HAM: SDR info

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  • ghostrider45

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 5, 2021
    89
    26
    Central Texas
    Last edited:

    TheDan

    deplorable malcontent scofflaw
    Rating - 100%
    8   0   0
    Nov 11, 2008
    27,536
    96
    Austin - Rockdale
    It's cool watching the waterfall. Makes it easy to find freqs people are transmitting on. Those posted are just for listening, tho.

    Technically nearly all modern radios are SDR. Very little analog processing going on in them.
     

    motorcarman

    Compulsive Collector
    Rating - 100%
    9   0   0
    Feb 13, 2015
    4,731
    96
    Rural Wise County, TX.
    I just bought the RTL-SDR. Been a long time since I had my LAFAYETTE KT-135 EXPLOR-AIR Radio plugged in and operating.

    I bought the LRE KT-135 already assembled back in the mid 1960s for $15 and then had to put new Capacitors in it about 40 years ago.

    Never did get my Novice ticket but got into cars and motorcycles so the money went there.

    I forget Morse Code but I did get the 5 WPM threshold back then.
    My neighbor was a GENERAL class and tried to get me to stick with it.
    Never saved up for a transmitter or transceiver.

    Bought a Baofeng UV5 a few years ago to maybe get back into it?
    I've been studying up on the Technician license. I'll look for someone local to take the test.

    Gotta climb onto the roof to get an antenna mounted.

    Maybe even fire up the old CB radio from the 1980s?

    The RTL-SDR looks like something to hold my interest for a while.
     

    Brains

    One of the idiots
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Apr 9, 2013
    6,904
    96
    Spring
    Wife got me a HackRF-One for Xmas last year, and within a week I blew the receive amplifier :) Ordered 10 replacements, a couple minutes with the hot air and I was back in business. After not hearing much, I bought a discone but just have it mounted in the attic. Better, but being shielded by the foil on the roof decking isn't helping things. The Hack-RF doesn't have the greatest ears to begin with, but I can still pick up quite a bit locally.
     

    Tnhawk

    TGT Addict
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Dec 7, 2017
    9,968
    96
    Savannah, TX
    I just bought the RTL-SDR. Been a long time since I had my LAFAYETTE KT-135 EXPLOR-AIR Radio plugged in and operating.

    I bought the LRE KT-135 already assembled back in the mid 1960s for $15 and then had to put new Capacitors in it about 40 years ago.

    Never did get my Novice ticket but got into cars and motorcycles so the money went there.

    I forget Morse Code but I did get the 5 WPM threshold back then.
    My neighbor was a GENERAL class and tried to get me to stick with it.
    Never saved up for a transmitter or transceiver.

    Bought a Baofeng UV5 a few years ago to maybe get back into it?
    I've been studying up on the Technician license. I'll look for someone local to take the test.

    Gotta climb onto the roof to get an antenna mounted.

    Maybe even fire up the old CB radio from the 1980s?

    The RTL-SDR looks like something to hold my interest for a while.
    No requirement for morse code any longer. Novice ticket is no longer available.
    It only takes a few hours to study and pass the Technician test. Practice tests can be found at QRZ.com and other sites.
    The General License only takes a few more hours to prepare for testing.
     

    gll

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 22, 2016
    4,812
    96
    I just bought the RTL-SDR. Been a long time since I had my LAFAYETTE KT-135 EXPLOR-AIR Radio plugged in and operating.

    I bought the LRE KT-135 already assembled back in the mid 1960s for $15 and then had to put new Capacitors in it about 40 years ago.

    Never did get my Novice ticket but got into cars and motorcycles so the money went there.

    I forget Morse Code but I did get the 5 WPM threshold back then.
    My neighbor was a GENERAL class and tried to get me to stick with it.
    Never saved up for a transmitter or transceiver.

    Bought a Baofeng UV5 a few years ago to maybe get back into it?
    I've been studying up on the Technician license. I'll look for someone local to take the test.

    Gotta climb onto the roof to get an antenna mounted.

    Maybe even fire up the old CB radio from the 1980s?

    The RTL-SDR looks like something to hold my interest for a while.
    Might as well study for and take Technician and General tests same day! Should be only one test fee that way.
     

    Tnhawk

    TGT Addict
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Dec 7, 2017
    9,968
    96
    Savannah, TX
    Might as well study for and take Technician and General tests same day! Should be only one test fee that way.
    I've seen several people take and pass the General test after Technician. During one test session an individual passed Technician, General and Amateur Extra tests for one test fee.
     

    no2gates

    These are not the droids you're looking for.
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Aug 31, 2013
    6,022
    96
    Grand Prairie, TX
    I just bought the RTL-SDR. Been a long time since I had my LAFAYETTE KT-135 EXPLOR-AIR Radio plugged in and operating.

    I bought the LRE KT-135 already assembled back in the mid 1960s for $15 and then had to put new Capacitors in it about 40 years ago.

    Never did get my Novice ticket but got into cars and motorcycles so the money went there.

    I forget Morse Code but I did get the 5 WPM threshold back then.
    My neighbor was a GENERAL class and tried to get me to stick with it.
    Never saved up for a transmitter or transceiver.

    Bought a Baofeng UV5 a few years ago to maybe get back into it?
    I've been studying up on the Technician license. I'll look for someone local to take the test.

    Gotta climb onto the roof to get an antenna mounted.

    Maybe even fire up the old CB radio from the 1980s?

    The RTL-SDR looks like something to hold my interest for a while.

    I got my Technician license back about 25 years ago and upgraded to General about 15 years ago.
    My wife got her Technician license almost 10 years ago. I love her dearly, but she's like the "technology anti-christ", so if she can pass the test, you should be able to with less than 2 hours study time.
     

    no2gates

    These are not the droids you're looking for.
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Aug 31, 2013
    6,022
    96
    Grand Prairie, TX
    I did find a sample test online about 5 years ago and got a 23 out of 35 with NO STUDY.

    I thought if I actually read through some material, I could pass the test!
    Then take it. There's no difference in your license if you get 100% on the test or 70%. Same call sign.
     
    Every Day Man
    Tyrant

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