknown networks can be lots of trial and error.
For those outside of the USA, RR DB is next to useless as no scanner has the capability to download network data of countries outside of USA; however, some countries have options locally to purchase pre-configured SD-Cards that contain known popular networks for their local area.
It all depends on what you want to do - just listen (Scanner), or to experiment and listen (Scanner and SDR).
SDR's and Scanners can easily compliment each other.
SDR's are ideal for hobbyists that like exploring the spectrum and the hunt for transmissions.
Starting from scratch to build unknown systems using SDR's can be frustratingly enjoyable for active minded people.
SDR's make it easier to identify transmissions and piece together unknown systems.
SDR setup can be confusing for some, but when you know how, it should take 2-5min max on Linux or Windows to crack on exploring.
Unlike a scanner, an SDR with the right software can be used to receive and decode a huge array of data signals.
For those with no patience, are lazy or have no desire to experiment, then SDR's are definately not your thing.
Although there is the real lack of portability, a hobbyist probably has an eye for various options to make great portable SDR to-go kits.
Scanners are perfect to have as a base unit, have in your vehicle, or on you in person in your pocket using discreet headphones.
They are also suitable for those that find newer technology challenging or confusing, or just want something that requires little tinkering to work.
Using RR DB is a convenient source for those living in the USA - enables you to download and listen to known networks in your area with little effort; however, the configuring of scanners for unknown networks can be lots of trial and error.
For those outside of the USA, RR DB is next to useless as no scanner has the capability to download network data of countries outside of USA; however, some countries have options locally to purchase pre-configured SD-Cards that contain known popular networks for their local area.
It all depends on what you want to do - just listen (Scanner), or to experiment and listen (Scanner and SDR).
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Ubbe
Member
A scanner, with the right software, can do the same. It's not the SDR that decodes, it's a separate software program. A program like DSD can be feed from the IF out that comes from the earphone jack of a Whistler TRX scanner that are unfiltered like a discriminator tap.
The advantage of SDR are the spectrum display and the I/Q demodulator that can handle simulcast transmissions. But one of the negatives are that those $50 dongles are poor receivers with all kinds of issues not handled so easily by a non experienced SDR user.
/Ubbe
Exactly! I find my needs and wants can also change by the hour, depending what I want to do at the moment. Sometimes I only want to listen to one police frequency, other times I want to hear everything and others times I want to "find something new", so the right tool for the job, can only enhance one's enjoyment. When it comes to SDR's, they can definitely help finding new things easier, and save one money at the same time.
There is an old man in his early 80's that lives in the same retirement condominium complex as I do that uses an old Radio Shack Patrolman 6 simply for one police frequency, for his needs it's all he requires and it does the job splendidly.
True, but those cheap $50.00 dongles also have their niche, which is why so many of them are sold. They can be great for LOCAL VHF traffic, or simply listening to those high powered FM radio stations. I found mine quite enjoyable to use as a cheap entry into that aspect of the hobby to see if I wanted to go deeper, now after two years, I'm finally ready to take that next step into the rabbit hole. Radios are like cars, different models to suit everyone's taste, needs and financial situation.
I still have one of the old dongles from the early days and you can use the thing for a hand warmer, it runs hot and drifts all over the place. Bad enough that it affects the audio, both in analog and digital, so it's pretty useless. That one is in a box of stuff that includes several dead/parts radios. I actually think I could put together a working PRO-43 scanner from parts, even after all these years since that type scanner was obsolete. I got most of them when people tried to modify them and trashed one of the PC boards. The lack of skill at soldering by some people was amazing. I don't think I was as bad at six as one guy was at 55. He melted the whole panel where the antenna connector and volume/squelch knobs were. I need to sell some of my basket cases and HF stuff, as I don't intend to move until I go to the home.
To me SDR are more flexible but require more work.
Dedicated scanner are a easy solution that is mostly frozen in time and feature.
Ok I have to admit my last scanner is dating from more than 20 years and I mostly use receiver as scanner because I want the computer bit
To each their own
Dedicated scanner are a easy solution that is mostly frozen in time and feature.
Ok I have to admit my last scanner is dating from more than 20 years and I mostly use receiver as scanner because I want the computer bit
To each their own
I've recently begun using SDRTrunk and the complementary Trunking Recorder for my local P25 systems. MY hardware is an SDRPlay RSP2. Firstly, the Simulcast reception of SDRTrunk is perfect. SDRTrunk will record and mute any or all talkgroups of choice while Trunking Recorder plays back all transmissions in order. I don't miss a single call across multiple sites and systems. Because the playback is continuous, the action is constant. Trunking Recorder also allows the playback of selected individual or multiple talkgroups if the need arises. The only downside is that you're hearing recorded transmissions that may be delayed by several minutes depending on the activity level. For example, right now I'm approximately 4 minutes behind real-time due to a lot of weather-related calls in the area. That said, I very much recommend this software duo for a desktop scanner alternative.
I love the RTL-SDRs. I have 3 of them. I love the SDS100/200 I have three of them in total. Different tools for different missions.
ChrisABQ
...
I love my SDRTrunk setup also, been using for several years now. There is no comparison to a scanner which now seems 1 dimensional. I am using SDRT in conjunction with Trunking Recorder and to prevent the calls from getting too stale, I have set my Edge browser to auto refresh the page every 5 minutes and autostart audio for playing the TR address of the stream. When things are slow, the refresh does not really matter, when it's busy (afternoon rush hour) the refresh keeps everything within a few minutes fresh.
fasteddy64
Member
I guess the whole SDR thing is easier for some than others. I have tried on a few different occasions to set one up and I just cant make it happen. The instructions and even the youtube videos I have watched just dont make sense to me. I can get the dongle to receive fine but when it comes to the other software progams I am totally lost. SDR Trunk, DSD+, virtual audio cables etc... I just cant get a handle on them.
I would like to give it a try but just havent had any success.
I would like to give it a try but just havent had any success.
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