A Software-Defined Radio (SDR) is a wireless radio system that uses software to process radio signals instead of using hardware components. SDRs use software-based algorithms to configure radio parameters like frequency, modulation, and operating modes. This eliminates the need for hardware components like mixers, modulators, and demodulators.
A basic SDR system consists of a computer with speakers, headphones, or some other analog-to-digital converter, preceded by some form of RF front end; such as a USB radio transceiver and size of antenna.
Commercially available SDR hardware can transmit and receive signals at various frequencies depending on its internal hardware, and the type (and size) of antenna that you are using. The aim of these SDR devices is to reduce the overall cost of access and use of RF hardware technologies and provide end-users with access to ubiquitous wireless.
SDR Radios:
- RTL-SDR Blog V4 (R828D & RTL2832U)
- Nooelec
- RTL-SDR V5 (RTL2832U, R820T2, R860)
- NESDR Smart XTR (RTL2832U & E4000)
- HackRF One
- AirSpy
- LimeSDR
- KiwiSDR
- (tr)uSDX
- PiSDR
SDR Radio "Add-Ons":
- RTL-SDR Blog
- Nooelec
- Ham It Up (Low-frequency upconverter)
- Ham It Down (High-frequency down-converter)
- LaNA WideBand LNA
- LaNA HF v2
Antennas:
- Bingfu Ham Radio Radio Antenna Dual Band VHF UHF 136-174MHz 400-520MHz
- NA-771G 15.3-Inch Whip GMRS (462MHz) Antenna
- NA-771 SMA-Male 15.6-Inch Whip VHF/UHF (144/430Mhz) Antenna
- SMA Antenna 12Dbi 700-2700MHz Cellular Antenna (4G/3G, CPRS, GSM, WCDMA)
- RaTLSnake M6 v2 - Premium 3-Antenna Bundle for SDR
- 10dbi 600-6000MHz 3G/4G LTE Wide Band Omni Directional Paddle Antenna
- Adjustable Whip Radio Scanner (40Mhz - 6Ghz)
- Dual-Band 2m 70cm VHF/UHF Antenna
What Size Antenna Do You Need?
Di-Pole Antenna Size Formula:
468 / Frequency = Antenna Size in Feet- Divide 468 / by the frequency you want to tune in to:
The answer you get will be your needed antenna size in "Feet".
468 / 443.2Mhz = 1.06ft - Multiply the "Feet" total by 12 to convert your antenna size into inches:
1.06ft * 12 = 12.67" - Divide your Antenna Size in inches by 2 to get your "Per-Element" size, in inches:
12.67" / 2 = 6.34" Each Side
