RTL-SDR/HackRF Live DVD

If you’ve been wanting to use your RTL-SDR or HackRF on Linux, but didn’t know how to or couldn’t be bothered installing all the software, there is now a live DVD downloadable thanks to Reddit user rtl_sdr_is_fun. With a live DVD you can boot into an Ubuntu OS (with many pre-installed SDR related programs) directly from the DVD without the need to install anything.

The Live DVD is only available for 64-bit CPUs.

See more information about the Live CD and the software it contains in this release note, and see the Reddit thread here.

Direct Download:

http://files.persona.cc/linux/ubuntu/ubuntu-12.04.2-custom-sdr-amd64.iso

Torrent: (seeded by server and supports webseed)

http://files.persona.cc/linux/ubuntu/ubuntu-12.04.2-custom-sdr-amd64.iso.torrent

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Zuzu

Links are no longer working… it would be nice for a new link

Mark Giblin

I’d like to see an installer application that installs what you need instead of this continual hoop jumping exercise of a one size fits all approach to linux releases.

For instance, it does not matter how many times and variants of MAKE I issue to make binaries, they never ever compile, never have and despite complaining to the DEBIAN/UBUNTU/MX branch of distros, they have done fuckall in the last 5 years of me reporting it, only thing that has happened is WINE refuses to run any windows binaries, it suddenly stopped working after an update, something else that has persisted for 20 years or more, programs breaking after system updates.

So it is cheaper and easier for me to get a windows licence and save my sanity from this idea of using linux as a system for use with SDR.

Even the GNU release DOES NOT WORK… It runs and can not find the SDR despite listing it… Go Figure.

Ron Webb

I am still in the learning phase but I have come to the realization that I need a version of Gnuradio less than 3.7 as many add-ons no longer work after 3.6. I was initially trying to build Gnuradio using Pybombs on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and setting “git checkout gr-3.6.” This was failing because it is wanting Zeroc ICE 3.4.2 but the repository for this level is 3.5 and 3.4.2 fails if building from source. I then tried Ubuntu 10.04… it won’t do Zeroc ICE 3.4.2 either, maxing out at 3.4.1. Unfortunately, I am having problems downloading this image file. I get a failure if trying to download via http and I tried torrent and it is EXTREMELY slow… I’ve had a near continuous download speed of 3-5 MB/s but so far, I only have 1.68GB downloaded and 276 GB of corrupted data!!!

JhM

Are you taking orders? I would like a 32 bit iso with the following packages:
(1) http://www.backtrack-linux.org/wiki/index.php/DECT_Sniffing_Dedected This bit of goodness should be standard on Kali Linux. It needs re-working so the hardware (with a downconverter) could be a software defined radio instead of a wireless adaptor.
(1) https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-radio-scanner-tutorial-decoding-digital-voice-p25-with-dsd/
with this on your iso I could listen to unencrypted digital!

Brian C

I too would like to see a 32 bit USB installable version..would try to run in on older hardware

Tim

Great work! However, I am trying to find a similar iso with OpenBTS precompiled and installed. This has been the crux for me and Ettus cut OpenBTS from their live USB after v.1. Any ways to do this or know where I may find something like this?

Cap In Hand :)

Hi,
having messed around trying to get a fully working setup for RTL SDR and Gnu Radio under Ubuntu for several days now,
this distro looks like *exectly* what I need. Good work ! However….

PLEASE can we have a 32 bit version ?

Pretty please ?

Feel free to make it beerware 🙂

thanks

i2NDT, Claudio

HELP!!!
I have downloaded the ISO (2.11 GB) and burnt a DVD. When I boot from the DVD I can load the OS but I don’t see any trace of GNUradio or other programs! My PC is an ACER ASPIRE 5734Z which usually runs under win 7 64bit…

i2NDT, Claudio

thanks a lot: I found it and the other programs!

please forgive me: I am a Linux newbe…

Johnny Love

Does this also include Apco P25 decoding?

Andrew

I think is more bothered download your iso, not install the software with a simple apt-get on my linux box.
In a few days, exit Windows 10 continue to use this useless OS.

sudol

I have downloaded and tried running live DVD, it works fine. But not able to install from DVD as not further response after selecting install. what should I do?

Mathew

Hi, the links dont work is there an alternate download link. Thanks!

Mathew

Must be my DNS I am downloading from the hotel I am staying at now. Thanks!!

rtlsdr_is_fun

Hi Georges, I’m the creator of the LiveDVD, unfortunately I had some trouble building some of the tools on 32-bit version, but I will try again in the near future. I cannot guarantee if or when it will be released though.

HE9JSD, Georges

ok, thank you anyway, I hope soon to buy a 64-bit computer

73

Vaidhya

Thanks A lots for the DVD, I tried to install GNU Radio using parallels in my mac. It is such a pain in the ass.
It always gives me some or other error.
I really appreciate your work.

rwb

@Vaidhya:
At least one sdr program gqrx works on a Mac, with no need to compile it. I downloaded my copy of gqrx-2.2.0 from http://sourceforge.net/projects/gqrx/ – double-clicked the .dmg file, dropped it into Applications, and then ran it. No sweat. It’s the only one that I’ve found that works, so far, lacks some of the features, but works very well with my cheap Chinese 820T device.

@rtlsdr_is_fun:
Thanks for your work on this dvd, and for the explanation. I hope that others can, and will, help us non-programmers with this issue. Which leads me to….

@The Online Community:
Now I’m looking for a 32-bit live [and installable] sdr DVD for my old laptop. Is anyone else working on such a thing? Lots of people still own old computers – mine is only a few years old, and still looks like new – and many are banging their heads on walls over the problems in trying to overcome the problems encountered in compiling rtlsdr software for 32-bit.

Any takers? 🙂

HE9JSD, Georges

Hello, very nice work but no 32 version ? please add it, i need 🙂