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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New RTL-SDR Adaptation for HF and VHF/UHF For Sale

A few months ago we saw a Hungarian hardware developer selling a custom RTL-SDR software defined radio which included an upconverter built into the PCB.

Now a new Brazilian hardware developer has begun selling similar home made RTL-SDR units that can receive HF by default. Note that the page is in Portuguese, but Google translate does a reasonable job at translating.

These units come in a nice box and are capable of receiving between 0 to 1750Mhz.  Attached to the box are two UHF (SO-259) 50 Ohm connectors, one for an HF antenna and one  and a USB port. The developer also provides a CD which seems to come with the drivers, SDRSharp and some plugins. We aren’t sure if this SDR is using direct sampling or an upconverter to get HF signals as there don’t seem to be many details about the modifications made on the page.

The price is $185 Brazilian Reals, which is about $82 USD.

Combined RTL-SDR and Upconverter

The page links to a video showing the SDR in action which is shown below.

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SDR Touch Updated to Version 1.6

Version 1.6 of the popular Android based RTL-SDR software defined radio software, SDRTouch has been released. News comes via this forum post.

This release adds the following

  • Waterfall
  • Speed optimizations
  • Fixed squelch clicks
  • Fixed a few crash cases

They have also made the FFT engine about 3 – 4 times faster than in previous versions.

Download it from the Google Play store

sdtouch

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Decoding Pagers on the Raspberry Pi with RTL-SDR

Hackaday has brought to attention a tutorial written on the Raspberry Pi forums by Sonny_Jim showing how to decode pager transmissions on the Raspberry Pi. In the tutorial he also shows how to set up a web server to be able to view the decoded transmissions in a web browser.

He uses a RTL-SDR and Raspberry Pi and pipes the output of rtl_fm into the multimonNG software to decode the messages.

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Tutorial: HF Decoding Tour with the FUNcube Dongle Pro+

On the FUNcube Dongle blog/store amateur radio enthusiast DK80K (a.k.a Nils) has sent in a link to a 16 page pdf file showing a comprehensive tour on the FUNcube Dongle Pro+’s capabilities on the HF spectrum.

He gives an overview of many digital ham and HF utility modes including DRM, WSPR, RTTY, Olivia, MFSK16, PSK31, Pactor, Packet, Hellschreiben, ROS, SSTV, HF ACARS, SSB, CW, DSC/GMDSS, SITOR-A/B, Globe Wireless, Time Signals, ALE, Baudot, FAX and Stanag 4285.

The FUNcube is a software defined radio similar to the RTL-SDR, but with better sensitivity and noise performance, but at a higher price (around $200 USD). These modes can also be received with the RTL-SDR and an upconverter such as the Nooelec Ham-It-Up upconverter.

Download his pdf here (Mirror)

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Tip: Effect of Power Sources on the Ham It Up Upconverter

The Ham-It-Up upconverter uses a 5V USB power input. I discovered that different 5v power sources can cause significant interference with this upconverter, and the same effect will probably occur in other upconverters as well.

When the upconverter was powered by mains power via a phone charger, the signals were almost completely drowned out in noise. Powering it with a PC USB port was better, but the PC USB power introduced some other strong noise sources. Powering it with a battery (used a mobile phone with OTG cable) was the best option. There are still some strong noise sources present, but I can probably solve them with better shielding.

Click continue reading to see some comparison images.

Continue reading →

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Receiving SSTV with RTL-SDR

Over on the Radio Antics blog fellow RTL-SDR enthusiast Andrew has been using the RTL-SDR to receive Slow Scan Television (SSTV) amateur signals. SSTV is a method ham radio enthusiasts use to send small images to one another. The images often contain their ham call sign overlaid on the image.

Andrew was able to receive several SSTV images using an R820T dongle tuned to the 27 MHz (11 meter) band. He also used a Funcube Dongle+ and got similar results.

Check out his post for some of the images he received, and his video below for an example of the receiving process.

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