Tagged: rtl2832u

Khanfar Direction Finder: RTL-SDR and Directional Antenna Based Direction Finding Software

Recently, on Feb 21, we posted news about the release of some spectrum analysis and FM demodulator software from M. Khanfar. Now he has just released his latest software "Khanfar Direction Finder" (scroll to the end of the page), a Windows radio direction finding tool for RTL-SDR dongles.

Khanfar Direction Finder appears to work on the principle of power measurements through the use of directional antennas. Four directional antennas are connected to four RTL-SDR dongles positioned in the N/S/E/W directions.

The antenna pointing towards the signal source will receive it stronger and the antenna pointing away from it will receive it weaker. The two other antennas may receive the signal with some intermediate strength based on the angle. The software automatically combines the power information from all four antennas, resulting in a bearing.

The 'Quintet' version of the software also contains a map that can be used to plot the determined bearings.

Both versions of the software are free to download but not open-source. As mentioned in the previous post, antivirus software can flag M. Khanfar's software as suspicious. We suspect these are false positive results due to the PyInstaller system used to create the exe, but please take your own precautions just in case.

Khanfar Direction Finder Compass Screen
Khanfar Direction Finder Compass Screen
Khanfar Direction Finder Map Screen
Khanfar Direction Finder Map Screen
Khanfar Direction Finder

RTL-SDR Jamming Detector Software

Over on GitHub, Alejandro Martín has recently released his open-source 'rtl-sdr-analyzer' software, which is an RTL-SDR-based signal analyzer and automatic jamming detector. The software is based on Python and connects to the RTL-SDR via an rtl_tcp connection.

Alejandro's software is advertised as having the following features:

  • 📊 Real-time Visualization: Advanced spectrum analysis with waterfall display
  • 🔍 Smart Detection: Automatic signal anomaly and jamming detection
  • 📈 Dynamic Analysis: Adaptive baseline calculation and threshold adjustment
  • ⚙️ Flexible Configuration: Fully customizable detection parameters
  • 🌐 Network Support: Built-in RTL-TCP compatibility for remote operation

The software works by continuously monitoring a frequency range, and creating a log whenever a signal is detected that exceeds a certain power value and duration. It can also monitor 'z-score', which determines if the current signal mean has deviated significantly from the baseline, which could indicate a jamming or interference event.

rtl-sdr-analyzer: An RTL-SDR Signal Analyzer & Jamming Detector
rtl-sdr-analyzer: An RTL-SDR Signal Analyzer & Jamming Detector

TechMinds: Building a Portable ADS-B Aircraft Tracker and VHF Airband Radio Receiver

Over on the TechMinds YouTube channel, Matt has uploaded a video demonstrating a portable ADS-B aircraft tracker with VHF airband radio reception as well. The build consists of a 7-inch screen, Raspberry Pi 4 and two RTL-SDR dongles.

In the video, Matt shows what hardware is required, how it's all put together, and how to install the OS and software and set it up. The software Matt uses for displaying aircraft is tar1090, a comprehensive web interface for ADS-B data. For receiving AM VHF airband communications, he uses an HTML5-based RTL-SDR receiver that can run directly in the Chromium browser and connect to a local RTL-SDR through the web interface.

Your Very Own Aircraft Tracker With VHF Airband Radio - RTL-SDR & PiADSB

calcRadio: A Casio FX-CG20 Calculator Front End Interface for RTL-SDR

In the past, RTL-SDR.COM reader JJ has shared with us his LegoPi project, which demonstrated a clever way to enclose a self-contained RTL-SDR build, as well as his multi-feature living room radio build, which combined an RTL-SDR for live radio and an internet-based radio system with MP3 player.

Recently, he submitted to us a new project called 'calcRadio' (information about the calcRadio can be found at the end of the linked page). The calcRadio project consists of a similar self-contained RTL-SDR build as seen in his previous projects (RTL-SDR with speakers and a single-board computer), but this time, it's controlled via an old Casio FX-CG20 calculator. The calculator's interface is programmed in C, and JJ has uploaded his open source code on GitHub.

JJ writes:

The front-end is made of an older CASIO calculator, the fx-CG20, which can be programmed in C thanks to the non-official CASIO SDK: https://github.com/Jonimoose/libfxcg/releases (the fx-CG20 built-in basic language was way too slow).

The back-end is same as last build, a Strong SRT 2023 TV box, flashed with Armbian + Ubuntu and a bash script to handle everything. Under Linux, the Android board is known as Amlogic Meson GXL (S905X) P212 Development Board. It has about the same CPU power as a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ but with less power consumption, built-in storage and infrared port.

