Bro. The little hand pointer cracked me up and was like 20 seconds in. Thanks, brother. Keep doing exactly what you're doing. I'm trying to get more people into ham, and I send them your way.
When you realize how much went into the R&D of the software to run SDRs, this is truly one cost-effective hobby. Hats off to the Amateur Radio community, that keep me coming back for more.
I live in Big Bear. When the power goes out and I startup the generator, I needed a way to know when main power is back on. Bear Valley has Smart Meters that transmit the kilowatt hours used about every 40 seconds when the power is on. So I grabbed my RTL-SDR and found a software called rtlamr. With these I can listen for when Smart Meters start broadcasting again. This tells me the power is back on and I can turn off my generator.
You are clearly using a better antenna than came with the RTL-SDR :-D It's enough to whet my appetite, but I can tell already I'm going to have to up my antenna game if I'm really going to get more out of it!
Thanks for this. I am new at this and taking my test in 2 weeks. Trying to listen locally. I have the nooelec bundle without the uplink. This answered almost all my questions. I had everything I needed I just needed help figuring out how to program the frequencies in and searching. You did a great job.
I use an RTL sdr for hf all the time. No upconverter required. Need to change to direct sampling of I or q, don't remember which. A broadcast filter helps a lot. I generally use sdr uno.
You didn't mention that there is a decoder out there for HD Broadcast FM radio in the US. It even shows some of the album art that are broadcast. It is called NRSC5.
Thanks for doing this. I am a shortwave/scanner listener with no interest in being an amateur operator. I use the RSP1A, thinking about updating to the DX version. Maybe use the 1A or the RTL for mobile use.
Same I have kguv9d+ and the 8 version for listening never was interested to transmit so sdr is perfect for me I will get better sdr maybe next year I wanted to buy yaeso receiver just for listening but it's 4k$ I rather get amazing sdr for 300$
The RSP-1A is the best selection among these. A third party sells a metal case to replace it. It's much faster to explain it in writing than to record a video!
On my old computers I had to do the extra instructions to get the software running. If you buy an off brand cheap rtl-sdr tv tuner, don’t install the software disc or the str sharp won’t start. If you do what I did and use the software disc, Uninstall the software disc and you are good to go. I had to download the drivers and run the configuration program in the instructions. Suggest plugging into a decent antenna, mine didn’t even pick up fm radio with the tiny antenna.
Hi bro excellent intro is it cool to tell my friends I don't charge they are brothers. I have enjoyed your channel for time so thanks for your energy regardless.
I like Cheep . I like twelve volt cheep on ampps and I don't need to program a space launch either . No smoke is all I need at low COST . . . Keep it coming T/C/E
It might be a good idea to turn off the search fecher . For a couple of years . UHF VHF bands are crowded and I saw an old guy listening to an old station he hadn't heard for five years on AM . . . C00L .
I am using my old RTLSDR dongle hooked to a powered outdoor antenna and can get both AM and FM reception in addition to all the other opotions with no upconverter. I am on a MacBook Pro using CubicSDR
Someone asked in the chat if they can setup and access this like a websdr : You can do this by feeding this streams of audio into your broadcastify account. So even when you are out, you can login and listen live to the streams you set up. But it has 30secs to 1min delay.
I run the RTL_SDR dongle (the silver ione in this video ver. 2) with no upconverter and can hear HF plane as day. So I would argue that one is not needed.
Is it better to get a SDR radio that is a complete radio, or go the Dongel, Antenna, old cell phone route? I'm not going to use my PC, but I do have a old S5 Samsung ( with micro usb, I can get a adapter to fit the Dongle) I pre loaded the software, drivers on the S5. I'm more inclined to want to use this as a local scanner, ( non encrypted stuff) or maybe SW, MW UHF...ect..
NOAA weather is not in the Airband, the weather you heard is from NWS on a station callled ATIS, transmitted from the airport//local weather data station. It basically translates METAR observations into plain language. Pilots use it to know if they can land at a given airport.
Mac is much easier to set up and works much better than PC. I use both - pc in kitchen and mac in the shack. I also have one for my Android phone. I use an old spare phone so that its like a portable receiver. The dongle and antennae is attached to the phone. Its as good as my yacht boy.
This is the first time I have ever heard of needing a down-converter to get HF on a SDR. Whatever a down-converter is anyway. Maybe I won't try SDR after all. I was thinking about getting into it for mostly HF. But I don't want to buy costly extras. This video just saved me big $$ and I will not get a SDR now.
