SDR's in Wake County ?

OnYourSix · Oct 23, 2022

Good morning everyone! I have an SDS200 that I use to host a feed, and leave the volume turned down for the most part. I feel like its a waste of $700 to use it this way. I was wondering if an SDR would work the same way and be much cheaper? Is anyone in Wake County using an SDR? Is it working well, and do you have a suggestion on which one to buy? Looking to host Wake County fire PS Tac's and FD Ops.

Thank you!

WRQS621 · Oct 23, 2022

I am in Holly Springs. I use dual SDR's from time to time. Use Unitrunker with DSD+. I get decent reception of Viper and Cary/Wake systems. I also have a SDS200. It isnt a waste. The updated database helps with Talk Groups. You have to manually enter Talk Groups for SDRs using Unitrunker. Both are cool. Let me know if you need help setting it up.

WRQS621 · Oct 23, 2022

KY4OA said:
I am in Holly Springs. I use dual SDR's from time to time. Use Unitrunker with DSD+. I get decent reception of Viper and Cary/Wake systems. I also have a SDS200. It isnt a waste. The updated database helps with Talk Groups. You have to manually enter Talk Groups for SDRs using Unitrunker. Both are cool. Let me know if you need help setting it up.

I use these SDRs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VZ1AWQA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You will need a USB hub or splitter with a chip. You will also need to buy Virtual Cable in order for this to work.

Patriot Waves was very helpful in helping me set it up. I recommend buying from him. INSTALLATION

reconrider8 · Oct 23, 2022

KY4OA said:
I use these SDRs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VZ1AWQA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You will need a USB hub or splitter with a chip. You will also need to buy Virtual Cable in order for this to work.

Patriot Waves was very helpful in helping me set it up. I recommend buying from him. INSTALLATION

if your going to buy this you may as well just buy the rtlsde v3 dongle with the sma connectors linked here. https://www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog...IjIuNjQifQ==&sprefix=rtlsdr+v3,aps,138&sr=8-4

OnYourSix · Oct 23, 2022

Thanks @KY4OA it seems like this dongle has software (SDRTunk) than can automatically import TG's and has a RR import page?

Buy RTL-SDR Dongles (RTL2832U)

SignalsEverywhere: Setting up a Broadcastify Feed with SDRTrunk (rtl-sdr.com)

Does this seem easier than Unitrunker?

If I can get an SDR to work and sell my SDS200 that would work well for me!

OnYourSix · Oct 23, 2022

@Reconrider I posted that question right before you! From what I read so far, this would really do what I need. Are you using it?

reconrider8 said:
if your going to buy this you may as well just buy the rtlsde v3 dongle with the sma connectors linked here. https://www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog-RTL2832U-Software-Defined/dp/B0129EBDS2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=363FCKMP4Z5N5&keywords=rtl+sdr+v3&qid=1666544008&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI0LjIzIiwicXNhIjoiMi44MSIsInFzcCI6IjIuNjQifQ==&sprefix=rtlsdr+v3,aps,138&sr=8-4

reconrider8 · Oct 23, 2022

i have 2 or 3 of them i need a few more to keep up with how many i use. i had one of the noelec ones running also but that recently burned up lol

OnYourSix · Oct 23, 2022

Why does a person need so many? Can it only do so many TG's or systems at once?

reconrider8 said:
i have 2 or 3 of them i need a few more to keep up with how many i use. i had one of the noelec ones running also but that recently burned up lol

reconrider8 · Oct 23, 2022

1. adsb setup
2. unitrunker for monitoring viper
3. L band
4. hf

RaleighGuy · Oct 23, 2022

I use the NeoElec Nano SDRs, I have two for voice and one for CC (along with a powered USB hub), these with Unitrunker V2 (which does allow you to import from radio reference) along with Trunking Recorder is the setup for my Broadcastify Calls Platform feed of the Wake County trafffic.

Nooelec - Nooelec NESDR Nano 3: Tiny RTL-SDR USB Set w/ 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input, Aluminum Enclosure and Custom Heatsink - Software Defined Radio

<p>Say goodbye to blocked USB ports! The tiny NESDR Nano 3 is the ideal SDR for portable and embedded applications. Quad SDRs on a Raspberry Pi? USB OTG? Not a problem for the NESDR Nano 3! The Nano 3 is just 17mm x 8mm x 20mm weighs only 15g! <p>

www.nooelec.com

The Best USB and USB C Hubs of 2023 (+ What to Look Out For)

Whether you want to connect a monitor or card reader, charge your laptop, or plug in a memory stick, these are the best USB hubs in 2023.

toomanyadapters.com

OnYourSix said:
Why does a person need so many? Can it only do so many TG's or systems at once?

