The Beginner's Guide To Software Defined Radio RTL-SDR

[@MsFred58]

No "Zadig" link.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

zadig.akeo.ie

[@omar10wahab]

​@@TechMindsOfficialpeople messing with this stuff should be capable of finding referenced software if you provide the name. Great video buddy

[@DavidVine-DOCVIDPRO]

I've reviewed lots of SDR tutorials, "unboxings" and related videos but this is the most comprehensive and useful video of them all. Keep up the good work and thank you for all of the thought and skill that went into producing this great video.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thanks David!

[@A2kjb]

Old sw listener, just found this stuff. Blimey wat I'd have give for this lot 30 years ago...I'm hooked again...the missus is gonna go ape!

[@geoffreypowell9220]

No Kev , Sorry I am 80 yrs old and I love the challenge of SWLING and this is cheating as it is half transmitted by land line to a computer.. No for me sorry..

[@A2kjb]

Bit of an update. Sdr I have discovered over time has a very poor selectivity. A good radio and external antenna are far superior to sdr. Example: Sdr and receiver run from same antenna. Sdr no received signal. Stand alone radio, signals booming in

[@Rubedo777]

@@geoffreypowell9220 Agreed. 👍

[@TurtleChoom]

​@geoffreypowell9220 How does a person "cheat" at a listening hobby? Who are they supposed to be competing with?

[@Adroit1911]

For real though!!!!

[@olafzijnbuis]

At 01:14 The correct SI spelling is MHz and NOT Mhz as I see here. This may look minor but when you are discussing radio better do it the right way.

[@dougmcgregor8690]

Very grateful that you put this video out. I've been reading a great deal about these devices with the aim to buy one. However your end to end overview filled in a lot of gaps including things I needed to understand but didn't realise I hadn't understood. Well done!

[@paulgretton8997]

Well done that man. I wish others would take as much care and time. Concise, audible,informative. More please!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thanks Paul!

[@hfe1833]

Thanks GOD, a channel well explained about SDR loud and clear

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thank you 🙏

[@raydiocat]

Agreed... We've come a long way since the old days of radio. Thank you for the information on various types of radios, antennas, and accessories. Well made video!

[@willhchrist100]

Love it! I just bought my first setup and am super excited to get started. On a side note, the whole video I am just waiting for you to say something about 15% and Geicko! Sorry I had to

[@LeslieAB30]

I have been using an indoor skeleton discone with a wide band preamp, also suitable for radio scanners. I live on the ground floor, but find this works very well.

[@profgyland2]

Excellent and very informative. This is a high quality documentary as they all are from Tech Minds. I wish that many documentaries on You Tube would be as good as this one is. Most of the documentaries and editions are simply rubbish!!! Well done and thank you for your great and logically explanations.

[@stepno]

Another old SWL who detoured into computer apps for writing and web publishing in the '80s and '90s and only vaguely knew that this stuff existed. Thanks for the introduction!

[@ct026]

Subbed. On the basis of your explanation being very clear without a patronising tone! Many thanks buddy.

[@JUANKERR2000]

2:47 - I believe that TCXO stands for Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator, not temperature controlled; that would be undesirable in this application.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

You’re right! 👌

[@MrOpenGL]

There are some crystal oscillators that are actually actively heated in what's called a crystal oven ;)

[@JUANKERR2000]

@@MrOpenGL Yes, I have a couple somewhere in my store of components or as my wife calls 'that pile of rubbish'.

[@valterturim7322]

very good vídeo and explanation SDR complete great informations thank you

[@vencibushy]

TCXO stands for temperature compensated crystal oscillator. Devices that have temperature control are actually called OCXO - oven controlled crystal oscillators.

[@BruceNitroxpro]

As a ham operator who uses a high end version of SDR transceiver, I must say I learned almost nothing except that leaving out the safety aspect of outside antennas does the user a disservice.

[@mickeyfilmer5551]

As a newby ( a 62 yr old newby) I find this very helpful. i was looking at the Uniden range of receivers, by my goodness they are expensive for someone on a meagre income, so having found your excellent guide, I shall look into this further- many thanks for a concise and clear description of the hobby and available hardware/software.

[@tomclancy1354]

Excellent. Thank you for taking the time to produce a video for starters. Cheers

[@terrywood6414]

Excellent video with good content. I'm in USA and a General Class ham operator. I see the schematic for 9.1 1.9 balun antenna you show only (1) wire. Shouldn't both Balun connections be used on the Balun One 9 item. That would constitute it as a dipole ?

[@kenbaird7067]

I use several Kiwi SDRs regularly which are in a very quiet noise sites, great reception. Much better than locally using my R5000. Now have many logs each day. Am now back fully involved with Intl SW B/Cs

[@MichiganPeatMoss]

2020: Was just thinking about the use of a Raspberry Pi with many of these to have a relatively self-contained receiver, given a solid 5-volt battery supply. I dislike tying up my phone. Great review!