Hi there brother,. I have a big question about the Uniden SDS200. Can it scan all the VHF, UHF and HF bands as long as the appropriate antennas are used ? I am thinking about getting into the listening side of things as opposed to transmitting .I don't want to have to go to HAM school for a license and not have the proper location or equipment to operate it without natural restrictions like valleys or power transmission lines interfering. It makes sense to spend the least amount of money to figure out what equipment will do the job. I want both avenues open to me .Both independent listening right off the receiver and the SDR computer path as well.
its a pain, I looked into it. it requires OP25 and 2 dongles due to bandwidth limits of smaller SDRs. I ended up with a whistler TRX1 instead for that.
Really… I looked into OP25, but I didn’t know about the two dongles. I can see why dual would make sense. I currently have a pro-106 with p25 phase I but my local conversion has begun. I’m exploring sdr, and ham. Thanks for the reply. Looks like I have more research.
I use one rtl-sdr blog dongle on my local public safety p25 p1 simulcast system. I'm using a MFJ mini mag mount dual band ham antenna in my house. I think that bad antenna helps eliminate some of the simulcast issues. I use SDR Trunk to decode.
@@fallingjeff IIRC (for p25 phase 2) it's needs 2 because the 2.4mhz is not enough bandwidth to handle it, the newer SDR versions seem to support 3.2mhz so that might be enough.
So I'm curious about this, theres no licenses or anything like that required to just listen on one of these, right? Like is there anything you are limited from listening to by law or license or anything like that?
Can someone send me a shopping list for a complete newb in SDR. I have window and mac devices, tablets, and computers. I just don't have time to watch all these videos. I'll mess with the gear and learn as I go. THX
"One of the most common questions asked on the APRS SIG is "What TNC should I buy?"." How about, what is a TNC? This use of abbreviations among radio nerds just drives me nuts sometimes. Google TNC and you get something completely irrelevant to communication. So, what do the initials TNC stand for? That's a start.
It's the same dongle. Connect it to the Android phone via an "OTG" USB adapter cable (which effectively turns your phone's USB port into an USB host) and plug the SDR dongle into that. Then you'll be able to run one of the Android SDR apps such as SDRTouch.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Ok, Im wondering how to receive on the computer screen and transmit on the radio all with the same antenna. I ordered an icom 7300 and I think I can accomplish that without a dongle anyways.
Around the end there I would say you're doing something wrong with direct sampling... probably would have to change your setup without the upconverter etc.
Nooelec balun $14. Aliexpress, EXACT (!!!!!) same thing $2,50 including shipping. Now wonder why the US is at the end of it's runway. I don't mind resale but I do mind a ripoff. Shown antenna's are the same case. Also the SDR radio's Did not check the rest though. I leave that up to you.
This is why I use Skywave Linux with my SDR and for all my stuff. The monster that Bill Gates created is not there to help us, but to control us. Use a Linux OS to browser the net and even a simple version with out protection will never have virus issues and runs faster. You can use a very old simple version to run obsolete laps tops like the one I am using as we speak. Keep the windows machine off line....
Just ordered (through your affiliate link) the RTL-SDR Software Defined Radio with Dipole Antenna Kit. While I "patiently wait," I am wondering if you'll add a General Class exam review like your Technician one, or better yet a combo class for those like me who want to test for both in the same day. Anyway, thanks for some GREAT content!!!
Multiple times, you said if you have the money to throw at this you recommend the "SDRplay" for around $120 instead of the Cheap SDR Radio Dongle ~$25 ... WITHOUT mentioning the key differences ... Why?
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Ah.. Sorry.. hit the pause button at 28:00 . Didn't see it in the gear on he desk And went to lower VHF on the RSP1a to search for DX sigs.
I wouldn't be downloading anything from Russia. Your voice drops off into oblivion a lot of the time...have no idea what you're saying. You need a compressor like a UA mic preamp. There seems to be a lot of empty spectrum where you were looking......as if the sensitivity is low. There's a heck of a lot more activity where you show flat line noise floor.
Bro. The little hand pointer cracked me up and was like 20 seconds in. Thanks, brother. Keep doing exactly what you're doing. I'm trying to get more people into ham, and I send them your way.
When you realize how much went into the R&D of the software to run SDRs, this is truly one cost-effective hobby. Hats off to the Amateur Radio community, that keep me coming back for more.
