RTL-SDR Digital Scanning Software & HW | SDR# Install

[@TACTICALMICHAEL]

I'm a disabled law enforcement officer and I am a ham radio opperator. Ham radio has helped me when nothing much would. Thank you so much for your videos. Thank you Michael

[@TahoeSteve]

thank you for your service, and it is an honor that my vids helped a man like you.

[@ericdraven2219]

mr michael thank you for locking up some of the local scum hehe tweakers/thieves etc

[@ericdraven2219]

@@TahoeSteve thank you steve this will help me during hurricanes in florida cause this software can be used off line for disaster prep etc.. good its very helpful ... i wanted it mainly to see if things get bad i know were to avoid houston was a nite mare i dont think i ever want to be on the streets longer than i have to with the cops doing only class c misdamenors and class a felonys

[@BladeRunner-td8be]

I bought the exact dongle shown here and have been messing around with it for about a month now with limited success. In that process, I have watched numerous KZbin videos about many types of equipment and their uses which has helped me understand quite a bit. This particular channel is perfect for my current level of understanding. It took a while, but I found it! Cheers!

[@tfaber9394]

Thanks Bro ! I got an SDR dongle about a year ago, lost patience with it and threw it in a drawer. With this video you got me up and running in just a few minutes !! 73 my friend - KM4VGO, 74A

[@TahoeSteve]

So glad to be of help, thanks!

[@noxanon1892]

Hi could you please add a link or do a updated video if you don’t mind for dummies like me about the dsr sharp as on there website on downloads it doesn’t show DSR# Windows 64bit like in your video anymore so what do l select

[@SpaceGhostSupreme]

What it the latest update on doing this? The video is now 4 years old. Thanks

[@CertifiedSped94]

I love these videos. GREAT service! There is not another video no where as close to these. i also love how everything is said step by step, and even in order in the Description. Well done!!! I am stuck at the sdr# installation as I have to wait for my kit to come into the mail LOL, as well as purchase an extra dongle. Do you have tutorial on how to get satellite images for weather?

[@TahoeSteve]

appreciate you watching! no vids on satellite. perhaps i should look into it!?

[@subasc]

Excellent video but if possible please do update it. Also have you tried TETRA decoding? A video on that would be excellent. Thank You for the knowledge.

[@turn-n-burn1421]

Couldn't get the DSD Plus for some reason.

[@Sfahjcujeyheicknci5638]

I have a question. At the beginning of the movie, the small screen at the bottom right of your screen is the screen of the radio wave waveform? What software can browse the waveform of radio waves?

[@turn-n-burn1421]

Price on those sure went up since you made this video. I'd already bought one for $39, now I'd need a second one at the same price. Amazon is all out after I bought mine, but you can go right to their site and get it. Still $39 though.

[@i81fish2]

Question: I live in Antrim County Michigan and wish to listen to two different trunked systems. One is the statewide state system (MPSCS) and one is utility using EDACS. Would I need three units so that two of them monitor the control channel for each of them?

[@williamblake8650]

When I got to this video and downloaded Airspy I ended up with a different version of Airspy mine is studio version, how do I get the same version you have?

[@ilt17]

Can't thank you enough for your brilliant & useful work, Steve.

[@TahoeSteve]

Thanks so much, glad to be of help!

[@daninwy2681]

Hey Steve: I only have internet access in my garage using satellite. Can I extend the cable from the USB device to the antenna so I can go outside of the garage to the metal roof?

[@bradchattin3046]

When and how do u install the 2nd dongle? Do u have too use 2 of the same types of sdr?

[@jonwhite3203]

I want to correct one item, that being that you do not necessarily need two dongles, I am using just one dongle and listening to an Apco 25 digital/analog system with 6 channels. The six channels are all within I Mhz of the control channel which is why I can do this. This is a very good video, good job.

[@TahoeSteve]

Absolutely true, thank you for pointing that out. My goal with my videos is "the simplest setup possible" that is why I chose to go with 2 receivers vs the 2 VCO setup.