[@RossDixonTeaching]

Thanks I've been playing with web sdr and I'm getting curious about what I could pick up from home with my own sdr set up.. really appreciate your vids!

[@alanbrown397]

When I was a tech (back in the crimean war) TCXO stood for "temperature compensated crystal oscillator"

[@jjohnson4153]

Can you use this equipment to do some backyard radio astronomy?

[@TCB2023.]

Yes

[@DaisyHollowBooks]

I’m just getting started. This was very helpful!

[@AmWestColl]

good explanation of SDR and equipment.....5 Stars!

[@mikeh2520]

Regarding the balun, it is matching the unbalanced coax connection to the balanced antenna. Not the other way as you stated.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

You are correct sir, thank you for pointing that out. 👍

[@richhall1808]

This vid was so GOOD that i am going to go set up the SDR a friend gave me last Christmas.

[@JL-tu6ob]

Good video but is the only properties that differ quality is an SDR as presented. I was a professional radioman for 20 years and the way we would rate a receiver used completely different specs. Receiver sensitivity and audio quality consisted of a SINAD reading. My RTL-SDR with a amplified loop antenna doesn’t receive well. Unfortunately I don’t have a Motorola 2600 service monitor to measure its sensitivity, And I can’t find these specs in sdr videos to help me decide if my SDR is lame or my antenna. Am I missing something ?

[@fon9365]

Excellent tutorial...👍 Question: instead of joining back to back those 2 Receivers (NOO Elec NESDR SMArtee 25-1750 MHz and the NOO Elec Ham it up 100 KHz for a total of $66), isn't wiser to just buy the SDR Play RSP 1A 1 KHz- 2 GHz at $99 ? Thanks for answering :).

[@DavidHolmgren-vg7yz]

Wow! Excellent presentation. Very clear and focused.

[@TomTom-vm7dn]

Very good primer to SDR!You know yourstuff! 73s Tom

[@JohnDoubledee55]

This is a great video for getting started. Thanks for the tips. What is needed to transmit with SDR?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

You're welcome! HackRF, Adalm Pluto, Pluto+, just to name a few SDRs that can transmit.

[@JohnDoubledee55]

@@TechMindsOfficial Thanks! I'm just getting to know about SDR.

[@shaunwhiteley3544]

Excellent, thank you! Looks like I’m starting a new hobby 😀. Hope you do some videos on making your own antennas. Cheers

[@metricmine]

HackRF is in $300 range if bought in the US. On Aliexpress, I am seeing a HackRF with metal case, TCXO and antenna as low as $88.

[@michaelgribschaw7332]

Thank you Sir. This was EXTREMELY helpful for getting me moving in the right direction.

[@Lavxa]

New to radio hope you will see this. Do you think it is an extreme task to create a simple. Scanner like interface in Unity C# for an SDR.

[@BALCACER]

I'm new, I' don't know but I love it, going to be your fan!!!

[@paulhar7679]

great explanation i am now starting to get my head round this new tech . thanks paul h

[@TechMindsOfficial]

You’re welcome Paul, I hope my videos help you along your way learning and if you have any questions feel free to ask! Cheers, Matt

[@countryside8122]

Do you have a beginners guide to installing and setting up the software?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Not specifically for every SDR software and SDR device. If you have something specific I can create for one for you 👌

[@countryside8122]

@@TechMindsOfficial Well it keeps telling me about pluto radio and not more usb voltage. It is timing out apparently. It has the RTL2832U+R820T2 chip(s). Probably does not help much, bought it on e-bay.

[@EpicLPer]

Was waiting for this ;)

[@Shipfixer]

Absolutely great presentation. Kind thanks for the explanation. Greetings from Alaska.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thank you 🙏

[@rico5870]

Thanks Mate! This Video gave me all the help I was looking for. Thanks to share!

[@justbrowsingforentertainment]

super informative for us nubies

[@TechMindsOfficial]

You’re welcome 👌

[@pedroaortizmd7214]

thank a lot for this excellent video, clear, objective and very simply to understand all concepts.

[@MrScotFenz]

Excellent Videos......I’ve just started getting back into scanning used to do a bit in the 90s but having coming across your videos will definitely be starting to use these SDR 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thanks Scott! Appreciate you watching 👍

[@oscarpalomo2850]

Which of the SDR hardware shown in the video allows me to transfer not just to receive?

[@James-gq1xb]

I have a satellite dish and a uhf antenna, and I've always been wondering if i could receive some signals with a satellite dish or something

[@haneshj]

Can we use SDR receivers to study the radio waves using little bitty Telescope. If yes? Plz suggest me a right one.

[@peterfardell9267]

What about transimitting as well as receiving?