I live in Big Bear. When the power goes out and I startup the generator, I needed a way to know when main power is back on. Bear Valley has Smart Meters that transmit the kilowatt hours used about every 40 seconds when the power is on. So I grabbed my RTL-SDR and found a software called rtlamr. With these I can listen for when Smart Meters start broadcasting again. This tells me the power is back on and I can turn off my generator.
Smart!!!
That is WAY more complicated than it should be but it is unequivocally cool!
You are clearly using a better antenna than came with the RTL-SDR :-D It's enough to whet my appetite, but I can tell already I'm going to have to up my antenna game if I'm really going to get more out of it!
Thanks for this. I am new at this and taking my test in 2 weeks. Trying to listen locally. I have the nooelec bundle without the uplink. This answered almost all my questions. I had everything I needed I just needed help figuring out how to program the frequencies in and searching. You did a great job.
Thanks!
I use an RTL sdr for hf all the time. No upconverter required. Need to change to direct sampling of I or q, don't remember which. A broadcast filter helps a lot. I generally use sdr uno.
How do you get your rtl to work with SDRUno?
You didn't mention that there is a decoder out there for HD Broadcast FM radio in the US. It even shows some of the album art that are broadcast. It is called NRSC5.
Ramona, Ca. - My old hometown. Its still a wonderful town! despite being Califormia. Great for kids, dogs & horses.
So glad you discovered Ramona!
Thanks for doing this. I am a shortwave/scanner listener with no interest in being an amateur operator. I use the RSP1A, thinking about updating to the DX version. Maybe use the 1A or the RTL for mobile use.
Same I have kguv9d+ and the 8 version for listening never was interested to transmit so sdr is perfect for me I will get better sdr maybe next year I wanted to buy yaeso receiver just for listening but it's 4k$ I rather get amazing sdr for 300$
@30:39 - You can use the "Shift" function to account for the up converter to correct the Frequency offset for you...
The RSP-1A is the best selection among these. A third party sells a metal case to replace it. It's much faster to explain it in writing than to record a video!
On my old computers I had to do the extra instructions to get the software running. If you buy an off brand cheap rtl-sdr tv tuner, don’t install the software disc or the str sharp won’t start. If you do what I did and use the software disc, Uninstall the software disc and you are good to go. I had to download the drivers and run the configuration program in the instructions. Suggest plugging into a decent antenna, mine didn’t even pick up fm radio with the tiny antenna.
Hi bro excellent intro is it cool to tell my friends I don't charge they are brothers. I have enjoyed your channel for time so thanks for your energy regardless.
I have to pause to see these wild memes , always amazing
I like Cheep . I like twelve volt cheep on ampps and I don't need to program a space launch either . No smoke is all I need at low COST . . .
Keep it coming
T/C/E
It might be a good idea to turn off the search fecher . For a couple of years . UHF VHF bands are crowded and I saw an old guy listening to an old station he hadn't heard for five years on AM . . . C00L .
I am using my old RTLSDR dongle hooked to a powered outdoor antenna and can get both AM and FM reception in addition to all the other opotions with no upconverter. I am on a MacBook Pro using CubicSDR
Yep! 👍
I have just bought RTL SDR v 4 . What is the simplest antenna that can be used to receive airband/vhf/uhf /shortwave and ham bands?
I’m going to have to comeback and watch this later, smoked way too much to deal with the creepy baby hand. I just can’t right now.
Lmao
😂😂 I’ve been there
I think people would pay good money for Danny to be a guide in a railfan excursion
Josh, I dig the strong hand you used for pointing.
Thank you!
Someone asked in the chat if they can setup and access this like a websdr : You can do this by feeding this streams of audio into your broadcastify account. So even when you are out, you can login and listen live to the streams you set up. But it has 30secs to 1min delay.
I run the RTL_SDR dongle (the silver ione in this video ver. 2) with no upconverter and can hear HF plane as day. So I would argue that one is not needed.
What kinda antenna
Is it better to get a SDR radio that is a complete radio, or go the Dongel, Antenna, old cell phone route?
I'm not going to use my PC, but I do have a old S5 Samsung ( with micro usb, I can get a adapter to fit the Dongle)
I pre loaded the software, drivers on the S5.
I'm more inclined to want to use this as a local scanner, ( non encrypted stuff) or maybe SW, MW UHF...ect..
Neolec works with all the SDR software except for This s/w. I ran the bat. I also ran Zdiag
In most rooms I have the old “co-axial “ outlets for tv’s that haven’t been used in years.
