Ham Operator Forums

General Forums => Software Defined radio (SDR) Forum => : K5TLF June 15, 2013, 02:36:49 PM

: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: K5TLF June 15, 2013, 02:36:49 PM

Just picked one of these up a couple of weeks ago from ebay.
They are a blast! Frequency accuracy can be off but will get you in the ball park. Its great for looking around the bands and for basic monitoring. I have been playing with mine using it to decode digital comms. Works pretty well!

I highly reccomend them! Great toy! I have discovered a ton of stuff out on the bands that I did not know was there!

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: KE7TRP July 01, 2013, 10:58:35 AM

Got a link?

Is this a dongle type?  USB?   Whats the coverage?

C

: Re: RealTek - The Cheap SDR
: K5TLF July 01, 2013, 01:01:50 PM

Its a dongle. Ranges from around 30-50mhz on the low side and 1.7ghz on the high side.

Just google "Reltek SDR" There is a ton of info out there.

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: K5TLF July 01, 2013, 01:03:08 PM

Its what it is... a $20 receiver. It works and works pretty well tho. Its a ton of fun tho!

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: KE7TRP July 01, 2013, 01:11:49 PM

I see why I cant find it..  You called it a "reatech" then later a "realtek". 

C

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: K5TLF July 04, 2013, 05:37:13 PM

yeah... oops!  :D

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: WA9QHP July 04, 2013, 09:03:26 PM

Try this link: http://amzn.to/1bbccDx. Best $20 in Ham Radio, although receive only.

Then download free software from (for example) www.sdrsharp.com.

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: KE7TRP July 05, 2013, 10:15:39 AM

I just ordered the Nooelec version.  To hard to pass up for $20 with antenna and remote.  Should be fun!

C

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: k3who July 05, 2013, 12:03:20 PM

I did a blog post on this a while back if anyone is interested. It's focused mainly for Ubuntu.

http://unit-hq.blogspot.com/2013/02/rtl-sdr-vhf-uhf-software-defined-radio.html

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: wd0eru July 08, 2013, 02:43:01 PM

If you're interested in using it for HF, you can build an upconverter (see January 2013 QST article on SDR) or buy one from Nooelec. Their converters are around $40. I bought one and it works great. It will just add to the hours of fun  :)

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: k3who July 14, 2013, 08:52:07 PM

I'll have to check that out. It would be nice to view 10mhz of HF spectrum at a time.... especially when I'm looking for milcom stuff. I may just spend a bit more for a Softrock receiver. I really want a Perseus but that's a lot more than I can spend right now.

: Re: RealTech - The Cheap SDR
: KE7TRP July 15, 2013, 11:31:04 AM

I got my Nooelec R820T today.  The install instructions are garbage.  After about a half hour, I got the driver to install and the SDRsharp program working.  FM radio works great.  I have not heard much else so far.  I guess I will try listening to 2meter Ham next.  Are there any other frequencies or ranges I might want to try out?

BTW..  Nooelec has horrible customer service.  It took 14 days to get my package after I paid for the 2 day shipping.  When questioned, the woman raised her voice at me and started on the defense.