[@monkeymanstones1]

Can the "RTL-SDR Blog V4 R828D RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO HF Bias Tee SMA Software Defined Radio with Dipole Antenna Kit" I bought provide the relatively new USA HD Radio function? I couldn't get this information from the Amazon page I bought it from. I bought the unit a week ago and it's supposed to arrive this week.

[@Db--jt7bt]

Thousands of dollars in equipment reduced to $20-50 because the computer does all the work. Amazing!

[@slajeune]

Thanks for the great beginners guide! What setup do you use to test handhelds for spurious emissions (i.e. harmonics)? I have a few handhelds I'd like to test but don't know what is required outside of an SDR + software.

[@KutWrite]

Excellent! Most helpful! Thanks!

[@MJ-lm7ne]

could mention the connector style for the antenna needs to be an SMA connector

[@jaackmcmahon8757]

What does DUMP1090 do and how is it used? I heard that it feeds a program called RTL ADSB to pickup aircraft ident signals. I live 2 miles from Palm Springs Airport(PSP) and there is a lot of aircraft overhead headed east @ north from West Coast airports San Diego, LAX, John Wayne Ontario, & of course PSP! An RTL dongle is in the mail from the far east and I hope it gets here safely. Very good video BTW.

[@SpottedEagleOwls]

Is the D130 25-1300mhz Super Discone Wide Band Base Antenna a good choice ?

[@adityamahajan2289]

nice information video , can you suggest as a beginner what you recommended..

[@Demy1970]

Any recommendations on internet based programs to check this stuff out?

[@qzorn4440]

ok, after the SDR system is running what is the software setup to test some radio stations? Like now what, or just start pushing buttons? Oh no, do I have to read the manual? 😎Thanks.

[@bitsurfer0101]

Is SDR used or can it be used for AIS in boat navigation?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

It sure can, unfortunately I don’t live near where there are boats otherwise I’d document this feature too.

[@bitsurfer0101]

@@TechMindsOfficial I would imagine you would need to use the radios with the half-duplex feature in order to make it work?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Well you wouldn’t be transmitting so just receive is fine :)

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Good overview for newbies, thanks. My impression is that SDR is more of a receiver than a transceiver so a ham rig is still required if one wants to do more than just eavesdrop on a wider range of signals, correct? QRP'ing a CW signal with the HackRF One product is possible but DX'ing 100 watts of SSB across oceans is not, correct?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Well, generally SDR receivers are receive only, but then you have devices likes hackRF and Pluto etc. But if you want an SDR type radio, that can transmit 100 watts, then take a look at the Flex Radio line up of products, very expensive but also very good. Thanks for watching 👌

[@kirilkirov5780]

Amazingly helpful video! Thank you very much!

[@cuteloads7293]

Thank you so much matt💟 I subscribed. Wish you get 1000k plus subscirbers 😘😘

[@TechMindsOfficial]

You’re welcome :)

[@fernandoscrenci4874]

Nice Work in Describing SDR!!

[@NicleT]

I’m new to RF digging and SDR and I just bought one of those Malachite (or _Malahite_ ?) clone SDR receiver (the one with the big knobs on the side.) I’d like to build myself an antenna. The receiver have a range of 50kHz - 2GHz (bought the licence). What do you (the community) suggest? Thanks

[@Rhodeislander]

Great explanation, Nice job. I applaud the time you put into this, thank you.

[@Schinkenjupp]

Witch antenna do I need to transmit with the Hack-device with ist able to transmit?

[@geoffreypowell9220]

Thank you Kev, So I am right SDR is a Short cut to Swling , I prefer my End fed and Kenwood R2000 anytime ,Thank you Keve for reply.....

[@RochelleM491]

Great well done professional video, please make more...lol!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thank you 🙏

[@AmazingPhilippines1]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like an interesting hobby I will check more into.

[@davet9900]

If the hack RF one can send and receive, can they be used as a phone/walkie-talkie with a huge range?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Not huge range as the output is very small, 10mw, but if you look through my videos I used a hack rf to talk through a local repeater.

[@davet9900]

@@TechMindsOfficial thank you for getting back so soon. Is there any way the ourput could be boosted/improved?

[@panoshountis1516]

Great video, thank you. Apologies if the question is silly -I am a total newbie: Does the SDR software + the receiver hardware on a personal computer substitute a purely hardware based transceiver setup? I assume that antennas etc. equipment is same on both SDR/non-SDR setups.

[@RareN7]

What's a more directional antenna that works well for rastering with an SDR?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Depends on the band you want to listen to. The lower the frequency the larger they get.

[@Blakehx]

Good info thanks! Is there a good portable SDR transceiver similar to the Nano that can also broadcast?