Q: can this be modified to utilize the antenna for my SDR?
Use a HackRF, it's like a 1Mdb attenuatior. They also work well as a lightning earth.
NOAA weather is not in the Airband, the weather you heard is from NWS on a station callled ATIS, transmitted from the airport//local weather data station. It basically translates METAR observations into plain language. Pilots use it to know if they can land at a given airport.
I have just bought RTL SDR v 4 . What is the simplest antenna that can be used to receive airband/vhf/uhf /shortwave and ham bands?
@@ramv1564I’m using a YouLoop HF loop antenna made by AirSpy. Using on Sdrplay dx r2.
Is the spectrum pretty narrow that you can monitor with these dongles? Like the V4? Now no up converter needed right built in?
Do you really need an expensive unit like a sdr play or Airspy, hacker etc?
RTL v4 has a upconverter built in
Mac is much easier to set up and works much better than PC. I use both - pc in kitchen and mac in the shack. I also have one for my Android phone. I use an old spare phone so that its like a portable receiver. The dongle and antennae is attached to the phone. Its as good as my yacht boy.
Just got the rtl sdr via your link, excited to play with it! My plan is to eventually run it with my steam deck in a portable sorta fashion 😁
What would the best software be (mac or PC) for a HackRF One?
Can these SDR Radio Dongles export to Africa?
This is the first time I have ever heard of needing a down-converter to get HF on a SDR. Whatever a down-converter is anyway. Maybe I won't try SDR after all. I was thinking about getting into it for mostly HF. But I don't want to buy costly extras. This video just saved me big $$ and I will not get a SDR now.
You can do it without. But generally an upconverter is recommended.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Neste caso não seria melhor partir para um usdx ?
Excellent memes as always.
Hi there brother,.
I have a big question about the Uniden SDS200. Can it scan all the VHF, UHF and HF bands as long as the appropriate antennas are used ? I am thinking about getting into the listening side of things as opposed to transmitting .I don't want to have to go to HAM school for a license and not have the proper location or equipment to operate it without natural restrictions like valleys or power transmission lines interfering.
It makes sense to spend the least amount of money to figure out what equipment will do the job.
I want both avenues open to me .Both independent listening right off the receiver and the SDR computer path as well.
The lowest it will go is CB band. Not a good HF receiver if that is what you are looking for.
have you found a way to decode p25 phase 2 yet?
If you cowered this somewhere else, I haven't come across it yet.
Looking for a good choice sdr with option for HF. Any suggestions?
Sorry I missed you live . Had to work .
Ok I’m glad live chat helped clarify. the kilo in 90 minutes before I commented. I was wondering how you managed QSOs with an average time of
Lol. Yes. My bad. 🤣
or just set the shift to -125000000 and you can put in the reg hf frq ..without the math etc
Does the RTL-SDR v4 do the gf bands like the v3?
Anyone know if there’s a software plug-in for P25 Phase 2 in simulcast? I’m a newby. I’m considering the NooElec xtr bundle.
its a pain, I looked into it. it requires OP25 and 2 dongles due to bandwidth limits of smaller SDRs. I ended up with a whistler TRX1 instead for that.
Really… I looked into OP25, but I didn’t know about the two dongles. I can see why dual would make sense. I currently have a pro-106 with p25 phase I but my local conversion has begun. I’m exploring sdr, and ham. Thanks for the reply. Looks like I have more research.
I’m really just avoiding the SDS100 or 200 because of $$$.
I use one rtl-sdr blog dongle on my local public safety p25 p1 simulcast system. I'm using a MFJ mini mag mount dual band ham antenna in my house. I think that bad antenna helps eliminate some of the simulcast issues. I use SDR Trunk to decode.
@@fallingjeff IIRC (for p25 phase 2) it's needs 2 because the 2.4mhz is not enough bandwidth to handle it, the newer SDR versions seem to support 3.2mhz so that might be enough.
Will SDR# work with Nooelec RTL-SDR v5?
Will it run on most distros of linux, freebsd or haiku OS?
I have a question I cannot find an answer to. Can this be used with a 100 watt HF to help find stations to work without burning the SDR or laptop??
So I'm curious about this, theres no licenses or anything like that required to just listen on one of these, right? Like is there anything you are limited from listening to by law or license or anything like that?
Can someone send me a shopping list for a complete newb in SDR. I have window and mac devices, tablets, and computers. I just don't have time to watch all these videos. I'll mess with the gear and learn as I go. THX
Josh has endless information to share your missing much by not watching his and others videos.
