SDR setup, what to choose?

[marcel1988]

Looking for Advice on Building an SDR Setup (Remote Monitoring, TETRA, Streaming, and Home Server)

Hello everyone,

I'm based in the Netherlands and have been using traditional scanners for many years, including the Uniden SDS200E, UBCD3600XLT, and even the AOR-DV1.

While these scanners have served me well, I've always run into the same limitations:

• I often want to listen while I'm away from home.
• I'd like to see more information about signals and activity than a traditional scanner can provide.
• I'd like more flexibility for recording, logging, and remote access.

After doing some research, I discovered the world of SDRs. However, there are so many different hardware and software options available that I'm no longer sure what would be the best solution for my needs.

My Current Antenna Setup​

I currently have the following installation:

• Diamond X300N antenna mounted on the roof.
• Approximately 4 meters of Aircell coax feeding a DAB+ filter housed in a waterproof enclosure.
• From there, approximately 20 meters of 7 mm Aircell coax runs down into my garage.
• In the garage, the feed is connected to a Diamond SS-500 splitter that distributes the signal throughout the house.

What I Would Like to Achieve​

My primary goals are:

1. Remote listening
   I'd like to be able to listen to my home receiver/scanner from anywhere when I'm away from home.
2. TETRA monitoring and audio distribution
   I'd like the option to set up a server that can monitor a specific TETRA channel and forward the audio to a private Zello channel so that I can share it with a few friends.
3. SDR server capability
   I already have several servers running at home, including Intel NUCs and other mini PCs. I'm comfortable with both Windows and Linux and have a solid IT background, so running and maintaining an SDR server would not be a problem.

Hardware Options I'm Considering​

I've looked at various USB SDR receivers, but I've also seen complete network-based solutions that already include a web interface, such as:

• Web-888 SDR
• SDRplay nRSP-ST

This raises a few questions:

• Would a dedicated network SDR be a better choice than a USB SDR connected to a PC?
• Would I be better off hosting everything myself on a Windows or Linux machine with something like an RTL-SDR?
• Would SDRplay hardware be worth the extra investment compared to RTL-SDR-based solutions?
• Are there other SDR platforms that would better suit my use case?

What I'm Looking For​

I'd appreciate recommendations on:

• SDR hardware
• SDR server software
• Remote listening solutions
• TETRA decoding setups
• Long-term reliability
• Best value for money

I'm open to any suggestions and alternative approaches.

If there is any additional information that would help you make a recommendation, please let me know and I'll be happy to provide it.

Thank you in advance for your help!

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Note: I will only monitor transmissions that I am legally permitted to receive under the laws and regulations applicable in my country.