Intro to RTL-SDR

Dallas ClementsK7DCC

Agenda

• What is RTL-SDR?• What can RTL-SDR do?• How much does it cost?• Software• More information

What is RTL-SDR?

• Realtek Labs Software Defined Radio• Term is a catchall for multiple designs built on the

R820T and RTL2832U• 4-5 years ago European TV tuners based on the

RTL2832U chipset were found capable of accessing wide portions of the RF spectrum

• Most common RTL-SDRs receive 25MHz-1750MHz • Add on hardware available for MF and HF • Very inexpensive

What can RTL-SDR do?

Receive and decode radio signals cheaply using a personal computing

device

What can RTL-SDR do?

To learn more about these applications, visit www.rtl-sdr.com.

• Scan police, fire, ambulance, air traffic control, cordless phones, baby monitors, and FM radio

• Monitor and record amateur VHF and UHF frequencies

• Be an affordable spectrum analyzer• Decode images from the ISS, APRS, PSK 31, and

other digital modes• Track aircraft and maritime vessels• Direction finding

http://www.rtl-sdr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rtlsdrscanner_heatmap.png

How much does it cost?

How much does it cost?

Software

• Windows: SDR# (aka SDR Sharp), HDSDR, SDR-Radio v2

• OSX: GQRX• Linux: GNU Radio• Android: SDR Touch, OpenHPSDR

For more information:

• www.RTL-SDR.com• www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/• www.nooelec.com• www.hamradioscience.com