[@zarmril]

Yes, But if you want to listen to Trunked signals, you need 2. He says so at 2:15

[@phillipwilhelm]

will this let me use SDR# to scan like I have been, non-trunked, and at the same time, listen to trunked?

[@Snarecadence]

Thank you for this video series. I have 2 Nuelec dongles Running. Unitrunker works great for EDACS for Volusia county fl. ITs still Analog. but there are some digital transmission that are Encrypted. I didn't need to use DSDPlus with my set up. I still have all the software he said to down load. Volusia county has a New P25 Phase 2 coning online. I haven't tried to receive the P25 system yet.

[@robblerouser5657]

What programs can you use if you use Linux?

[@bicolmange]

Awesome dude..My new hobby...

[@jjtiffe]

Do you have to plug in hardware first before you do this

[@FarmingFromAbove]

really nice! I didnt know how to create a new folder, now i know!

[@pixeluser8243]

Lul

[@kauaiphotography]

Excellent tutorial! Unfortunately, I seem to be having P25 decoding issues. Unitrunker seems to be picking up the conversations just fine, based on my scanner, but voice comes in garbled and in some cases badly inaudible. Anything I can try in the settings, although I don't see much to configure with DSD+. Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have that I can try.

[@TahoeSteve]

try increasing your bandwidth

[@kauaiphotography]

Thanks for the reply and suggestion. Not sure exactly what you mean by increasing the bandwidth, but I have played with the VCO settings in Unitrunker (and many other setting for that matter!) Please let me know specifically what I should try. Regards, Thomas

[@ricke.2205]

Other than DL'ing the software, do you need internet access to run an SDR?

[@TahoeSteve]

nope all radio based tech

[@jerryhamilton8623]

When I try to download the Virtual Cable Ap I get the option of cables A & B and/or cables C & D plus I have to 'donate' to obtain them. Is this correct? And will this work for MOTOTROBO DMR systems?

[@jeffdubuque5622]

don`t be cheap give a little $.

[@itsmeray01]

T 2 could that mean 2 telescoping antennas?

[@joselebron6233]

Hi Steve, first of all thanks for the video. I have ordered the parts needed. Can you please point to AIRSPY download page? The Win64 is no longer available.

[@kierangio]

airspy.com/?ddownload=3130 Airspy is only 86x by the looks of things

[@RonnieSixx]

I can't find it either.

[@williamcolvin3609]

Would this work for sharing by putting this on a USB Drive where it can be Copied or installed on different Computers? That way everything is already Downloaded and all together.

[@davidbee3704]

Yes, this can be done if all the mentioned software is available for and can run on Linux. If so, then it is a matter of creating a "live USB" of a Linux distribution e.g. Ubuntu, but creating the live USB with persistence. That way you can take the USB drive and boot up from any computer.

[@ericdraven2219]

hey tahoe steve your video is still going strong so fair its helpped me get all the software im in setup process still but your video helping me alot thank you .. it is very helpful cause i really didnt understand the bulk of any of this stuff ... i have skywave linux but it dont want to upgrade crap 😕 or update any of packages kinda a letdown with it for now so i moved over to windows ... but i love linux stuff it be cool to see you make a video on linux though 😃

[@DavidBrown-cv7si]

i have followed everything you have shown but when i try to run unitrunker it asks if i want to repair it or remove it and it doesn't put a short cut on my desk top either

[@TahoeSteve]

Windows 10?

[@DavidBrown-cv7si]

@@TahoeSteve No actually still running Windows 7

[@TahoeSteve]

I am not 100% sure but that is most likely your problem

[@DavidBrown-cv7si]

@@TahoeSteve ok many thanks keep up the excellent videos its a wealth of knowledge .Best wishes from Dave in the UK

[@Bobbyg4315]

Hey, yea, Unitrunker doing exactly that, as we speak, I am running 10. -Repair-or- replace- ??...

