{"id":6861,"date":"2013-07-08T09:42:33","date_gmt":"2013-07-08T13:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=6861"},"modified":"2013-07-08T09:42:33","modified_gmt":"2013-07-08T13:42:33","slug":"using-the-rtl2832u-20-sdr-for-hf-trunk-tracker-scanning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/using-the-rtl2832u-20-sdr-for-hf-trunk-tracker-scanning\/","title":{"rendered":"Using the RTL2832U $20 SDR for HF & trunk-tracker scanning?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"DE_DVB_T_1\"<\/a>In response to our post on inexpensive SDRs based on the\u00a0RTL2832U<\/a>, Jeff Benedict writes:<\/p>\n

Here’s a website that has a lot of info on cheap SDR gear. \u00a0They have a write-up on an external board which adds HF capabilities. \u00a0I have one but haven’t done anything with it yet.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.hamradioscience.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Jeff \u00a0KB7AIL \u00a0CN88<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thanks, Jeff!\u00a0Has anyone tried HF with any success? I’m curious how well this\u00a0\u00fcber-cheap receiver will cope with adjacent signals and blowtorch stations within the HF spectrum.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile Neil, blogger on Fofio<\/a>, commented:<\/p>\n

I have an RTL-SDR system up and running. \u00a0I have done 2 demonstrations for my local Ham Radio club. \u00a0One on the basic setup and use of the dongle, using both SDR# and HDSDR. \u00a0The other presentation showed the remote receiver capability using a Raspberry Pi as the receiver with the dongle attached and a remote SDR# computer decoding the stream over a network connection. \u00a0Once I compensate for some minor frequency discrepancies it’s a pretty good receiver. \u00a0The only issue I have noticed with mine (one of the early E4000-based models) is a tendency to overload in the presence of a strong signal. \u00a0We have a pretty powerful 2 Meter repeater less than a 1\/4 mile from our home, and when it’s active it causes some strange results with the RTL-SDR setup.<\/p>\n

I have yet to try one of the HF converters they make for these. \u00a0I hope to do that soon.<\/p>\n

Another project I was reading about today that I may try out is using 2 of the dongles at once to create a trunk-tracker scanner.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Wow! Two $20 USB SDRs and a little PC magic could yield a trunking scanner? I want to hear more about this. Trunking scanners tend to be both expensive and complicated. If a web-updated database could be downloaded and used to control this sort of rig, the possibilities would be most impressive!<\/p>\n

Neil, keep us informed!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In response to our post on inexpensive SDRs based on the\u00a0RTL2832U, Jeff Benedict writes: Here’s a website that has a lot of info on cheap SDR gear. \u00a0They have a write-up on an external board which adds HF capabilities. \u00a0I have one but haven’t done anything with it yet. http:\/\/www.hamradioscience.com Jeff \u00a0KB7AIL \u00a0CN88 Thanks, Jeff!\u00a0Has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[627,139,26,158],"tags":[2019,2020,2022,2021,2017,2018,157,4087,2024,2023],"class_list":["post-6861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-how-to","category-radio-modifications","category-radios","category-software-defined-radio","tag-20-sdr","tag-40-sdr","tag-cheap-sdrs","tag-cheap-software-defined-radios","tag-rtl2832u","tag-rtl2832u-sdr","tag-sdr","tag-software-defined-radio","tag-uhf","tag-vhf"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-1MF","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":20657,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/new-rtl-sdr-dongles-feature-hf-reception\/","url_meta":{"origin":6861,"position":0},"title":"New RTL-SDR dongles feature HF reception","author":"Thomas","date":"August 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Aaron Kuhn, who writes: [T]he newest v3 http:\/\/RTL-SDR.com\u00a0 RTL2832U USB receivers now have HF reception via Direct sampling over the SMA antenna connector directly out of the box with no hardware modding required. I think this might make it the cheapest, out-of-the-box HF SDR\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6842,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/a-very-inexpensive-software-defined-radio-based-on-the-rtl2832u\/","url_meta":{"origin":6861,"position":1},"title":"A very inexpensive Software Defined Radio based on the RTL2832U","author":"Thomas","date":"July 5, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to Benn (AK4AV)\u00a0for passing along this article from the IEEE which describes how a $20 USB digital TV antenna tuner can be transformed into an impressive, flexible software defined radio: http:\/\/spectrum.ieee.org\/geek-life\/hands-on\/a-40-softwaredefined-radio The article incldes the following embedded video from the IEEE: Here is another informative video via YouTube:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "How To"","block_context":{"text":"How To","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/how-to\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"DE_DVB_T_1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/DE_DVB_T_1-300x228.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20767,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/ivans-preliminary-review-of-the-new-rtl-sdr-dongle-on-shortwavemediumwave\/","url_meta":{"origin":6861,"position":2},"title":"Ivan’s preliminary review of the new RTL-SDR dongle on shortwave\/mediumwave","author":"Thomas","date":"August 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan Cholakov (NO2CW), who shares the following video review of the\u00a0new\u00a0RTL-SDR dongle on the\u00a0shortwave\u00a0and mediumwave bands. Ivan notes: This is daytime reception comparison. Nighttime could be a different picture. [The RTL-SDR dongle] tunes and frequency is 100% on spot. Using SDR Sharp you have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1-300x243.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20919,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/the-rtl-sdr-v-3-dongle-on-shortwave-gary-details-setup-and-reviews\/","url_meta":{"origin":6861,"position":3},"title":"The RTL-SDR V.3 dongle on shortwave: Gary details setup and reviews","author":"Thomas","date":"August 30, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0Gary Wise (W4EEY), for the following review of the RTL-SDR dongle: Based on your blog post on the Version 3 release of the RTL-SDR dongle I had to buy one. I ordered mine from Amazon for $25, and it came in two days. I have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Guest Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Guest Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/guest-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":21357,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/advice-using-the-rtl-sdr-on-the-mac-os-operating-system\/","url_meta":{"origin":6861,"position":4},"title":"Advice using the RTL-SDR on the Mac OS operating system?","author":"Thomas","date":"September 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gary Wise (W4EEY), who writes: A good friend of mine recently bought an RTL-SDR (Version 3) from Amazon after seeing the unit in action at my house. He primarily uses Apple computers, however, and the software selections for Apple's IOS recommended at the RTL-SDR\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-e1471375714199-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11972,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/excellent-website-dedicated-to-the-rtl-sdr\/","url_meta":{"origin":6861,"position":5},"title":"Excellent website dedicated to the RTL-SDR","author":"Thomas","date":"January 16, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"SWLing Post reader, Mike, writes: Check this website - not only does it cover RTL dongles, but others as well as Airspy... http:\/\/www.rtl-sdr.com\/ Many thanks, Mike. The depth of RTL-SDR.com is most impressive. They seem to post near daily updates on their blog. Perhaps it's time I jump into the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RTL-SDR","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/RTL-SDR-e1421423853297-1024x759.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/RTL-SDR-e1421423853297-1024x759.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/RTL-SDR-e1421423853297-1024x759.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6861","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6861"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6861\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6861"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}