The key to make it work was the presence of a cloning port on the calculator, which was connected to the UART port on the Android board, allowing serial communication to be established.

The calcRadio build

An RTL-SDR/LoRa/GPS/RTC/USB-Hub Extension Board for the uConsole

The uConsole is a handheld computing device developed by ClockworkdPi that costs US$189. Its computing power is based on a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, but other CPU options are also available. The uConsole comes with a 5-inch 1280x720 HD screen, keyboard, and battery module that takes two 18650 lithium-ion batteries.

The uConsole is also modular, allowing for expansion. We wanted to thank RTL-SDR.COM reader Sunny for sharing the news that a RTL-SDR/LoRa/GPS/RTC/USB Hub All-In-One Extension Board for the uConsole will be available from HackerGadgets soon. This board includes a full RTL-SDR module, an SX1262 LoRa chip, a GNSS chip, a real-time clock chip, and a USB hub. The expansion board is currently advertised as being priced at US$78.99.

The expansion board is not yet available for sale, but you can join their waiting list to be notified of its release.

Over on YouTube 'Symbiiote' has released an early review video showing how to build the module into the uConsole and then showing it running SDR++ and receiving some broadcast FM stations.

This uConsole accessory changes EVERYTHING!

A Handheld Cyberdeck with RTL-SDR

Over on his YouTube channel and Hackaday.io blog page, Nicholas LaBonte has shown his "Cyberdeck Handheld" which is a portable computer consisting of a Raspberry Pi 5, LCD screen, custom CNC'd keyboard, UPS module, and an RTL-SDR. All the components are placed in an aesthetically pleasing custom enclosure, made of some interesting premium materials like Sepele hardwood and Richlite. Nicholas writes:

Having been inspired by the uConsole and similar projects, I wanted to try my hand at building my own with off-the-shelf components. Richlite and Sepele hardwood would be used for the housing, materials that I have worked with furnishing yacht interiors. Combined with a bronze heatsink, I wanted to merge cyberpunk and nautical aesthetics. Since the keyboard was the biggest challenge, I started there by combining concepts from both Bobricius and the Ello 2M keyboards, settling on tabbed keys atop PCB-mounted microswitches.

Cyberdeck Handheld

TechMinds: Building a DIY Standalone SDR with a Raspberry Pi, 5-Inch TouchScreen, SDRplay RSPdx and the PiHPSDR Software

Over on the TechMinds YouTube channel, Matt has uploaded a video showing how he created a DIY standalone SDR using an Elecrow 5-inch touchscreen display, Raspberry Pi 5 and an SDRplay RSPdx. The software he uses is PiHPSDR, which is compatible with the SDRplay and RTL-SDR dongles.

In the video, Matt shows how to set up the hardware, the Raspberry Pi OS, and the required software and drivers. He then shows the setup running PiHPSDR and the various settings and features available in the software.

Could This Be The BEST SDR Receiver? Using PiHPSDR & SDRPlay RSPdx

Khanfar Spectrum Analyzer: Signal Analysis Tools for the RTL-SDR

Thank you to M. Khanfar for submitting news about the release of his new spectrum analyzer, sweeper, and FM Radio demodulator tools for the RTL-SDR. The tools are freely released, however, they do not seem to be open source.

THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE VIRUS WARNING: We just want to note that Khanfar's software shows a few positive results for viruses on VirusTotal. These are most likely false positives, but please use this software at your own risk, especially as it is not open source.

The first tool M. Khanfar is releasing is the Khanfar Full Spectrum RTL-SDR Sweeper tool, a wideband spectrum analyzer for the RTL-SDR. It allows the RTL-SDR to produce a spectrum sweep over a large bandwidth by rapidly re-tuning the frequency and plotting each 2.4 MHz live sweep sequentially. This is the same concept used by previous tools like rtl_power and Spektrum.

Khanfar RTL-SDR Sweeper
Khanfar RTL-SDR Sweeper

The second tool released is the Khanfar Advanced Spectrum Analyzer. This tool allows you to view the live spectrum from an RTL-SDR in various visualization modes.

Khanfar Spectrum Analyzer
Khanfar Spectrum Analyzer

The third tool is Khanfar-FM-Radio, a text-based wideband and narrowband FM demodulator for the RTL-SDR.

Khanfar WFM-NFM Demodulator
Khanfar WFM-NFM Demodulator

M. Khanfar notes that all tools can open multiple instances of themselves, allowing them to be used use multiple RTL-SDR dongles on the same machine.

In the video embedded below, M. Khanfar shows his three software applications in action.

Khanfar Spectrum Analyzer