[@Peterswarahed]

whats the name of the equipment that you connect the two dongles too?

[@TahoeSteve]

It's just an external 4 port USB Hub. You can get them powered, or non powered for as little as $10.

[@MCoopJr]

Hi Steve, I tried to DL AirSpy Win 64bit version, however I only saw a DL x86 version. Can you send me the 64bit version or upload it Google Drive? Thanks

[@midwestguy3361]

was you ever to find airspy win 64 bit version

[@MCoopJr]

@@midwestguy3361 No I haven't located it.

[@jabhomemonitoring]

Will this work with an RSPDUO?

[@rogerlivesey2516]

Very informative, do you know if your system would work in the UK.

[@TahoeSteve]

i don't, sorry

[@midwestscanner]

Do you plug both sdr's in at the same time??

[@charlesosborne4554]

Where do you the SDR dongles I know one goes to PC but where does the other one go?

[@iceman382]

SDR Dongles connect to the PC via USB connection. You will need one USB port on the computer for each SDR dongle. If you don't have an extra USB port free, then you can get a USB hub. Also, please note that some SDR dongles might not work properly with USB 3.0.

[@TahoeSteve]

yes. also very beneficial to have a powered USB hub.

[@randygriffis8870]

Excellent, Thanks!

[@TahoeSteve]

@Randy - Glad to help! Please subscribe - more videos coming soon!

[@KofCFrank06511]

Steve, Can this decode phase 2 (I've read some of the comments to no avail)

[@TahoeSteve]

i dont think so

[@brian7824]

Ive ordered my sdr dongles, Do I plug them both in at the same time

[@larrygall5831]

I haven't done this with 2 devices yet, but I use one right now, and my thinking would be install one first, then (personally) I'd write a small #1 on the device. It's just a way to keep track of them, and help you know what is doing what.. because I'd imagine they'd look the same once installed. While installing the software though, yeah, it would be a good idea unless you only have one now.. you can add the other one later. It's a good idea to get SDRSharp working first, then you can start listening to regular radio at the very least. I wanted one to get local weather (NOAA) stations, as I live in S. Florida, and it does this perfectly.

[@MrSimonchloe]

Will this work in the uk

[@larryspencer2050]

Does this work with P25 Phase 2?

[@glensims2561]

any one have contact info for anyone who might be able to help with my setup I am having a problem getting bioth SDR's to be on at the same time as soon as I start the second one the first one stops any hints would be appreciated.

[@slide_or_die]

Depends how you have them connected.

[@thomasrudd5252]

does anyone know if this dongle will pick up dmr digital voice communications

[@kierangio]

I watched an other video doing so with DSD plus will post link here later :)

[@jesseobrien5864]

Is ran into a problem at vb-audio site. They have a,b option and a c,d option And they won't let me download anything unless I give them money. Am I on the wrong website or do I need to pay them £12. I have no idea how much American currency that is. Everything else up until this point is a go.

[@85Studios]

Same Problem not paying for it, otherwise what is the point. Also what is the difference between A-B and C-D I have no earthly clue what I am doing here or how to do it. If you get any ideas or find anything out please let me know man. or if there is anything I can use as an alternative here.

[@robertallen3133]

I have windows 7 will it work on it ? Thank you and great video ! WE 10 JAN 18 21:46 EST

[@TahoeSteve]

i dont see any reason why it wouldnt

[@twinflametaurus]

i had problems with my rtl sdr e4000 on win 7, may just be the driver enforcement mode issues, either way win 10 seems much better for it

[@danielburch6735]

Does it work for P25 800 MHz Digital

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

Well, I'll have to improve a bit for I'll try and use SDRplay RSP2 and Airspy HF+ Discovery receivers isntead of V3. Thanks again.

[@FASTPISTOLDRAW]

Is there anyway to listen to trunked P25 with just one SDR dongle

[@TahoeSteve]

I can on my HackRF, but by the time you spend that much, might as well go with 2 of the RTL-SDRs

[@the_socompsp]

@@TahoeSteve yeah but the Hack rf and some of the other sdr;s like lime sdr are full duplex, so it is worth the extra cost.. the hackrf is also able to be modified to listen to signals slightly outside the normal range .

