SDR - Software Defined Radio
A step further is SDR - software defined radio. The SDR receiver is usually based on a ready module supplying digital samples of I and Q signals. These samples come from mixers, on which the input signal and orthogonal signals from the local PLL generator were fed. The rest happens in the software processing I and Q signals. Sounds complicated, but we use such a solution, for example, when watching DVB-T TV on a broadband USB receiver and software installed on a laptop.
What do you think about SDR receivers, do you prefer a traditional receiver design for specific bands or broadband SDR?
Due to the mass production, USB DVB-T and DAB + receivers are very cheap. The receivers are miniature, powered from USB and cover the band from several dozen MHz to 1.8 GHz. It turned out that RTL2832U-based receivers can provide I&Q samples for use in a program other than that provided by the manufacturer for television and radio reception. This enabled hobbyists to receive signals on the amateur bands, as well as, for example, NOAA satellite weather maps, signals from ADS-B transponders, meteorological radios and many others.
Usage programs type SDR # , HDSDR , GNU radio and a USB receiver for several dozen zlotys, allows you to start the listening receiver. You can find quite good descriptions of the launch here: RTL-SDR . Such a receiver can be helpful in many cases, e.g. for starting radio modules for digital transmissions. Application examples: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/about-rtl-sdr/
For more demanding customers, more expensive devices with the ability to work from single KHz to 2GHz have appeared https://www.sdrplay.com/rsp1a/, https://airspy.com/airspy-hf-plus/ as well as devices with the 1MHz to 6GHz range and the possibility of broadcasting, for example, https://greatscottgadgets.com/hackrf/, but in basic applications a "dongle" for PLN 40-60 is sufficient.
The use of the USB DVB-T receiver requires the installation of the appropriate driver: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/
On this page: http://www.websdr.org/ you will find SDR receivers that enable online listening via a browser. Some receivers listed on the website are located in Poland.
Do you have experience with SDR receivers, what do you use them for?
Source:
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/
http://www.websdr.org/
http://www.hdsdr.de/
TechEkspert wrote 6246 posts with
rating 4908 , helped 16 times.
Been with us since 2014 year.
Comments
A few years ago I bought an SDR dzyndzel, played with it a bit, and finally got the ADS-B receiver on for Flightradar24. For almost a year I have a factory receiver from FR24 and the dzyndzel serves only... [Read more]
My colleague Editor probably did not read: https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic2353101.html [Read more]
I have a Tuner with RTL NotOnly TV - LV5DX and on an antenna made by myself at work, I could listen to radio almost 200-250 km away from my location. The same soft and drivers for this USB device, this... [Read more]
For listening to the cockpit, a small Uniden with programmed frequencies used on a given route and a handset in the ear is more convenient. In my attic I have a simple dipole tuned slightly higher than... [Read more]
Maybe it is worth promoting what is on the electrode instead of presenting old "news" from the world? The discussion on this topic has been going on since 2012: https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=11180605#11180605... [Read more]
@arturavs I suspect that not only I missed the mentioned topic in radio engineering. I think that SDR will interest not only amateurs. Once, I had the opportunity to test a bit more advanced SDR... [Read more]
After the publication of this topic https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3144164.html, I bought a USRP1 and RFX1800. I had a little fun with OpenBTS and that was where my SDR experience ended. [Read more]
Last year I bought "DVB-TE4000 USB DVB-T + RTL-SDR Realtek RTL2832U + R820T DVB-T Tuner Receiver". I played a few days and is lying. Works well in the FM, air and police bands. Unfortunately, you can't... [Read more]
arordrg - below 30MHz you must have a converter. Not every module wants to work in this band despite formal data that it works properly. [Read more]
I bought an RTL2832U fascinated by the ability to listen to virtually any band from 24 MHz to 1.7 GHz. Unfortunately, the joy ended after firing SDR # because it turned out that this radio does not receive... [Read more]
I assume that you have connected a better antenna than the one included in the set? Mine was so hopeless that it broke on the first day. Check the antenna adapter if necessary. [Read more]
Extending the topic with transmitting devices - I built and launched a transceiver for bands from 160 to 10m. The device is called Avala-01 in the network you can find descriptions and diagrams. Construction... [Read more]
Advanced design, maybe worth presenting in DIY . Connecting a laptop gives great flexibility, but there are also compact designs: [Read more]
The Avala project is already a few years old, in the meantime devices that do not require a sound card and a computer were created. By observing and reading about news in radiocommunication, you can see... [Read more]
Just don't tell me you wanted to receive something with that funny antenna? I have 2 RTL2832U ordered from China and I have been doing well for so many years. After adding a converter, I receive the... [Read more]
What about single kHz receivers without a converter? https://www.sdrplay.com/rsp1a/ https://airspy.com/airspy-hf-plus/ I assume that the input circuits have been changed, I wonder what the sensitivity... [Read more]
Oh yes: https://www.sdrplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/RSP1A-Technical-Information-R1P1.pdf [Read more]