@@JohnL1950 got the RTL v.4. Need to up my antenna game
Some sdr have 1khz to 6ghz but are they any good you should do a review once
Hey man what radio so you know that can transmit in 5g? I see lots of radios now block it what would you recommend?
"One of the most common questions asked on the APRS SIG is "What TNC should I buy?"."
How about, what is a TNC? This use of abbreviations among radio nerds just drives me nuts sometimes. Google TNC and you get something completely irrelevant to communication. So, what do the initials TNC stand for? That's a start.
I covered it on my packet radio and APRS videos.
...someone else tried to switch a LED with these signals with coils...it should fail...
Can these things pick up cordless phones ?
Do they make a dongal for Android and Apple phones? I don't even have a PC anymore.
It's the same dongle. Connect it to the Android phone via an "OTG" USB adapter cable (which effectively turns your phone's USB port into an USB host) and plug the SDR dongle into that. Then you'll be able to run one of the Android SDR apps such as SDRTouch.
@@coriscotupi Thank you for the information
Can you use the same antenna that your ham radio uses at the same time? And how?
Not really. Unless you used a switch. If you transmit on a radio with another radio on the same coax, you effectively blow it up.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Ok, Im wondering how to receive on the computer screen and transmit on the radio all with the same antenna. I ordered an icom 7300 and I think I can accomplish that without a dongle anyways.
You can modify the 7300 to have an output for an SDR dongle to run into your computer.
Around the end there I would say you're doing something wrong with direct sampling... probably would have to change your setup without the upconverter etc.
You’re likely right.
All the brilliant IT type people and the best name they can come up with for this device is “dongle?” What an absolutely silly name.
Looking at those intro memes - I have 2 of those wild jankapotamuses. I shoulda got an XPS 13 instead!
Not if you want 12 Volt charging.
Spectrum that’s viewable is wide
OK.....I think I might have discovered a new hobby.
will this work only as good as your antenna is ?
What do you think 😂
Nooelec balun $14. Aliexpress, EXACT (!!!!!) same thing $2,50 including shipping.
Now wonder why the US is at the end of it's runway.
I don't mind resale but I do mind a ripoff.
Shown antenna's are the same case.
Also the SDR radio's
Did not check the rest though. I leave that up to you.
Windows 11 broke all my favorite SDR programs. I opted out of the update as long as I could then Microsoft FORCED the update. 😡
I use SDR# and SDRuno on w11 without issue, might just have to reinstall them. That or a driver issue, likely zigzag driver is the issue.
This is why I use Skywave Linux with my SDR and for all my stuff. The monster that Bill Gates created is not there to help us, but to control us. Use a Linux OS to browser the net and even a simple version with out protection will never have virus issues and runs faster. You can use a very old simple version to run obsolete laps tops like the one I am using as we speak. Keep the windows machine off line....
@@tunnelrabbit2625 Thanks for the reply! I'll check out this option.
Just ordered (through your affiliate link) the RTL-SDR Software Defined Radio with Dipole Antenna Kit. While I "patiently wait," I am wondering if you'll add a General Class exam review like your Technician one, or better yet a combo class for those like me who want to test for both in the same day. Anyway, thanks for some GREAT content!!!
You'll have your SDR well before I make the General License series :D But it's coming.
Multiple times, you said if you have the money to throw at this you recommend the "SDRplay" for around $120 instead of the Cheap SDR Radio Dongle ~$25 ... WITHOUT mentioning the key differences ... Why?
I absolutely mentioned it. You don’t need the upconverter in addition to better receiver performance.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse thnx
RSP1a is $99 bucks. Surprised you didn't include that. Too many choices I suspect?
I did.
Its at 35:00
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Ah.. Sorry.. hit the pause button at 28:00 . Didn't see it in the gear on he desk And went to lower VHF on the RSP1a to search for DX sigs.
i wonder if i can plug this into a cell phone :O
Android yes…
Johnson Jennifer Miller Melissa Garcia John
I have the dongle but the instructions are so complicated. Someplace I can go to see how to do this if you're really dumb old and not technical :)
I wouldn't be downloading anything from Russia. Your voice drops off into oblivion a lot of the time...have no idea what you're saying. You need a compressor like a UA mic preamp. There seems to be a lot of empty spectrum where you were looking......as if the sensitivity is low. There's a heck of a lot more activity where you show flat line noise floor.