[@dgearwar]

you do not need two of them I found that out mouths ago you only really need is one and it still works fine .

[@dmdmorg]

Can two SDR dongles run on a Mac, and if so, do i use the two ports on the Mac or one USB port with an extension? Also, you explain complicated subjects so well.

[@TahoeSteve]

never used a mac, hopefully someone else will chime in .

[@the_socompsp]

it is possible, but unlikely, Mac is Unix based so you might be able to find someone who has mad a Mac version from the Linux version. you cqan also always just use a virtual machine to run windows inside macosx or you can use Bootcamp to dual boot windows and Macosx.

[@theterminaldave]

Yikes, they're up to $40 now on that link, should i try shopping around?

[@ChuckRowe]

So, did you plug both SDRs into their respective USP ports/hub at the same time? I noticed that by the time you got to zadig, it already saw two devices? Wondering if I should plug in both radios after I run that initial batch file. Thanks! Awesome videos, BTW! :) Going to attempt this setup over the coming weekend.

[@TahoeSteve]

if i remember correctly, i did one at a time.

[@ManuelPinner]

I have a Adalm Pluto SDR and a SDR Play RSP DX, I use SDR Angel Software and SDR Uno Solfware with DSD Plus,

[@zeel4550]

Will this work with an old Windows XP laptop?

[@TahoeSteve]

not sure

[@danielwarren129]

How do i know if my city uses digital or analog

[@sa6kod154]

Daniel Warren just try to listen, if it is not hearable. Then it’s mostly digital

[@R81230]

Great video for the day, but seems like a lot of this content is outdated and no longer found or downloadable. Is there anyone who has posted a more recent video on how to listen to 800mHz trunked systems? Wish Tahoe Steve would post an updated video on this, his presentation on this one is really good. But a lot of the software has changed and no longer usable..

[@rob-karenkennedy-parker3166]

Thanks!

[@South.Paw.Sniper]

Does this setup still work?

[@ejbully]

In 2022 - thank you 🍻

[@tropicaliphoneman]

This will work with MacOs?

[@TahoeSteve]

i'm not sure, not a mac user. sorry

[@robertmilton1]

Many Thanks Bro

[@m.st-pierre6638]

hello i can no longer use my keyboard to write on my computer what to do since i installed the rtl-sdr program

[@TahoeSteve]

this problem is most likely not related to any software

[@mikeozanich9081]

you well need to re-install your usb drivers.

[@jakebenjamin8895]

how much ram do i need

[@TahoeSteve]

4Gb for Linux. For NiceHash on Windows (i hear) you need 8. I only run Linux

[@williamblake8650]

Outdated video, Airspy SDR is no longer like the version and does not work quite the same. I guess I will have to look to a newer video for the newer version of Airspy SDR.

[@TahoeSteve]

Sorry, i can't help the passage of time.

[@LouDiMattia]

Ugh. Just ordered the dongles. Could take 8 weeks for delivery. I don't have that kind of patience! Ha

[@TahoeSteve]

I'm so glad that RTL-SDR has taken off, but I'm sorry that there is such a shortage of dongles.

[@jesseobrien5864]

Steve. Is all this still valid

[@alexgigauri6981]

Great video! Can I use this technology to send an SMS message to all phones around me? Is that even possible to do that, using maybe some different hacking stuff? Hope you will answer me)

[@TahoeSteve]

no SMS won't work without some serious hacking skills

[@WW2Historynut]

Not legally, abandoned GSM cell encryption key is known but the phone bands are not used any longer. You would have to get into the new cell encrypted cell data stream and those keys are not yet known and are unlikely static as the GSM was. Also SDR does not TRANSMIT. You can receive digital/analog pager signals and convert them to text since they are not generally encrypted because they are old legacy hardware generally. Try looking at decoding satellite imaging and my latest test is VIRTUAL RADAR. Receives aircraft radio beacon data and maps it on your google maps screen. Can be used without internet access.