Because the SDR is limited to bandwidth, to cover the range of all possible voice freqs on the system you need multiple SDRs, it isn't about the TGs it's about where the TG traffic goes.

reconrider8 said:
i had one of the noelec ones running also but that recently burned up lol

Been using them for years running 24/7 and never had a problem.

reconrider8 · Oct 23, 2022

I've had 2 of them burn up running 24/7 one was so bad it literally melted the solder and pulled the sma out

OnYourSix · Oct 23, 2022

So, to listen exclusively to a single TG, can I get away with one SDR, and more SDR's to listen to more TG's?

RaleighGuy said:
I use the NeoElec Nano SDRs, I have two for voice and one for CC (along with a powered USB hub), these with Unitrunker V2 (which does allow you to import from radio reference) along with Trunking Recorder is the setup for my Broadcastify Calls Platform feed of the Wake County trafffic.

Nooelec - Nooelec NESDR Nano 3: Tiny RTL-SDR USB Set w/ 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input, Aluminum Enclosure and Custom Heatsink - Software Defined Radio

<p>Say goodbye to blocked USB ports! The tiny NESDR Nano 3 is the ideal SDR for portable and embedded applications. Quad SDRs on a Raspberry Pi? USB OTG? Not a problem for the NESDR Nano 3! The Nano 3 is just 17mm x 8mm x 20mm weighs only 15g! <p>

www.nooelec.com

The Best USB and USB C Hubs of 2023 (+ What to Look Out For)

Whether you want to connect a monitor or card reader, charge your laptop, or plug in a memory stick, these are the best USB hubs in 2023.

toomanyadapters.com

Because the SDR is limited to bandwidth, to cover the range of all possible voice freqs on the system you need multiple SDRs, it isn't about the TGs it's about where the TG traffic goes.

Been using them for years running 24/7 and never had a problem.

RaleighGuy · Oct 23, 2022

OnYourSix said:
So, to listen exclusively to a single TG, can I get away with one SDR, and more SDR's to listen to more TG's?

No...That one TG is moving across all the voice channels on the system, in the case of the Cary/Wake system the spread of the freqs is too large for a single SDR to go from lowest to highest, thus you might not hear traffic on the single TG if it goes to a real low or high voice frequency.

OnYourSix · Oct 23, 2022

So, one for voice, and one for CC's? And then I need two antennas as well? I guess its not turning out to be a cheap alternative!

RaleighGuy said:
No...That one TG is moving across all the voice channels on the system, in the case of the Cary/Wake system the spread of the freqs is too large for a single SDR to go from lowest to highest, thus you might not hear traffic on the single TG if it goes to a real low or high voice frequency.

RaleighGuy · Oct 23, 2022

OnYourSix said:
So, one for voice, and one for CC's? And then I need two antennas as well? I guess its not turning out to be a cheap alternative!

Again, no, best case is three SDRs, one for the CC and two for voice to cover the range of 851.0375 to 855.4625 (or the high end of the range). Depending on your location the antennas may be interior small antennas, or you can get something better. You can expect to pay about $100 on SDRs, maybe another $150 or less for antennas, and $30 for powered USB hub. Most advanced set up would be under $300, half that if you can recieve the signal with supplied antennas that come with the SDRs.

OnYourSix · Oct 23, 2022

Great explanation.... thank you. I guess the next thing I need to look at is how I would want to use them, and if I want remote access from the field like I can do with my scanners.

Thanks for all of the advice all.

RaleighGuy said:
Again, no, best case is three SDRs, one for the CC and two for voice to cover the range of 851.0375 to 855.4625 (or the high end of the range). Depending on your location the antennas may be interior small antennas, or you can get something better. You can expect to pay about $100 on SDRs, maybe another $150 or less for antennas, and $30 for powered USB hub. Most advanced set up would be under $300, half that if you can recieve the signal with supplied antennas that come with the SDRs.

Reconrider · Oct 23, 2022

OnYourSix said:
@Reconrider I posted that question right before you! From what I read so far, this would really do what I need. Are you using it?

I think you mean @reconrider8 lol

jasonk · Oct 23, 2022

If you want to hear what the SDR stream sounds like - ill leave this up for 24 hours to play with. Its capturing both Wake and Cary Sites.

Unlock Code - wakedemo

Rdio Scanner

797639547.rdio.alertpagesdr.com

WRQS621 · Oct 23, 2022

Reconrider said:
I think you mean @reconrider8 lol

Does the v3 do HF well? I was going to to the jumper mod on mine but man, my old eyes and hands cant do it. I would like a SDR for HF.

reconrider8 · Oct 23, 2022

KY4OA said:
Does the v3 do HF well? I was going to to the jumper mod on mine but man, my old eyes and hands cant do it. I would like a SDR for HF.

It does. You dont have to do any kind of hard modding. Just have to switch it to q branch mode I think it is and it works flawlessly

SDR's in Wake County ?

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