[@UNSCPILOT]

Transmitters generally consume far far more power than receivers and thereby can't be readily compacted down as much, do keep that in mind, it's an annoyingly simple issue of thermodynamics limiting what the electronics can do. That said I'm saying this 2 years later so it's probably moot XD

[@fabrice26306]

Thanks a lot for the information sir, I want to get started as soon as possible. Btw, your voice reminds me of another youtube channel 'cameralabs' by Gordon Laing... not you?

[@fenilshah9221]

Is there any software which can we use on macbook? or windows is complusory for sdr?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

There is a few SDR applications for MAC OS, Cubic SDR is a good one.

[@ericdraven2219]

3 15 sec ads gdi you can use a satilite dish ... and old vietnam vet tought me you can make a sw with a stereo reciever and a sat dish... so im sure it be cool for sdr ... yes ?

[@jefferybernard4800]

is there any phone numbers that we can get catalogs for information or antennas or the whole product line and phone number to call to order one

[@TechMindsOfficial]

If you’re based in the UK you can call www.moonraker.eu

[@clivemayzes4517]

Tech Minds,taking delivery of a NooElec NESDR SMArt HF Bundle: 100kHz-1.7GHz Software Defined Radio Set for HF/UHF/VHF including RTL-SDR, Assembled Ham It Up Upconverter, Balun, Adapters & Cables, I also have both Windows PC and Raspberry Pi. which i intend to run as an SDR setup. what i would like to know What software would be the Best to be compatable with the Nooelec kit? Cheers

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Personally I would use SDR Sharp for use with the NooElec gear. It has many useful features and is extremely popular and well supported.

[@VrillonAura2012]

Just starting out really helpful

[@jonnporter6081]

Some of the police/fire emergency services here use digital radios. Does SDR pick up those broadcasts? If not, is there a software download or hardware add on to allow picking up those transmissions?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Yes, look for a program called DSD+ although if the digital signal is encrypted it will not decode it.

[@jonnporter6081]

@@TechMindsOfficial Thanks. This is all new to me. Your videos are very informative and helpful.

[@deli3454]

Great video. Just what I needed.

[@Btl147]

Didn't work for me. I have a Nooelec NESDR Smartee with Bias Tee. When I click Start in GNCC, the screen blinks and goes stays on the main settings screen. Any ideas?

[@kc8ncr]

Wonderful video! Thank you so much for putting all this information together. If you would be willing to put together a list of the ideal components for Amateur use, I would almost certainly purchase the items through your Amazon store. Thank you again, 73s

[@TechMindsOfficial]

You’re welcome 😊

[@snakebite210]

Excellent work sir

[@princearthur4946]

Excellent presentation!

[@brandonoaks5517]

Your videos are awesome man, very informative. I am totally new to SDR, setting up to use it with my HF rig (ICOM 718, took your recommendation on the switch from banggood). Are there any any particular SDRs you recommend for those of us who are only in that end of the spectrum? This is a fun project currently, working through setting up my offshore boat for data, weatherfax, long range com, ect. SDR seems like an obvious part of the plan.

[@gillesmeloche5563]

I have on shelf for long time a Win-TV-HVR 950Q, I wonder if I could us it as SDR and what software to use. Thanks

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Download SDR Sharp, use the Zadig.exe in the installation folder to install drivers. Hopefully SDR# will then recognise it and you’ll be able to use it with an appropriate antenna .

[@OnMyGrizzle]

Great video, thank you! Regarding versions: Would you recommend the SMArt v4 or SMArTEE v2? Sounds like the SMArTEE is superior but version numbers are deceiving me.. Thx

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Normally the most expensive one would be better, reason I say that is because it would have a better stability and probably have bias tee so you can power things like LNAs.

[@TainoHans]

Great video. Thanks!! You explained it so good, that even I understand it..............

[@graywoulf]

Thanks for this very informative review of SDR devices. I have only just heard about them and think that they are very interesting. Can you program the software for channel presets like I would do with my hand held scanner? And can trunked frequencies be monitored as well?

[@gklinger]

Really well done!

[@cassiemcottle2944]

Hi good morning where can I download the SDR software

[@TheKaffeeKlatsch]

Where would I find information on what is illegal in decryption of radio signals?

[@electronicatutorial]

I want to see satellite signal, how can it be done since it is so weak.

[@RobertIsMusic]

Could that software be run in a Rasberry pi?

[@leemilica]

the rtl-sdr v3 is basically best bang for your buck since it has bias t, txco, some other stuff, goes down to about 20mhz and up to about 3ghz for about 25 euro/ 30 dollars.

[@KelvinMeeks]

Excellent overview

[@gearlab734]

Hi, I'm trying to find out if an HF SDR transceiver needs an internet connection to work. I'm thinking not?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Internet connection not required, just a really good antenna for decent HF reception.

[@gearlab734]

@@TechMindsOfficial Thanks for the information.