[@daninwy2681]

"...Also SDR does not TRANSMIT" which is a good thing

[@andrewlankford9634]

Thanks for the links. Now I don't have to listen to 10 minutes of "basically" and "essentially" and "I'm going to show you".

[@ldiazmdiaz]

3 problems noted 1.) (sdr# for windows x64) is not on the web site anymore just the 32 bit. 2.) the amazon hardware is not the same as your with a single antenna. 3.) Sometime sdr# program freezes.

[@glowingone1774]

32 bit should work, just dont use 64 bit on a 32 bit computers

[@aldewitt9]

You need a shorter antenna for the 800 MHz band. The longer antenna is for the HF bands. The higher the frequency the shorter the antenna. For example, the 70 cm Ham band, a full wave antenna is only 70 cm long. On 7.125 in the 40 meter band, a full wave is 40 meters long. A good antenna length is 1/4 of a wavelength. As you can see you will do much better with a small antenna in the 800 MHz band. AD0DQ.

[@TahoeSteve]

Appreciate your input. My dad was a HAM. Always wanted to learn more and get my license. I wanted these videos to cover the steps to get you up and running, but I appreciate the HAMs clarifying things.

[@aldewitt9]

Tahoe Steve Check out the Ham Radio Crash Course here on KZbin. It costs $15 for a tech license and the course of study for someone bright, like you, is easy. Lots of prep books on Kindle. Thank you for your content. I have enjoyed it!

[@ManuelPinner]

SDR sharp with Adalm Pluto SDR

[@ddogg845]

could anybody lead me in the direction to get started scanning p25 conventional everything i find on youtube anyway is all for trunked systems

[@ddogg845]

like software that can actually scan fast

[@bubbaschwartz]

This does not work on Mac

[@TahoeSteve]

dont know. never had one

[@MatHelm]

"SDR# For Windows x64" is no longer there. Only the first one, which is x86 (32bit) And your VB AUDIO link has cahnged. You want www.vb-audio.com/Cable/index.htm as of today.

[@klewchuk07921]

Hey Mat, I noticed the same thing. Did you get a response from Steve here about that? I was really looking forward to installing this. Thanks. Keith

[@MatHelm]

Nope. But the 32 bit should work on a 64 bit PC. My dongle will be here today sometime, so I guess I'll find out soon enough...

[@klewchuk07921]

Mine comes tomorrow but, now that I think about it Wow64 emulator will take care of that. Let me know how you make out!

[@MatHelm]

Great minds huh... lol

[@klewchuk07921]

Although I don't see an SDR for Windows 32bit either so, let me know what you end up downloading. Maybe the "Windows SDR Software Package" ??. Thanks Mat!

[@trooper2221]

should be just as easy on my mac i suppose

[@TahoeSteve]

not sure, never touched a mac

[@pooljunki1]

i come for this video and find out your a quad guy

[@zarmril]

VB cable makes you donate in order to download the software. bs

[@FMS-Customs]

I'd like to point out this is incorrect, you only have to donate if you want audio cable a/b or c/d. The standard one is free

[@Eric_Allen]

@@FMS-Customs Thank you for that.

[@kimberly.acoffeycoffey2439]

hi

[@TahoeSteve]

hi back

[@gulammohamed7052]

Archive

[@maciej12345678]

To match talking

[@TahoeSteve]

yes

[@danield4871]

Steve you video didnt get me anywhere! I wasted 3 fucking days playing your video over and over. Its NOT easy to set these two RTL-SDR's up for Trunking!

[@TahoeSteve]

Please contact customer service for a full refund.

[@slide_or_die]

​​@@TahoeSteve'm still following your setup, I'd say the issue here would be PEBCAK! 🤦‍♂️

[@hosamsalim856]

Thanks!