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I just started getting into SDR. This is some interesting work in this space, unfortunately there isn't a lot of development to make exploring this space easier

by monksy 3y ago

I just started getting into SDR. This is some interesting work in this space, unfortunately there isn't a lot of development to make exploring this space easier.

_whiteCaps_ 3y ago
If you're looking for interesting signals to receive, check out: * NOAA satellites in the 137MHz range * APRS packets on 144.390MHz * ISS and other amateur radio satellites around 435MHz For the satellites, I really like GPredict as it can drive SDR programs. ISS, TEVEL, SO-50 are often active.
- award_ 3y ago
  Thanks for this! I am actually just getting into sdr stuff as well and always appreciate any pointers or things like this.
  - _whiteCaps_ 3y ago
    Yeah, the other consistent signals you can get are the Marine VHF and WX stations around 156MHz. If you're really into programming + RF, check out the M17 codec project.
auspiv 3y ago
[dead]
ajsnigrutin 3y ago
SDR is a tool, like a hammer. If you have a nail to hammer in, SDR will help you do it. Having a hammer and not knowing what to do with it is either boring or breaks glass.
- H8crilA 3y ago
  There's a lot of interesting things in the spectrum, and the RTL-SDR costs only $50-$100. I don't see why not just buy it and then figure out what to do with it. Poor analogy.
  - oxygen_crisis 3y ago
    > There's a lot of interesting things in the spectrum What I want is something to steadily sweep its whole spectrum and give me a "heat map" of all the signals it picks up. I've got dozens of PDFs and saved pages of interesting bands and don't see much except FM broadcast radio stations and the local airport when I go looking.
    - _whiteCaps_ 3y ago
      You're going to have trouble covering 50M to 2GHz with a single antenna. Sounds like yours is working well for 80MHz - 120MHz. You should see some stuff around 433MHz like garage door remotes. Same with 900MHz. But again you need the right antenna for it. Also, if you don't have one already, an FM bandstop filter might be helpful, as the FM stations will often overpower the dongles.
      - H8crilA 3y ago
        You can cover lots of strong signals with any basic (inappropriate) antenna. And if you want something cheap that tunes then get a telescope dipole, and set the length correctly (and maybe also polarization). In either case, height / clear line of sight is much more important than a good antenna. But I'd start with the most basic question - is your antenna even outside of the building? :)
        darkclouds 3y ago
        > But I'd start with the most basic question - is your antenna even outside of the building? :) Why not monitor electrical interference inside the home? You could work out when your dishwasher has finished, the different parts of a washing machine program, vacuum cleaner, when the kettle is switched on and off, the fridge/freezer, tv, hifi, lights. You can learn alot about peoples home life and their patterns just from picking up electrical interference of devices. Who needs to hack CCTV to see inside someone's house? :)

by monksy 3y ago

I just started getting into SDR. This is some interesting work in this space, unfortunately there isn't a lot of development to make exploring this space easier.

_whiteCaps_ 3y ago

If you're looking for interesting signals to receive, check out: * NOAA satellites in the 137MHz range * APRS packets on 144.390MHz * ISS and other amateur radio satellites around 435MHz For the satellites, I really like GPredict as it can drive SDR programs. ISS, TEVEL, SO-50 are often active.

award_ 3y ago
Thanks for this! I am actually just getting into sdr stuff as well and always appreciate any pointers or things like this.
- _whiteCaps_ 3y ago
  Yeah, the other consistent signals you can get are the Marine VHF and WX stations around 156MHz. If you're really into programming + RF, check out the M17 codec project.

auspiv 3y ago

[dead]

ajsnigrutin 3y ago

SDR is a tool, like a hammer. If you have a nail to hammer in, SDR will help you do it. Having a hammer and not knowing what to do with it is either boring or breaks glass.

H8crilA 3y ago
There's a lot of interesting things in the spectrum, and the RTL-SDR costs only $50-$100. I don't see why not just buy it and then figure out what to do with it. Poor analogy.
- oxygen_crisis 3y ago
  > There's a lot of interesting things in the spectrum What I want is something to steadily sweep its whole spectrum and give me a "heat map" of all the signals it picks up. I've got dozens of PDFs and saved pages of interesting bands and don't see much except FM broadcast radio stations and the local airport when I go looking.
  - _whiteCaps_ 3y ago
    You're going to have trouble covering 50M to 2GHz with a single antenna. Sounds like yours is working well for 80MHz - 120MHz. You should see some stuff around 433MHz like garage door remotes. Same with 900MHz. But again you need the right antenna for it. Also, if you don't have one already, an FM bandstop filter might be helpful, as the FM stations will often overpower the dongles.
    - H8crilA 3y ago
      You can cover lots of strong signals with any basic (inappropriate) antenna. And if you want something cheap that tunes then get a telescope dipole, and set the length correctly (and maybe also polarization). In either case, height / clear line of sight is much more important than a good antenna. But I'd start with the most basic question - is your antenna even outside of the building? :)
      - darkclouds 3y ago
        > But I'd start with the most basic question - is your antenna even outside of the building? :) Why not monitor electrical interference inside the home? You could work out when your dishwasher has finished, the different parts of a washing machine program, vacuum cleaner, when the kettle is switched on and off, the fridge/freezer, tv, hifi, lights. You can learn alot about peoples home life and their patterns just from picking up electrical interference of devices. Who needs to hack CCTV to see inside someone's house? :)