Description:
WHAT IS SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO (SDR)?
In traditional hardware radios, the
mathematical operations required to decode and process radio signals are
performed using analogue circuitry. Recently, computers have become
powerful enough to perform the required mathematical calculations in
software, hence the term software defined radio. This has led to
advanced radios that previously required complicated analogue hardware
now being able to be implemented easily in software. This has reduced
the cost of advanced radio capabilities such as wideband tuning and
waterfall displays.
WHAT IS THE RTL-SDR?
The RTL-SDR is an extremely cheap
software defined radio which is based on DVB-T TV (Digital HD TV) USB
receiver dongles that have the RTL2832U chip in them. It was discovered
by hardware hacker Eric Fry, Linux driver developer Antti Palosaari and
the Osmocom team who were developing their own SDR that the RTL2832U
chip had a mode which enabled SDR. Today, by using custom software
drivers, a commonly used cheap RTL2832U can then be turned into a
sophisticated SDR with features that would have until recently cost in
the hundreds to thousands of dollars. Of course, the performance of
these dongles will not match a dedicated SDR, but they perform extremely
well for the price, and almost all hobbyist projects that can be done
with expensive radios or SDRs can also be done with the rtl-sdr. A
wideband SDR opens up many interesting possible projects and avenues to
explore. Some applications of the RTL-SDR include the following, some of
which will be discussed in more depth in the project tutorials chapter.
Functions:
Note: The testing antenna:
1. Can be used to test signals receiving from VHF/UHF bands
2. The receiving signal strength which received from VHF/UHF is not the best. It can be used to receive the nearby signals (eg. FM broadcasting radio or other Hand-held radios). To achieve the best effect, you need to connect associated antennas Cannot be used to receive HF signal band.
3. To achieve the best effect, you need to connect associated HF antennas such as Long Wire , Random Wire, Dipole etc.
Specifications:
- Fully assembled and ready to use
- Uses RTL2832U+R820T chip set
- 100KHz to 1766MHz, operating frequency
- Covers all HF amateur bands
- Covers VHF & UHF bands from 24-1766MHz
- Up to 3.2 M Sample rate. (~2.8 MHz stable)
- Receiver modes AM, NFM, FM, DSB, USB, LSB and CW
- Note: depends upon the SDR software used with the receiver
- 8-bit ADC giving ~50 dB dynamic range
- 50 Ohm input impedance
- Double SMA golden antenna connectors
- Diode protection on RF input
- Aluminum panels
- LED power and band indication
- 100MHz local oscillator for HF conversion
- DBM balance ring mixer
- Small size board
- Free software
- Independent antenna inputs for Shortwave and VHF
- USB computer connection ( mini usb) Powered by common USB
- Very High dynamic range receiver
- SPDT High Power UltraCMOS™ RF Switch
- Accurate and efficient band filters
- Very clean audio reception
- All specifications subject to change without notice
Run your SDR.
• Click in “ON” Shift box
• make sure you enter the correct SHIFT frequency (minus) -40 000 000
• Switch on SDR toggle switch, red LED will light
• Tune your SDR Sharp on the bands.
• Reception on this mode from 100KHz to 30MHz
• Input antenna is HF
Operation on VHF and UP:
• Click “OFF” the Shift box
• Switch off the SDR toggle switch. Green LED off
• Tune SDR on the band you wish to receive
• Reception from 25MHz to 1.766GHz
• Input antenna is UV
ANTENNA CONNECTION
Frequency offset settings for HDSDR
click Options or press F7, select RF Front-End+Calibration
In the select the options within the red line, make sure that the input offset frequency 40 000 000 correct. The first to cancel the selection back to the default.
QUICK START GUIDE
This page is a guide aimed at helping anyone set up a cheap radio scanner based on the RTL-SDR software defined radio as fast as possible on a Windows system.
http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/
SDRSharp Guide
A good guide to learning how to use SDRSharp and what all the options do can be found here.
http://www.atouk.com/SDRSharpQuickStart.html
Another great illustrated guide can be found here.
http://tylerwatt12.com/tips-for-using-sdr/
RTL-SDR.COM
THE BIG LIST OF RTL-SDR SUPPORTED SOFTWARE
http://www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software/
Antenna Long Wire con Balun 9:1
http://www.radioamatoripeligni.it/i6ibe/balun9a1/balun9a1.htm
Alternative Installation Procedure for RTL.SDR and HDSDR
w.hamradioscience.com/alternative-installation-procedure-for-rtl-sticks-and-hdsdr/">http://www.hamradioscience.com/alternative-installation-procedure-for-rtl-sticks-and-hdsdr
Package:
1x 100Khz-1.7GHz Full Band UV HF RTL SDR+Upconverter USB Tuner Receiver 2832U+R820T Radio
1x Testing Telescopic antenna
1x USB cable