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SDR Network

JohnStone

Power Poster II
Joined
Mar 17, 2015
Seems we're limited at times. I purchased a thing meant to pick up TV in EU, but it picks up 24MHz to 2.4 Ghz. There is a mod that allows it to pick up down to the 8992Khz range, it worked on mine. The device costs under $20, and there are tons of mods and apps, you can even download satellite pics directly from NOAA. You can make it a server so you can hear what's going on around you, and others can tap into your SDR and listen as well. I live too far from military bases, but I'm sure some of you do. If enough of us did this, we'd have a network all over the place. I'd be happy to help everyone get started. It's basically the same setup WebSDR servers use.


This is the device: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D3GRU24?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

It can be connected to a much better outside antenna with this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C20FV78?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

The rest is software called SDR#, and then there is weather sat software and others. I actually damaged mine, so word of advise, it comes with a USB extension...use it! I repaired mine by soldering the USB clip back on, but wouldn't have happened with the extension. It also works with the Raspberry Pi.

One other piece of software, you can plot airplanes around by using the transponder radio data and actually plotting it on a map. I was able to receive aircraft from up to 100 miles away. It plots it directly on a map, even shows the plane plot, serial #, etc.

If you really want to get into SDR, I highly suggest getting this device.
 
PS: the remote is useless for this application, so if you find another without it, no worries. The one I posted came with an antenna, but you'll want to get the coax adapter so you can attach a better one outside.

ADMIN: Move this to Radio forum please. Posted in the wrong one.
 
I have a couple of these (and incidentally a couple RPis). I have had decent luck with them and can offer some tips on improving reception.

First, like mentioned... USB extender is a must. Computer boards emit electromagnetic interference (EMI) which can increase noise.

Next, pick up some ferrite beads (those lumps you often see on computer monitor cables). They have some that can snap on around a thin wire. You should put one of these on both ends of the cable, including antenna to SDR and USB to computer. This helped reduce noise a lot for me, RadioShack carries them in pairs.

Lastly, all about antennas. The little pigtail that comes with it isn't great but if it's all you have, use it. Grounding is important so if your pigtail is magnetic, attach it something big and metallic like a cast iron pot or pan. Sounds silly but it does indeed work. It's highly recommended that you get a better antenna.

I haven't heard of the 8992 mod, would love to see a link if you have one!

EDIT: A little advanced of a topic, but it is possible to run one device (with the SDR USB setup) as a local SDR server that can be connected to over network. You can use a SDR client (like SDR Sharp) to connect and tune/listen in realtime. Highly suggest a good wired network connection as it can be somewhat bandwidth intensive.

This setup is good if you have an external antenna set up (perhaps even outdoors) and want to keep the PC server in an attic/closet. You can use your main workstation to connect to it for convenient monitoring.

I've had some good results with the newer RPi 2 over Ethernet.
 
Here's the mod: http://www.rtl-sdr.com/new-experimental-r820t-rtl-sdr-driver-tunes-13-mhz-lower/

Different people got different results, I guess it depends on the clock inside the device. Mine got as low as 6Mhz, many claim that they can go even lower!
 
Ha, you nerds and your fancy words. Im a jarhead and im proud of it.

Go blow that up

Yes sir.

Connect this thermobaric detonator to the release mechanism thatll stop the sdr from opering.

...oprah?
 
jjjppp11 said:
What about this little guy?: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PIBZ76I?keywords=Sdr&qid=1445108048&ref_=sr_1_6&sr=8-6

Let me get this straight...

I need to connect this little box to my computer and a big antenna to pick up signals, correct? This is all new to me, so I am a bit confused.
Click to expand...

That's about it. That one looks Ok, but i got no experience with it. It's got a much lower range by default than the one I mentioned, I wonder if it's got the pre-hacked drivers because it appears to use the same chipset. 100KHz-1.7GHz should get you what you need if that's accurate. Looks like it's built better than the others, but costs a lot more than most, which usually run about $20. With that range though, you may be getting what you pay for.
 
JohnStone said:
jjjppp11 said:
What about this little guy?: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PIBZ76I?keywords=Sdr&qid=1445108048&ref_=sr_1_6&sr=8-6

Let me get this straight...

I need to connect this little box to my computer and a big antenna to pick up signals, correct? This is all new to me, so I am a bit confused.
Click to expand...

That's about it. That one looks Ok, but i got no experience with it. It's got a much lower range by default than the one I mentioned, I wonder if it's got the pre-hacked drivers because it appears to use the same chipset. 100KHz-1.7GHz should get you what you need if that's accurate. Looks like it's built better than the others. If you get it, let me know how it goes, I may get one myself.
Click to expand...

WIll do! My problem comes with the antenna aspect. I currently live with my parents, and having a 17 foot tall antenna in the backyard might not please them all that well.
 
Looks like something that would be fun to play around with. What kind of outdoor antenna are we talking about here? I may not live with my folks, but my landlord can be a real son of a bitch ;)
 
NAIMINA said:
Looks like something that would be fun to play around with. What kind of outdoor antenna are we talking about here? I may not live with my folks, but my landlord can be a real son of a bitch ;)
Click to expand...

Lot of people just use their outdoor TV antenna for general use. But if you use the stock antenna, just get an extension and place it outside....won't pick up much inside. You can even just take a piece of pipe or an old CB antenna, just something that will get out there. If you want specific frequencies super clear, you'll want to match the antenna length to what channels you want to use. There is a formula for this. You don't need a huge antenna 20 feet in the air to pick up general broadcasts, but the higher the better.
 
Another point to consider is these adapters usually can only pick up 25 kHZ to 1.8 MHZ. However, with an up converter board (Ham It Up is one such device), you can analyze all HF bands from 100 kHz to 30 MHz. This includes the fun stuff like 8992/11175.

Of course reception varies on location, background noise, interference, and your antenna.

I recently acquired a fairly new device called SDR Play which is an all-in-one solution for HF signals. I will be putting it through the paces soon, though my antenna is subpar for now.
 
I have some extra money this month so I went ahead and pulled the trigger on this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/100KHz-1-7GHz-full-band-UV-HF-RTL-SDR-USB-Tuner-Receiver-R820T-8232-AM-FM-CW/121473644358?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33872%26meid%3Dd5d309e8ac2e46be821385dac81eb7f4%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D111550926877

It's the same hardware as in jjjppp11's link but about 20 bucks cheaper. looks a bit sleeker too, not that that matters. I know where to find some old antennas to try out with it. I enjoy messing with this kind of stuff.
 
NAIMINA said:
I have some extra money this month so I went ahead and pulled the trigger on this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/100KHz-1-7GHz-full-band-UV-HF-RTL-SDR-USB-Tuner-Receiver-R820T-8232-AM-FM-CW/121473644358?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33872%26meid%3Dd5d309e8ac2e46be821385dac81eb7f4%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D111550926877

It's the same hardware as in jjjppp11's link but about 20 bucks cheaper. looks a bit sleeker too, not that that matters. I know where to find some old antennas to try out with it. I enjoy messing with this kind of stuff.
Click to expand...

Looks like a good unit, can't wait to see your results. BTW, if anybody has thought about getting a license to transmit on the ham bands, let me know, i got tons of resources.
 
You and I both will be waiting a while for my results. It's from China and I wasn't about to shell out for expedited overseas shipping. :)
 
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